Swine Influenza (Flu)

Steps Treat Influenza Quickly

2010-06-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

Consult Your Doctor Immediately

If you suspect that you have been infected with influenza, it is recommended that you visit your doctor as soon as possible. If you start taking treatment for flu within the first two days of symptoms appearing, the duration as well as the severity of the symptoms may be reduced. Today, there are effective medications available that can help you treat influenza quickly.

Maintain Hygiene to Prevent Infecting Others

Once your doctor confirms that you are infected with the influenza virus, it is imperative that you maintain good personal hygiene to prevent infecting others. Wash your hands often with soap or an alcohol rub. Cover your face while sneezing or coughing and carefully dispose of the tissues that you've sneezed on. As the swine flu virus can survive for up to 24 hours on a hard surface, it is also essential to keep clean commonly-touched hard surfaces like door handles or railings, telephones or computer keyboards. You should also try and stay home if you fall sick to avoid infecting others.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Experts advise that you drink plenty of water and avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. It has been observed that the symptoms of influenza, such as body aches and pains are made worse by dehydration. You're losing water anyway through sweating, due to high fever, so caution should be taken to avoid further dehydration. So, remember to drink water, even if you are not thirsty.

Get Lots of Rest

People infected with influenza should get as much rest as possible. Do not report to work or school if you are infected. This will help you recover quickly and will also help to prevent you from infecting others. Rest helps allows your immune system the resources it needs to fight influenza.

Take Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Use of anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen can help to reduce fever and also reduce the severity of the body aches. However, these medications will not help to shorten the duration of the sickness. Do not take anti-inflammatory medicines if you have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Take Flu Medication

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu for the treatment as well as prevention of flu. The medicine helps us to fight both influenza A and B virus effectively. It works by preventing the spread of the virus through the body and thereby reduces the duration and the intensity of flu symptoms. To get the best results from flu medicines, it is imperative that you start taking the treatment within two days of the appearance of the symptoms or within two days of being exposed to the virus. As Tamiflu is a prescription drug, you should always consult your doctor before taking it.

This article is originally written by Hayden Eck – Who is a content writer specialized in health topics and health-related issues.

Diagnosing Swine Influenza

2009-06-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

How is swine flu diagnosed?

When a person is under the weather, many symptoms may be present. However, symptoms of swine flu are very similar to normal cold and flu symptoms, and may include:

Headache
Fever
Cough
Appetite loss
Fatigue
Sore throat
Runny nose
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Fatigue, appetite loss and diarrhea can be dangerous. If the symptoms are persistent, it becomes imperative that you see a doctor. In order to diagnose your illness, the doctor may order:

Chest x-rays
Respiratory specimen
Blood work

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen must be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of the onset of the illness as this is the time when the infected person is most likely to be shedding virus; however, children especially, may be shedding the virus for 7 days or longer. In order to identify the swine influenza A virus, the specimen must be sent to the CDC for laboratory testing.

Only RT-PCR or viral culture has the potential to confirm infection with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus. The test performance of rapid antigen tests and immunofluorescence tests for detection of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus is unknown. Persons who are suspected of having swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus and who test positive for the same using one of these tests should then have confirmatory RT-PCR or viral culture testing to confirm the presence of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus. A negative rapid antigen or immunofluorescence test cannot be used to rule out swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

The results of this test from nasopharyngeal or nasal swab, along with other information, will in all probability help your doctor take better care of you. Knowing the test results will help prevent the spread of the virus to others.

The Swine Influenza Test Kit is a sensitive test to detect the swine flu virus; however, the FDA has not cleared or approved this test. But it has been agreed by the FDA has agreed that this test can be used under an Emergency Use Authorization.

This article is originally written by Hayden Eck – Who is a content writer specialized in health topics and health-related issues.

Swine Flu and Bird Flu - Difference and Treatment Drugs

2009-06-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

How is swine flu different from bird flu?

