Question 1

can tamiflu (oseltamivir) work against sars or swine flu?

Accepted Answer

Swine flu: At this point, Tamiflu is helpful for swine flu, which is also known as H1N1 flu. Although it has been tried for SARS, (H5N1 flu) but it has not been very effective and, to my knowledge, there are no current effective antiviral agents against SARS.

Question 2

what makes swine flu different from sars?

Accepted Answer

Different virus: Swine flu is the H1nN1 variant of the human influenza virus.  SARS is a form of the coronavirus.  They both exhibit different mechanisms of replication in the cell and entry into the cell, have different replication rates, and different virulence factors.

Question 3

what is the main difference between swine flu and sars?

Accepted Answer

Viral type: The SARS illness was caused by a coronavirus and "swine flu" is the influenza subtype H1N1.  Both result in a severe pneumonia and can result in multiple organ failure leading to death.  The mortality rate of SARS was much higher than the pandemic H1N1, as was the propensity to spread via the air.

Question 4

how would you compare and contrast sars with the swine flu?

Accepted Answer

SARS  : Sars epidemic , several years ago, was life threatening in many , was spread person to person. It is caused by a completely different virus, no 
 swine flu, hini caused an epidemic several years ago, tended to be milder, does have effective treatment.  A vaccine is available.
   A  more recent swine flu called h3n2 , has infected over  150 patients, and is picked up directly from contact with swine.

Question 5

what is the next likely epidemic to hit the globe (flu, sars, ebola) ?

Accepted Answer

Flu: In modern times with good understandng of infection and diagnosis, the flu has been the consistent cause of epidemics in the last 100 years.  This possibility is monitored regularly by the US  CCR and world wide health agencies.

Question 6

would you treat someone with sars or swine flu knowing you can possibly die?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Healthcare providers take risks everyday to take care of patients with potentially lethal diseases. We take precautions, especially when dealing with communicable diseases, but acquiring a serious disease comes with the territory.

Question 7

what to do if i have to do this leaflet for years 1+2 about diseases, like sars and swine flu. how are they transmitted ?

Accepted Answer

Leaflet: If asked to do a leaflet about a medical topic that is not in an area of yoru expertise, it would be wise to consult an authoritative source like the CDC website for information.  The CDC does a good job in making medical information available in a way that everyone can understand it.

Question 8

is sars a type of flu? what is the cure?

Accepted Answer

2 different viruses: SARS was an explosive outbreak of adult respiratory distress syndrome that started in Hong Kong in 2003.  Within weeks of the outbreak it was determined that SARS was caused by a novel coronavirus.  Influenza virus is entirely different species of virus.  There is no cure for SARS; it is treated by supportive measures. Corticosteroids, alpha interferon and lopinavir/ritonavir have been used.

Question 9

could a mask actually protect from sars or bird flu?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Any n95 mask in a properly fitted person will protect against sars is it is properly worn and the individual washes her hands and does not expose his or her eyes to the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Question 10

what is the main difference between
sars and flu ?

Accepted Answer

SARS vs influenza: Both of these viral infections are bad news - SARS is worse, since there's no good antiviral treatment or vaccine, whereas at least flu has antiviral medication and a vaccine that can help tremendously. SARS is a coronavirus (looks like a little crown under an electron microscope). Flu is an orthomyxovirus. Good hygiene practices go a long way in preventing these diseases. Luckily no SARS right now.

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Doctor answers about:

Tamiflu sars flu

A member asked:

Can tamiflu (oseltamivir) work against sars or swine flu?

A member asked:

What makes swine flu different from sars?

A member asked:

What is the main difference between swine flu and sars?

A member asked:

How would you compare and contrast sars with the swine flu?

A member asked:

What is the next likely epidemic to hit the globe (flu, sars, ebola) ?

A member asked:

Would you treat someone with sars or swine flu knowing you can possibly die?

A member asked:

What to do if i have to do this leaflet for years 1+2 about diseases, like sars and swine flu. how are they transmitted ?

A member asked:

Is sars a type of flu? what is the cure?

A member asked:

Could a mask actually protect from sars or bird flu?

A member asked:

What is the main difference between sars and flu ?

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