Archive for the ‘Influenza’ Category

Swine Flu – Diagnosis and Advice for Pregnant Women

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Swine flu has normal flu like symptoms. People suffering from swine flu, usually, experience fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and body ache. It’s not necessary that all the swine flu symptoms need to be experienced together. A person might experience fever and any two of the other symptoms and still be diagnosed with swine flu. The virus incubation period is between 2-5 days but in some cases could stretch up to seven days.

The Diagnosis
The fact that the symptoms of swine flu resemble those of ‘ordinary flu’ means that its diagnosis assumes paramount importance. A swab test is conducted by a physician to diagnose swine flu. This swab test involves a nasopharyngeal swab. The process includes the use of Q-tip shorts that are placed towards a person’s throat through the nose. These swabs are then sent to special lab for testing purposes. To transport these swabs a special viral collection container is used.

In countries badly affected by cases of swine flu a ‘probable’ diagnosis is made, which is based on the typical symptoms revealed. This is because it becomes impractical to conduct a swab test on such a large number of suspected cases.

What advice can be given to pregnant women?
Pregnant women are more susceptible to infections, hence are quite vulnerable to swine flu also. There is absolutely no need to panic, as even if they do contract swine flu, the symptoms are liable to be mild. But, there might also be cases wherein pregnant women might develop complications as a result of swine flu. Precautions that can be taken by pregnant women in order to reduce risk of infection include strictly following swine flu related general hygiene advice. Moreover, crowded places must be avoided for personal safety.

If you are pregnant and think that you are showing swine flu like symptoms, you must contact your doctor immediately in order to start the treatment process, without wasting any time. Typically, anti-viral medications will be prescribed in such cases.

Swine Flu – The Right Time to Consult a Doctor and Other Aspects

Monday, October 5th, 2009

There have been various viruses over the ages that have circulated among humans. Over time, humans have developed immunity for many such viruses. However, the new influenza A (H1N1) virus is unique in the sense that it is markedly different from the current crop of human seasonal influenza viruses and those that circulated previously.

Easy Transmission
Its person-to-person transmission feature means that it can spread easily like the seasonal flu; almost like wildfire which is the case in the current scenario. If a person is exposed to the infected droplets that are expelled by an infected person through coughing and sneezing, that person is liable to contract influenza A (H1N1). The fact, that it can spread so easily and that people have no immunity against this virus, has prompted the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic.

Symptoms and contacting the Doctor
It has flu like symptoms that include fever, joint and muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, and at times these symptoms are accompanied by bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. If you have gone through the various leaflets, information brochures etc. distributed by the health department you will come to realize that the milder symptoms can be treated at home and people have recovered. However, there are times when you should seek medical help.

If you are suffering from shortness of breath or other respiratory conditions; apart from other flu like symptoms it would be a good idea to get in touch with your doctor. Moreover, if the fever refuses to go away after three days or so, then medical consultation becomes all the more imperative. If your child is suffering from flu like symptoms then watch out for indications like continuous fever, seizures, or labored breathing. If the child displays such signs, seek immediate medical attention for the child.

Are Obese people at a greater risk of Swine Flu complications?

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Studies conducted on the swine flu or H1N1 virus epidemic that recently struck various parts of the world, particularly US has shown that obesity may aggravate swine flu complications. Though the studies have not been concluded, doctors have been alerted to treat obese patients more aggressively, if required by doubling the dose of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) to prevent life threatening complications from the swine flu.

The startling trend of a higher risk of swine flu complications among obese was noticed by the researchers from the University of Michigan Medical Center. The researchers studied 10 swine flu patients admitted to the hospital who were suffering from severe swine flu complications. It was found that nine out of the 10 patients were obese while seven of these patients were morbidly obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40.

These patients suffered from serious complications like multiple organ failure, severe respiratory distress syndrome, blood clots in the lungs and kidney failure. While three out of the ten patients have died, others have reportedly been unable to recover from these conditions.

The results of the study are striking because so far the researchers have never found a link between seasonal flu complications and obesity. Experts are also worried that if obesity is indeed a risk factor than a high percentage of the population is at a greater risk since obesity affects millions of people across the world.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States is considering putting obese patients at high priority for swine flu treatment along with other high-risk patients. When the swine flu vaccine becomes available, obese people would be given priority along with other high-risk patients.

While some doctors believe that people with morbid obesity are more severely affected by swine flu complications others believe that overweight people are also adversely affected by swine flu. Some health officials say that the trend may be because overweight people are more likely to suffer from asthma and other conditions that make them more susceptible. Experts are still analyzing the statistics and have not yet confirmed the link between obesity and swine flu complications.

Swine Flu Treatment - Tamiflu

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

With number of swine flu infected people rising with each day, Tamiflu has proved like a medical boon for swine flu patients. In absence of swine flu vaccine, Tamiflu, an antiviral medication pill is most effective swine flu treatment so far. Relenza is another effective treatment for swine flu but it should be taken early enough to get benefit.

But just with a fear of getting swine flu virus attack, you or me should not just go out and start taking tamiflu. Get proper check up done for all swine flu symptoms.