The swine flu and the bird flu viruses do not have a twin-like similarity but are however quite similar. The virus that causes bird flu in humans first mutated from a virus that birds had so that it could then be passed on to humans; once established, it now passes from human to human contact. Same is the case with swine flu. It started among pigs as a virus but then soon mutated to spread to humans. Viruses have the ability to replicate rapidly; these viruses are able to mutate very quickly thereby creating new strains that then move on to multiply in other areas and susceptible hosts.

Avian flu so far has found it difficult to infect humans unless they were exposed to birds intensely. This is because the virus has not mutated in a way that makes it transmissible by one human to another. However, the swine flu virus has genetic origins from both pigs and birds. The biggest difference here is that the swine flu virus has mutated to an extent where it can readily be transmitted on human to human contact.

What drugs are available to treat swine flu and bird flu?

Antiviral treatment is normally the first line of treatment for the confirmed, probable or suspected cases of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, prioritizing treatment of hospitalized patients and patients with high risk for complications.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with actively works against influenza viruses, including the swine influenza virus. Antiviral drugs are generally used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu viruses. These medications are prescribed by a health care professional.

As of today, four influenza antiviral drugs are approved for use in the United States. They are:

• Oseltamivir
• Zanamivir
• Amantadine
• Rimantadine

Laboratory testing conducted on the swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses so far has indicated that the viruses are susceptible (sensitive) to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Antiviral drugs can make the illness milder as well prevent serious influenza complications. However, these antiviral drugs work best when they are started within two days of the onset of the illness.

Antiviral drugs can also be used as a preventive measure to protect a person who has been or may be near a person with swine flu. Antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective in preventing the flu.

Antiviral doses recommended for treatment of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in adults or children 1 year of age or older are the same as those recommended for seasonal influenza. Oseltamivir use in children less than 1 year of age was recently approved by the U.S. FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

Moreover, there are vaccines available that can be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza from spreading. Nonetheless, there is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu yet. It is believed that the seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

This article is originally written by Hayden Eck – Who is a content writer specialized in health topics and health-related issues.

FDA approved medications for swine influenza prevention

2009-06-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

The U.S. FDA based on requests from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) so that important diagnostic and therapeutic tools are made available to public health and medical personnel. This response will help identify and counter the swine flu virus under certain circumstances. The EUA was specifically put in place for the use of Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral products, and for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test.

Furthermore, the EUA has authorized the use of unapproved/approved or uncleared/cleared medical products following a determination and declaration of emergency, of course with some specific criteria.

Currently, Relenza has been approved for the treatment of acute uncomplicated swine flu illness in adults and in children who are 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for less than two days. Moreover, Relenza has been authorized for the prevention of swine flu in adults and in children above the age of 5 years. Similarly, Tamiflu is approved for the treatment and prevention of influenza in patients 1 year and older.

In this hour of crisis, the EUA even allows for Tamiflu to be used to treat and prevent swine flu in children under the age of 1 year and for alternate use in children above the age of one year. Under the same authorization, both medications (Tamiflu & Relenza) can be distributed to large segments of the population without complying with the label requirements that are otherwise applicable to dispensed drugs. In addition, these drugs can now be distributed by a broader range of health care workers, including some public health officials and volunteers, in accordance with applicable state and local laws and/or public health emergency responses.

Moreover, antiviral drugs like Oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine and rimantadine can be used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu viruses. Nonetheless, the current swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine and susceptible (sensitive) to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Prescribed by health care professionals, influenza antiviral drugs only work against influenza viruses and in no way help treat or prevent symptoms caused by infection from other similar viruses. To buy Tamiflu, a prescription drug, you need to visit your local GP, or do an online consultation. You can buy Tamiflu from www.Atlanticdrugs.co.uk online by filling out a comprehensive consultation when you complete our order form. An accredited doctor will assess whether or not Tamiflu is suited to you, and will be able to offer you a prescription should he deem it necessary.

