Today we are (more and more|more} at risk from various strains of the flu virus. First we had scares over the bird flu virus, and recently swine flu has become the major concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was a worry that bird flu could mutate into a form that would effect humans, apart from a few cases, this has not materialized. Swine flu is of much more concern, swine flu is able to pass from human to human making swine flu a dangerous threat.

Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a disease that effects pigs and is caused by a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is is common but is rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu has not normally infected humans, but it can happen occasionally.

Swine flu is very dangerous as it is a new strain of virus. This means that no one has been exposed to this particular strain previously, and therefore no one has developed any immunity to this type of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to this strain of the virus we are at the mercy of the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, this includes healthy adults and teenagers as well as children and the elderly.

The real worry is what occurs when winter arrives. This is the period when the flu virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with possibly over half the population becoming infected.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of a fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.

So what precautions can we take. First, anyone with cold or flu symptoms needs to take a few easy, but most important precautions. The virus is passed between humans by the small droplets from the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Covering your nose and mouth with your hands when you sneeze or cough is not enough. The virus simply sit on your hands, and everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching anything you touched will pick up the germs and then risks becoming infected themselves. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is far better, this should then be disposed of as soon as you can, and always use a new tissue if you cough or sneeze again.

There are currently no vaccinations to stop anyone catching the swine flu virus. Swine flu is a new type of virus and isn’t the same as seasonal flu. The annual vaccination against the normal seasonal flu is not effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will take several months to produce. By this time, it may well have changed into a different strain again.

Currently the only real effective treatment against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who has the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments are stocking up on Tamiflu, but the supplies will be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.

You can however buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can protect yourself and your family as much as possible. Although it cannot be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as early as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treatment will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are at a higher risk due to your situation, such as For example living in a busy city with a large population or working in a busy open plan office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the flu season starts. If you live in the country and do not have close contact with many people then there will be less chance of getting the flu virus.

Also, remember that swine flu is a worldwide problem. It is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be great enough to meet a huge worldwide demand.

Until a vaccine is discovered and produced in the large quantities required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the popular media and medical articles related to swine flu. Nothing in this posting is meant to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you are advised to consult with your own healthcare worker.