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What is the official name of H1N1
and where did the term “swine flu” originate?
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The new and official nomenclature of Influenza A is
H1N1 and is the designation for the seasonal flu.
Swine influenza (also called Pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu) is
an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine
influenza virus (SIV) or S-OIV (swine-origin influenza virus) is any strain of
the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. As of 2009, the known
SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1,
H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
The current swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has been found to be a mix of human,
pig (swine), and bird flu viruses, and since a lot of infected pigs haven't
been found, it is not technically a swine flu. There are three main Influenza
strains, A, B, and C. A is found in Humans and Pigs, C rarely in pigs, and B
has not been reported in pigs.
Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease related to human influenza
during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs became sick at the same time as humans.
The first identification of an influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs
occurred about ten years later, in 1930.
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How was the H1N1 virus discovered?
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Where this pig/ bird/ human flu super virus came from
remains unknown. But what we do know is that a five-year-old boy, Edgar
Hernandez, fell ill with what has now been diagnosed as the A (H1N1) virus, and
is now thought to be the first known victim. The boy survived, but following
his illness, around 800 people in his tiny town, La Gloria, southwest Mexico,
also fell ill with a mysterious flu.
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When was it detected first?
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Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease
related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs became sick
at the same time as humans. The first identification of an influenza virus as a
cause of disease in pigs occurred about ten years later, in 1930.
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How do symptoms compare to regular
Influenza?
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), in humans the symptoms of the 2009 "swine flu" H1N1 virus are
similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general.
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and
fatigue. The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients
reporting diarrhea and vomiting. While only mild symptoms are experienced by
the majority of people, some have more severe symptoms.
Those at risk of a more severe infection include: asthmatics, diabetics, those
with obesity, heart disease, the immunocompromised, children with
neurodevelopmental conditions, and pregnant women. In addition, even for
persons previously very healthy, a small percentage of patients will develop
viral pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. This manifests itself
as increased breathing difficulty and typically occurs 3–6 days after initial
onset of flu symptoms.
Similar to other influenza viruses, pandemic H1N1 is typically contracted by
person to person transmission through respiratory droplets. Symptoms usually
last 4–6 days. To avoid spreading the infection, it is recommended that those
with symptoms stay home, away from school, work, and crowded places.
The 2009 H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from
pigs to humans, but from person to person.
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Are there mutations of the strain?
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Yes there are. All viruses have the ability to mutate
into similar strains, and this one has many times over the years. Control of
swine influenza by vaccination has become more difficult in recent decades, as
the evolution of the virus has resulted in inconsistent responses to
traditional vaccines. The challenge is to find vaccinations which will prevent
transmission, with the objective being its complete eradication as w polio,
etc. (Although these viruses still exist in the lab setting only). |
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Where can it be found and
where can we get it?
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Well, it is pandemic, as mentioned earlier it can be
found in animals but humans can only get H1N1 from other humans, however people
who work with poultry and swine, especially people with intense exposures, are
at increased risk. |
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How can you tell if you have
H1N1 or just the flu?
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Confirmation is made only in the lab, and not
clinically, which seems to be a developing trend, albeit non-confirmatory,
leading to possible over-diagnosis.
It is very difficult to differentiate initially, with the above exceptions in
symptomatology. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends the RT-PCR
test.
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What are the ways to get it and how
is it transmitted?
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It is usually transmitted from person to person
through direct physical contact; therefore vigilant personal hygiene is
imperative in prevention of its transmission. Its origin in humans was from
pigs, and certain avian species, but mainly transmitted person to person
currently.
Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu
spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing
or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and
then touching their mouth or nose.
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How serious is it compared to
similar past flu viruses?
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The 2009 swine flu has been compared to other similar
types of influenza virus in terms of mortality: In the US it appears that for
every 1000 people who get infected, about 40 people need admission to hospital
and about one person dies. There are fears that swine flu will become a major
global pandemic at the end of the year. It also appears that it is bi-phasic
with the latter phase coming in several months after its initial decline. With
vaccination, we anticipate the morbidity will certainly be much less severe and
less prevalent.
It is very difficult to differentiate initially, with the above exceptions in
symptomatology. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends the RT-PCR
test.
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Is Tamiflu the only medicine
that’s available to fight the virus? Who should get vaccinated?
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No, there is one other medicine, Relenza ( zanamivir)
which is also effective. Of concern is the fact that many of our conventional
anti-virals are ineffective, H1N1 appears to have an “intelligence” that gives
it the ability to mutate and develop this type of resistance against some of
our most powerful anti-virals.
The suggested guidelines for those to be vaccinated are:
Parents/guardians of children younger than 6 months of age, People 6 months to
24 years of age, and People 25 to 64 years of age who are at higher risk for
2009 H1N1 flu complications because of an underlying health condition or
compromised immune systems.
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What precautions should be
taken?
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This is a loaded question with a short and a long
answer.
The Short Answer:
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and
water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are
also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Stay home if you are sick until at
least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a
fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol). Read
detailed information about how long to stay away from others. Follow public
health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social
distancing measures.
If you must have close contact with a sick person (for example, hold a sick
infant), try to wear a facemask or N95 disposable respirator.
The Long Answer:
Get Vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine
is different from the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine. The CDC is encouraging people
to get both vaccinations. Get both vaccinations as soon as possible.
Find a Flu Clinic near you and Get Vaccinated. Visit the Google Flu Shot
Locator or our Flu Shot Locator page, to find flu shots in your area.
