Swine Flu

It is vital to prevent a further spread of swine Flu, which has already been declared a pandemic. Read about the various precautions you must take during swine flu and medications you may take to prevent the swine flu virus from infecting you.

Minor and major precautions to take during swine flu

Precautions you must take to stop a further spread of the swine flu virus include –

• Maintain hygiene – wash your hands frequently with soap or an alcohol rub. Cover your face while sneezing or coughing and carefully dispose off the tissues that you've sneezed on. As the swine flu virus can survive for up to 24 hours on a hard surface it is also vital to clean commonly-touched hard surfaces like door handles or railings, telephones, computer keyboards.
• Isolation – Maintain a distance from people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough. Also avoid going out if you fall sick to avoid infecting others.
• Medications – The FDA has approved the use of Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamavir) for the prevention and treatment of the swine flu virus.
• Face-mask – Though many people use face-masks, its success as a preventive measure is doubtful. The swine flu virus is small enough to get through the pores in the face mask. However, wearing a face mask may help to stop you passing the virus on to others by way of coughing or sneezing.

Are medications helpful to prevent swine flu?

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has allowed the use of Tamiflu and Relenza to prevent swine flu in a person who is not ill but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza. Studies have shown that these drugs are 70 to 90% effective to prevent a person from being infected.

Who is eligible to buy swine flu medications?

As of now an average person does not need to take swine flu medications. Anti-viral medication, such as Tamiflu is generally only given to people who have been diagnosed with swine flu. As a preventive measure, doctors only prescribe Tamiflu to persons who are in contact with people who are hit by the virus such as the family members of swine flu patients. Pregnant women may also take Relenza, an inhaled antiviral drug for swine flu treatment and in case they are severely hit they may also be prescribed Tamiflu. Considering swine flu is spreading fast, European Medicines Agency has advised that children under one may also be treated with Tamiflu.

Steps to buy prescription swine flu medications

You may buy prescription swine flu medications such as Tamiflu for the prevention and treatment of swine flu. Though the best way to seek a prescription for Tamiflu is by visiting a doctor, these days you can also buy Tamiflu online from a reputed online source such as online-clinic.co.uk. These websites will require you to fill-in an online consultation form which shall be reviewed by a registered medical practitioner. If the doctor finds you suitable, you will receive a prescription for Tamiflu over the internet, free of charge. Following this you will receive your packet of Tamiflu pills at the given address. Tamiflu comes in a pack of 10, 75mg capsules. Tamiflu is required to be taken twice a day. It is vital to take a full 5-day course for the prevention as well as treatment of swine flu.