Swine Flu is caused by one of the hundreds of influenza viruses that exist in nature. At this time there is no cure for any form of influenza. It can be treated in a number of ways that may shorten the length of the illness or reduce its severity.

The primary medical treatment is the use of anti-viral medications. The drugs oseltamivir or zanamivir are normally prescribed in the United States. These drugs are better known under the trade names Tamiflu and Relenza.

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A look at swine flu in humans

Humans and pigs share enough biological attributes that some diseases can move back and forth between the two different species. The swine flu, swine A)H1N1 is one such illness.

Influenza doesn’t bother pigs much. In humans, it can range from a mild though lengthy illness to one that can produce large numbers of fatalities. The current swine flu is a bit mysterious because it seems to do a little of both.

The difference between a cold and the flu

“I don’t feel good!” Whether you are an adult or a child, there are times when you just want to scream that. When you have a cold or the flu, it is one of those times.

Colds and influenza are caused by different viruses. They share many of the same symptoms and they both make you feel lousy. They are different illnesses and that difference is important.

How to treat the flu

Exhausted, achy all over, coughing and, yes, you have a fever. You have the flu.

The flu may resemble a cold but it is going to last longer and feel much worse than any cold. There is no cure for the flu. There are a few things you can do to make your illness a little more bearable and even a bit shorter.

Why people die from the flu

Flu is a killer. In past epidemics in the United States, as many as 5% of those with the disease have died. Public Health officials estimate that about 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the flu and related illnesses.

In temperate climates like the United States, influenza is seasonal. Beginning in November and running until March of the following year, influenza cases multiply.

Can animals catch the flu?

Animals can catch the flu. In fact, there are many more flu viruses that can infect animals than can infect people.

When it comes to flu, birds catch it much more than any other animal. The “bird flu”, designated A)H5N1, is the influenza strain that has captured the media’s attention for the last several years. While about 300 cases in humans have been seen, there have been thousands of cases in birds.