The H1N1 “Swine” Flu has received a lot of media coverage, but what are the symptoms? Is it really different than the regular flu? The good news is that you probably already know what the flu looks or feels like. Symptoms of the regular, seasonal flu include fever, headache, chills, body aches, cough and/or sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose. The symptoms for H1N1 are exactly the same, but may also include vomiting and diarrhea. However, H1N1 symptoms are more severe. For example, the fever may be higher than 104, the headache may be so severe as to limit function, and the cough may be nearly constant.

Get medical attention right away if you:

1. Have difficulty breathing or chest pain

2. Have purple or blue discoloration of your lips

3. Are vomiting and unable to keep liquids down, or

4. Show signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing or being unable to urinate

Despite the fear of this disease, the outlook depends on the severity of the infection, age, and whether there are other medical problems. Pregnant women and young people appear more likely to get the H1N1 virus and also to have bad outcomes when they become infected. Surprisingly, people age 65 or older have a lower risk than younger age groups.

For more information, visit: * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu * World Health Organization – www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

A vaccine is available for pigs. The vaccine, which is readily available, will prevent the swine flu in pigs.

2) But No Vaccine For People

A vaccine is not available for humans. If you receive the seasonal influenza vaccine, it may provide some protection against the swine HSN2 virus, but it will not offer any protection against the H1N1 virus.

3) Signs in Pigs

 Infected pigs show signs of the flu including sudden fever, coughing and a runny discharge from the eyes and nose. The pig may have difficulty breathing and have a loss of appetite.

4) Depression in Pigs

Infected pigs may suffer from depression. How to tell if a pig is depressed may be a challenge.

5) Human Symptoms

If you become infected with the swine flu, your symptoms may include a fever, loss of appetite and coughing. You may become lethargic.  In addition, you may have a sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, and a feeling of nausea.  See your doctor quickly if you have these symptoms.

6) The Flu Pandemic Of 1918

The last major flu pandemic in the United States took place in 1918. An estimated 675,000 Americans died of influenza during the pandemic, ten times as many as in the world war. It infected 28% of all Americans (Tice).

7) Level 5 Threat

On April 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. The maximum alert level is 6, which is a full-blown pandemic.

It’s A Global Issue

As of May 4, 2009, the WHO reported 21 countries had officially reported 1,085 cases of Swine Flu, or influenza A (H1N1) infection.

9) Natural Immunity

Humans are believed to have some level of natural immunity to the swine flu.

10) Compared To The Spanish Flu

Scientists feel the swine flu lacks the DNA traits of the Spanish flu.

11) Contagious From Human To Human

The swine flu spreads easily from human to human. This is unlike other strains of animal flu.

12) Hygiene Helps

Good hygiene will reduce the chances of contracting the swine flu. Wash your hands often using soap and water. Also use gel hand sanitizer after you come into contact with people or public objects.

13) Mutating Virus

While Tamiflu seems to combat the swine virus at this time, scientists are concerned that the virus may mutate. If this happens, Tamiflu may no longer be effective. The antiviral medicine Tamiflu is well stocked around the world. Most countries have an abundant supply and the drug is readily available.

14) Discovered In 1930

The swine flu virus was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

15) Not Present In The U.S. Until 1988

While the swine flu was first isolated in 1930, it was not present in the U.S. until 1988.

16) It Is Seasonal

Like the human flu season, the swine flu is seasonal. The peak season for swine flu in pigs is late fall and winter.

17) Does It Kill Pigs?

The death rate in pigs as a result of the swine flu is very low although the virus does cause a high level of illness in pigs.

18) There Are 4 Strains Of The Virus

The most common strain of the swine flu is the H1N1 virus. However, three other strains have been isolated in pigs: H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1.

19) Can We Catch It From Pigs?

Humans do not normally contract the swine flu however direct exposure to infected pigs can lead to an infection. You should avoid contact with pigs at the county fair or petting zoos, etc.

