Swine Flu (H1N1) Virus - What You Need to Know

What began in early April as isolated incidences of swine flu (H1N1 virus) in Mexico has quickly propelled itself into an epidemic that has the world hoping for the best but anticipating the worst.  Ten states in the United States have reported swine flu cases, and at least one known death from the virus has been reported on U.S. soil (Texas, March 29).  There have been many deaths in Mexico, which is being called the epicenter of this virus. The World Health Organization at the time of this writing says that the swine flu is at level 5.  Level 6 is considered a truly global pandemic, as opposed to the current status of epidemic.


What is the H1N1 Virus or Swine Flu?

The influenza virus (which has hundreds of strains) causes what we normally think of as the flu.  In typical conditions, different strains of influenza viruses infect only one species of mammal (including humans), making the human influenza virus a separate virus from those of birds or pigs.  When a pig or bird influenza virus swaps genes or mutates with a human influenza virus, then a new virus is born – which is exactly what happened with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. 

The H1N1 virus contains genes from human, bird, and pig (swine) influenza viruses.  It is a completely new virus that has never been seen before, which means that there is no immunization for H1N1. Historically, bird influenza or swine influenza is difficult to transfer from human to human, and humans that become ill with bird flu or swine flu usually are isolated cases.  H1N1 is different because it has developed the ability to be spread from human to human easily, which is why the WHO and world governments are so eager to contain H1N1.  H1N1 has all of the probabilities of becoming a disease of pandemic proportions.


How Bad Could an H1N1 Pandemic Get?

Although many global pandemics have been relatively moderate as far as the number of people who fell ill and actually died, one pandemic that is often referred to is the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 to 1919.  This pandemic affected around 1/3 of the human population around the globe, and killed no less than forty million people in a one year period. The economic fallout from the Spanish flu pandemic is considered among the different occurrences that caused a deep recession in the global economy during the same time period. 


How is the H1N1 Virus Transmitted and Who is At Greatest Risk?

Scientists are unsure how this new strain of influenza is spread amongst humans, and from person to person.  It is believed that transmission of the H1N1 virus occurs when infected persons sneeze or cough (airborne), or by direct skin to skin contact, such as when an infected person kisses or shakes hands with someone. 

Although most influenza viruses are more dangerous to very young or very old people, or those with weakened immune systems, scientists say that a majority of the deaths in Mexico from the H1N1 virus have been of young people who were very healthy.  This is one aspect of the H1N1 virus that is puzzling to those studying the virus. Of particular worry to health authorities is that the Spanish flu pandemic of the early 1900s also saw more deaths among this group of people.
 

What are the Symptoms of the H1N1 Virus?

The H1N1 virus initially causes the same symptoms that are experienced with regular cases of the flu, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle aches.  More common with the H1N1 virus, however, is nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.  In adults, teenagers, and children from ages three through twelve, the most dangerous symptoms of H1N1 include shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness, and persistent vomiting. For children two years of age and under, the most dangerous symptoms are very rapid breathing, high fever, rash, bluish color of the skin and lips, abnormal behavior such as not drinking normally, unusual irritability or being more sleepy than usual.


How is H1N1 Treated?

The H1N1 virus is currently treated with two antiviral medications – zanamivir and oseltamivir.  Optimal results from treatment are achieved when the medications are taken with a couple of days of the person becoming ill.  There has been no proven benefit of taking either of these medications before being exposed. There is no current vaccine against the H1N1 virus. Diagnosis of the H1N1 virus is made by taking a throat swab of the suspected infected person, or by analyzing the sputum that is “coughed up” by the person. 


How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Family from H1N1

There are some basic steps that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to avoid contracting the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, including:
• Wash your hands frequently. 
• Use alcohol based hand cleaners like Germ-X when you are not around hot water and soap.  It is a good idea to send some of this type of antibacterial hand wash with your children to school in their backpack and instruct them on proper usage.
• Avoid being around people who are sick or appear sick.
• If you become sick, protect others from contracting the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a clean tissue, and discard used tissues into the trash.  You should also avoid being around others as much as possible until you are better again.  Sick children should be quarantined at home and the school notified.