Tamiflu, whose common technical name is oseltamivir, is part of a family of influenza fighting medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamilflu is used in the healing of infections caused by both the flu A and influenza B viruses. Tamiflu, which requires a prescription, can be used both to treat the influenza if taken soon after symptoms become visible, or to stop the flu. The difference between Tamiflu and a vaccine is that Tamiflu helps your immune system be in a position to fight off the progress of the viral infection, whereas a vaccine is just a straight injection of dead influenza that causes your immune system to produce antibodies to fight off the virus itself.
Tamiflu demand has skyrocketed over the past year for several reasons. There was a shortage of available flu vaccine during influenza season 2005, with in some cases barely enough for senior citizens or those with more susceptible immune conditions being able to get vaccinated. Also, the U.S. government was concerned that an outbreak of bird influenza in the United States could leave the U.S. short on influenza vaccines, causing them to hold back provisions just in case of an outbreak. However, the bird flu is different form human influenza. This is exacly the same scenario as swine influenza these days.
Bird flu is much harder to transmit than human influenza, requiring very close physical contact to spread the virus. Bird flu has been observed in countries where humans and animals are in close contact. There have been approximately 70 deaths worldwide and just about 130 infections since 2005. The primary concern of health officials around the planet is that bird flu will infect a person already carrying the human flu strain, and that the two viruses will somehow swap genetic material, causing the bird influenza to mutate into a virus that spreads much faster through the air, like human flu, only this bug would be more deadly. A highly virulent strain of mutated bird flu could create a pandemic for the world, as did the Spanish influenza virus of the early 1900′s that killed 20 to 50 million people worldwide.
Unfprtunately, swine flu is much closer to the spanish flu than the bird influenza was. We did however learn alot from the bird influenza outbreak that prepared us for what is certain to be a sever pandemic of the swine influenza.
The bird influenza is linked with the influenza A strain H5N1 influenza bug. Although not the same as the Spanish flu virus, the current avian flu strain does share many similarities with the Spanish flu strain. Initial studies have shown that Tamiflu may be effectual in helping to fight the effects of this flu virus if the medicine is taken very early after flu symptoms become visible. As a result, the demand for Tamiflu has skyrocketed as customers have rushed to their doctors to obtain prescriptions and gone on the internet to buy the drug from online pharmacies.
Comparable findings have been recognized with the swine influenza. When Tamiflu is taken very early on it does appear to have a popsitive effect in combating the bug.
A Swiss drug maker, F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd., at present has a tight hold on the manufacturing of Tamiflu. Biolyse Pharma Corp., when turned down in its bid to try to enter the Tamiflu marketplace, had decided as of December of 2005 to attempt to mass produce several tons of shikimic acid, which is the main ingredient in Tamiflu, from the needles of discarded Christmas trees, as well as other pine, fir, and spruce trees. Such trees are the main source of shikimic acid.
Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of several medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the healing and prevention of influenza. The CDC has announced that a swine flu vaccine should be available fall 2009.
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Avian Influenza first occurred in Italy, but nowdays is spread along the world. It is an infectious disease caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. All birds are supposed to be susceptible to the avian influenza, but particularly domestic poultry.
Recombined with the human influenza viruses form a totally new influenza virus to which people do not have protection that spreads in the population and that causes serious illness and death in humans. Bird Flu is an infectious disease of birds that can also affect people. It can present mild or severe forms of illness.
The only subtype that can cause severe illness to people is Influenza A /H5N1 virus, initially it affects chickens, ducks and other birds by the process of mutation they can become highly pathogenic. If the bird flu virus recombines with a human flu virus and mutate it may become possible the transmission from human to human as happened in Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia Thailand, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Eygpt, China, and Iraq where people died.
Bird flu affected Australia in 1997 but, was eradicated. Water birds are supposed to carry the avian influenza type A virus inside their intestines and to distribute it in the environment through bird faeces. In highly contagious forms results in severe epidemics and rapid death. In Hong-Kong it has been declared pandemic.
H5N1is considered to be dangerous because it mutates rapidly and aquires genes from viruses infecting other animal species and human. The more affected were the birds of avian influenza the more dangerous was the infection for human beings, transmited by migratory birds. This could be the start for influenza pandemic.
Symptoms and treatments
Patients usually develop fever, sore throat, cough, severe respiratory distress and viral pneumonia. The people which were affected are of all ages in different states of health. Luckily, there are rapid tests for diagnosing all influenza strains. Antiviral drugs have some limitations, although they are effective in the treatment and prevention of influenza A virus strains. If a new virus subtype occures, it takes some time to produce a new vaccine to be efficient.