20) Previous Outbreak In Pigs In 1988
In 1988, there was an outbreak of the swine flu in pigs. The disease spread to humans although it was contained to a small group.

21) Recent Cases In Humans

Over the past four years, the CDC reported only 12 cases of human-swine influenza.

22) Can You Contract the Virus From Eating Pork?

You will not contract the swine flu virus from eating pork. The virus is not transmitted by consuming food. Properly cooking pork to the recommended internal temperature of 160 degrees will kill the swine flu virus.

23) Outbreak Of 1976

In 1976, there was an outbreak of swine flu in Fort Dix, NJ. Four otherwise healthy soldiers suffered from pneumonia. One of the soldiers who had the swine flu died. More than 200 people were infected.

24) Fatality In 1988

In September of 1988, a woman became infected with the swine flu, was hospitalized with pneumonia, and later died. The woman had visited a county fair four days earlier. The flu was widespread amongst the pigs.

25) Testing For The Virus

A respiratory specimen is required to test a human for infection of the swine flu virus. Samples must be collected within the first 4 or 5 days of the onset of the illness.

26) Medications

Several medications are available for treatment of the swine flu in humans.  The two common drugs are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). You may order Tamiflu on AccessRx.com.

27) When Should I Take Medications?

To be most effective, you should take medications within 2 days of developing symptoms for any flu virus. It is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as you show symptoms of the illness.

28) Resistance To Medications

The most recent outbreak of the swine flu is somewhat resistant to flu medications amantadine and remintadine. The CDC recommends the use of zanamivir or oseltamivir for treatment at this time.

29) Tamiflu And Relenza

Although studies show that students who take Tamiflu or Relenza daily are less likely to contract the flu virus, doctors recommend Tamiflu not to be taken until symptoms exist. Doctors also warn that a strain of flu can become resistant to a medication, rendering it less effective.

30) Tamiflu Side Effects

In order to take Tamiflu or Relenza, children must be at least 1 year old. Tamiflu is available as a liquid as well. The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of self injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior. A healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behavior. Tamiflu is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.

31) 25% Of Pigs Worldwide Infected At Some Time

Studies have shown that 25% of pigs worldwide have at some point been infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus.

32) 30% Of Pigs In The U.S. Had Swine Flu

In the United States, 30% of pigs show evidence of antibodies for the H1N1 flu.

33) 51% of Pigs In North Central U.S. Had Swine Flu

A higher concentration of the swine flu exists in pigs in the north-central states. Up to 51% of pigs in this area show signs of swine flu antibodies.

34) Schools May Close For 14 Days

The transmission of the virus usually takes place in the first 4 days of infection. In children, however, the virus can continue to spread for up to 10 days. For this reason, the CDC recommends closing schools for 14 days in the event of a widespread swine flu epidemic.

35) Who Makes The Decision To Close The Schools?

The local authorities in your area will make the decision on whether or not to close schools and daycare facilities. They must, however, work closely with the state health officials to coordinate the effort state-wide and to make the appropriate decisions.

36) 6 stages Of A Pandemic

The World Health Organization has established 6 alert phases to distinguish the severity of a pandemic. The levels are communicated to the public and to the government so appropriate action can be taken.

Pandemic Phase 1:

In a Pandemic Phase 1 alert, no animal-to-human infections have occurred. The virus still exists among animals, but there are no reported infections in humans.

Pandemic Phase 2:

In a Pandemic Phase 2 alert, an animal-to-human infection has occurred and been identified. This is considered to be a potential pandemic threat.

Pandemic Phase 3:

In a Pandemic Phase 3 alert, there have been several confirmed cases of animal-to-human infections. In a phase 3 alert, the outbreak is limited to animal-to-human transmission. No human-to-human cases are reported other than the unusual case of a close caregiver. The clusters are small.

Pandemic Phase 4:

In a Pandemic Phase 4 alert, human-to-human infections have been confirmed. At this point, the risk for a community-level outbreak is high. A pandemic can still be avoided if containment procedures are implemented at this time.

