Swine Flu ( Influenza A H1N1)

Page updated October the 1st 2009

The following article on Swine flu has been written to provide an overview on Swine flu. All information regarding the 2009 swine flu virus pandemic officially the first flu pandemic in forty years has been has been cross checked with official sources such as The World Health Organisation (WHO).

Tamiflu

What is Swine flu

Otherwise known as influenza A H1N1 this virus is attributed to several different swine viruses found in pigs that can also be transmitted to humans. The link was first made during the 1918 flu pandemic (also an influenza A H1N1 strain,) it was noticed that not only humans but pigs too were being infected. The virus is very common in pigs and it is those in close contact with pigs are in higher risk of contracting the disease. That said transmission is incredibly rare with around 50 recorded cases in as many years around the world. Like normal influenza viruses the H1N1 virus carries similar symptoms; a general weakening, aches pains to the muscles and bones, chills, fevers as well as sore throat with coughing, and headache. Potentially a deadly killer as shown by the 1918 pandemic which killed more than the first world war between 50 and 100 million people in the end succumbed to the virus.

The 2009 swine flu pandemic

Given that normal seasonal flu claims tens of thousands of lives every year for the moment the current swine flu pandemic has proved to be no more if anything dangerous than a normal flu. So for the moment there is nothing to be worried about. With that said the swine flu pandemic is caused by an unpredictable mutating virus for this reason and because of the viruses deadly potential as shown by the 1918 death toll the world governments are taking action to safeguard their populations. Most people that contract the virus will be be ok however anyone with underlying health problems young will struggle. Unlike normal influenza viruses that mainly effect the very young and very old swine flu has been infecting mainly teenagers and the middle aged.

Brief History of the swine flu pandemic so far

It has now been 7 months since swine spread from Mexico and hit international news back in April 2009. However its seriousness was not confirmed until June the 11th when The World Health Organization declared the swine flu outbreak an official global flu pandemic. By the 8th of May British scientists had decoded this H1N1 virus's genetic sequence and were able to start designing a vaccine. In early June the Health Secretary Andy Burnham raised fears with his warning that by the end of August swine flu cases 'could reach 100,000 per day'. However in the end the summer months saw a reduction in the number of reported influenza A H1N1 cases due to the hotter weather and the break up of schools. In the mean time the southern hemisphere where in the middle of their winter flu season and cases of swine flu were in the ascendency culminating in a crisis in the Australian rugby league when in June 11 Australian Rugby League players were quarantined. Australia and the rest of the southern hemisphere is now moving out of its winter flu season with many lessons learnt which the northern hemisphere nations are taking onboard to improve their fight against the resurging pandemic. Indeed the return of school children to class and the end of summer saw an immediate rise in the numbers of swine flu cases in the UK. For now the pandemic is not over the next five months will be telling as the entire of Europe and North America enter their winter months. To date the death toll from the current pandemic has been confirmed at 3,917 by (WHO) on the 25th of September 2009. That a jump of 431 deaths in a week.

About treatting swine flu

Antivirals
Tamiflu and Relenza are the antivirals available to combat the symptoms of swine flu. Relenza is inhaled where as Tamiflu in capsular form is ingested and for this reason the government has opted for stockpiling Tamiflu as it carries better guarantees that the treatment will be taken correctly . So far an estimated 300,000 people in the UK have been prescribed Tamiflu. Despite this people have found it difficult to get tamiflu through the NHS direct supply. Although not a cure it is an effective treatment to reduce the symptoms and duration of swine flu. Myonlinedoctor can provide a private prescription for Tamiflu so that you have it ready in your medicine cupboard in case you contract the infection. We are currently experiencing a high demand for Tamiflu please check ou r Tamiflu Stock Levels.

Tamiflu

The vaccine
Despite claims that testing was rushed the swine flu vaccine available 'Pandemrix', made by GlaxoSmithKline (which received the go ahead by the "European drugs regulator" on the 25th of September) and 'Celvapan' produced by Baxter are both going under mass production. A total of over 120 million dosages are on order by the government enough to cover an immunisation program for the entire UK population. Tamiflu or the vaccine which one is better find out more?

Natural remedies common sense and prevention
There is no doubt that taking sensible precautions such as washing your hands not touching your hands to your face and following traditional flu remedies for most people will be enough.

For more information / advice on swine flu please check the following sites