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We are today (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various mutations of the flu virus. First we had alarms over the bird flu virus, and more recently swine flu has become a latest worry. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu may mutate into a form that could infect humans, but for a few cases, this has not materialized. Swine flu is of much more concern, swine flu is able to spread from human to human making it a very serious threat.

Swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory disease that infects pigs, it is caused by a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is is common and is rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can happen occasionally.

Swine flu is particularly dangerous because it is a new strain of virus. It is dangerous because no one has been in contact with this particular strain previously, and therefore no one has built up any immunity to this flu strain. It is our immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to swine flu we are in serious danger from the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, this includes healthy adults and teenagers as well as young children and the elderly.

The real concern is what will happen when the winter flu season arrives. It is then when the flu virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with the possibility of over half of the population becoming infected.

The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headache, 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 simple, but very important precautions. The virus is passed between humans from the droplets from the mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs. This is the way viruses are spread from person to person. Covering your nose and mouth with your hands when you sneeze or cough isn’t enough. The germs then live on your hands, and everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching anything you touched will pick up the virus and will then risk becoming infected themselves. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should then be disposed of safely as soon as you can, try to use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.

Currently there are no vaccinations that 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 type of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will take many months to manufacture. By this time, it may have mutated into a different strain.

The only real effective precaution against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who is carrying the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of contracting the flu virus, it can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments worldwide are stocking up on Tamiflu, these supplies will naturally be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.

You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation occurs you can treat yourself and your family as much as possible. It cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as soon as possible if it is to be effective, delays in treating the flu virus will greatly reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are at a increased 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 prudent to buy Tamiflu before the winter flu season begins. If you live in the country and do not have a close contact with many people then you will be at a lower risk.

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

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

Disclaimer: This article is based on information freely available in the popular media and medical journals concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this article is meant to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you are encouraged to consult your own doctor.