Swine Flu

The disease normally affected pigs but nowadays it has mutated to a form that can spread on other species and humans. As recent statistics shows, the Swine Flu is highly contagious and can lead to a fatal result of both animals and humans due to the new virus strain H1N1.

It took just several days for disease to spread from one person to thousands. The first case of Swine Flu affecting a human was noticed in Oaxaca, Mexico on April, 13. The woman died. That was the first case of fatal result after which 152 more followed. Several more countries, i.e. USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Turkey and New Zealand, confirmed the cases of the same virus.

The California 04/2009 is spread both by straightforward contact with infected organism and by airborne way. For pork lovers this should not be a threat, due to the fact that the virus is not transmitted through a properly cooked meal.

The incubation period for Swine Flu appearance is 24-48 hours. In most cases the virus manifests as a usual form of flu. The symptoms may include: headache, fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat. Though there is not certain vaccine for the swine influenza till now, the World Health Organization suggests the following medications to treatment the recently appeared symptoms of a flu: Relenza and Tamiflu. These drugs do help shorten the length of influenza and reduce the severity of the disease.

Relenza belongs to a group of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. Unlike other anti-flu medications, Relenza treats the cause of the virus, not just simply removes the symptoms of it. Relenza is an antiviral drug that blocks the action of viruses in the human body. This medication is very useful in treating influenza types A and B in adults and children, starting from age 7. The most effective would be to take Relenza in the first or second day of the flu symptoms appearance and continue taking it for the next 5 days minimum, daily (2 inhalations in the morning and 2 in the evening).

Another medication also effective against influenza virus types A and B is Tamiflu. It does not let the virus reproduce itself in your body. Like any other antiviral drug, it must be taken as soon as possible after the first flu symptoms appearance. Tamiflu is used not only in treatment of the flu, but also in its prophylaxis. Although the drug is not prescribed for use in common cold treatment. Tamiflu is normally taken twice a day, for the period of 5 days this should be sufficient to fight the viruses. In order to prevent the flu, the normal dosage is taken once a day and continued within next 10 days.

NOTE: Before using any of the drugs mentioned above, it is important first to consult your doctor.

Furthermore, in order to avoid getting a Swine Flu, consider the following recommendations:

• Practice a healthy way of life, get enough sleep, eat nutritious food which include vitamins
• Avoid getting in close contact with people who appear to be sick
• Wash your hands properly with soap and water