Swine flu is back in the UK

The potentially deadly swine flu is back in the UK, following reports that 2 people have been hospitalised after contracting the virus, confirmed yesterday by health officials.

Both patients have been diagnosed has having the H1N1 strain of influenza, and are now being closely monitored at Wishaw General Hospital in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The virus was first identified in Mexico back in April 2009, and was first named ‘Mexican flu’. Mexico had 100s of non-lethal cases of the virus prior to the outbreak being officially discovered, with the country in the midst of a “silent epidemic”.

However, it later became labelled as swine flu due to the fact that the virus strikingly bore similarities to already known influenza viruses that cause illness in pigs.

The virus subsequently spread between countries, causing pandemonium as it was a new type of flu virus that barely anyone was immune to. According to the World Health Organization, there were 18,500 lab-confirmed deaths from swine flu in 2009 alone, and anywhere between 10-200 million people infected. Of the total deaths, 350 people died in the UK during the initial pandemic.

The flu jab covers the virus – which is free of charge on the NHS to people 65 years of age or over, pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions, people living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility, anyone receiving a carer’s allowance, or the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who could be at further risk if the carer was to become ill and Healthcare workers with direct patient contact or a social care worker.

Children over the age of six months with a long-term health condition and those aged two, three and four plus children in school years one and two are also recommended as having the flu jab.

Health experts have commented that the apparent emergence of the virus was ‘not unusual’ because it never truly went away in the first place.

Leading flu expert, virologist Professor John Oxford, spoke to the MailOnline yesterday and said that the virus has been ‘moving around the community this year.”

“Every year there is three to four influenza viruses but there’s nothing unusual,” he said.
“I’m sure there would have been cases last year in the UK and around Europe. I’m a bit surprised that they have announced it.

“If you have had the flu jab then you wouldn’t expect to get it or the other types of flu.”

Professor Oxford said he predicts more cases of swine flu to emerge in the coming weeks as we enter the peak of the flu season, adding that the virus could be treated with Tamiflu (oseltamivir), and stressed how the most at-risk groups were children and people with underlying health conditions, if they have not been immunised.

The two cases in Scotland only came to prominence after someone had commented about being diagnosed with the virus on social media.

Dr Femi Oshin, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Although there are low levels of influenza overall this winter, H1N1, also known as swine flu, is reported to be the main flu virus circulating in the community.

“It is, therefore, to be expected that we will see some cases of H1N1 in Lanarkshire at this time.
“The seasonal influenza vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against flu, including H1N1.
“The annual flu vaccine is available free to pregnant women as well as other eligible groups including people over 65, those who have certain health conditions, healthy children aged two, three and four plus children in school years one and two, and people who work in healthcare.”

Mutating flu viruses linked to havoc at A&E departments

Flu rates have now reached their highest level than at any time in the previous three years, and doctors are blaming mutated forms of the flu virus that are not being protected against with the seasonal winter flu jab.

Strains of flu virus commonly naturally mutate, with changes being witnessed this year already within the US and Australia.

The primary flu virus rife this winter has been found to be influenza A type H3N2, appearing to disproportionately impacting the elderly.

On Wednesday David Cameron was speaking in Manchester and highlighted an increasing number of elderly patients as one of the main causes of pressure on hospital A&E departments, with one hospital even drafting in help from the Red Cross, as NHS capacity is pushed to its limits.

The prime minister noted how it was “particularly striking” that over a million more over-65s were seeking help at A&E in comparison to just four years ago, blaming a lack of “clarity” regarding GP access.

Cameron’s comments came as the latest GP Patient Survey for England show that almost 15% of patients could not get an appointment with their GP at the previous time of trying, though 78% of people who completed the survey still claimed they would recommend their GP surgery.

The US Centres of Disease Control has released a warning that half of the H3N2 viruses they have analysed were discovered to be “drifted strains” from the one covered by the winter flu jab. Public Health England (PHE) have tested 24 samples so far, with five found to be drifted strains. This means the flu type has mutated, resulting in the vaccines becoming less effective.

PHE say that more hospitals and GP surgeries are reporting a larger number of flu cases in comparison to that of the peak periods of the last three winters. It is this massive spike which is probably responsible for the severe pressures felt by hospitals up and down the country this week, but health officials believe the problems could continue to worsen for another eight weeks yet.

Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at Public Health England, commented: “Overall, levels are now higher than the peak of flu activity observed in the last three seasons, but have not reached the levels seen in the last notable seasons of 2010/11 and 2008/09.”

Dr Ben Marshall, a specialist in respiratory medicine at Southampton General Hospital, says the number of patients admitted into hospital with respiratory illnesses has now doubled.
Asthma and COPD are two respiratory problems which can be significantly worsened by flu, sometimes resulting in serious complications that need hospital treatment.

The injected flu vaccine is available free of cost on NHS to those deemed to be high risk. This is to protect them against flu and the serious complications that can arise from it.
Those that qualify for a free flu jab include:

. People 65 years of age or over.
. Pregnant women.
. People with certain medical conditions.
. People living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility.
. Those receiving a carer’s allowance, or the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who could. be at further risk if the carer was to become ill.
. Healthcare workers with direct patient contact or a social care worker.

