The new A,(H1N1) otherwise known as  swine flu virus has now spread to 125 countries and is nearly fully established in all these countries situated right across the globe.

There were 100,000 reported cases in these countries together until the first week of July as per the WHO report.According to the report the maximum number of cases are identified in both the Americas collectively.

So far maximum number of reported deaths occurred in USA amounting to nearly 170 in number followed by110 reported deaths in Mexico with several other countries also reporting deaths.

WHO strongly recommends against indiscriminate use of over the counter antiviral drugs like tamiflu and amantadine both as prophylaxis and as treatment by individuals infected or exposed to swine flu virus without advice from the health care officials. This advice applies to every country affected by the virus spread so far.

Since there is seasonal flu spreading around in many parts of the world at the same time as swine flu pandemic it is difficult for the treating health care professionals to immediately identify the causative virus whether it is the seasonal influenza or a swine flu virus.

The presentation with swine flu is slightly varied only in that the age range of the affected group of patients is mostly school age while the seasonal influenza is more often see in elderly age group.

The typical symptoms seen in the people so far with new H1 N1 virus are similar to seasonal influenza  and include  sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, malaise, headache, joint/muscle pain and most of the patients  recovered without antiviral treatment

Although the severity of the pandemic is currently considered to be moderate with most patients experiencing uncomplicated, self-limited illness, some groups such as pregnant women and persons with asthma and other chronic conditions such as morbid obesity appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death from infection.

Since the spread of the pandemic virus is considered unstoppable, vaccine will be needed in all countries.WHO together with its partners is working fast to speed up the development of pandemic vaccine.

WHO under the leadership of Margaret Chan emphasized the importance of striving to achieve equity among all the countries, irrespective of their economic status to access vaccines developed in response to the current pandemic (H1N1) swine flu virus.

The vaccine should be available by the middle of September 2009.Until then people should be highly vigilant for any symptoms of flu like illness and immediately seek advice from health professionals regarding the treatment options available.

Many countries have set up helpline numbers which are easily accessible and are able to provide useful advice to general public regarding swine flu.