Spreading of Swine Influenza virus - covering the western region of world

2009-05-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

The swine flu epidemic has spread deeper into the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America, even as Mexico seeks normalcy.

A respiratory disease of pigs, swine flu is caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes flu outbreaks in pigs. The swine flu viruses are said to cause high levels of illness in pigs but with a low death rate. Although, these viruses are believed to be circulating amongst swine all the way through the year, most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months; this cycle matches the human flu cycle.

Like all influenza viruses, the swine flu viruses are also in a constant state of change. This change helps viruses to form other genetic mutations. Pigs, apart from the swine influenza viruses, can be infected by both avian influenza and human influenza viruses. In pigs, these various viruses reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new mutated viruses emerge.

At this time, there are four main influenza A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses have been the H1N1 viruses.

Normally, the swine flu viruses do not infect humans. However, intermittent human infections with swine flu have occurred in the past in persons with direct exposure to pigs. But this year swine flu seems to have outdone its own past performance.

Treatment and medication for swine flu

2009-05-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

Treatments are conducted on the basis of suspected cases, confirmed cases and pregnant women who probably need the most care as two lives are at risk.

Suspected Cases

An antiviral treatment is recommended for any person who is ill and suspected to have swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Antiviral treatment with either zanamivir alone or with a combination of Oseltamivir and either amantadine or rimantadine can be initiated within a few days of the onset of symptoms. Recommended duration of treatment is five days. However, recommendations pertaining to the use of antivirals may change as data on antiviral susceptibilities become available. But as of today, the antiviral doses and schedules recommended for treatment of swine flu are the same as those recommended for seasonal influenza.

Confirmed Cases

In case of confirmed cases, antiviral treatments can include either oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). The suggested duration of treatment is five days. The same antivirals should be considered for treatment in cases that test positive for influenza A but test negative for seasonal influenza viruses H3 and H1 by PCR.

Pregnant Women

Oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine, and rimantadine are all "Pregnancy Category C" medications, indicating that no clinical studies have been conducted to assess the safety of these medications in pregnant women. Only two cases of amantadine use for severe influenza illness during the third trimester have been reported. However, both amantadine and rimantadine have been demonstrated in animal studies to be harmful when administered at substantially high doses.

Because of the unknown effects of influenza antiviral drugs on pregnant women and their foetuses, the four above mentioned drugs should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks to the embryo. However, no adverse effects have been reported among women who received oseltamivir or zanamivir during pregnancy or among infants born to such women.

Should you fear that you have contracted swine flu, or want to take extra precautionary measures to avoid contracting the virus, then you can buy Tamiflu. Tamiflu is a prescription drug and requires a prescription from a doctor. You can do this by visiting your regular GP, or you can do an online consultation at Atlanticdrugs.com as part of your ordering process . Should you decide to go the online method, you will be required to full out an extensive online consultation as well as order form so that a medically trained professional can diagnose your symptoms and prescribe you Tamiflu if he or she deems necessary.

Symptoms of Swine Influenza (Swine flu)

2009-05-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

What are the swine flu symptoms?

It is very difficult to recognize swine flu symptoms. In order to confirm swine flu, a respiratory specimen would have to be taken within the first four-five days of the onset of disease. The collected specimen is then sent to a lab for proper examination.

Symptoms of seasonal influenza and swine influenza are quite similar. However, the signs of potentially life-threatening complications are definitely not similar in both the diseases. It is advisable that, children with the below mentioned symptoms of swine flu must seek emergency care immediately, if they:

Are extremely irritable
Have a bluish skin color
Have rapid breathing or trouble breathing
Have fever with a skin rash
Are not drinking enough liquids
Are not waking up or interacting

Emergency warning symptoms in adults are:

Confusion
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Severe or persistent vomiting
Sudden dizziness

In addition, swine flu is more likely to include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as the respiratory symptoms. Additional swine flu symptoms include:

Chills
Cough
Fatigue
Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
Headache and body aches
Sore throat
Stuffy nose

An adult is usually said to be contagious as long as the symptoms are present – that is usually up to seven days following the onset of the illness. The "shedding stage" of the virus is during the first 4-5 days of the illness. The Children are however considered to be contagious for a longer period, which is up to 10 days. The initial incubation period is 24-48 hours.

