By now, most of you have heard of the Swine Flu. It is important to note that Swine Flu is different from seasonal flu. The first cases of Swine Flu (H1N1) were reported in the United States in April 2009. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization declared a Phase 6 pandemic. Cases of H1N1 have now been reported in every country with the vast majority coming from the United States.
The new H1N1 virus is sometimes referred to as the Swine Flu because laboratory testing initially showed that several of the genes in the virus were similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in North American pigs. However, further studies have shown that this new virus is very different from that which is normally found in pigs.
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected with Avian (Bird) Flu viruses and human flu viruses as well as Swine Flu viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can swap genes and create new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and avian flu viruses. The new virus that has created this pandemic is the H1N1 virus. This virus contains two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs located in Europe and Asia that are mixed with one avian gene and one human influenza gene. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassertant” virus.
The reason that the H1N1 virus is causing a pandemic is because the virus has not circulated recently. This means that almost everyone is vulnerable to infection. Seasonal flu normally circulates in the fall and winter, but there is usually some immunity in the general population built up from previous exposure and vaccination.
When there is a novel (new) flu strain that has not recently circulated, the entire population is at risk. The following from www.flu.gov, shows the key differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu:
Seasonal Flu:
> Outbreak follows predictable seasonal patterns; occurs yearly; usually in winter
> Usually some immunity in population from previous exposure
> Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications; infants and elderly at highest risk
> Health system can usually meet public and patient needs
> Vaccine developed based on known flu strains and available for annual flu season
> Adequate supplies of anti-virals are usually available
> Average U.S. deaths approximately 36,000 per year
> Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain. Deaths often caused by complications, such as pneumonia
> Generally causes modest impact on society
> Manageable impact on domestic and world economy
> Usually some immunity in population from previous exposure
> Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications; infants and elderly at highest risk
> Health system can usually meet public and patient needs
> Vaccine developed based on known flu strains and available for annual flu season
> Adequate supplies of anti-virals are usually available
> Average U.S. deaths approximately 36,000 per year
> Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain. Deaths often caused by complications, such as pneumonia
> Generally causes modest impact on society
> Manageable impact on domestic and world economy
Pandemic Flu:
> Occurs rarely
> No previous exposure; little or no preexisting immunity
> Healthy people are at increased risk for serious complications
> Health systems may be overwhelmed
> Vaccine not available in first stages of pandemic
> Effective anti-virals may be in limited supply
> Number of deaths could be quite high
> Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent
> May cause major impact on society, (school closings, travel restrictions, cancellation of larger public gatherings)
> Potential for severe impact on domestic and world economy
> No previous exposure; little or no preexisting immunity
> Healthy people are at increased risk for serious complications
> Health systems may be overwhelmed
> Vaccine not available in first stages of pandemic
> Effective anti-virals may be in limited supply
> Number of deaths could be quite high
> Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent
> May cause major impact on society, (school closings, travel restrictions, cancellation of larger public gatherings)
> Potential for severe impact on domestic and world economy
The seasonal flu vaccine is currently available and it is now up to you to make sure you and your loved ones are protected. Pregnant women are at increased risk from the seasonal flu and it is especially important that they be vaccinated. Vaccination of pregnant women also confers immunity to their babies for the first six months of life when they are too young to receive a flu vaccination. There is no protection against the H1N1 virus in the seasonal flu vaccine.
The Swine Flu vaccine should be available in mid to late October and will be targeted at several high risk groups:
Pregnant women – because they are at higher risk of complications and death, and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
The Swine Flu vaccine should be available in mid to late October and will be targeted at several high risk groups:
Pregnant women – because they are at higher risk of complications and death, and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age – because younger infants are at higher risk of complications and cannot be vaccinated.
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age – because many of the cases have been in this age group and they often live, work and study in close proximity
Persons ages 25-64 years of age who have chronic health conditions like diabetes or asthma which put them at increased risk.
What can you do to stay healthy:
> Stay informed. Go to www.flu.gov and the CDC website for regular updates.
> Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
> Wash your hands with soap and water. Make a “Flu Kit.”
> Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
> Wash your hands with soap and water. Make a “Flu Kit.”
This past weekend I made a flu kit for my house and for both my college-aged children who live on campus. I included Kleenex, hand sanitizer, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, a thermometer, cough drops, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea over the counter medication. I also included both antihistamines and decongestants. I urge you to buy these things now because there is predicted to be a shortage in the coming months of these remedies if a true epidemic breaks out.
Until next time.....
Carol Swindle, M.D.