Pandemic Phase 5:

In a Pandemic Phase 5 alert, there has been an infection in 2 countries transmitted by human-to-human contact. The 2 countries must be in the region monitored by the World Health Organization. At this stage, a pandemic may be imminent. It is time to prepare an implementation plan to mitigate the pandemic, should one occur.

Pandemic Phase 6:

The final stage in the Pandemic Alert is Phase 6. If a human-to-human infection occurs in two World Health Countries plus one additional country, a Phase 6 alert will be issued. This level indicates that a global pandemic is underway. To be deemed a level 6 threat, the virus must pass successively between three unrelated people on two continents.

37) Pandemic Post-Peak Period

The level of infection will drop in the post-peak period in most countries. Care must be taken to keep the containment plan in place to avoid a second wave of infection.

38) Pandemics Can Last For Months

In previous pandemics, the infection spread among humans for months. The virus would seem to come in waves. As the activity dropped, people would become less cautious and another wave would ensue.

39) Swine Flu Tracker

You can sign up for up-to-date swine flu tracker news. The information will be sent directly to your phone or iPod. You can also track the news online at www.who.int, www.pandemicflu.gov,  & www.cdc.gov.

40) Countries Of The World

Outbreaks of the 2009 swine flu have been reported in the following areas: North America, South America, the UK, Sweden, Italy, Kenya, and parts of Asia including Japan and China.

41) It Takes Years To Develop

The avian H1N1 virus and the human H3N2 virus were both detected in pigs several years before they developed the ability to spread.

42) Why Pigs?

Pigs are the major source of the influenza virus H3N2 and H1N1. The viruses are endemic in pigs due to the husbandry practices (agricultural breeding and raising of livestock). Pigs are the only domesticated mammal species to be reared in abundance.

43) 40 Million People Vaccinated

In 1976, more than 40 million people were vaccinated. This was in response to the swine flu outbreak at Fort Dix, NJ.

44) Will The Vaccine From 1976 Protect Me?

If you received a vaccine in 1976, you are probably no longer protected. Today’s strain of the swine flu is much different than the 1976 virus.

45) Is There A Serious Threat Of An Epidemic?

The U.S. government has declared a public health emergency in response to the recent outbreak of the swine flu. However, during the first week of May, 2009, the threat of a full-blown epidemic seemed to be subsiding because the number of deaths caused by the flu had been minimal.

46) Should I Wear A Respirator?

While there is no evidence to prove that a respirator will protect you completely from the virus, NIOSH and the CDC have approved certain respirators for protection against airborne pathogens.

47) Low Mortality Rate

While the swine flu is a new strain of the flu virus, the mortality rate remains relatively low worldwide at about 1%, and less than that in the United States. The key to survival is seeking early treatment at the onset of the virus.

48) If A Pandemic Occurred 
If a deadly strain of Swine Flu were to cause a full-blown, worldwide pandemic, one estimate predicts 2 to 5 million people could die. 

49) Affecting 25% To 35%
In the past, pandemics affected 25% to 35% of the population.

50) 20-To-45-Year-Olds Were Hardest Hit in 1918
During the flu pandemic of 1918, the age group that experienced the highest death rate was 20-to-45-year olds, which was very surprising because usually children and the elderly are the hardest hit.

51) What Is A Reassortant Virus?

If a pig becomes infected by two viruses at the same time, the genes from the 2 viruses can mix. The resultant virus is called a reassortant virus. This will add to the difficulty of treatment and the development of an effective vaccine.

52) Do Humans Have Natural Antibodies?

Humans who do not have regular contact with swine will not have a natural immunity to the swine flu virus.

53) Do Farmers Have Natural Antibodies?

Up to 25% of pig farmers may have been infected with the swine flu virus at some point. They will have some degree of natural antibodies. The virus has also been detected in approximately 10% of veterinarians.

54) 20 Million Deaths In 1918

The flu pandemic of 1918 caused more than 20 million deaths worldwide.

55) When Were The 4 Strains Discovered?