Dr Tristan Clark, a specialist in infectious diseases and respiratory viruses at Southampton General Hospital, said: “We can sometimes predict what a flu season is going to be like based on the activity in the southern hemisphere before it reaches north of the equator and we know countries like Australia had a bad year.

“Unfortunately, since the vaccine was prepared, the influenza A H3 strain has changed significantly, making the vaccine less effective at protecting against the virus – something we occasionally see.”
People are still being advised to get vaccinated to offer some degree of protection, especially those with chronic illnesses who have yet to get the jab. Moreover, antiviral treatment Tamiflu is still active against all strains of the flu and works to lessen the severity of symptoms, particularly when taken early at an early stage of the condition.

Winter Wellness: Protect yourself against flu and other illness

Certain health conditions are triggered or exuberated by cold weather, and considering recent years has seen the winter season in the United Kingdom become increasingly chilly with sub-zero temperatures, this can cause chaos for the majority of the UK’s 63.23 million people.

However, there are practical steps and self-help measures you can take during the winter to stay warm, reduce your risk of developing illness, and sufficiently equip your body to deal with an ailment should you unfortunately become unwell.

Flu

One of the most common winter illnesses, and one not to be confused with a cold. Colds usually start gradually with a runny or stuffy nose and sore throat. Flu symptoms begin much suddenly and it is more serious than a cold.

For many of us, flu is not life-threatening and a full recovery can usually be made after a week. However, flu can prove deadly for vulnerable people and lead to complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

These vulnerable, high-risk groups of people are entitled to a free flu jab on the NHS to protect themselves developing flu and serious complications from it. Those eligible for the jab include the over-65s, pregnant women, if you have a medical condition such as diabetes or asthma (your GP will advise you), are a healthcare or social care worker with direct patient contact, or reside in either a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility. There may be other situations where you are entitled to the flu jab, with your GP or practice nurse being able to offer more information.

You can take preventative steps though to try and protect yourself and those around you by: coughing or sneezing into a tissue, disposing of used tissues immediately and washing hands straight away. You should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthily (a low-fat, high-fibre diet is generally advised).

Flu FAQ

I am pregnant, do I need a flu jab this year?

Yes. The flu vaccine can be safely administered at any stage of pregnancy following conception to protect both you and your unborn baby. It will help to protect against serious complications in the latter stages of pregnancy, such as pneumonia, and will       even offer protection for the baby in the first few months of their life after birth. The vaccine also means there is a lesser risk of premature birth or the baby having a low birth weight.

I am pregnant but I think I have flu. What should I do?

See your doctor as soon as flu symptoms first appear as there is prescription medicine that can be taken to reduce the chance of complications arising, but the treatment needs to be taken soon after the initial symptoms start to show.

I have already had flu. Do I need the vaccine?

Yes. You will not know which virus caused your flu and the vaccine is essential to protect you against other flu viruses after yours has passed.

I received a flu vaccination last year. Do I need one this year?

Yes. The vaccine will offer protection against different strains than the previous years. Even if you were vaccinated last year, it is strongly advised you receive another this year. Health experts identify the flu viruses way in advance that are most likely to be predominant and appropriate vaccines are made.

Which flu viruses will the 2013/14 vaccine protect against?

. H1N1 – the strain of flu responsible for the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
. H3N2 – a strain of flu prominent in birds and mammals that was notoriously active in 2011.
. B/Massachusetts/2 – a strain of flu that was active in 2012.

Why is flu dangerous for older and chronically ill people?

Those over 65 and/or suffering with a chronic illness will have difficulty fighting influenza as their body’s system for getting rid of infection has usually become much weaker. Older people who have flu are at risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death.

Who should not have the flu vaccine?

There are not many people who should avoid the flu vaccine. If you have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous jab then it is generally advised to avoid having another. Because some flu jabs are created using eggs, people with an allergy to eggs may be at risk of experiencing a reaction with that type of vaccine. Therefore, it is best to check with your doctor who may be able to provide a flu vaccine with low egg content if an egg-free version isn’t available. If you have a fever, you should wait until you have fully recovered before considering the flu vaccine.

What is the flu nasal spray vaccination?

The NHS childhood vaccination programme means that all children aged 2 to 3 years of age are eligible to receive an annual flu nasal spray vaccine. As the initiative rolls out, all children between the ages of 2 and 16 will be vaccinated against flu with the nasal spray. It is administered as a single dose of spray in each nostril and has the major advantage of there being no needles involved and also less side effects.

What is Tamiflu and do I need it?

Tamiflu is a prescription only antiviral medicine for the treatment or prevention of various types of influenza such as swine flu. Tamiflu belongs to a group of medicines named ‘neuraminidase inhibitors’. These medicines prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection. A doctor will determine if you need Tamiflu and prescribe it as necessary.

Asthma

The 5.4 million people in the UK need to take extra care and precautions during the winter months as cold air and flu viruses are major triggers for asthma symptoms, which include: a shortness of breath, wheezing (accompanied by a whistling sound), chest tightness/pain/pressure, coughing (especially at night or early in the morning).

Before stepping outside on cold, dry days, always make sure to take your usual dose of reliever inhaler (normally a blue inhaler) and keep this inhaler on you at all times. Wrap up well and ideally you should wear a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. Doing this will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in. Exercise is another trigger for asthma attacks and you need to be cautious of exercising during the winter. Warm up for 10–15 minutes prior to exercise and take one or two puffs of your blue reliever inhaler before you begin.

