Tamaflu

(Tamaflu is a common misspelling of Tamiflu)

Tamaflu, scientifically called as the oseltamivir, belongs to the class of neuraminidase substance, the medication that effectively combats flu. While this medication is used to treat both the influenza A and the influenza B variants, it is a prescription medicine that can be used to treat flu or to get rid of flu when symptoms are visible.

In order to understand ‘what is Tamaflu’ completely, it is imperative that you understand the factors that distinguish this medication from flue vaccines. Tamalflu aids the immunity system of the human body to fight against the virus that causes flu whereas the vaccination is a shot of inactive flue virus injected into the human body to induce the immune system to develop antibodies that have the ability to fight against the disease.

Birdflu and Tamaflu

The demand for Tamaflu has elevated in the past few years due to a couple of reasons, the first factor being the scarcity that arose for flu vaccines in the year 2005. This in turn led to the injection of flu shots only to those who were considered more vulnerable. The second factor arose from the suspicion that persisted in the US regarding a possible eruption of bird flu in spite of the fact that bird flu is not the same as human flu. This further forced many hospitals to hoard supplies of the medication to cater to the suspected impending outbreak.

Bird flu is comparatively less contagious and needs intent physical contact for spreading. However, human-animal interaction with such intimacy across the world is minimal. As such, the possibility of bird flu transmission in human is minimal.

However, individuals infected by human flue are prone to the bird flu infection. In such scenarios, there is a very good chance that the two viruses can share the genes and could induce the spread of a deadlier version of human flu. The question on ‘what is Tamaflu’ can again be answered in this scenario since this medication has testified that it would combat the spread of such an infections practically. This further resulted in the inexplicable demand for Tamilflu. Bird flue is caused by the H1N1 virus, this virus is believed to be similar to the virus causing the Spanish flu that took a toll of peoples’ life in the 1900s.

Tamaflu’s main constituent is shikimic acid, which is prepared from the pine, spruce and fir trees. Biolyse Pharma Corporation is involved in the production of tons of Biolyse Pharma Corp. acid while F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd., a Switzerland based drug manufacturer, has enormous hold in the production of Tamilflu today.

Though vaccines are the best panacea to treat influenza, the absence of vaccination to treat bird flue had resulted in the ever increasing demand for Tamaflu. This demand for Tamiflu needs to be catered till there is a further innovation in the field of bird flu vaccine in reality.

You can buy Tamaflu/Tamiflu at online pharmacy: http://pharmacy-24×7.net

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Just last week, the Swine flu infection statistics A (H1N1) virus have increased remarkably. The Laboratories have confirmed the worldwide cases to the World Heath Organisation (WHO-193 member states) have increased from 19,273 to 36,038 as of the 6-17-2009. Worst cases confirmed as follows:

• USA 17855

• Mexico 6241

• Canada 2978

• Australia 1823

• Chile 1694

• UK 1582

Countries infected now 80 ….up sixteen

Deaths now 167 up ……. fifty

Patients with a compromised immune system, such as the elderly or very young or those that smoke can more readily have chest infection symptoms, usually starting with a sore throat, a cold and a cough which produces mucus, which can be green or yellow.

In view of the worldwide pandemic and particularly if you have recently visited an infected country such as Mexico and have chest infection symptoms, it is advisable and strongly recommended to be checked out at your local Hospital where a swab will be taken to check for the flu virus, H1N1.

Chest Infection Symptoms

Headache

A persistent chesty dry cough

Loss of appetite

Breathlessness (Not associated with exercise)

Coughing up phlegm which is either green or yellow in color or both

Appetite loss

A fever indicated by a high temperature above 38 c (100F)

Aching muscles

A body chill (feeling cold)

If you have any of these symptoms it is important to drink plenty of fluids, as the body temperature will cause a fluid loss due to dehydration as a result of the chest infection.

Treatment for Chest Infection Symptoms

Some conditions such as influenza which is highly infectious as is the case of the current Swine Flu or Mexican flu has to be treated with antiviral drugs (Tamiflu), as antibiotics do not respond to a viral infection. It is essential that the antiviral drug be administered in the early stages of the chest infection symptoms, ideally within the first two days to combat chest infection.

The Tamiflu drug which is the first to be used against the Swine flu A strain influenza pandemic, seems to becoming resistant to this particular strain. “It is not the case of Tamiflu becoming ineffective but there are natural mutational shifts and drifts, says Dr. Len Horovitz a pulmonary specialist with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Just because it’s becoming more resistant does not mean that it is a more deadly virus.”