Each of the 4 strains of the swine flu resulted in an outbreak/pandemic. They occurred as follows: H1N1 in 1918, H2N2 in 1957, H3N2 in 1968, and H1N1 in 1977.

56) How Can We Track The Mortality Rate?

In a pandemic, a simple method is used to track the mortality rate caused by the swine flu. The CDC will simply monitor the increased rate or excess in mortality of pneumonia and influenza patients.

57) Global Surveillance

The World Health Organization sponsors a network of laboratories around the world to provide global surveillance of the influenza virus. This information can be used to make decisions on implementing countermeasures such as travel restrictions.

58) Will We Be Forced To Stay At Home?

If a serious pandemic occurs, local governments may ask you to stay in your home. This will prevent the spread of the illness. Be sure to stock up on supplies in advance. You should keep a minimum of a one- week supply of water, food and medications on hand.

59) What Is The SNS?

The SNS or the Strategic National Stockpile is a division of the CDC. The SNS is sending supplies to all 50 states in an effort to assist with the swine flu outbreak.

60) Is A Vaccine Available Today?

U.S. officials are gathering data and collecting potential ingredients for a vaccine, however none is available today.

61) How Long Will It Be Before A Vaccine Is Available?

The estimate for the release of a swine flu (H1N1) vaccine is Fall, 2009.

62) Will The New Vaccine Have Side Effects?

While science has come a long way in the development of vaccines and medications, there is no way to predict all of the potential side effects although the new vaccine will be tested thoroughly prior to release to the public.

63) Can I Recover Without The Vaccine?

Most cases of the swine flu in the U.S. have been moderate. With proper treatment and care, patients have tended to recover quickly with products such as Tamiflu, available at AccessRx.com.

64) Will The Death Toll Rise?

Experts at first predicted that the death toll from the swine flu would rise in the U.S. However, only one death had been reported through the first week of May in the U.S. (a child visiting from Mexico).

65) How Long Would A Pandemic Last?

A pandemic of global proportions could continue for months. It could carry on for a second flu season.

66) How Is The Vaccine Produced?

It may seem archaic, but vaccines today are produced using an egg-based production technique. The virus is grown in actual chicken eggs. Each egg may produce only two doses of the vaccine.

67) How Can Swine Flu Be Prevented in Pigs?

Several steps can be taken to reduce the swine flu infection in pigs although it can’t be eliminated completely. Farmers should vaccinate their herds. Farm workers must practice good hygiene. Swine pens should be adequately ventilated.

68) Should I Stop Breastfeeding If I Have The Flu?

A woman’s breast milk contains antibodies to combat diseases they have come in contact with. It is important to continue breastfeeding to pass the antibodies on to your baby and to help your baby develop the ability to fight off diseases on his own.

69) What If My Baby Is Sick, Should I Still Breastfeed?

If your baby is sick, you should continue to breastfeed. This is one of the best things you could do for your baby. Breast milk will strengthen your baby’s immune system.

70) Can I Contract The Virus By Handling Laundry?

You can become infected from handling the laundry. You should avoid holding the laundry close to your body. Use a basket and disinfect the basket after use. Wash your hands after each load.

71) Can I Contract The Virus By Handling Kitchen Utensils?

The swine flu virus can be passed through contact with kitchen utensils. The high heat and steam dry cycles of the dishwasher will kill the virus however.

72) Can Kissing Spread The Virus?

Absolutely.  Actual body contact is not even necessary, as mentioned above.

73) The Stats

According to the latest stats as published by the CDC as of May 5, 2009 at 1 p.m. EST, there are eight states that have reported at least 10 cases of Swine Flu. These are: New York (90), Illinois (82), California (49), Texas (41), Delaware (20), Arizona (17), South Carolina (16), Oregon (15). Of these, only one death has been reported.

74. What Does The Virus Look Like? 

Pictured to the left is a magnefied view of the H1N1 virus.