Christmas asthma triggers should also be taken into account and precautions need to be taken to avoid them where best possible. Pets, Christmas trees and Christmas decorations can cause havoc if you have asthma or other allergies.

Norovirus

The virus may also be more commonly known as the winter vomiting bug. As the name suggests, it is particularly rife during the winter months, but can be caught at any time during the year. In recent years norovirus has made headlines after spreading rapidly amongst the passengers on cruise ships and it is quite often spread within schools and hotels. The first symptom is suddenly feeling nauseous, followed by forceful vomiting and diarrhoea. Sufferers may also experience stomach cramps, aching limbs, frequent headaches, and a high temperature (over 38C/100.4F).

The virus is difficult to try and deal with, but should pass after a few days. If you are vomiting and have diarrhoea, you must drink plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, with this being more dangerous with the very young and elderly.

Each year approximately 600,000 to 1 million people in the UK become ill with the norovirus, but there are things you can do to prevent getting the virus or try to prevent it spreading. For example, avoid sharing towels and flannels, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet as well as prior to preparing meals, use a bleach-based household cleaner to disinfect any surfaces or areas that may be contaminated and wash all clothing and bedding at risk separately from other items.

Achoo! Do you have a cold or flu?

The winter season for the majority of the Northern Hemisphere is not a pleasant time. Temperatures often plunge into the minuses as snow makes a regular appearance, as does ice, resulting in inevitable pandemonium for vehicle drivers and walking pedestrians.

Also prevalent at this time of the year are a huge number of colds, cases of flu, and various respiratory illnesses. Contagious viruses are of course active throughout the year, but winter is when we are most vulnerable. When it is cold, many people understandably choose to stay indoors, meaning a virus can spread rapidly through households.

Flu is transmitted between people when the infected individual then sneezes or coughs, releasing droplets into the air. Even touching a surface where the virus has been deposited can you put at risk of developing said virus.

It is worth noting there is a difference between a ‘cold’ and the flu, although they have some of the same symptoms and thus, are often mistakenly self-diagnosed. It is thought that around a third of Brits assume they just have a ‘bad cold’, when it is in fact the flu. This is a worrying statistic as thousands die each year from complications arising from flu.

A runny nose, coughing, a sore throat and sneezing are characteristics most common in colds, and usually develop over one or two days, lasting no more than a few days. However, some colds may last for as long as two weeks.

Flu usually strikes more suddenly than a common cold, symptoms are more serious and it lasts for a longer period of time. Flu symptoms include: sudden fever of 38-40°C (100-104°F), aches and pains in muscles and joints, sweats, a dry cough, headache and a feeling of exhaustion/needing to lie down.

One to three days following infection is the time when flu symptoms rear their ugly head, but many find they recover within one week, but a feeling of tiredness lingers for slightly longer than this. Severe colds may cause muscle aches and fever, which explains why many people struggle to differentiate the two.

Regardless of if it is a cold or flu you have, you must seek medical help if you also have chronic health condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, or are experiencing a high fever, a severe headache, or abdominal or chest pain.

You can take preventative steps though to try and protect yourself and those around you by:

. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
. Disposing of used tissues straight away.
. Washing hands as soon as possible.
. Get an annual flu jab if you are in one of high-risk groups.
. Throwing a used tissue away as soon as possible.
. Washing your hands as soon as possible.
. Having a flu jab every year if you’re in an at-risk group (i.e. children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women).

Painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, can help to ease your symptoms if you just have a cold – although aspirin should not be given to anyone under the age of 16. You should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthily (a low-fat, high-fibre diet is generally advised).

You can usually treat yourself in the comfort of your own home if you have the flu. Make sure to get plenty of rest (most people know when they feel fit enough to carry on with their normal activities), keep yourself warm, and drink plenty of fluids.

Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can help to lower your high temperature and relieve aches if you are unwell with a fever.

Prescription antiviral medications such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) are also widely used for both flu prevention and treatment.

Tamiflu stops the chemical neuraminidase – made by the influenzavirus – from having an impact that is. The virus relies on neuraminidase to spread in the airways, but because Tamiflu blocks neuraminidase from having an effect, the spread of the influenzavirus in the airways is reduced and the body’s immune system is more easily able clear-up the infection.

Huge panic as new bird flu strain is found in a Taiwanese woman

A bird flu strain that health experts thought could not be contracted by humans has been detected in a woman in Taiwan.

This has now sparked panic that there could be an uncontrollable global pandemic ignited if dangerous flu symptoms are not identified at an early enough stage.

Currently, it is being downplayed as an isolated case but clearly this virus, as others have done previously, has the ability to transmit across different species.

The 20-year-old Taiwanese woman was first admitted into hospital in May of this year due to a lung infection. She was released from hospital after being treated with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and antibiotics, according to the research published online in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Roche’s Tamiflu reduces the severity and duration of influenza by preventing the virus from replicating within the body. It belongs to a group of medicines known as ‘neuraminidase inhibitors’.

These medicines prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection. Tamiflu came to worldwide prominence during the 2009 deadly H1N1 swine flu epidemic.

