Vaccines are usually given to prevent infections. Influenza vaccines are made from either pieces of the killed influenza virus or weakened versions of the live virus that will not lead to disease. When vaccinated, the body’s immune system makes antibodies which will fight off infection if exposure to the virus occurs.
Antivirals are drugs that can treat people who have already been infected by a virus. They also can be used to prevent infection when given before or shortly after exposure and before illness occurs. A key difference between a vaccine and antiviral drug is that the antiviral drug will prevent infection only when administered within a certain time frame before or after exposure and is effective during the time that the drug is being taken while a vaccine can be given long before exposure to the virus and can provide protection over a long period of time.

How do you catch H1N1 (swine) flu?

Spread of H1N1 (swine) flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
Through contact with a person with H1N1 (swine) flu. Human-to-human spread of H1N1 (swine) flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?

Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1 (swine) flu? Is Tamiflu Recommended?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these H1N1 (swine) influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

Currently, the CDC is recommending the antiviral drugs Oseltamivir (®) or Zanamivir (Relenza®).

H1N1 Swine Flu

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Check out the swine flu symptoms here/

H1N1 – Swine Flu

You feel extreme exhaustion.  Your fever has you burning up.  You ache and hurt all over like you ran headlong into a bulldozer.  Your head throbs and feels like it is going to explode.  It isn’t at all uncommon for you to experience discomfort in your chest.  Sometimes you will even have a stuffy nose.  Maybe even sneezing.  Even a sore throat comes your way. 
Then to top things off, you develop what starts out to be a small, non-productive cough that may become very harsh and severe enough to keep you awake at night…depriving you of your desperately needed rest.

No one should ever have to suffer through the agonizing pain and discomfort that accompanies the flu.  No one, especially not you and not your children!

Discover what you can do to protect yourself, and your family, from the pain and misery of the flu.  Learn how to recognize the symptoms.  Then explore the options available to you for relief and recovery!   Keep in mind: You have 48 hours from the onset of flu symptoms to begin treatment.

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by type A and type B influenza viruses that occurs mostly in fall and winter. The highly contagious virus usually enters the body through mucous membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby. In most communities, school-age
children are the first to get the flu, and then they carry it home and to other group activities. In a mild flu season, about 10% to 15% of the population becomes infected. In a more severe flu season, 20% or more of the population can suffer from the flu.

If you feel seriously ill, you should always visit your doctor.
Only your doctor will be able to tell you if you have a condition
that requires treatment or if bed rest and fluids are all
you need to get better. If you think you have the flu, visit
your doctor as soon as symptoms start (within 2 days) and
ask for more information about CDC recommended oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®).

In the past you may have had trouble getting your flu shot due to shortages of the vaccine.  But in spite of that, we firmly contend that your flu shot is still your best, most effective protection available to shield you from a deadly flu virus.

September and October are the ideal times to get your flu vaccination.  But we do understand that sometimes you won’t have access to the vaccine until later.  That’s OK though.  You can still be protected through the remainder of the flu season.