75. Can the Swine Flu Virus Reappear Again?

Acting CDC Director Richard Besser said it is possible that the Swine Flu could generally disappear and then reappear again during the flu season beginning in September. The flu generally does not transmit easily during the hotter summer months. It is hard to predict if the virus would be stronger if it reappeared. It could perhaps mutate or morph into a similar but different strain. Active flu viruses are always changing, and this is evident in the fact that the annual flu shots that patients receive year over year contain different flu strains/antibodies.

Swine flu is getting much attention from health officials and the media, but what information do you need to know about this virus outbreak?

What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A influenza virus that leads to outbreaks of influenza in pigs, and causes high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs.  Most outbreaks occur during late fall and winter months, just like the human flu season. 

Why is the swine flu infecting humans?
Swine flu does not usually infect humans.  The infections that have occurred in the past have mainly been in people who have had direct exposure to pigs.  Pigs can carry human influenza viruses, which then can mutate into new strains of the influenza virus that easily infect humans, which is what we are seeing with the current outbreak. 

How do you get swine flu?
Just like human influenza, swine flu it transmitted from person to person quite easily.  Sneezing and coughing are ways the virus is transmitted.  Touching mouth, eyes, or nose after touching something with the flu virus on it is all it takes to become infected. 

Can pork be contaminated with swine flu?
Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by eating pork products, as long as they are cooked properly.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of the common flu: Runny nose, fever, coughing, sore throat, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for treating and/or preventing swine flu.

What can be done to prevent swine flu?
Washing your hands often with soap can help prevent contracting and/or spreading the swine flu virus.  You should avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.  Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. 
 

Flu as a Killer

There was a time not so long ago that the influenza virus was responsible for countless deaths. The great 1918 flu pandemic is believed to have killed somewhere from 20 million to 100 million people worldwide, but, with reliable media reporting being what it was, nobody is quite sure how many people died. Philadelphia, New York and Boston were the worst-hit cities in the U.S. There were no vaccines or medicines in those days to stop the flu or do much to relieve its symptoms; aspirin was even barely available.

Thankfully, medical science has come a long way since then, but the flu may also have become stronger, and new strains continue to develop. One way to stop the influenza virus is through a flu shot, which is recommended for most people. However, flu strains can vary from area to area, and you may become exposed to a strain of the flu that is not the same strain as the one your vaccination protects against, especially if you happen to be traveling. That’s where Tamiflu, available from online pharmacy AccessRx.com, comes in.

Tamiflu Prevents, Treats, Relieves

If you think you’ve been exposed to the flu, begin to feel like flu symptoms may be coming on, or are already suffering with it, Tamiflu may help. An oral, FDA-approved prescription drug, Tamiflu is designed to:

• Help prevent severe flu symptoms from developing if you know you have been exposed to it;
• Stop the flu virus from spreading in the body if taken within two days of beginning to experience problems, thereby easing the symptoms somewhat.

Flu Facts

Just because you’ve had the flu, perhaps numerous times in your life, doesn’t mean you know as much about it as maybe you should. A few flu facts:

• The flu is a contagious virus that is spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People may also catch the flu by touching their nose or mouth after making contact with something where the flu virus is living, i.e., the remote control your spouse just sneezed on.
• Many healthy adults can infect other people one day before they begin experiencing symptoms themselves, and up to five days after they come down with the flu. In other words, can pass the flu to someone else before you know you have it, as well as while you are sick with it.
• A characteristic case of the flu can last as long as a week. So there’s nothing unusual if it takes you several days to get over it.
• The flu can be a very serious illness, especially for populations aged 50 and over. People with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma are also at greater risk for complications from the flu.
• Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May, depending on the strain(s) and what part of the country you’re in. It’s suggested that you stay aware of flu developments through the media or medical community in your area.

Order Your Tamiflu Today from AccessRx.com

Tamiflu is the leading prescribed antiviral flu medicine, and is readily available from AccessRx.com. When you order from AccessRx.com, your security and privacy are assured. We want you to get well and we’re here to help. Contact us today.

