Swine flu as you will probably know appears to have started in Mexico, originally endemic in pigs and then passed on to humans who were in close contact. Since then, like some other viruses, it has mutated or altered its form and has then passed from human to human over vast distances. The swine flu outbreak is now classed as a pandemic meaning it has spread worldwide and is out of control.
The term “swine flu” refers to a strain of influenza that is endemic in pigs and has passed to man. It has then spread amongst the human population and is a major cause of concern for many. There are plans for a vaccine that are well on the way and a vaccine should become generally available soon. However it is not known how effective the vaccine will be as the flu virus, like many others, mutates or changes its form quite easily, which can render a vaccine ineffective. There are also some concerns as to the safety of the vaccine itself.
It is hard to make an effective vaccine because that takes time and the virus spreads quickly and tends to mutate making a vaccine less effective. Nonetheless a vaccine is being developed and will shortly be available to give a lot of people at least some protection.
What are the symptoms that you don’t need to worry about? They are the normal symptoms that most people will recognise when they get flu, viz.: fever, cough, sneezing and sore throat, headache, muscle aches and chills. Most people only suffer minor symptoms and make a full recovery within one to two weeks.
Muscle and joint aches or pains The severity of these symptoms can vary but as long as you rest, keep warm and stay hydrated you should recover within a reasonably short time.
Also, you should seek urgent medical attention for an adult who has: high fever, severe cough, breathing difficulty, dehydration, repeated vomiting, persistent dizziness and confusion, and/or chest or abdominal pain.
People who have an inadequate immune system are more at risk of infection than the rest of the population and should therefore take extra precautions to avoid becoming infected by staying away from public places and washing their hands frequently. People with a compromised immunity include Aids sufferers, recipients of transplanted organs, and people receiving treatment for cancer.
It appears also that the very young and the elderly are more at risk than the rest of the population and also should be shielded as much as possible from infection.
About the author: Jackie Compton is an skilled pandemic expert. To get more information on swine influenza and find out whether you require professional help go to Qualityhealth.com . If you are afraid of Swine influenza you can get health offers to protect your family also at Qualityhealth.com
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Mon, Nov 9, 2009
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