After one of the as yet unidentified woman’s throat swabs was forwarded to the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control, health experts confirmed she had the H6N1 strain of bird flu.

The patient was employed at a deli and had not apparently come into contact with any live birds, baffling investigators as to how she became infected. Numerous members of her family and friends subsequently developed flu-like symptoms, but nobody else tested positive for H6N1.

Ever since 1996 when the H5N1 bird flu strain spear in southern China in 1996, there has been a nervous tracking of its progress. After all, it has claimed the lives of over 600 people – the majority of deaths occurring in Asia.

China has been hit with various other bird flu strains to cause concern over the years, such as the H7N9 strain. There were 135 reported cases of H7N9 in eastern China between February and July of this year alone, 45 of which proved fatal. As yet though, no bird flu strains have been shown to mutate into a form that is easily transmitted among humans.

Marion Koopmans, a virologist at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands, said in a commentary accompanying the new report: “The question again is what would it take for these viruses to evolve into a pandemic strain?”

Ms Koopmans says there should be more thorough analysis of animal flu viruses and additional research into viruses that could cause a global problem. “We can surely do better than to have human beings as sentinels,” she wrote.

Deadly H7N9 avian flu spreads between humans

A potentially deadly strain of avian (bird) influenza virus appears to have transmitted between humans for the very first time.

Research published online by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) claims that the avian influenza A (H7N9) virus which has claimed dozens of lives in China this year, had been passed from a 60-year-old man to his 32-year-old daughter who was caring for him at the time.

The father and daughter lived in eastern China and the father had made frequent trips to a live poultry market. He suddenly became ill just days following his latest visit back in March and later died on 4 May due to multiple organ failure.

However, the man’s daughter had developed symptoms of her own just six days after her father’s admittance into hospital and actually died ten days before he did, on 24 April. She was in good health before caring for her father and had apparently not been in contact with any live poultry, which means the virus must have been passed to her from her father. Investigations later confirmed an identical virus strain in both patients.

Dr Peter Horby, senior clinical research fellow at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Hanoi, Vietnam, said: “The most likely source of infection for the daughter was her father, during the period that she cared from him whilst he was ill.”

He alleviated fears over other strains of avian flu however, noting that avian flu has been in existence for more than a decade and that they “have not progressed any further down the path towards a pandemic virus”. Dr Horby also said human-to-human transmission had been minimal for strains H5N1 and H7N7, and the swine origin flu virus H3N2v.

Up until the end of June, within China there had been in excess of 130 cases reported and 43 deaths since February. Despite Dr Horby’s assertions, there is huge fear that the outbreak could now spread amongst humans at a rapid rate.

According to available evidence, in the majority of instances the effected people had previously visited live poultry farms or had come into contact with live poultry approximately seven to 10 days prior to the emergence of their symptoms.

Symptoms begin with a high fever, cough and a shortness of breath. Often, the sufferer will then develop more severe illness such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock and multi-organ failure leading to death.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) state that no vaccine for avian influenza A(H7N9) infections in humans is currently available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for the treatment of H7N9 because many of the H7N9 viruses that have been studied are likely susceptible (sensitive) to this medication.

It is estimated that Britain attracts around 179,000 Chinese tourists a year, and it only takes one person carrying the virus for an outbreak to erupt and spread between people.

Tamiflu is available today through Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £21.98 per pack of 10 capsules. You can buy Tamiflu online with or without a prescription at Medical Specialists, after completing a simple online consultation.

Bird flu identified at a Suffolk Bernard Matthews poultry farm

All movements in or out of a Bernard Matthews poultry has been immediately halted following the discovery of a strain of bird flu, leaving thousands of chickens and turkeys at risk of being culled.

Government officials demanded the lockdown on the premises in Suffolk as a precautionary measure despite Environment agency Defra stating that the outbreak did not involve either the H5 or H7 strains – potentially deadly when contracted by humans.

A Defra spokesman said: “We are awaiting further laboratory test results from an ongoing investigation into suspect avian disease at a premises in the South East. The premises remains under restriction pending further results. Public Health England are aware and are ready to take the necessary action pending further test results.”

Bernard Matthews released a statement via a spokesman, saying: “Bernard Matthews can confirm that Defra have undertaken tests for avian influenza on one of its farms following notification by the company after some birds showed signs of ill health over the weekend. The tests have detected the presence of an avian influenza virus, but Defra have confirmed it is not the highly pathogenic types H5 or H7. As a precaution, the farm remains currently under movement restrictions but these are expected to be lifted in the next few days. Bernard Matthews’ other operations continue to run as normal.”

Employees at the Suffolk Bernard Matthews farm are already familiar with avian (bird) flu outbreaks after the infamous 2007 outbreak of the H5N1 strain which proved disastrous for the company. Around 160,000 turkeys had to be slaughtered to stop a crisis that threatened to spiral out of control with 320 workers given anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu to protect them from flu and 130 workers were made redundant following the company losing £20 million in lost sales and other costs.

At the time, experts claimed that they believed the outbreak started after contaminated meat was imported from Hungary to the company’s processing plant next to the farm. This time however, workers at the Suffolk farm are almost certain that the government restrictions will be lifted in the next few days as there is no evidence of the H5 or H7 strain being present.

