The swine flu, pictured here, or Influenza H1N1, is starting to make a comeback in Britain. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The influenza strain referred to as the swine flu is starting to make a resurgence, especially in Great Britain. The swine flu, or Influenza H1N1, is a strain of the common flu virus that was tipped as the next great killer epidemic. There have been deaths from the virus, but fewer than anticipated.

British Isles suffers winter outbreak of swine flu

In the past few months, Great Britain has been seeing cases of people getting infected with the swine flu and a few deaths from the disease. Swine flu has been responsible for a few thousand deaths in the last few years, but far fewer than the number caused by normal outbreaks of influenza. However, the swine flu strain is beginning to rebound, as 14 people have died from the disease in England since October, according to the Daily Mail. All fatalities were under 65 years of age and six were under 18. The most common factor in all deaths from swine flu, just as in last year’s pandemic, were underlying conditions such as diabetes or asthma.

Swine flu affects people differently

Swine flu, or H1N1 Influenza, is a little different than the typical annual strains that spread during flu season. Swine flu affects adults and teenagers worse than other age groups, which is not typical for influenza. There are usually a few hundred thousand deaths per year from influenza, mostly among young children and the elderly. Those with already compromised immune systems are also at risk. The 2009 swine flu only resulted in less than 20,000 deaths worldwide, less than 10 percent of typical annual deaths from influenza, according to Wikipedia.

Pandemic over

In 2009, swine flu was declared a pandemic by health organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control. A swine flu vaccine was supposed to be ready in huge numbers, but production faltered and many compared the 2009 outbreak to the 1976 swine flu outbreak, which was thought to be a panic over nothing.

Sources

Daily Mail

Wikipedia on Influenza

Your inoculation is complete. Here is your "I vaccinated!" sticker, citizen. (Photo: flickr.com)

There are many people who believe that it’s a good idea to get a flu shot each season in order to avoid onset of the annoying illness. I personally do not subscribe to this idea (see the video below for an idea of what I think about it), but even I recognize that groups like young children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions can benefit from vaccines. Now that Walgreens flu shots are going to be free for the unemployed and uninsured, it seems that more people than ever will be in position to partake of the helpful (harmful?) flu shots before cold weather sets in. For lenders of instant cash loans, greater health will mean more people will be active and in need of money to keep their lifestyles going strong.

Walgreens and CVS will offer millions of dollars of seasonal shots

Walgreens flu shots (and CVS flu shots) will be available to many thousands of people, according to Newsday. Walgreens will give out $1 million in shots to the uninsured through its 7,000 U.S. stores and clinics. CVS Caremark will provide consumers with 100,000 free shots. That has a street value of about $3 million (actually, no… but if a black market begins for flu shots, perhaps).

Job seekers need to stay on top of their game

That’s who the Walgreens flu shots are primarily geared toward. By their own records, CVS claims that only 34 percent of job seekers received a shot last year. Compare this with the overall 49 percent of the total population (also a CVS estimate) that was seeking employment and you’ll see that more people need to get their RDA of mercury!

Job seekers are among the least likely to get flu shots, with 34 percent of them receiving shots last year, compared with 49 percent of the overall population, according to a CVS study.

Seasonal vaccine won’t stop swine flu

Walgreens flu shots won’t protect you against H1N1 virus, so don’t go in there hoping for your free dosage. The government is more than willing to help you with that one. If you don’t comply, say hello to the Rex84 plan. Get ready for that excitement this fall… perhaps.

Other consumers can partake if they wish

CVS and Walgreens flu shots will be available to everyone, but if you’re employed or insured, you’ll have to pay if your policy doesn’t cover. According to a Walgreens corporate statement, a nasal spray version of the seasonal formula is available now for $29.99 at Walgreens. If you are a fan of needles, you’ll only have to pay $24.99, which is hardly so much that you’ll need an instant cash loan. The stores will definitely need that money, as people are preparing for flu season early and the expected demand for the shots is great. Walgreens estimates 50 percent of all consumers will comply, says Newsday.

CVS is making flu shots an event

Because what could be more festive than indoctrination (oops, I mean inoculation). Beginning September 15, CVS will begin holding “flu shot clinic events” where trained professionals will administer the vaccine.

Wal-Mart and Rite Aid want in on the action

Not to be outdone, Wal-Mart will begin sticking random customers who wear overalls or pajamas (I kid; people volunteer) in mid-September. Rite Aid will begin offering seasonal flu shots within the next week.

Wither the swine flu?

Remember, these pharmacies won’t be offering free H1N1 shots. The Wichita Eagle reports at http://www.kansas.com/news/story/952424.html that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be circulating H1N1 vaccine this flu season. It’s currently under development and will be ready by mid-October or later.