Human Cases of Bird Flu

The H5N1 virus is an influenza A virus subtype occurring mainly in birds. This potentially-deadly virus is highly contagious among birds. H5N1 virus does not normally infect people, but infections can, and have, occurred in humans, increasingly so in recent years. Most of these cases have been the result of people having direct or close contact with either H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces.

Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1 has caused the largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in people. However, it is possible that the most severe people are more likely to be diagnosed and reported, while milder cases are not.

Where Bird Flu Is Happening

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from 2003 through January 2008, more than 200 reported deaths worldwide have occurred from the bird flu. Some countries reporting deaths from the HN51 virus have included:

• Azerbaijan – 5 deaths
• Cambodia – 7 deaths
• China – 17 deaths
• Egypt – 19 deaths
• Indonesia – 98 deaths
• Iraq – 2 deaths
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic – 2 deaths
• Nigeria – 1 death
• Pakistan – 1 death
• Thailand – 17 deaths
• Turkey – 4 deaths
• Viet Nam – 4 deaths

There may have been other deaths that the WHO is not aware of. In addition, many hundreds of people have been sickened by the bird flu, and perhaps many more have been sick or died because of it but have been undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Disease Is Rare

In general, H5N1 remains a very, very rare disease in humans when compared to the world’s population of more than 6 billion people. The virus doesn’t infect humans easily, and if a person is infected, it is very difficult for the virus to spread to another person.

While there has been some documented human-to-human spread of the bird flu virus, it has been limited and unsustained. For example, it is believed that in Thailand in 2004, probable person-to-person spread of the virus, resulting from prolonged and very close contact between a sick child and her mother, occurred.

In June 2006, the WHO reported evidence of human-to-human spread in Indonesia, which has reported more bird flu deaths than any other nation to this point. In this situation, 8 people in one family were infected. The first family member to become ill was thought to have contracted the avian flu through contact with infected poultry. It is believed this person then infected 6 family members, and one of those 6 people then infected another family member. No further spread of the virus beyond the exposed family was suspected or documented. 

Virus Could Change and Spread

Nevertheless, all influenza viruses have the ability to change, and scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one day have the capability to infect humans, and could become contagious enough to spread easily from one person to another. People have little or no natural immunity to H5N1. If the H5N1 virus changed to the degree that it had the capacity to spread easily from human to human, an influenza pandemic could occur. And in this world where people routinely travel the world and carry disease from one continent to another, that pandemic could be the greatest outbreak of disease in human history.

Obviously, no one can predict when such an event might occur. Experts are watching the H5N1 situation in Asia and Europe, and are preparing for the possibility that the virus could begin to spread from person to person.

Treatment and Vaccination for the H5N1 Virus in People

The H5N1 virus that has caused people to become ill and die in Asia is resistant to two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza, rimantadine and amantadine. Zanamivir and oseltamivir, two other antiviral medications, may work to treat the bird flu, but more studies still need to be done to determine how successful they would be.

How Bird Flu Manifests Itself

People infected with the H5N1 virus exhibit classic flu-like symptoms, such as:

• Fever greater than 100.4°F (38°C)
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Cough (either dry or productive)
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Runny nose
• Muscle aches
• General malaise

No Real Threat Seen – For Now

Again, when compared to the number of people on this planet, and the other challenges that face us, both natural and man-made, the avian flu isn’t much of a threat to Americans or anyone else. But as quickly as things change in this world, it may become a threat tomorrow. To prepare for that possibility, some of the world’s finest scientific minds are taking the H5N1 virus, and the consequences of its proliferation, very seriously.

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is the number-one prescribed antifungal oral therapy treatment option for influenza. Currently Tamiflu is considered to be the most effective treatment method for both treating and preventing the flu virus.

How does Tamiflu Prevent or Treat the Flu?

Tamiflu works by targeting and disabling the neuraminidase protein—which lives on the cells of the flu virus and allows the virus to break through the infected cells outer wall, moving on to infect other healthy cells—when this protein is disabled the virus is unable to spread to other healthy cells, remaining confined to the cells it already inhabits and eventually dying off. Tamiflu works best when taken before contracting the flu virus or when taken within 48-hours of contracting the flu virus.

