Don’t Confuse A Hangover With A Bad Case Of Flu
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Many people claim a sick day when they’re hung-over, especially during the Christmas / New Year season since that is the time of year when flu is most prevalent. The problem comes a person believes they have a hangover, but in fact it is flu. This could be particularly deadly if a person contracted bird flu. A hangover may make you feel rotten for a day or two, but two weeks of hangover, unless you’re a major party animal, is fairly unlikely. If you do still feel hung-over after two weeks then either your liver has been destroyed or you have a case of flu. The chance of you getting flu during the holiday season is greater if you are partying since your body will be in a weakened state and your body’s defense mechanisms will be diminished.
In the last few years there has been an increased awareness of bird flu, both the causes and the symptoms, due to the high fatality rate of bird flu. It was first discovered in poultry, hence its name, but its official title is H5N1. It spread from poultry to humans, in the process causing a world wise panic. The scale of the infection and the number of people who died from the virus were the primary causes of the health scare. The panic then escalated when cases of the virus were found within Europe.
The number of lethal infections in people who contracted the H5N1 virus triggered a fear for a worldwide plague with the potential to kill millions of people. The remarkably high mortality level for those infected with bird flu distinguished it from many other flu strains that infect humans. The rate at which people succumb to the virus also marks it apart from other strains of the flu virus even though it is not contracted in the same way as other strains. At this point in time it is the manner in which it is contracted which has prevented a far greater number from contracting that strain of the flu virus. For many people the scariest thought is if the strain gains the ability to spread in the same way as other strains. The areas, in which many people live on top of one another, such as the bigger cities, are the biggest target for concern since the virus would spread far faster there than anywhere else.
Due to the huge health problems related to the virus the government set up a program to stockpile vaccines to combat the spread of the virus. The chief treatment currently, is Tamiflu which is intended for use if the threat of the virus is realized. Many people have raised questions about whether this manner of dealing with the threat will be effective. There have been questions about the effectiveness of Tamiflu and its side effects. There have also been questions asked about potential mutations of the strain rendering the stockpile useless. Alternatives have also been suggested, but although these are available, Tamiflu is still the drug that is being put into place to prevent or contain a potential epidemic.
If you are looking for more information regarding Tamiflu treatment please go to the following link: influenza treatments
