From ancient to recent history, the flu virus has been around and has been a deadly adversary. The flu epidemic of 1918 and 1919, in which 1/3 of the world’s population was infected and 50,000,000 people died, was nicknamed the “Spanish flu” because Spain, a neutral country in World War I, had no special censorship for the news against the disease and its consequences. Therefore, the most reliable news about the disease came from Spain, giving the false impression that Spain was the most affected area, if not the only one, or that it originated there. This strain has been the basis for almost all cases of influenza A worldwide since then and is related to the H1N1 strain we are fighting today.
The flu was not eradicated; she found hosts in pigs where she was able to mutate. Pigs are susceptible to human and bird flu. Some genes from humans, pigs and birds mutated together to form a quadruple rearranged virus that includes 2 pig genes, one from the bird and one from us, which became the H1N1 virus. The swine flu itself is caused by the type A influenza virus and affects the respiratory system of pigs, but although many get sick, few die. The first case of our recent “outbreak” was in March 2009, a five-year-old boy from La Gloria, Mexico, who eventually recovered.
From August 30 to October 10, 2009, the CDC broke down the numbers of the 4,958 people hospitalized to those who died by age group.
Age Group Hospitalized Deaths
0-4 19% 3%
5-18 26% 14%
19-24 9% 7%
25-49 24% 32%
50-64 15% 32%
65+ 7% 12%
Those at highest risk are those with underlying problems who are at the highest risk of serious reactions.
The highest risk group includes people with conditions such as:
Asthma
Diabetes
Suppressed immune systems
heart disease
nephropathy
Neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders
The pregnancy
So what does H1N1 look like and who does it affect? Symptoms include; fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Others may have symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing problems without fever.
What are the emergency warning signs? You should watch children closely because this can become serious very quickly, within a day or two instead of a few days as with adults. Look for fast breathing or shortness of breath, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being irritable or not wanting to be held, flu symptoms improve then becomes fever and worse cough and fever with rash. In adults, you want to look for shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, and severe or persistent vomiting.
The good news is that most people recover without the need for medical help. There are precautions you can take to avoid getting sick or, if you do get sick, to shorten the duration and severity and prevent others from getting sick as well.
If you are not sick:
1. Make sure you are getting good nutrition, you want your immune system to be as strong as possible.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 30 seconds if soap or water is not available use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
3. Avoid touching non-porous surfaces that your hands come into contact with, for example: ATMs, handrails, door handles, etc.
4. Avoid contact with sick people
5. Get enough rest
6. Drink a lot of fluids
7. Common areas disinfected with an effective germicide
8. Decide on immunization
9. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
If you get sick:
1. STAY AT HOME!
2. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough
3. Throw away your tissues, don’t leave them lying around
4. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, if soap or water is not available use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
5. Seek medical treatment if you are sick and do not improve for more than four days.
6. Seek medical treatment if an emergency situation arises
If you get sick and don’t get better, there are antiviral medications that doctors will prescribe.