The alternative to Tamiflu is Relenza which is being used to combat Swine flu, but researchers have warned that widespread use of these antivirals would risk creating a resistance to swine flu and would make it harder to stem its spread, and they should only be given to patients with a compromised immune system, the very sick, and those with chest infection symptoms.

The fact that these drugs are available online is worrying the medical profession, Relenza in particular as it is administered by inhalation and therefore not recommended for patients with a chronic respiratory disease or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

http://how-to-cheat-colds-and-flu.com/remedy

Click  on chest infection symptoms to find the secret to stave off colds and flu.

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Swine Flu FAQs by Womens Health Doctor

What is “Swine flu”?

Swine flu is a viral infection basically found in pigs that is caused by swine influenza virus. It is very rare to get swine flu in humans except in some cases where people have direct contact with pigs. Currently, the nature of swine flu virus transmission has changed and it can be transmitted from humans to humans even if there is no prior contact with pigs. There are four main sub-types of the virus, but the most recent isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

For more information http://www.womenshealthdr.com

How does the swine flu spread?

In the present outbreak of swine flu, the virus is spread by air borne contact. Infection can be transmitted through cough, sneeze, or even by touching the objects that have been touched by an infected individual. Chances of infection are more if after touching these objects one touches the eyes, mouth, or nose.

Can you get swine flu by eating pork?

Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 70ºC and above kills the swine flu virus.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Since it is a viral infection, its symptoms are similar to Influenza. In humans, the symptoms include:

-Fever

-Cough

-Sore throat

-Runny nose

-Headache

-Fatigue

-General body aches

-Diarrhea and vomiting

-Neurological symptoms (Especially in children)

How to prevent swine flu?

There are several ways to prevent swine flu. Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol based sanitizers after being out in the public. Also eat a healthy nutritious diet and drink plenty of fluids and keep your household articles clean with disinfectant or diluted chlorine bleach. Avoid close contact with people who might be infected. Wear a face mask (consider using an N95 respirator) if you must come into close contact with a sick person.

How to diagnose swine flu?

Diagnosis of swine flu is done by collecting respiratory specimens during the first 4 to 5 days of illness (10 days in children) and getting real-time RT-PCR and/or viral culture specifically for Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus. Hence, if one has any of the swine flu symptoms, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

For more information http://www.womenshealthdr.com

What is the treatment of swine flu?

As it is a viral illness, hence, majority make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. However, the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses has been found to be effective. In the recent outbreak, the virus has been found to be resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?

There is no vaccine for swine flu as yet. But vaccines are being made in large quantities and clinical tests will begin in August 2009.

How to deal with a swine flu patient at home?

If any of your family members have fever with cough or sore throat, make sure to consult your doctor at the earliest. Suspected person should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin and should wear a face mask or N95 respirator. He/ She should throw the used tissues and other disposable items in the trash and immediately wash his hands afterwards. Alternatively, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to suspected cases should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry. One should wash one’s hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry and other household items of suspected individuals. Children should be strictly prohibited from close contact and an infected ****** feeding mother should express her ****** milk, and the child should be fed by someone else. If the investigations come out positive, then the infected individual should be quarantined in an isolated ward in a hospital and treatment started to prevent complications.

What is the role of face masks in swine flu prevention?

The role of face masks and respirators as the first line of defense against the virus is still controversial. But these offer additional protection against the air borne illness.N-95 respirators are better than face masks or surgical masks but it is hard to breathe through them for extended periods and are inconvenient to wear for children and people with ****** hair.

What is the prognosis of patients with swine flu?

Most of the patients of swine flu recover with no complications. Patients with depressed immune function or those who are seriously ill have worse prognosis compared to those who are immunocompetent.

How does swine flu kill?

Swine flu being an air borne infection infects the respiratory system chiefly lungs and causes lung infections. It can also cause secondary infection which can affect the vital organs of the body and lead to death.

What precautions should you take while travelling?

Apart from the general measures described above to prevent swine flu, if you become ill in any way while in the country, you should seek medical advice immediately.Also consult your health care provider and discuss the various risks associated with the disease if you are travelling to any country that has reported cases of flu among birds, swine, or humans.

For more information visit www.womenshealthdr.com

About the Author

Medical questions answered by qualified doctors on http://www.womenshealthdr.com

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In a bird flu pandemic, more people might die from other causes than from bird flu itself.

And I DON’T mean ‘natural’ causes.

Even if you’ve stocked up your home with all the food, water and immune system boosting herbs you’ll need for the next 3 months and you’re all set to sit there and read WAR AND PEACE until the bird flu virus burns itself out — you could still be at great risk.

