Flu is a influenza which is commonly shortened as flu. It is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A and A virus. Flu appears mostly in early spring and in winter season. The flu virus attacks body by spreading through the upper or lower respiratory tract. Flu and common cold are both contagious viral infection. Flu is much worse. A cold can drag you down a bit, but the flu can make you ill so that u can’t come out of the bed. Both flu and cold have the same symptoms so it is very difficult to identify and differentiate flu from the normal bacterial cold or illness. Normal medication is not applicable for the flu, because antibiotic can fight with bacterial infection only.

A very few antiviral medications are available for the flu. Flu virus is communicable in nature which can transmit for one body to another very easily in various ways. Now a day flu is the most challenging field in the medical science, for making the perfect drug for it.

Flu drugs are kind of medication which provided to the patient affected with the flu virus. Which make the flu illness away from that person and help him to recover very soon. There are many types of flu virus influenza A, influenza B, influenza C, strain of influenza A, Russian influenza, Spanish influenza, Indian influenza, swine flu, avian flu. Different types of Flu drugs are there for the different kind of flu. Type A flu is the most dangerous kind of the flu, which can cause by eating duck, chicken, pigs, whales and humans.

Types of Flu drug :

Amantadine flu drugs: amantadine is a flu drug which can prevent from many influenza and flu infections. It also increases our muscle control and decreases the muscle stiffness. This flu drug is not effective for the normal cold or fever. It is specially made for the flu influenza only. For taking this drug first a person need to take food other it can cause some other side effects. After taking the food take one capsule in your mouth and swallow it with a full glass of the water. Doctor prescription should be taken before taking this drug. Children should be given this drug with some special care. They must given extra attention towards this because it can cause some side effects. Side effects can be cause by this flu drug. It can make your stomach upset and cause stomach pain, if the person is getting problems after taking this flu drug. He should inform to the doctor and take some care about it, this flu drug should be kept out of the reach of the children’s and kept in a place of temperature range of 15-30′c.

Relenza zanamivir inhalation powder Flu drug: it is a powder type flu drug for inhalation. This drug is very effective for the two types of the flu. It can prevent a person from the flu in 1 or 2day only, also it can cause antibody which prevent flu from spreading to another persons. This flu drug should be taken on the physician suggestion, it prevents the human bodies from chronic lung disease as asthma or COPD, heart disease, kidney disease. This flu drug is in the powder form which can be inhaled, person need to inhale it for 2times in a day for regular 5days. If user gets any side effect of this flu drug, he should immediately inform the doctor who provided him or suggested him to take this drug.

Tamiflu oseltamivi Flu drug: it is a flu drug which is very effective for the two type of flu. It can decrease the effect of flu in one or two days, very effective flu drug. It also helps in reducing the condition for the spreading of the flu virus. It should be taken with doctor suggestion and if there be any side effect of it, must be informed to the doctor.

http://www.google.com

But that doesn’t mean state and local officials aren’t hard at work preparing for it.

Many experts predict that if a worldwide influenza were to hit the U.S., it would first be seen in California. The state is uniquely situated to be the first hit by the virus: It borders Mexico, has trans-Pacific trade at its ports and airports, and is on the Pacific flyway used by migrating birds.

Any or all of those factors could make California an entry point for the H5N1 flu strain.

San Bernardino County officials say they’re preparing now.

“We are planning for the potential and how it would impact everyone in the county,” said Natalie Kessee, county program coordinator for preparedness and response. “We’re planning what we as a department need to do.”

The H5N1 strain of influenza is just one of the possible scourges that could lead to a pandemic, officials said. But by preparing for it, the state will become better equipped to deal with any natural or man-made disaster.

Avian flu is, as yet, largely a disease of birds, both wild and domestic. Its spread to humans has been spotty, but experts fear it could mutate into a form that could be transmitted human-to-human.

Kessee said the county has received $175,338 from the state Department of Health Services and expects more to help prepare for a potential flu pandemic. Preparations have been under way for months.

Kessee said the county is working with private and public agencies to buy ventilators, respirators and sundries such as sanitizers, gloves and masks.

They’re also checking on how to best ensure that the county has supplies of a flu vaccine, such as Tamiflu, in the event of a pandemic. That’s difficult to plan for, Kessee said, because such medicines have a limited shelf life.

And if supplies of a viral prophylactic are limited, the county will look to the Centers for Disease Control and the state to determine who gets inoculated. Likely, first responders such as medical professionals would be the priority, Kessee said.

The county will hire four or five more people devoted to emergency response in a pandemic, Kessee said.

Scott Smith, a registered nurse in the emergency room at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and disaster coordinator for the hospital, said the county hospital holds regular drills to prepare for a pandemic disaster.

