|  For
prices and availability of our influenza / flu meds, please
click the appropriate product name to the left; we will
not be beaten on price!
Influenza information;
What is flu?
The flu or influenza is a highly contagious viral infection
of the respiratory tract. It usually occurs in epidemics
during the colder months.
What causes flu?
Flu is spread by breathing in respiratory droplets released
when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People can also
transfer the virus from hands or objects to their mouth,
nose, or eyes.
How will I know if I have flu?
Following an incubation period of 24 to 48 hours, flu symptoms
begin to appear: a sudden onset of chills; temperature of
101° to 104° F; headache; fatigue; muscle aches
(particularly in the back, arms and legs); a dry cough;
hoarseness; sore throat; red eyes; runny or stuffy nose.
These symptoms usually subside in 3 to 5 days, but the cough
and weakness may persist. Fever is usually higher in children
than in adults. In some patients (especially older people),
lack of energy and extreme tiredness may persist for several
weeks.
Complications include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections.
People with asthma, diabetes, and other chronic diseases
should get a flu vaccine each fall, because these conditions
can worsen if they get the flu.
What about H5N1 avian / bird / chicken flu?
Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1
virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that
occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds,
and can be deadly to them.
Outbreaks of avian influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry
in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) during
late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million
birds in the affected countries either died from the disease
or were killed in order to try to control the outbreaks.
By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control.
Since late June 2004, however, new outbreaks of influenza
H5N1 among poultry were reported by several countries in
Asia (Cambodia, China [Tibet], Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Russia [Siberia], Thailand, and Vietnam). It is
believed that these outbreaks are ongoing. Influenza H5N1
infection also has been reported among poultry in Turkey
Romania, and Ukraine. Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 have been
reported among wild migratory birds in China, Croatia, Mongolia,
and Romania.
H5N1 may mutate into a human contagion and stands the risk
of becoming the next global flu pandemic capable of killing
millions of people. Indonesia is mostly to blame for the
risk as it refuses to send H5N1 samples to the WHO because
it wants to make money from the virus.
It is therefore important to protect your family the best
way you can by making sure you have whatever bird / avian
flu medications are available.
|
