The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. It cannot be contracted by eating pork.
Here is the culprit for the most recent outbreaks ;-)
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).
So, now for what you don't know that traditional medicine isn't telling you: Elderberry aka Sambucus is what you need to cure this virus. Since it's a natural medicine & used mostly by alternative healthcare providers, traditional medical doctors aren't going to tell you about it & most of them don't even know about it anyway. There are tests that have been done to prove Elderberry extract kills viruses. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, Elderberry was shown to be effective for treating Influenza B. People using the Elderberry extract recovered much faster than those only on a placebo. This is partially due to the fact that Elderberry inhibits neuraminidase, the enzyme used by the virus to spread infection to host cells.[3]
A small study published five years ago showed that 93% of flu patients given extract were completely symptom-free within two days; those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. This current study shows that, indeed, it works for type A flu, reports lead researcher Erling Thom, with the University of Oslo in Norway.[4]
Thom's findings were presented at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research.
The study involved 60 patients who had been suffering with flu symptoms for 48 hours or less; 90% were infected with the A strain of the virus, 10% were infected with type B. Half the group took 15 milliliters of extract or and the other group took a placebo four times a day for five days.
Patients in the extract group had "pronounced improvements" in flu symptoms after three days: Nearly 90% of patients had complete cure within two to three days. Also, the extract group had no drowsiness, the downside of many flu treatments. The placebo group didn't recover until at least day six; they also took more painkillers and nasal sprays.
It's likely that antioxidants called flavonoids—which are contained in the extract—stimulate the immune system, writes Thom. Also, other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; this could explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.
Elderberry extract could be an "efficient and safe treatment" for flu symptoms in otherwise healthy people and for those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, Thom adds.
Russell Greenfield, MD, a leading practitioner of integrative medicine and medical director of Carolinas Integrative Health, advocates treating flu with black elderberry, he says in a news release. "It can be given to children and adults, and with no known side effects or negative interactions," he says.
"But don't expect grandma's elderberry jam" to ease flu symptoms like body aches, cough, and fever, he warns. "Extract is the only black elderberry preparation shown effective in clinical studies."
A small study published five years ago showed that 93% of flu patients given extract were completely symptom-free within two days; those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. This current study shows that, indeed, it works for type A flu, reports lead researcher Erling Thom, with the University of Oslo in Norway.[4]
Thom's findings were presented at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research.
The study involved 60 patients who had been suffering with flu symptoms for 48 hours or less; 90% were infected with the A strain of the virus, 10% were infected with type B. Half the group took 15 milliliters of extract or and the other group took a placebo four times a day for five days.
Patients in the extract group had "pronounced improvements" in flu symptoms after three days: Nearly 90% of patients had complete cure within two to three days. Also, the extract group had no drowsiness, the downside of many flu treatments. The placebo group didn't recover until at least day six; they also took more painkillers and nasal sprays.
It's likely that antioxidants called flavonoids—which are contained in the extract—stimulate the immune system, writes Thom. Also, other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; this could explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.
Elderberry extract could be an "efficient and safe treatment" for flu symptoms in otherwise healthy people and for those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, Thom adds.
Russell Greenfield, MD, a leading practitioner of integrative medicine and medical director of Carolinas Integrative Health, advocates treating flu with black elderberry, he says in a news release. "It can be given to children and adults, and with no known side effects or negative interactions," he says.
"But don't expect grandma's elderberry jam" to ease flu symptoms like body aches, cough, and fever, he warns. "Extract is the only black elderberry preparation shown effective in clinical studies."
Elderberry is most effective when taken as a syrup. I use Sambucol which is found at Whole Foods, Weaver Street Market, & most other health food stores. What I learned by working with the Chirpractors/Applied Kinesiologists was that you need to take 4 tsp of the syrup about 4 times a day to get the full effect. I take it every time I get a virus and am cured by the 3rd day! 
You must also make sure that you're immune system is keeping up with fighting off the virus. I found a good article explaining what you can do to help boost your immune system: http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/10_ways_to_boost_immune_healthI also wouldn't recommend getting the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccination. I don't even get flu shots every year because they can only guess at the strains that will be produced & most of the time it will not even work.
Remember to wash your hands after going to public places, touching car handles, door handles, shopping carts/baskets-anything that other people may have touched. Keep some antibacterial instant hand sanitizer on you if you can't get to a sink to wash your hands. Germs can be contracted through the air & by touching things that others have touched. You can also carry the germ but not immediately get sick & still pass it on to others.
I hope that this information will be helpful & I want everyone to know that there is something you can do for viruses, even though the traditional doctors say you can't....