The World Health Organization (WHO) makes reports and updates regarding new human cases of infection with bird flu. It is also important to question patients if they had direct or indirect contact with sick chickens or other birds. Not allowing chickens to roam freely, correctly informate the community, advise public not to catch, get near or keep in captivity wild birds are important requirements in order to prevent a catastrophal pandemic.We must wash hands with soap and water before and after handling chicken meat. Cook chicken well, not to let chickens roam freely, do not place chickens, ducks and pigs together in one area.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) makes reports and updates regarding new human cases of infection with bird flu. The only subtype that can cause severe illness to people is Influenza A /H5N1 virus, initially it affects chickens, ducks and other birds by the process of mutation they can become highly pathogenic. Because highly pathogenic viruses can survive for long periods in tissue, water and in the environment, especially when temperatures are low is transmitted very easily in chickens and other birds through direct contact with feces and secretions from infected birds, eggs, feed, water, cages equipment, vehicles and clothing. Public health authorities monitor human illnesses associated with avian influenza. In Hong-Kong occured for the first time infection both in humans and poultry and were killed about 1.5 million chickens.
In China and Hong-Kong avian influenza A (H9N2) virus infection affected two children who recovered. The source was unknown, but suspected the poultry.
In Virginia, 2002 an outbreak of H7N2 among poultry was descovered but,with no human victims. Canada, 2004: human infections among poultry workers with H7N3.
Thailand and Vietnam human infections with H5N1. Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, 2006: Human infections with H5N1 occurred as a result of contact with infected poultry and with infected death swangs. Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, 2005 two persons have been infected with H5N1 as result of consuming uncooked duck blood. China two cases of patogenic infections with avian influenza A (H5N1) have been confirmed in a family travelling through China. Netherlands, 2003 were reported outbreaks of influenza A (H7N7) in several farms, after which in pigs and people, 90 people were confrmed with bird flu virus H7N7 in association with cases of eye conjunctivitis, one death occured at a veterinarian with acute respiratory distress syndrome and other complications after having direct contact with infected poultry. In New York, 2003 there has been registered one case a patient with respiratory symptoms which recovered in few weeks and tests confirmed it had been avian influenza A (H7N2) virus. Signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to other influenza viruses: sore throat and cough, fever, muscle weakness and/or pain, eye infections, with life-threatening complications such as: severe viral pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, multi- organ failure.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests the following antiviral agents supposed to prevent and treat avian influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir, and zanamivir. They may be not always effective it has been demonstrated that viruses are resistent to amantadine and rimantadine. In the United States they are not in use any more for the treatment or prevention (prophylaxis) of influenza A. Specialists are monitoring the resistence of avian influenza A viruses to influenza antiviral medications.
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If you undergo any influenza signs and symptoms, make certain that you report these to a proper professional. This is an eminent notification that should be obeyed by everyone especially you as it could be avian influenza. Why is it so eminent to do? Of course, by reporting the influenza signs and symptoms earlier, you will be able to stay away from one potential curable illness.
Avian influenza virus is commonly spread through infected birds. This killer illness can be carried by chickens or ducks. It is eminent to know that influenza signs and symptoms are commonly attracted through very little forms. Nevertheless, be careful of this illness since it can cause infectious as well as a rapidly fatal illness.
Avian or H5N1 influenza is commonly deadly influenza that commonly known in Asia. Additionally, it’s also known to be a highly pathogenic virus that invades humans and can cause fatalities.
Avian Influenza Signs and Symptoms in Birds
Generally, the birds spread the infection through a number of ways before humans get infected with this virus. Humans can get infected through their nasal secretions, saliva, as well as feces. The birds become susceptible to the strain of virus when they come in contact with infected excretions such as on surfaces and in food.
Influenza signs and symptoms are typically experienced by the bird include a decrease in egg production and lethargy or decrease in their normal activity. In addition, an infected person will also experience swelling of the head, breathing problems and difficulties, loose bowel movement, muscle paralysis and eventually death.
Avian Influenza Signs and Symptoms in Humans
Avian influenza signs and symptoms in humans come into view alike to the ones experienced with any other flu. Cough, lethargy, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and conjunctivitis are among the most commonly reported influenza signs and symptoms.
Moreover, the bird flu even can develop to more harmful by causing an infected person at risk to pneumonia and other breathing problems. Before the condition gets worse, it’s essential to get the proper influenza symptoms treatment. Fatality among infected humans can be expected if the treatment isn’t addressed at an early time.
Each person will be able to avoid the deadly virus if they are knowledgeable about the avian influenza signs and symptoms. In addition, in order to avoid the occurrence of infection, a person should have a healthy immune system. Keep in mind that a person will be vulnerable to illness if their immune resistance is compromised.
Still being curious about influenza signs and symptoms? Just explore more on the links here and you will get much more about it as well as any thing related.
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