The hospital keeps caches of medications appropriate for a flu outbreak, Smith said. Also, there are plans to make room — in the hospital’s clinics, conference rooms or in other community facilities — to accommodate hundreds more patients.

“We’re hoping this never occurs,” Smith said. “But we’re doing drills much more frequently than in the past.”

Kessee said partnerships between public agencies and private businesses is a main focus of county efforts, and noted that it would be dangerous to rely on a large-scale national effort to protect county residents.

“The event would affect the county in multiple agencies,” she said. “It’s beyond something public health would handle alone.”

Dr. Mark Horton, state public health officer, said at a news conference Thursday that health experts worldwide are worried about avian flu. As many as one-third of the state’s population could become ill if the virus hit California, he said.

“An influenza pandemic knows no borders,” Horton said. “It would disrupt the health-care system, the economy — all facets of life.”

Officials from the governor’s office unveiled a plan to work with the 10 states along the U.S.-Mexico border –four in the U.S. and six in Mexico — to study the threat of a pandemic and make plans.

“The governor wants to strengthen our safety at customs, Border Patrol and so on,” said A.G. Kawamura, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“Smuggled birds could also pose a threat,” Kawamura said. “The international movement of people, goods and services has increased our vulnerability.”

The governor’s plan calls for stronger border security, improving public health monitoring, increased international cooperation in both surveillance and response to the virus, and outreach to poultry owners.

Sandra Shewry, director of California’s Department of Health Services, said in creating the binational council the state is improving an already-strong network of surveillance and response.

“The council will strengthen California’s already robust response,” Shewry said. “It will also strengthen our ability to react to natural or man-made disasters.”

To make sure you are fully prepared for the crisis check out : Bird Flu Preparations

But that doesn’t mean state and local officials aren’t hard at work preparing for it.

Many experts predict that if a worldwide influenza were to hit the U.S., it would first be seen in California. The state is uniquely situated to be the first hit by the virus: It borders Mexico, has trans-Pacific trade at its ports and airports, and is on the Pacific flyway used by migrating birds.

Any or all of those factors could make California an entry point for the H5N1 flu strain.

San Bernardino County officials say they’re preparing now.

“We are planning for the potential and how it would impact everyone in the county,” said Natalie Kessee, county program coordinator for preparedness and response. “We’re planning what we as a department need to do.”

The H5N1 strain of influenza is just one of the possible scourges that could lead to a pandemic, officials said. But by preparing for it, the state will become better equipped to deal with any natural or man-made disaster.

Avian flu is, as yet, largely a disease of birds, both wild and domestic. Its spread to humans has been spotty, but experts fear it could mutate into a form that could be transmitted human-to-human.

Kessee said the county has received $175,338 from the state Department of Health Services and expects more to help prepare for a potential flu pandemic. Preparations have been under way for months.

Kessee said the county is working with private and public agencies to buy ventilators, respirators and sundries such as sanitizers, gloves and masks.

They’re also checking on how to best ensure that the county has supplies of a flu vaccine, such as Tamiflu, in the event of a pandemic. That’s difficult to plan for, Kessee said, because such medicines have a limited shelf life.

And if supplies of a viral prophylactic are limited, the county will look to the Centers for Disease Control and the state to determine who gets inoculated. Likely, first responders such as medical professionals would be the priority, Kessee said.

The county will hire four or five more people devoted to emergency response in a pandemic, Kessee said.

Scott Smith, a registered nurse in the emergency room at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and disaster coordinator for the hospital, said the county hospital holds regular drills to prepare for a pandemic disaster.

The hospital keeps caches of medications appropriate for a flu outbreak, Smith said. Also, there are plans to make room — in the hospital’s clinics, conference rooms or in other community facilities — to accommodate hundreds more patients.

“We’re hoping this never occurs,” Smith said. “But we’re doing drills much more frequently than in the past.”

Kessee said partnerships between public agencies and private businesses is a main focus of county efforts, and noted that it would be dangerous to rely on a large-scale national effort to protect county residents.

“The event would affect the county in multiple agencies,” she said. “It’s beyond something public health would handle alone.”

Dr. Mark Horton, state public health officer, said at a news conference Thursday that health experts worldwide are worried about avian flu. As many as one-third of the state’s population could become ill if the virus hit California, he said.

“An influenza pandemic knows no borders,” Horton said. “It would disrupt the health-care system, the economy — all facets of life.”

Officials from the governor’s office unveiled a plan to work with the 10 states along the U.S.-Mexico border –four in the U.S. and six in Mexico — to study the threat of a pandemic and make plans.

“The governor wants to strengthen our safety at customs, Border Patrol and so on,” said A.G. Kawamura, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“Smuggled birds could also pose a threat,” Kawamura said. “The international movement of people, goods and services has increased our vulnerability.”