The restrictions in Suffolk occur after the deadly outbreak of a new bird flu strain known as H7N9 in China. So far, 17 deaths have occurred from the 82 people known to have contracted a virus that is still causing confusion for health experts as it is unclear if some of those affected actually came into contact with poultry and as of yet, there is no current evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission but worryingly, Zeng Guang, chief scientist in charge of epidemiology at the China Disease Prevention and Control Centre (CDPCC), has claimed that around 40% of human victims seem to have no apparent history of poultry exposure.

Of the 17 deaths, 11 have occurred in China’s commercial capital; Shanghai. In addition, tens of thousands of chickens have had to be slaughtered. In total, the Chinese H7N9 bird flu outbreak has caused their poultry industry to record losses in excess of $1.6 billion (£1.05 billion).

Poultry slaughtered in Shanghai after deadly bird flu outbreak

Just days after Chinese authorities confirmed the presence of a new strain of avian influenza – H7N9 – it has now been reported there has been a total of 14 cases of the new flu, with six cases of these fatal after the deadly bird flu claimed the life of a 64-year-old farmer from Zhejiang province.

He is now the second victim from the Zhejiang province of a problem that threatens to spiral into a human pandemic, whilst the other four victims are believed to have died in the Chinese city of Shanghai.

Shanghai authorities have stated another person is currently receiving treatment for flu-like symptoms. The deadly strain, previously unknown in people, is known to only be present in wild birds and as of yet, no instances of human-to-human transmission have been reported. This is despite China’s disease control agency managing to track down hundreds of people who have come into contact with the 14 infected people.

Chinese authorities received fierce criticism in their delay in reporting the first two casualties.  The first two deaths occurred back in February and were not reported until late into March. The Health Ministry in Beijing tried to deflect criticism though, arguing it took a while to determine how the people died, adding it “will continue to openly and transparently maintain communication and information channels with the World Health Organisation and relevant countries and regions, and strengthen monitoring and preventive measures.”

Thorough analysis is still being conducted in China into the new bird flu, but Japan and Hong Kong are wasting no time in preventing a mass outbreak of the virus. The latter have raised a preliminary alert, activating the ‘Alert Response Level’; safeguarding against a potential influenza pandemic through the close monitoring of chicken farms, vaccination, culling drills, and a ceasing of live birds being imported from the mainland. Meanwhile, in Japan, there are now posters at airport entry points that stress passengers coming into the country from China must seek medical attention if they believe they could have bird flu.  In addition, Vietnam has now stopped all imports of Chinese poultry.

Shanghai has shut down its poultry markets because of the H7N9 bird flu outbreak after a spokesman for the city authorities stating it was necessary for public safety. A mass slaughter of at least 20,000 birds is already underway following the discovery that pigeons being sold at Huhuai market had the virus.

Different types of bird flu have been circulating in varying severity for several years, such as H5N1 virus. This is a subtype of the Influenza A virus and is more commonly referred to as ‘bird flu’ or ‘avian influenza’. Though it is primarily considered an avian virus, and transmitted from bird-to-human, there have been some instances of a human-to-human transmission of the virus.

“The gene sequences confirm that this is an avian virus, and that it is a low pathogenic form (meaning it is likely to cause mild disease in birds),” said Wendy Barclay, a flu virologist at Britain’s Imperial College London. She continued: “But what the sequences also reveal is that there are some mammalian adapting mutations in some of the genes.”

There is currently no definite cure for either of the two strains of flu mentioned above. However it is widely acknowledged that oseltamivir (marketed by Roche as Tamiflu), effectively helps to prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body. The medication has even been at the core of many governments and organisation’s efforts previously when anticipating a potential flu pandemic. It is available through Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £21.98 per pack after we dramatically lowered the price of Tamiflu to help all new and existing patients during this difficult recession.

The FDA clamp down on ‘generic Tamiflu'

As the UK’s bitterly cold winter season slowly comes to an end, the number of influenza cases will probably start to decrease and thus the need for the effective widely used medication Tamiflu will simultaneously lessen somewhat.

However, as the 2009 Swine flu pandemic proved, varying types of flu can strike at any time of the year – not just the winter months, and absolutely anybody is at risk of developing the potentially serious condition that is identifiable by symptoms including: a sudden onset of fever (more than 37.8°C), cough, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, muscle aches and often extreme fatigue.

Tamiflu has a dual use in that it can be taken to prevent contracting flu following exposure to an infected person such as a friend or family member, or if infected, it is a highly effective method of treatment as it works at stopping the influenza virus from spreading around the body and easing the symptoms.

Failure to treat flu before it advances into a more serious health problem may not be the only thing to now consider according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who this week released warnings to the general public about fake flu products that are now being marketed on the internet.

Said products are not just a waste of your money, but they can be incredibly harmful and consumers must be aware that Tamiflu is not manufactured in a generic version either in the U.S. or here in the UK.

The FDA have also fired warning letters to ten separate online supplement suppliers since January 24, demanding they cease the production and sale of medicines marketed as generic versions of the prescription flu treatment Tamiflu in addition to the use of misleading labelling of products being marketed as ‘flu remedies’.

In one of these strongly worded letters, the FDA warned that a drug distributor — ‘Supplementality LLC’ — were guilty of ‘improperly offering products intended to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat or cure the flu virus’.