Typical Swine flu symptoms include:

  1. Sudden High fever (around 105 or above)
  2. Vomiting
  3. Stomach upset
  4. Sudden Cough
  5. Runny nose and sneezing
  6. Muscle and joint pain
  7. Appetite loss

Swine Flu Pandemic – 1st in 40 years

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the type A flu virus. H1N1 is a subtype of the species Influenza A virus or flu. A person should seek immediate medical care if they develop flu and they have other significant health problems, or if they become more seriously ill.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans are quite similar to those seen in people suffering from seasonal flu. The symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. World Health Organization has already declared swine flu as a pandemic, first flu pandemic in 40 years.

All suffering from swine flu are being treated with anti viral drug Tamiflu to prevent it from spreading further. There are increasing numbers of people to buy Tamiflu online from the web. People should double-check the sellers and the drug before they place an order. Tamiflu Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitors (NAI’s). Neuraminidase is a protein on the surface of an influenza virus that enhances its ability to scatter scraps of virus to infect other cells.

Swine flu currently responds to Tamiflu but fears are arising that swine flu viruses might become resistant to Tamiflu. WHO has recommended that pharmaceutical companies should develop a swine flu vaccine.

Avian Bird Flu Treatment – Buy Tamiflu

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Avian bird flu is a type of infection caused by avian influenza viruses. H5N1 is a type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 and has been identified as the major threat which can directly be transmitted from birds to humans and may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales as well.

Clinical studies suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. One most effective antiviral medication commonly used for treatment of patients with H5N1 viruses that have caused human illness and death is Oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

Tamiflu is WHO approved treatment for Influenza. It is important that you begin your treatment with Tamiflu as soon as possible from the first appearance of your flu symptoms.

Tamiflu – A Prescription Flu Medication

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

Influenza or flu is basically a viral infection. Most common symptoms of Influenza include:

  • Cold
  • High fever
  • Body aches
  • Cough
  • Vomiting

The flu is caused by influenza viruses type A and B. Both conditions types carry the same symptoms and can only be diagnosed and differentiated through a blood and sputum test.

Tamiflu Oseltamivir is the best selling, legal and trusted doctor-prescribed antiviral influenza treatment in adults and children. Tamiflu works by helping to stop the influenza virus from spreading inside the body.

Tamiflu works by blocking the action of the neuraminidase (NAI) enzyme on the surface of the virus. When neuraminidase is inhibited, the virus is not able to spread infection in rest of body. Tamiflu is an excellent flu treatment and you can also buy Tamiflu online.

How can you treat flu infection using Tamilfu?

Monday, July 7th, 2008

Influenza is a viral disease and is passed from one person to another through air. Influenza is basically caused by airborne viruses via the respiratory system. It infects a person through nose, throat, and lungs. If an outbreak of influenza occurs, it spreads quickly from one town to another and one country to another. In recent years, a new form of this disease – avian influenza or bird flu has started threatening the world. Scientists are of the opinion that the next big flu outbreak might be an epidemic of bird flu.

The World Health Organisation has approved Tamiflu as the influenza treatment that most nations should keep in ready stock to fight any such possible pandemic. This medicine has received approval from the European Union and also from FDA. Tamiflu is readily available in European markets, in the UK and in the US. Though there are many influenza treatments available in the market, Tamiflu is very popular. This medicine is also effective for prophylaxis of influenza and bird flu.

If you have been in contact with an infected person or you feel that you might have caught influenza virus, you should first consult a doctor. Tamiflu is a prescription drug and you need a prescription before you start influenza treatment. Most influenza treatments including Tamiflu need to be taken within 48 hours of witnessing the symptoms, so you should not waste any time. If you take Tamiflu after two or three days of catching the virus, it may be ineffective and might not work for you.

For more information, you can visit HERE.

Your approach to influenza treatment

Monday, June 9th, 2008

Flu is mainly caused by a virus. Some of the people may confuse flu symptoms with common cold, which is also caused by a virus. So it is important to recognize flu symptoms before seeking any treatment for Influenza.

The most common flu symptoms are high fever, chilliness, muscles aches and pain. These flu symptoms can cause complications among patients, especially older people. The symptoms of common cold are similar and include sore or scratchy throat, runny or blocked nose, and cough. The symptoms for both flu and common cold last for about five to six days in a healthy person and transmission modes are also similar that including sneezing and coughing, making it hard to determine how you are infected.

If you are affected with flu infection, then your first step should be to do a medical consultation. Only a doctor can properly diagnose your condition to determine if you have the flu or are just suffering from a common cold. Depending on your condition, your doctor will write out a prescription.

In the case of influenza, vaccination is undoubtedly the first line of defence; however there are now certain influenza treatments that are also worth consideration. One of the prescription influenza drugs is Tamiflu, which has become quite popular due to its efficacy and the success it has achieved in clinical trials. Tamiflu is also one of the few medications approved for treatment of avian influenza or bird flu.

Tamiflu contains oseltamivir as the main ingredient, which works in two ways. It is both an influenza treatment and an influenza prevention drug. However, it should not be taken without doing a proper medical consultation.

You also have an option to do an online consultation from any licensed online clinic. This process is somewhat similar to a meeting with your GP but can not replace it. But it does help you buy Tamiflu online. Tamiflu is also useful for children who are more than a year old. Their influenza treatment comes in the form of a fruit flavoured oral suspension. For maximum effectiveness, influenza treatment can and should be started within two days of flu symptoms becoming visible.