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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Being well informed about the influenza symptoms is very vital as influenza can be threatening if it is untreated. Certainly by understand the influenza symptoms earlier, you can take a proper expert to stop and heal the illness earlier.
Almost in each year, there are many people suffer from influenza. Ironically, the influenza disease develops to an irreversible condition as most people try to find help when the influenza symptoms become bad. The number of people who are infected by influenza virus can be decreased if this kind of disease is treated earlier.
What are the Early Influenza Symptoms?
When you get the symptoms, you may find it is tricky to identify whether the symptoms are related to influenza or not. Usually, the early indicators of influenza are tricky to make sure as they come into view in milder form.
Generally, the influenza symptoms appear much clearer during the later phase. However, it would still be helpful to be aware of about the early influenza symptoms so you would understand what to do or what to expect.
The near the beginning influenza indicators appear suddenly and are often perceived as insignificant. Though, they are still considered to be early influenza symptoms since they unexpectedly conjure out of nowhere.
At the early phases of influenza illness, the signs that are commonly undergone include body aches, pain upon the movement of your eyes, fever of 100F to 104F, muscle pains, and general fatigue. Go to your doctor immediately if you feel any of these signs especially during the cold season.
What are the Late Influenza Symptoms?
Typically, the late influenza symptoms appear as the severe form of the early indicators. The fever reaches higher degrees and may come and go at any time of the day and is continuous in pattern. The pain and fatigue you feel will also worsen as the influenza symptoms enter the late phase.
If you get influenza, you’ll also undergo headaches that may get worse. In addition, you’ll also experience a dry sore throat or a runny nose. As the fever goes away, most of the symptoms become more evident particularly when the diagnosis of influenza is made.
Thus, knowing the earlier influenza symptoms will be very necessary for you. This will give you enough time to get rid of the illness as well as stay away from the later stage of the illness. What’s more, keep your eyes opened to the symptoms of this deadly virus.
Do you want to uplift your knowledge about influenza symptoms? There is no better way for getting it unless finding it more here!
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What is influenza and how is it caused?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory tract. Its symptoms include fever, runny nose, stuffed up nose, fatigue, headache, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and achy muscles and joints. Not only is the flu contagious, it could become severe and even prove to be fatal if left untreated.
The flu is largely caused by three types of viruses, that is the influenza virus A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics while type B causes less significant, more localized outbreaks. Meanwhile, type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms. Capable of passing from person to person by airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing), the virus is also known to survive on objects for a short period of time. Therefore, influenza can spread through touch too. Moreover, the influenza virus can also spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by coming in direct contact with an infected person’s secretions.
Is Tamiflu an effective antiviral drug for Bird Flu?
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) the drug in use, blocks the influenza virus from spreading between the body cells. As a consequence, this antiviral drug is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenza virus A and B infections. Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, first and foremost acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, preventing progeny versions from becoming detached from infected cells.
The first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor to be commercially developed, Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), is a prodrug that is hydrolysed hepatically to active metabolites. Developed by US-based Gilead Sciences and currently being marketed by Hoffmann–La Roche (Roche) under the trade name Tamiflu, this drug is generally available by prescription only.
Why Tamiflu?
It is essential to buy Tamiflu because:
It is recommended for use during infections with flu viruses A and B
It eases various ailments like weakness, cough, headache, fever, sore throat that accompany the flu affliction
It can prevent the onset of flu even when the patient has been exposed to the virus
Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, serves as an aggressive inhibitor for sialic acid that is found on the surface proteins of normal host cells; Tamiflu, in fact, prevents new viral particles from being released by infected cells.
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Canine influenza is a fairly recent addition to the list of things we have to worry about when it comes to our dogs. Although the widespread epidemic of suggested by the media does not exist, it is certainly a disease that is spreading and that we should be aware of if we live or work with dogs.
It was discovered in Florida during research into the causes of kennel cough amongst greyhounds, and is thought to be a variation of horse influenza. It is an airborne disease and is most likely to be found where many dogs are housed in close proximity to each other. Roughly 16% of dogs who are exposed to the disease develop symptoms, and of these cases, about 6% prove fatal.
The symptoms of canine influenza are a high fever, coughing and sneezing, a runny nose, excessive lethargy or depression and a lack of appetite. Of course, many other illnesses are characterised by coughing and sneezing so you shouldn’t immediately assume your dog has influenza, but if you are concerned you should consult your veterinarian, particularly of your dog’s temperature reaches 106 degrees.
Canine influenza is a virus and therefore does not respond to antibiotics. In severe cases, the damage to the respiratory system leads to a secondary pneumonia infection, and it is this that usually causes deaths. Pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics and a high fluid intake, so the number of fatal cases of influenza can be reduced. Research into a vaccine for canine influenza is currently in progress, but it may not be available for another couple of years.
If you are planning on leaving your dog in kennels you should check their policy on respiratory infections. Ask whether they isolate any dog that develops an infection, whether it is influenza or something less harmful such as kennel cough. Also make sure that they will inform you if your dog has come into contact with another dog with a respiratory infection.
A recent case in Pittsburgh saw the high quality boarding facility, Misty Pines, temporarily closed because thirty of their dogs developed canine influenza. None of the dogs died and the facility was reopened once the infection had run its course. Canine influenza is only infectious for ten days and has an incubation period of two to five days so it is perfectly safe for dogs to board there again now the infection has gone.
Although the infection is more common in places where dogs are grouped together, you shouldn’t let this put you off buying a dog from a shelter. You will, however, want to check the shelter’s policy on new arrivals. Do they isolate them for the first few days to ensure they don’t have the infection? If you already have a dog at home, you may want to keep your new pet separate from them for a few days just to be on the safe side.
Canine influenza does not pose any risk to humans as they cannot become infected. However it is believed that humans can carry the virus on their hands, clothes and shoes so you should be aware of this. In some cases it is believed that employees of dog shelters or kennels have transmitted the virus to their own dogs in this way.
Although canine influenza is clearly an issue that you should be aware of, and take precautions against, you should not let it stop your dog from living life as usual. And you should not stop using your usual pet facilities. If you want to find out about any outbreaks of the virus in your area contact your local veterinarian or the state veterinary medical association, who will be able to give you local information and some peace of mind
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