What is the Success Rate of Tamiflu?

Tamiflu has show very good success rates during the clinical trials. When administered to children, Tamiflu showed a 26% decrease in the duration of the symptoms, as opposed to children who did not take Tamiflu to treat the flu. When administered to adults, it showed a 30% decrease in the duration of the symptoms, as opposed to adults who did not take Tamiflu to treat the flu. Basically by taking Tamiflu to treat your flu, you will effectively minimize the duration of the virus in your system by as much as one-third.

Who Can’t Take Tamiflu?

While Tamiflu will work wonderfully for most people—like most prescriptions drugs—it is not for everybody. Women who are currently trying to conceive a child, nursing or pregnant may not be able to take Tamiflu, as well as those who currently are suffering from kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease or anybody who is not deemed healthy enough by their doctor to take this flu drug.

How do I Avoid Buying Counterfeit Tamiflu?

As more and more organized criminal brackets try to make quick ill-gotten gains by manufacturing and distributing counterfeit and dangerous versions of name-brand medications online, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has released a check-list of things to look out for when buying the drug Tamiflu from an online pharmacy.
• U.S. Based
• U.S. doctors
• U.S. pharmacists
• U.S. phone number
• SSL encryption
• Certified online pharmacy

By following this check-list you can best protect yourself from ever falling victim to the preying of illegal organizations trying to sell you fake or generic Tamiflu.

However, as these soldiers walked down the street, shaking hands and in the envy of all onlookers, with them they also passed the notorious influenza virus. Not to say that international travel did not contribute to the spread of the virus either; but most historians agree that the U.S. did indeed catch this epidemic from infected soldiers returning home from war.

The influenza virus struck hard and without discrimination, severely sickening, and in many cases causing the death of millions. The plague got so bad, that at points, there were not enough grave diggers alive to offer proper burial to those who had succumbed to this fatal virus.

With the country being awash in scared citizens and other disasters which commonly follow an outbreak of a killing plague, many people rushed to try out new cures that promised immunity. Unfortunately, many of those people got sicker because these untested, unorthodox, rapidly produced “cures,” did not work at all.

During the height of the influenza pandemic, people were still franticly trying to find a way to prevent the spread of the virus. In San Francisco they even passed a law which made it mandatory for all citizens to wear a face mask to prevent infection. The city mayor even publicly stated, “Wear a Mask and Save Your Life! A Mask is 99% Proof against Influenza.” The city even created a slogan which was easy for the children to remember, who were at the most risk, “Obey the laws, And wear the gauze. Protect your jaws from septic paws.” Those who disobeyed were arrested and jailed for not following the new law.

As the world has turned and turned since those devastating days, we are left to only take some of the footnotes forward with us. One of those footnotes is that the influenza virus is deadly; especially in children and the elderly. The other important note to take, is that with rapidly advancing medical technology there are ways to prevent and to control the outbreak of the world’s most deadly virus. Influenza, being the worm that it is, has already shown signs of mutation, finding its most recent victims in birds, and trying to mutate itself to a new strain that could threaten humanity as we know it today.

Fortunately, the influenza virus is easily identified in human beings, and in most cases it is easily treatable and even preventable. These days finding the right medicine to treat and prevent the flu virus is as simple as logging on to your home computer, and ordering the medicine you need from a reputable online pharmacy.

Tamiflu is one such medicine, which can prevent the spread of the influenza virus if you have been exposed, and in clinic studies it has shown to decrease the longevity of the flu virus by up to 30%. One such pharmacy that you can find some of the best deals on Tamiflu is www.Accessrx.com. They offer 24/7 services, some of the best prices you will find on Tamiflu, and they have physicians standing by day and night just to approve your prescription. If you feel the effects of the flu virus coming on, or have been near those who were already sick, get the ball rolling towards your recovery. Order Tamiflu today at: Accessrx.com.