Gary Coody, a pharmacist and the FDA’s national health fraud coordinator, warned: “Unapproved antiviral products could be contaminated or counterfeit. They could contain the wrong medications. In the past we’ve tested products purported to be Tamiflu and found acetaminophen alone or penicillin derivatives, and those could pose some serious problems. We want people to take effective preventive measures against the flu. Not only could they be getting something totally ineffective, they could have a false sense of protection.”

Coody says the fact that some companies offer supplements that claim to neutralise the flu or even serve as replacements for the flu shot is both outrageous and dangerous – as people who purchase them assume they are safe being exposed to flu virus when in reality they are not.

Genuine Tamiflu, manufactured by Roche, is available today from Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £21.98 per pack following an online consultation with one of our GMC-registered doctors. We dramatically lowered the price of Tamiflu back in 2012 to help out all new and existing patients during this difficult recession.

GPs can prescribe Tamiflu to fight influenza

The Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) recently released health data show that GP consultations for influenza have risen – particularly amongst children and young people.

The HPA figures show that for the week prior to Christmas, weekly primary care consultation rates across England had increased to 27.4 per 100,000 people. Encouragingly, other countries in the UK had witness similar increases for the same period, with a rate of 18.9 per 100,000 in Wales, 19.7 per 100,000 in Scotland and 25.5 per 100,000 in Northern Ireland.

Flu-like symptoms were predominantly reported in the 5-14 year olds – double those of overall levels. Other HPA information show that also in the week before Christmas, 45 acute respiratory disease outbreaks had occurred; 43 within schools and the other 2 in care homes.

Influenza or ‘flu’ as it is commonly known as is a respiratory illness associated with infection by influenza virus. Common symptoms usually make an appearance roughly 2 days after infection and include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints. The condition was first identified in 1933, and there are main three types determined: Influenza A, B, and C.

Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at the HPA commented that the latest flu figures were ‘encouraging’, saying: “The latest vaccine uptake figures for one of the ‘at risk’ groups – the over 65 age group – are encouraging, with more than 70 percent taking up the offer of the flu vaccine. Among those in an ‘at risk’ group under 65 years of age, uptake is just under 50 percent and around 40 percent of pregnant women and healthcare workers have accepted the offer of vaccination this season.”

The HPA stats come in the same week that it emerged The Department of Health (DoH) have informed GPs they  can prescribe antivirals such as Tamiflu for influenza to the groups of people who are most at risk of developing complications from contracting flu. High-risk people include pregnant women and those over the age of 65.

However, according to The DoH, there is a ‘substantial likelihood’ that schoolchildren across the UK showing with influenza-like symptoms had the disease.  NHS chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies said: “The most recent surveillance data indicate that there is now a substantial likelihood that people, including children in schools, presenting with an influenza-like illness are infected with an influenza virus.”

This follows action from The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, who last Friday extended the use of Tamiflu to children as young as 2 weeks old who have shown flu symptoms for no more than two days. The U.S. approval means that Tamiflu is the only prescription oral antiviral medication approved to treat patients of all ages; infants two weeks of age all the way to the elderly
Roche’s Tamiflu works at lessening the duration and severity of influenza by blocking the virus from replicating within the body. It belongs to a group of medicines named ‘neuraminidase inhibitors’.

These medicines prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection. Tamiflu was first given FDA approval in the United States back in 1999, so its existence is not a new revelation. However, the drug came to worldwide prominence a decade later in 2009 due to the deadly H1N1 swine flu epidemic, hitting peak sales of an incredible $3 billion because of the epidemic.

Tamiflu is available today through Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £21.98 per pack after we dramatically lowered the price of Tamiflu earlier in the year to help out new and existing patients during this difficult recession.

Animal owners warned they could pass the flu to their pets

With the weather starting to change as we approach the winter months, temperatures are noticeably dropping, scarves and gloves are being dusted off for use and unfortunately many of us will be struck down with colds and influenza.

If you are unwell then there is a good chance you will possibly want to get cosy in front of your fire and cuddle up to your pet dog or cat, however – think again. Scientists in the United States are now claiming that humans could pass on their flu infection to our furry friends. Though the risk is relatively small, they say that awareness needs to be raised about the generally unknown condition ‘reverse zoonosis’, but it has caused some degree of concern amongst health experts and veterinarians.

Influenza is a respiratory illness, more serious than a typical common cold. People are at risk of getting the flu throughout the year, but are more at risk during the winter months, hence where the name ‘seasonal flu’ is spawned from. The symptoms of the condition include aching muscles and joints, coughing, fever, headache and a sore throat. Flu can be so debilitating that often the sufferer is confined to their bed for a few days due to exhaustion.

In the UK alone there are an estimated 600 deaths annually due to complications arising from seasonal flu. This figure can skyrocket to about 13,000 fatalities during an epidemic, such as the swine flu outbreak of 2009.

The swine flu was a new variant of the common H1N1 virus (responsible for the majority of flu cases) and was so deadly partly because people didn’t have much of an immunity to it as it had not previously been discovered in humans or pigs. The pandemic was curbed to a massive extent with the wonder medication Tamiflu, which prevents influenza virus from spreading inside the body and helps to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection.