While you’re waiting like a good citizen, the government recommends you get your regular flu shot. I can’t stress enough how much they recommend it. Get it, people? Fly your flags and swab those arms.

“The more people you get in a community who are immunized, the less likely the illness is to spread,” said Dr. Robert Kenagy of Wichita, Kansas.

Swine flu symptoms your government doesn’t want you to have

Like most any flu, swine flu is spread through coughs and sneezes from infected parties. If you have it, you most likely will have a 100-plus degree fever, aches and trouble breathing. If things get bad enough, you’ll also be relocated by groups that don’t fully identify themselves. But that last one won’t happen, will it?

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H1N1 tends to pose the greatest danger to young people and those with chronic respiratory conditions. Those with diabetes, heart disease and asthma are also at risk. Those who fight to maintain the citizenry’s right to an occasional instant cash loan may also be targets for the disease, although I could also be making that up. But it is definitely true that an instant cash loan can help you in a tight spot, flu or not. Click the button above to apply.

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Get the kit, Martha! (Photo: improveverywhere.ning.com)

That’s right, the swine flu (H1N1 if you prefer more scientific, less barnyard nomenclature) simply won’t go away. In fact, nations across the globe are prepared for a difficult flu season this year. It’s not that the swine flue is any more dangerous than the standard type of flu that many contract each year and recover from, but it’s that the swine flu is everywhere and more people are likely to contract the flu this season.

Got a swine flue survival kit?

It’s an ounce of prevention. It’s a good idea to have one, particularly if you have health problems that make standard strains of the flu more dangerous. And thanks to publications like Consumer Reports, it’s easy to know what you should include. If you need no fax payday loans or short term loans to get all of this together, do it. Taking care of yourself should be your first priority in life. By caring for ourselves, we make ourselves able to care for others.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Make no mistake, the second wave of H1N1 is coming. If you can prepare for, prevent and treat symptoms if they occur, wouldn’t you do so? Consumer Reports has the following advice for people who want to do this in a safe, effective manner – by building a swine flue survival kit. Watch out for the September 2009 issue of Consumer Reports or check out ConsumerReportsHealth.org for more details. Until then, what follows are some of the basics.

• Make sure that you have a two-week supply of food and water on hand. Per day, that means about a gallon per person. This is particularly vital if you like in a Third World country, but still important if you live in industrialized society. Who wants to have to get up and go to the store while you’re sick? A two-week supply should be enough to help you ride out the disease
• It’s always important to keep a fever down as much as possible, because you don’t want a cooked brain. Thus, in addition to food and water, having fever reducers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen) around is a great idea. Make these part of your swine flu survival kit, for sure
• Congestion and cough are very irritating and can’t always be stopped by medication, but whatever helps you remain more comfortable is worthwhile. So go for cough and cold meds with chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, oxymetazoline and pseudoephedrine it them. Furthermore, the throat lozenges you use should have ingredients like dyclonine, glycerin or plain, old-fashioned. Nature’s way is typically the best
• The swine flu or any flu or cold wipes you out. That includes your bodily fluids, so you’ll need to replenish your electrolytes. Gatorade and similar drinks are good for that
• Using hand sanitizer is debatable in my opinion, as it eventually creates immunity within the virus community. Something with at least 60 percent alcohol is the way to go, but ONLY if soap and water aren’t available
• If you’re going to go the full Michael Jackson route and use a surgical mask (it is polite, mind you), then use ones with an FDA rating of at least N-95, says Consumer Reports. Anything less may not help prevent flu from spreading

Getting vaccinated

Safe AND stylin' (Photo: latenightwithjimmyfallon.com)

The U.S. government is at work on a vaccine against the swine flu. It will be recommended for school-aged kids or those at high risk, like pregnant women, those with chronic illness or those who regularly work around young children and the elderly. If this is for you, you should obtain your vaccination before December, when the traditional flu season begins. Remember, even if a vaccine doesn’t prevent the onset of flu, it can lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration.

Ultimately, common sense should prevail

If you take care of yourself and use proper hygiene, a swine flu survival kit could be just an afterthought. But there is something to be said for being prepared, so if this line of thinking appeals to you, then by all means make sure you have what you need. If symptoms do being to manifest, don’t panic. Begin traditional treatment, and if the fever or other symptoms persist or escalate out of control, seek medical attention. However, don’t crowd your local urgent care or emergency room because you have the sniffles and worry about swine flu. Medical resources should be saved for people who are truly in trouble. If you need emergency funds to help in your fight against swine flu, or if you need to create a swine flu survival kit, no fax payday loans and short term loans are available. Apply here today!

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