The governor’s plan calls for stronger border security, improving public health monitoring, increased international cooperation in both surveillance and response to the virus, and outreach to poultry owners.

Sandra Shewry, director of California’s Department of Health Services, said in creating the binational council the state is improving an already-strong network of surveillance and response.

“The council will strengthen California’s already robust response,” Shewry said. “It will also strengthen our ability to react to natural or man-made disasters.”

To make sure you are fully prepared for the crisis check out : Bird Flu Preparations

http://www.google.com

Tamiflu, the scientific name is Oseltamivir Phosphate and it is neuraminidase inhibitor which is basically designed to attack the neuraminidase protein, one of the two major surface structures of the influenza virus. It is available as a capsule containing 75 mg oseltamivir for oral use, in the form of oseltamivir phosphate, and as a powder for oral suspension, which when constituted with water as directed contains 12 mg/ml oseltamivir base.

It is white crystalline solid with the chemical name (3R,4R,5S)-4-aetylamino-5-amino-3(1-ethylpropoxy)-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester, phosphate (1:1). The chemical formula is C16C28N2O4 (free false).

Tamiflu, the first neuraminidase inhibitor in pill form, is effective in preventing the spread of both the A and B strains of the virus within the body. This is contrary to earlier drugs which were effective in treating only one strain.

Influenza A virus isolates with reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir carboxylate has recovered in vitro by passage of virus in the presence of increasing concentrations of oseltamivir carboxylate.

Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza infection in adults who have been symptomatic for no more than two days. Tamiflu may contribute to prevention of the virus; it is strictly advised that this drug is not a substitute of any influenza vaccine, but rather a supplement to it. Tamiflu may be a viable alternative for those people who cannot be a vaccinated for medical reasons.

Tamiflu is approved in Europe, Japan and the United States as a prescription treatment for seasonal flu.

Roche says children are three times more likely to get sick with the flu – on average, one in 10 adults and one in three children are affected by influenza annually.

Tamiflu is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for stockpiling by governments seeking to protect their population in the event of an avian flu outbreak.

This article is the property of http://www.medical-store.info and this article is written only for educational and information purpose so that our reader can get more knowledge about flu and influenza. Tamiflu is FDA approved prescribed medication which is taken in the case of influenza. For more information about Tamiflu, please go through this page; http://www.medical-store.info/tamiflu-onilne.html. If you find any mistake and error in the article, we suggest you to feel free and send us your feedback at barbaracamie@gmail.com

http://www.google.com

The Avian flu is caused by the virus group called Influenza, a related virus to the ones that produce the flu in humans. The most contagious and dangerous Influenza is the strain H5N1 that causes almost 100% death in infected birds from all species.

The human catch of the virus occurs by direct or indirect contact with sick birds or with secretions, ***** or oral discharges from infected chicken or ducks.

The first occurring symptoms of Influenza in humans are a sore throat, coughing, muscular weakness, fever and conjunctivitis. These symptoms almost always lead to complications and to death causing dysfunctions. On the Influenza field, several viral pneumonias can appear and also the respiratory distress syndrome and finally the multi-organ failure.

Respiratory conditions are very frequent in humans and the Bird flu can be easily mistaken to such diseases. But any patient shoeing the symptoms and that has had a contact with sick animals or their secretions are suspected to have caught the Influenza virus. The confirmation of the illness will be established by laboratory testing and the case will be connected to all other sudden, unusual deaths in the area where the patient lives or works.

The treatment for the avian virus is the same as those for treating regular flues caused by Influenza strains. The treatment can be administered for cure and for prevention and its benefic effects are likely to be obtained in clinical healthy children and adults. The treatment has however its limitations given by the rapid mutations of the virus. Antiviral drugs are usually very expensive and the supplies needed for the entire community are never enough.

In the present, a new vaccine against bird Influenza has been established and its used is highly recommended for poultry handlers, veterinary employees and breeders. The vaccine is called Tamiflu and can also be used as a medication in case of disease confirmation.

The first step in preventing a Bird Flu epidemic is to ban the import of poultry from countries with confirmed cases. The bird caretakers must avoid contact with wild birds, control the human traffic in poultries, practice proper washing and disinfection, and report to the authorities any case of strange illnesses in birds or workers.

The general public must wash their hands properly after handling chicken meat, clean kitchen surfaces well, cook poultry at high temperatures, not sell live chicken on market places, not allow birds to run free in the yard, not place other species in the same place with birds, avoid contact with wild birds and report any case of dead birds in their farm.

People can safely travel to counties with Bird Flu cases as the disease is not transmitted from a person to another. In such cases of travels, tourists must avoid visits to places where birds may occur.

So, if you want to find out more about bird flu info or even about bird flu treatment please click this link http://www.bird-flu-info-center.com/

http://www.google.com