Over the past few months the media has been full of information about the famous Swine Flu vaccination, but it has yet to be released… Several publications indicated that vaccination will be available in the UK starting from October and there is much unknown about the vaccination including its side effects or its efficiency.  

1. Vaccine Prioritised Groups

At the first stage the vaccination, which is expected to be available as of October, will be given to those who are in high-risk groups such as:

• Pregnant women (subject to the European Medicines Agency, who licence the vaccine and will indicate whether  the vaccine can be given to all pregnant women or only be offered at certain stages of pregnancy).
• People between the ages of six months and 65 who are in seasonal flu at risk groups (suffer form chronicle diseases).
• People who suffer from suppressed immune system such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.

In any event, keep in mind the vaccine is voluntary. The health authorities will not force any person, including those at high-risk groups to take the vaccine, although the government strongly recommends doing so.

Those Who Are Not In A Risk Group

Recommendations regarding vaccine for the healthy population will be given as the pandemic evolves. This means that during the winter, health authorities will evaluate the situation regarding the spread rate and recommend vaccine according to that.

People Who Have Already Had Swine Flu

Since it was established that it is possible to be infected with the virus twice, even those who were confirmed to have Swine Flu can receive the vaccine. As it was proven in the H5N1 bird flu, the vaccination should be effective to some extent also against closely related strains of the flu, just in case the winter spread causes the virus to mutate. It can also be given along with the seasonal flu jab.

To find out more about the vaccination, contact the MyHealthPortal medical team, which is available for subscribers 24/7 by any means of communication:

·                    Phone: 020-7486-2300

·                    SMS: +44 (0)-7797-805-817

·                    Mail: medicalteam@myhealthportal.co.uk

·                    Via the MediQuest Box at www.myhealthportal.co.uk  

2. Treatments Available

The Antiviral drugs job is to prevent the flu virus from reproducing. However, keep in mind that in order for them to be effective, they need to be taken within 48 hours of the symptoms appearance. The Antivirals have 3 main advantages:  

• Reducing the illness length by around one day
• Providing relieve of some of the symptoms
• Reduce the potential for serious complications such as pneumonia.

Swine flu is currently treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.

How Does Relenza Work?

To reproduce and spread, a virus has to enter your body, take over healthy cells and force them to make copies of itself. Relenza stops the release of new copies of the virus from infected cells in the lungs. This slows the spread of the virus, reduces the symptoms and length of time that you feel unwell for and makes it harder for the virus to spread to other people.

Relenza should first be taken within 48 hours of symptoms appearing in adults (36 hours in children). It works better the earlier you start taking it.

(Source - NHS)

How Does Tamiflu Work?

To reproduce and spread, a virus has to enter your body, take over healthy cells and force them to make copies of itself. Tamiflu stops the flu virus entering your cells and blocks the release of new copies of the virus. This slows the spread through your body, reduces the symptoms and the length of time that you feel unwell for and makes it harder for the virus to spread to other people.

Tamiflu should first be taken within 12 to 48 hours of symptoms appearing. It works better the earlier you start taking it.

(Source - NHS)

 

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