If you do contract the flu, talk to your doctor about antivirals. Antiviral
drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that can be used
for prevention or treatment of flu viruses. If you get sick, antiviral drugs
can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. Two types of
antivirals, Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU) and Zanamivir (RELENZA) may be prescribed for
the H1N1 flu. In addition, PERAMIVIR IV has been authorized under an Emergency
Use Authorization (EUA) to treat certain patients with suspected or confirmed
2009 H1N1 flu virus infection.
Beware of fraudulent or bogus products. The FDA is alerting the public to be
wary of Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to
diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The FDA is advising
offending Web sites to correct and/or remove promotions of fraudulent products
or face enforcement action and the Federal Trade Commission has sent warning
letters to Web site operators making questionable claims that their products
can prevent, treat, or cure the H1N1 flu.
Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook. It’s important to be
cautious and get vaccinated, but try to limit your worry and agitation about
the 2009 flu season. Bear in mind that vast majority of people who have
contracted the H1N1 flu have recovered without requiring medical treatment.
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Who’s most susceptible, once
contracted who does it pose most harm or threat to?
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Immunocompromised patients; those who can’t fight
infection due to 1) medication, i.e. chemotherapy in cancer patients, all
patients with immune deficiencies, i.e., patients who can’t make antibodies to
fight infection as in hepatitis, as well as the young and older population (not
restricted to the elderly) and pregnancy.
Pregnancy weakens a woman’s immune system, so that she’s more likely to suffer
pneumonia when she catches the flu. In earlier flu pandemics, infection also
raised the risk of a premature birth.
So far, some 20 pregnant women have contracted the novel H1N1 virus now
confirmed in more than 6,000 around the world. Three deaths have been confirmed
in the United States. One of the three was a Texas woman who was pregnant. Her
baby was delivered via Caesarean section while she was hospitalized.
Pregnant women with asthma and some other health conditions are particularly at
risk for complications.
Risks from the virus are greater than the unknown risks to the fetus from the
drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.
While 90 per cent of severe and fatal cases occur in people aged above 65 in
seasonal flu, most of those who die from H1N1 flu are under the age of 50.
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What sort of treatment is the
norm if the disease is contracted?
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Tamiflu and Relenza within 48 hours preferably. Fluids
to prevent dehydration, hand washing, acetaminophen for fever, ibuprofen for
aches, and see your physician for prescription meds that can greatly ease the
suffering until the course has run.
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How should you care for H1N1
at home (without a doctor visit)?
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Rest, fluids, limit close contact, thorough hand
washing, cough and sneeze on forearm sleeve, try a multivitamin.
I must emphasize, treating without a Physician’s exam, and proper testing is
too risky and not recommended. Education is foremost as well to reduce
transmission which may have otherwise occurred without proper counseling.
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The CDC estimated 4000
deaths discovered this year. 22,000 infected this year, is this accurate?
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In my opinion, this is an underestimate along with the
reported cases of the infected or sick… a large underestimate. I believe the
numbers to be much higher.
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Its estimated the virus is
active in 46 states, which have the highest reported cases?
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According to Web MD, no state is immune, surely by now
there are cases in every state. Reporting the incidence, on the other hand, is
a different story.
Heavily populated states, per capita, i.e. New York, in New York City, are at
much higher risk. One high school reported 1 in 3 confirmed student cases,
resulting in a short closure. Michigan seems to be on the rise as well at an
alarming rate. I feel it very unlikely that one day has gone by over the last
month where I have not seen a patient infected with H1N1. The good news, the
majority of cases are quite mild. Bacterial infectious disease has, in my
opinion, caused an inordinate number of severe infections compared to previous
years, most likely due to antibiotic over-prescribing resulting in the
increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics. Resurgence of bacterial
infections are much harder to treat, i.e., MRSA, (methicillin resistant staph
aureus), TB, Legionella and even e.coli resistance which I attribute largely to
antibiotic over prescription.)
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What are some of the Myth
surrounding H1N1?
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Some people believe that H1N1 is worse than seasonal flu. It isn’t.
In the U.S., only one percent from all those infected with the virus die. This
is around 300 people. There are thirty six thousand Americans who die annually
because of the seasonal flu. Authorities were only worried because H1N1 has a
strain which was never seen before.
Healthy people need not worry about getting the swine flu. This is wrong. It is
just like seasonal flu because it can affect anyone. It only happens that those
people with underlying health conditions are more prone to get the virus
compared to healthy people.
Some people believe that the swine flu vaccine will only give them the flu. This
is not possible because the virus found on the flu shot was killed already.
Some people mistakes the common fever experienced as the flu itself. Fever
experienced after the vaccine is actually the result of the body’s immune
system fighting off a foreign substance. Also, some people think that the
common cold they have is already the flu. What many people aren’t aware of is
that flu season happens at the same time as cold season.
Some people believe that vaccines are harmful. The best way get immunity to the
virus is by direct contact. This isn’t the right way to get immunity. This is
in fact very dangerous. While you believe that you can get immunity when you
are in direct contact with the virus itself, you are actually most likely to
get the disease yourself rather than being healed.
People should stop eating pork since the virus is linked to that of the pigs’.
This is absolutely wrong. The spread of the virus is only between humans. It
comes from a sick person to a host’s mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth
and nose. There have been no proof yet that the virus is passed from a pig to a
person.
These are some of the myths being tossed around regarding the swine flu virus.
One good way to avoid this is through getting oneself educated. There are
agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health
Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and hospitals which are active
in promoting information about the H1N1. In order to be better informed and
protected, it is best that these health authorities are contacted.
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