If you really want to live through the bird flu pandemic, you better have a plan to avoid human germs as well as the bird flu virus.

On a bird flu discussion forum, someone recently posted this advice — stop tell your neighbors you’re storing food and water for the bird flu pandemic. Stop trying to convince them to do the same thing. Make your preparations in secret. Because when there’s no more food at the grocery store, and their kids are hungry, they’re going to remember that you’ve stored food — and they’re going to come knocking at your door.

Truly sad words, but obviously have a truth to them.

You definately must think just as hard about the nature of your neighbors as about the nature of bird flu itself.

You must assume that law and order as we take it for granted now will not exist or will be enforced only sporadically.

Your local police are 95% great people with a strong sense of duty. But some of them will catch bird flu too and some will die from it. Some of them will feel their greatest duty is to protect their own families. Others will stay on the job but will be too stretched and stressed out to keep order on every square block of their territory. This is especially true of rural areas. And you cannot depend on the 911 system, which will likely be overwhelmed. And if they’re no dispatchers to take calls and send messages — and no more ambulance drivers or police cars available — what good is it?

At some point the government may step in and declare martial law, but we don’t have enough soldiers to stand on every street corner in the world.

Many neighborhoods will band together for mutual protection.

Many people will band together so they can loot and kill with impunity.

Some people will surprise you. Some gangbangers will use their guns and street organization to defend the people in their hood.

Some “nice” people will take advantage of the lack of civilized constraints to do some not so nice things.

If your neighbors already know you’re a bird flu kook, it’s too late now to start preparing in secret — and probably it doesn’t matter.

Because if your neighbors get together and decide to go house to house, how’re you going to stop them?

And I don’t mean they’ll be doing it for bad reasons. Neighbors should be keeping tabs on each other to see who’s got bird flu. Who needs food cooked and delivered to their door. Who has small children who need watching?

I can understand the stock up on supplies and lock up the door against the world mentality — I pretty much share it.

But realistically, you’ll stand a better chance of surviving the pandemic if your neighborhood works together — including you.

Because many neighborhoods are going to have to defend themselves against outsiders — and you don’t want to be seen as an outsider who just happens to live on the same block.

You want to be seen as one of the group. As someone smart enough to foresee the pandemic and prepare for it, you should assume a leadership role.

The better you get along with your neighbors now, despite being laughed at for storing food, the more likely you are to keep enough of that food and water for your family.

If your neighbors really are the kind of people you don’t want knocking at your door (and I’ve lived in neighborhoods like that, myself) — then plan now to get out.

You should do what you can to get out of such a neighborhood anyway, bird flu or now bird flu.

When I came across this article in the local paper earlier this week, I knew immediately that it held value for my readers and I would want to share it with you. I am inundated everyday with all kinds of junk and phishing scams, which are frustrating and difficult to contain. Even sending these types of emails to the ‘junk’ folder does not seem to discourage their repeated return.

Some of you will be aware of some or all of these scams below. However, for the sake of those that may not be aware, or may even be considering becoming involved in one of these scenarios, I am hopeful that I can help before it is too late.

At the top of the list of the Top 10 Internet Scams were health-care scams, like bogus cancer and diabetes cures, as well as pills for weight loss, which is always a big one for many women, as well as men.

The Internet was flooded with hundreds of websites offering vaccine and Tamiflu within hours of the World Health Organization first announcing the H1N1 flu. People are panicking about getting H1N1 and are buying stuff online.” Do not go there! Signing up for so-called “free” online trials for items like acne cream and teeth whitener can end up with the victim being billed automatically and repeatedly. Identification theft can result from information phishing in the form of “scareware” pop-ups that say your computer is infected with a virus or legitimate-looking emails that ask you to update your information. Home-repair rip-offs, like phoney reports your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide and needs to be replaced immediately. Loan offers for people with bad credit to keep afloat through lean economic times could result in huge financial losses and even ID theft. Free grants from the Canadian government that are advertised online could be a mass-marketing scheme that costs you money to participate. Investment opportunities requiring you to recruit others that are actually pyramid schemes. Cash-back fraud when selling things such as automobiles. The buyer will send you a larger cheque by “mistake” and then ask for the balance in a money transfer. The cheque will bounce a few days later. Unexplained charges on your cell phone could be due to premium text messages that people unknowingly sign up for when they play online games or take online IQ tests. Mystery shopping jobs requiring you to shop via wire-transfer service. Be wary of mystery shopper ads that require you to pay money up front.

Source: Metro New, Better Business Bureau, Vancouver, Competition Bureau of Canada

http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/397636–ten-top-scams-to-watch-out-for

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