by Carline Francois

Created on: May 01, 2009   Last Updated: May 04, 2009

Companies That Stand to Make a Profit from the Swine Flu Outbreak

The Swine Flu outbreak has many concerned for their health and well being throughout the world. It is surprising that this outbreak widespread so quickly. According to personal grapevine sources there is no cure for this type of flu. This knowledge really propels us to be at an utmost care for the environment around us and ourselves. However, let's look at some facts.

This type of flu is a commonly found in swine in the Midwestern United States, Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, Kenya, China, Japan, Taiwan, and other parts of eastern Asia. The two types of the swine flu are: Influenzavirus A, which is common and Influenzavirus C, which is rare. Although, it's rare in humans, people who work with swine are more likely to catch swine influenza if the animal carries the strain able to infect humans.

The 2009 Swine Flu outbreak however, has stemmed from the Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 which was derived from one strain of human influenza, one strain of avian influenza (bird flu), and two separate strains of swine influenza virus. Therefore, this type of swine flu is a combination of flu viruses that infect humans (swine influenza happens to be one of the combinations). This is a new strain of influenza A virus subtype called H1N1. That is why they have changed the name of the swine flu to H1N1. The origin of this new flu virus is not known and has not been insolated in swine (according to World Organization for Animal Health-OIE). It does pass between humans with ease, hence, the global outbreak.

Recommended prevention from spreading virus among humans are washing hands frequently with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially if one tends to be in public places. The current trivalent influenza vaccine is not likely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain; however, vaccines against the new strain are being developed and should be ready as early as June 2009. Further treatment of the H1N1 virus, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends using Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir). These two medications treat the swine flu virus.

Tamiflu is an antiviral drug used to treat Influezavirus A. It was the first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor that was commercially developed. It blocks the activity of the neuraminidase, preventing new viral particles from being released by infected cells.

Relenza is usually taken using an

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>