It is also the H1N1 flu strain that is being seen in human to pet transmissions. Christiane Loehr, an associate professor at Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, says that ever since the 1970s experts have been aware that cats are at risk of catching the flu and in the year 2000 it became apparent that dogs could get it as well. Despite this, there was incredibly little in the way of reported instances of such occurrences happening.

Approximately 80 to 100 million households in the U.S. have a cat or dog, and 20 million in the UK. With such a high number of pets, researchers warn it may be best to distance ourselves from our pets when we next get struck down with symptoms of the flu.

The first confirmed case of a fatal human to cat transmission happened in Oregon in 2009 says Professor Loehr, with the pandemic H1N1 virus being the culprit. The cat’s owner had become seriously unwell from the flu and had to be taken to hospital. Whilst in hospital, her cat also became ill with the flu and subsequently died due to pneumonia caused by the H1N1 virus.

Since this tragic event, health experts have witnessed 13 cats and one dog with pandemic H1N1 infection during 2011 to 2012 that came about from human transmission. Even some pet ferrets have been found to be infected and a few died.

Professor Loehr is currently conducting further research into reverse zoonosis. She says, “We worry a lot about zoonosis, the transmission of diseases from animals to people. But most people don’t realize that humans can also pass diseases to animals, and this raises questions and concerns about mutations, new viral forms and evolving diseases that may potentially be zoonotic. And, of course, there is concern about the health of the animals. It’s reasonable to assume there are many more cases of this than we know about, and we want to learn more. Any time you have infection of a virus into a new species, it’s a concern, a black box of uncertainty. We don’t know for sure what the implications might be, but we do think this deserves more attention.”

Bird flu strikes again with more deaths

It has emerged this week that two devastating strains of flu have broken out across the globe causing massive chaos. Yesterday health officials confirmed that the deadly H1N1 strain of the influenza A virus had caused the deaths of 11 people in Bolivia and infected an additional 873 people. This particular strain first came to global prominence in 2009 as it was the main component of what became known as ‘swine flu’ to many people. This is human, bird and swine flu viruses joined together with a Eurasian pig flu virus. This year it was revealed that staggering 579,000 people may have succumbed to the disease in the last three years, as only those fatalities confirmed by laboratory testing were included in original data.

The latest H1N1 epidemic although very serious, has not yet increased to that of a national crisis. Johnny Rada, director of the ministry of health’s epidemiology service, spoke out to try and restore some degree of calmness. He said, “At the national level, the situation is under control. The most affected area is in the west.” Rada’s comments are backed up by figures that show 606 of the cases emanating from the western department of La Paz, with the next highest department being the eastern area of Santa Cruz, where 167 cases have so far been reported. Bolivia’s Deputy Health Minister Martin Maturano, advised people to stay safe by eating well and making sure to regularly wash hands. It appears that those affected by this outbreak are the groups of people who are usually most at risk of catching the disease and include; the elderly, young children, those who have had a previous illness and have a general weak system and anybody with problems such as diabetes or hypertension. Authorities have yet to confirm if the virus came into human contact from pigs or birds.

Across the world in China however, authorities have already pinpointed the outbreak of flu seen there is definitely the H5N1 avian virus. Like H1N1, this is a subtype of the Influenza A virus and is more commonly referred to as ‘bird flu’ or ‘avian influenza’. Though it is considered an avian virus, there have been some instances of a human to human transmitting of the virus.

The Chinese agriculture ministry have confirmed that the H5N1 strain of avian flu has thus far claimed the lives of 1,600 chickens and a further 5,500 have been left suffering from it. Authorities have acted quickly and culled 156,439 chickens to stop the disease spreading further. It is rumoured that the outbreak began on a farm operated by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, whom some describe as a ‘semi-military government organisation’ consisting of two and a half million people. The epidemic follows the April outbreak in the Ningxia region of China, which saw 95,000 chickens fall victim to the disease. Also only last month it was reported that a young boy in Hong Kong had been diagnosed with bird flu.

There is currently no definite cure for either of the two strains of flu mentioned above. However it is widely acknowledged that oseltamivir (marketed by Roche as Tamiflu), effectively helps to prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body. The medication has even been at the core of many governments and organisation’s efforts previously when anticipating a potential H5N1 pandemic. It is available through Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £21.98 per pack as we have dramatically lowered the price of Tamiflu recently to help out new and existing patients during this difficult recession.

Swine flu claims two more Lives in Greater Manchester

According to reports in the Manchester Evening News two more people have died from swine flu – and a child with the virus is fighting for life.

A woman from Bolton and a man from Manchester have become the latest victims. The man had been treated in North Manchester General Hospital.
A child from Bury is critically ill with the H1N1 bug.
As reported in the M.E.N. two men from Oldham and a man from Rochdale have died in recent weeks.

Health bosses are urging vulnerable people – such as pregnant women and the elderly – to have the jab which this year combines the swine flu and seasonal flu vaccine for the first time.

Dr Kevin Perrett, consultant in public health at NHS Manchester, said: “A man died in the intensive care unit at North Manchester General Hospital on December 8 with swine flu as part of the cause of death. Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with their loss.”

A spokesman for NHS Bolton said: “We can confirm that a patient from Bolton has died after suffering complications from the H1N1 strain of flu, which is commonly known as swine flu. While deaths from swine flu are rare, it is one of the main strains of flu around this winter, and, unfortunately, that means some deaths will occur.”

