How is Swine Flu Different From Seasonal Flu?

H1N1 Virus Vaccines, Symptoms, Medicines, Supplements Preparedness

Sep 5, 2009

How is swine flu different from seasonal flu? When will vaccines, supplements, medicines be available? Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about swine flu.

The swine flu has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization(WHO). The swine flu strain, called H1N1, is passed on just like seasonal flu—mainly through person to person contact, coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Symptoms of Swine Flu - Not very Different from Seasonal Flu

The symptoms of the HIN1 virus are very similar to those of seasonal flu. Some of them are:

How is the H1N1 Influenza Virus Different from Seasonal Flu Virus?

The seasonal flu is actually comprised of several different strains of flu. The H1N1 flu strain is a novel one. Most people are not resistant to the swine flu virus and seasonal flu vaccines are not effective to fight swine flu.

The swine flu is not different from the seasonal flu in terms of its symptoms, but in the strain of the virus causing the flu. The CDC has also determined that the swine flu virus affects people 25 years old and younger, more severely than older people, which is also different from the way the seasonal flu operates.

Are There Medicines to Combat Swine Flu?

CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with the swine flu virus. These anti-viral prescription drugs may keep flu viruses from reproducing in the human body and are administered by a medical professional.

When are Swine Flu Vaccines Available?

According to WebMD, by October 15 2009, the U.S. expects to have 45 million doses of the swine flu vaccine. The swine flu vaccine will come from the five different vaccine makers supplying the US - 46% will come from Novartis, 26% will come from Sanofi Pasteur, 19% will come from CSL, 6% will come from MedImmune, and 3% will come from GlaxoSmithKline.

On September 3 2009, the Swiss drug giant Novartis AG said that its swine flu vaccine - Celtura - has been found to be effective even with one dose, though two doses seem to provide better protection.

Alternative Treatment for Swine Flu

Immunity boosting supplements are said to be effective to fight the swine flu. Colostrum -the liquid that precedes breast milk, is available in pill/spray form from bovine sources, in health food stores. Some practitioners of alternative medicine recommend the use of colostrum to boost immunity against the swine flu. Read more about it in Can Colostrum Fight Swine Flu Naturally?

If infected, staying home and avoiding contact with other people is recommended until 24 hours after the fever has passed.