Be swine flu prepared not swine flu paranoid

2009-05-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Brief introduction swine flu

The swine influenza A H1N1 virus is a mutated influenza A virus that has not previously been identified in North America. This virus is resistant to the antiviral medications like Amantadine (Symmetrel) and Rimantadine (Flumadine), but is sensitive to Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Further investigations have suggested that on-going human-to-human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is occurring on contact.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease that is caused by viral infection of the respiratory tract in pigs. This results in nasal secretions, a barking-like cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior. Swine flu viruses have the ability to undergo genetic mutations so that they are easily transmissible among humans.

The current 2009 swine flu outbreak is largely an infection with the so-called H1N1 virus; this was first observed in Mexico. Symptoms of swine flu in humans were found to be quite similar to most influenza infections. Two antiviral agents, namely Zanamivir (Relenza) and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), have been found to be effective in both preventing as well as reducing the effects of swine flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Currently, there is no vaccine available against swine flu; however, the vaccine development is already underway.

Swine flu pandemic

If an epidemic is defined as an outbreak of a contagious disease that is rapid and widespread, affecting many individuals at the same time, the pandemic is defined as an epidemic that becomes so widespread that it affects a region, continent, or the world. The swine flu outbreak in Mexico fits the definition of an epidemic.

But as of April 2009, the H1N1 swine flu outbreak has been notched up to level 5 by the UN; this now means that it is close to a pandemic alert. This is because there are new detections almost everyday in the US and Europe, including nine different countries all over the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) alert warns that the outbreak has occurred and that it is transmitted from person to person, is sustained in communities, and has spread to several nations. WHO stage 6 will actually mean a pandemic has been declared. Some scientists have gone to the extent of suggesting that phase 6 is imminent as cases continue to grow.

Ways to prevent swine flu infection

2009-04-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

You might have seen the frightening scenario of Mexico, people trying to prevent catching the swine influenza infection. But swine flu has already been confirmed in many locations in US. Swine flu is a highly contagious infection and enough potentially deadly. Followings are some of the precautions you can take to prevent being infected by Swine flu. Before heading into the precautions we should know first, what is Swine Flu?

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs. Swine flu is highly contagious acute respiratory disease spreads through tiny particles in the air from affected pigs and human beings.

Precautions

Always wash your hands with soap and water before having any food, this should be your regular practice during swine flu and other viruses can be contracted by touching objects contaminated by the virus. Especially when it is unsure how long the swine flu virus can survive on surrounding surfaces and areas.

Always cover your mouth and nose properly with tissue when sneezing. Try to avoid touching your face, mouth and nose too frequently with your hands. As this could be the reason transmitting swine flu through respiratory droplets.

Try to use medically proved hand sanitizers which is more effective to kill viruses. Don’t take it lightly, especially when we are talking about swine flu infections.

Once you know that swine flu infections have been confirmed in your residence area and surroundings, try to avoid large public gatherings. If it’s too necessary to attend those gathering then try to avoid doing in indoor, prefer it in open space. This is because in indoor gatherings air circulates badly.

Here we recommend to wear respiratory mask, when is already declared that your location is badly affected by swine flu. This method is effective to get comparatively unaffected air for respiration.

Better to stay at home, when you feel sick and feeling like suffering your cold and flu like symptoms. And try to get home remedies for flu and cold. This would avoid others to get affected from you and visa-versa.