In the North West, just 28 per cent of vulnerable people – including those with respiratory and immune conditions – have had the vaccine while only half of over-65s have had it.

Anyone who is over 65, has a serious long term condition or is pregnant can contact their GP to have a vaccine. For the majority of people the advice is to stay at home, contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk to check your symptoms. If you are still concerned, you should telephone your GP who will be able to give you advice.

For further information on how to treat the Swine Flu Virus please click the following link about Tamiflu.

Swine flu: The 24 people who died this winter may be only a small percent of the true number, admit experts

According to newspaper reports the 24 people who died this winter from swine flu could be a fraction of the true death toll, medical experts admitted yesterday. The known deaths so far include one pregnant woman and nine children. Last night it emerged that at least one of those killed by swine flu had been vaccinated against the virus.

Over the last seven days the swine flu death rate has risen by 60 per cent and doctors warn it will continue to rise over the next few weeks. In total 27 people have died from flu this winter, with 24 of these victims of swine flu, or H1N1. The others died from a different strain, known as influenza B.

But many victims die from complications such as a heart attack or pneumonia, so the virus is not recorded on their death certificate. Doctors defended the use of the vaccine, which they said was effective in between 70 and 80 per cent of cases – a relatively high success rate compared with other immunisations against flu.

For vulnerable patients at risk of Flu, NICE recommends prescribing Tamiflu for treatment.

At Risk Groups

1.                      patients over 65 years old
2.                      chronic respiratory disease (including asthma and COPD)
3.                      Chronic heart disease
4.                      Chronic renal disease
5.                      Diabetes mellitus
6.                      Immunosuppressed patients
7.                      Chronic neurological conditions
8.                      Chronic liver disease

During the 2009 H1N1A pandemic pregnant women and children under the age of 5 were identified as additional risk groups by the department of health.

Tamiflu is an oral NICE recommended antiviral medicine for treating at risk patients with flu symptoms within 48hrs when influenza is circulating in the community defined by Heath Protection Agency, or equivalent influenza surveillance, whether they are vaccinated or not.

Buy Tamiflu online from Medical Specialists online pharmacy to protect against influenza today.

References: NICE technology appraisal guidance 168, Amantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir for the treatment of influenza.

Swine flu winter: 200 fight for life as number of patients doubles in a week

According to reports in today’s newspapers, nearly two hundred swine flu victims were fighting for their lives last night. The number of patients in intensive care has doubled in a week and many of them are either elderly or pregnant. Fourteen have so far died. Seventeen of the 190 are being kept alive by highly-specialised heart and lung machines – three times the usual number.

It is feared that the swine flu strain may have grown more virulent over the past 12 months with victims quickly becoming dangerously ill. Intensive care units are warned to look out for the illness in new admissions, with medics urged to use antiviral medicines if they have the least suspicion a patient has it. Hospital managers have been holding emergency meetings to draw up plans to tackle a further onslaught of cases. It is thought the cold weather could cause a surge of admissions, putting intensive care units under massive strain. Analysis by SDI Healthcare, which models flu rates based on reports from GPs and chemists, suggests infection rates are at a five-year high.

It estimates that nine million Britons have been struck down – nearly one in six of the population. Twice the level seen this time last year, the infection rate is 36 per cent above normal, making it the worst flu outbreak in five years.

Three strains of influenza are in circulation: H1N1 or swine flu, flu B and H2N3. Swine flu is proving the most deadly and has claimed 14 of this winter’s 17 victims.

Pregnant women, the obese and asthmatics are at greater risk, with the virus far more common in those under the age of 65. GPs blame the surge in cases in part on low vaccination rates, particularly among younger age groups.

For further information on who is at risk this winter with the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) please visit http://www.medical-specialists.co.uk/news/2010/11/19/who-is-at-risk-from-flu-this-winter/

Or for more information on how you can protect you and your family this winter against swine flu, please click the link to Buy Tamiflu Online

Pregnant woman in swine flu coma

 

According to reports in The Sun news paper, Pregnant Fallon Devaney, 25, is in a coma after being rushed to hospital suffering with swine flu, she is also now fighting pneumonia, but the staffs believe the baby, due in April, may be sapping her strength. The parents of Fallon Devaney fear they will have to choose who can be saved - the mother or her unborn baby.

Fallon was taken from home in Kirk Hallam, Derbys, to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on Tuesday. She had not received the seasonal flu jab, which also guards against swine flu (H1N1 Virus).

Fallons mum Linda said: "All pregnant women should be given the vaccine. If Fallon had it she would not now be lying in a hospital bed almost dead.

Dr Stephen Fowlie, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We encourage all people in at-risk groups to have the seasonal flu vaccine, including pregnant women. They should contact their GP for more advice."

And the Government's Chief Medical Officer, Prof Dame Sally Davies, said: "It is particularly important for pregnant women, no matter what stage they have reached, to get their free flu vaccine as soon as possible."

Meanwhile it emerged that parts of the North were suffering a shortage of swine flu anti-viral drug Tamiflu because of distribution problems.

NHS chiefs said the problem was temporary.

If you or your family have not had your seasonal flu jab or have not taken precautions this year by taking Tamiflu, please visit our website at

www.medical-specialists.co.uk to buy Tamiflu online