« TIE DIED and FOMITES- TALES FROM THE BOWELS OF MEDICINE | Main | Senate Finance Committee releases health system reform proposal: America's Healthy Future Act of 2009 »

SWINE FLU CON-FLU-SION

The current Swine Flu pandemic is real, real important, and possibly for some, real confusing.

First, here is a little reminder of past influenza pandemics:

  • The first influenza pandemic was recorded in 1580 and since then influenza pandemics occurred every 10 to 30 years.[61][62][63]
  • Influenza pandemics in 1729-1730, 1732-1733, 1781-1782, 1830, 1833-1834, 1847-1848.[64]
  • The "Asiatic Flu", 1889–1890, was first reported in May 1889 in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. By October, it had reached Tomsk and the Caucasus. It rapidly spread west and hit North America in December 1889, South America in February–April 1890, India in February-March 1890, and Australia in March–April 1890. It was purportedly caused by the H2N8 type of flu virus. It had a very high attack and mortality rate. About 1 million people died in this pandemic."[65]
  • The "Spanish flu", 1918–1919. First identified early in March 1918 in US troops training at Camp Funston, Kansas. By October 1918, it had spread to become a world-wide pandemic on all continents, and eventually infected an estimated one third of the world's population (or ≈500 million persons).[66] Unusually deadly and virulent, it ended nearly as quickly as it began, vanishing completely within 18 months. In six months, some 50 million were dead;[66] some estimates put the total of those killed worldwide at over twice that number.[67] An estimated 17 million died in India, 675,000 in the United States[68] and 200,000 in the UK. The virus was recently reconstructed by scientists at the CDC studying remains preserved by the Alaskan permafrost. They identified it as a type of H1N1 virus.[citation needed]
  • The "Asian Flu", 1957–58. An H2N2 virus caused about 70,000 deaths in the United States. First identified in China in late February 1957, the Asian flu spread to the United States by June 1957. It caused about 2 million deaths globally.[69]
  • The "Hong Kong Flu", 1968–69. An H3N2 caused about 34,000 deaths in the United States. This virus was first detected in Hong Kong in early 1968, and spread to the United States later that year. This pandemic of 1968 and 1969 killed an estimated one million people worldwide.[70] Influenza A (H3N2) viruses still circulate today.

    •  

    SERIOUS STUFF, HUH?

     

    Here are some flu-facts that may help reduce flu conFLUsion.

    First think of one influenza virus as a randomly arranged Rubik's Cube. Imagine trying to remember the color pattern.  This is what your body's immune system does in order to recognize that one virus when you are exposed to it.

    Now imagine that there are multiple different flu viruses each with a different color arrangement and having to recognize each of them. Your body does that too.

    The regular influenza vaccine contains the color arrangements of several virus coats. The idea is that the vaccine mix has the colors of the most likely viruses floating around and coming this way this flu season.

    There is one novel color pattern that is a particular problem, the Swine Flu pattern and this pattern is not in the regular influenza vaccine mix.  Hence, the need for the separate 'Swine Flu' vaccine. This Swine Flu virus is also called the 'Novel H1N1' or 2009 H1N1 virus.

    The unique coat of the virus means that your body is unlikely to completely recognize it when exposed and, therefore, you may become infected by the virus.

    THE REGULAR FLU VIRUS- kills about 36,000 people each year and hospitalizes more than 200,000. Of those hospitalized 20,000 are under 5 years of age and over 90% of deaths are in people over 65.

    THE SWINE FLU VIRUS- causes a greater burden in people younger than 25, including newborns exposed in the womb. There are few cases reported in people over 64, in contrast to the regular flu.

    Worrisome is that pregnancy and other high-risk disorders such as asthma, diabetes, disorders like cancer that can impair the immune system, heart disease, kidney disease and others increase the risk of serious infections no matter your age.

    TESTING FOR FLU: There was a very sad story reported in the paper of a 10 month old baby who reportedly died of the Swine Flu, though allegedly tested for it in the doctor's office and the test 'reported to be negative'.  The child it was reported was NOT treated with Tamiflu, an effective treatment for Swine Flu. The baby, it was reported, was found to be infected with Swine Flu at autopsy.

    What hapened? Possibly the test was an office-based test for Swine Flu, often called the Rapid Flu Test.  It is often insensitive to the presence of flu and should NOT be relied upon to defer treatment if the test is 'Negative', meaning 'no flu'. If there is any hint clinically of Swine Flu in the face of a negative Rapid Flu Test there better be a better reason not to start treatment.

    The best test is the so-called PCR test.  You don't need to know what that stands for, BUT, if you get an office-based 'Rapid' Flu Test and it says 'No-you don't have it' and no treatment is started DEMAND that the PCR test be sent out.

     

    THE SWINE FLU VACCINE

    If I could be made immune to every disease I would do it. I would like to be immune to Swine Flu and the new vaccine is likely to confer some degree of immunity. Those at high risk should certainly consider it. My reading tells me that the risks of complications from the Swine Flu vaccine are comparable to those of the Regular Flu vaccine, which are usually nil. The past, however, doesn't predict the future so discuss the vaccine with your doctor, but don't just blow-off the possible importance of the vaccine to you if you are in one of the high risk categories I mentioned above.

    If you think you need it, call your doctor now and get in line.

    PREVENTION:

    Consider vaccination.

    Go to the Moon or Mars.

    Stay clear of crowds and people with flu-like illnesses.

    Wash your hands with soap and water and use Purel-like sanitizers OFTEN. Particularly after touching any public doorknob, terlet, etc or any other person.

    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

    If you think you may have flu seek medical attention promptly.

    If you are a caretaker for someone with influenza and you are not immunized or at high risk ask your doctor to consider prescribing Tamiflu for you before you catch the flu to reduce your chances of becoming infected.

    FINALLY: If you are ill with a flu-like illness, stay home until you are better and let me know if we had any plans to get together.

    MORE INFO: Go to the CDC site at www.cdc.gov.h1n1/qa.htm

    Posted on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 10:07AM by Registered CommenterDr. Lou | CommentsPost a Comment

    PrintView Printer Friendly Version

    EmailEmail Article to Friend

    Reader Comments

    There are no comments for this journal entry. To create a new comment, use the form below.

    PostPost a New Comment

    Enter your information below to add a new comment.

    My response is on my own website »
    Author Email (optional):
    Author URL (optional):
    Post:
     
    Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
    Alert
    Comment Moderation Enabled
    Your comment will not appear until it has been cleared by a website editor.