Consult to your immediately if you experience symptoms of swine flu including high fever and body pains. Swine flu can be deadly anytime to anyone, and it is recommended to get to a physician immediately if you feel you have swine flu symptoms. Both Tamiflu and Relenza are antiviral medicines that are currently effective against some strains of Swine Flu.

Tamiflu is a prescription only drug to treat influenza. Manufacturer of Tamiflu is a pharmaceutical giant, Roche. Tamiflu is also FDA approved drug. You can buy Tamiflu in US and Canada from the trusted online pharmacies. Tamiflu is available in the tablet form in the strength of Tamiflu 75mg.

How influenza affects the body

2009-04-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Influenza is a specific type of virus that attacks the respiratory system**. It can cause fevers, sore throats and congestion. If it attacks muscle cells, it can also cause muscle aches.

There are three types of influenza virus -- types A, B and C. Multiple subtypes exist within those types, and multiple strains exist within each subtype. Like many viruses, influenza can mutate through antigenic drift (small changes that occur as it reproduces) or antigenic shift (major changes that create a new subtype of the virus).

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects birds and mammals. The name influenza comes from the Italian influenza, meaning "influence" (Latin: influentia). In humans, common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, pharyngitis, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. Coughs and fever are the most common symptoms. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly for the young and the elderly. Although it is often confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus. Influenza can occasionally produce nausea and vomiting, particularly in children, but these symptoms are more common in the unrelated disease gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".

** A respiratory system's function is to allow gas exchange. The space between the alveoli and the capillaries, the anatomy or structure of the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism. In humans and other mammals, for example, the anatomical features of the respiratory system include airways, lungs, and the respiratory muscles. Molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide are passively exchanged, by diffusion, between the gaseous external environment and the blood. This exchange process occurs in the alveolar region of the lungs.

Information on Swine Influenza from online souces

2009-04-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) Influenza treatment dosage indications

2009-04-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is indicated to get control over Influenza. Oseltamivir is used for the treatment and prevention of infection due to influenza virus of type A and B. A usual dosage proposed for adult for treatment of influenza is 75 mg twice a day for 5 days (Except for Avian Bird Flu). Also you should begin the treatment within 2 days of the appearance of the influenza symptoms. Also doses should be decrease for the patients with renal impairment. Tamiflu may be given as a preventive measure either during community outbreak or following close contact with an infected induvidual. Tamiflu 75 mg is safe and effective for up to six and for a person of age 13 and older. Early begining of treatment for influenza within 48 hours keep influenza in control. If the influenza virus has replicated and infected many cells the effectiveness of this oral medicatin will be severly diminished, especially over the time.

Swine Influenza (Flu) Symptoms Treatment and Drug Information

2009-04-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

What is Swine Influenza (Flu) and what are the symptoms?

Influenza can be of two main types, one is type A and second is type B. Swine influenza normally occurs caused by type A influenza virus. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may be passed to other pigs or circulate among swine (Stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals or pigs) throughout during the year but use to increase during late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in human beings. Swine flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission.

Most of the symptoms in influenza due to any type of influenza virus use to remain same, but influenza occurs because of type A virus exhibits more serious symptoms in human body. Symptoms of Swine Influenza are as follows:

Fever
Vomiting
Disorientation
Stiffness of the joints
Loss of consciousness ending in death

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. Most commonly, cases occur in persons with direct exposure or nearness to pigs. In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

Medication and treatment for Swine Influenza:

Antiviral drugs treatment for Influenza:

Class: Neuraminidase inhibitors
Effective Against: Influenza Type A & B
Drug name: Zanamivir (Brand name: Relenza) & Oseltamivir (Brand name: Tamiflu**)

Class: M2 Inhibitor (Adamantane derivatives)
Effective Against: Influenza Type A
Drug name: Amantadine (Brand name: Symmetrel) & Rimantadine (Brand name: Flumandine)

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

** You can Buy Tamiflu Online for Swine Influenza Treatment with Free online medical consultation by UK and US doctor at Atlanticdrugs.com