Article Title:

Infectious Diseases - Understanding the H1N1 virus

Summary:
Infectious Disease Understanding Swine Flu: The truth is that the name swine flu i
s not a new illness for a flu strain, yet this particular strain of the virus is
. In addition, the vaccine created to prevent this particular flu underwent the
same testing that the traditional flu shots undergo.
Keywords:
Infectious diseases, vaccine, swine flu
Article Text:
Infectious Disease - Understanding the H1N1 virus
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Tracy E. Austin, MD
Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 07:01 PM

Understanding Swine Flu Basics

There has been much ado about Swine Flu or the H1N1 virus. From the hype about t
he vaccine to the miscalculations of swine flu casualties, it has been difficult
to find the truth about the disease.
The truth is that the name swine flu is not a new illness for a flu strain, yet
this particular strain of the virus is. In addition, the vaccine created to prev
ent this particular flu underwent the same testing that the traditional flu shot
s undergo. Another truth is that there is no cure for the swine flu it must run it
s course like its seasonal counterpart. In addition, swine flu does not come fro
m pork.
With that out of the way, here is some useful information about swine flu that m
ay you understand just what this virus really is.
What is the Swine Flu?
It is a strain of the influenza virus that has genetic material in common with v
iruses found not only pigs in Europe and Asia, but also birds and humans. Becaus
e of these multiple sources, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
calls this a quadruple reassortant virus.
Swine flu was first discovered in April of 2009. The World Health Organization (
WHO) declared it in June 2009. It is spread through human to human contact, in t
he form of unprotected (mouth uncovered) sneezing and coughing as well as transf
erring the virus from a surface like a doorknob by touch. The unwashed hand then
transmits the virus by touching the eyes, mouth, or nose.
Swine Flu History
Although the 2009 strain of swine flu was a new one, the name swine flu has quite
a history. In fact, a more deadly early strain that appeared in 1918 is a descen
dant of the current H1N1 or swine flu. At that time, there was no previous flu v
iruses made up of both bird and swine genetic materials. In fact, the CDC writes
that many questioned whether such an explosively fatal disease could be influenz
a at all .
Strains of this original H1N1 disease has cropped up influenza epidemics in 1957
, 1977 and even 2006. The CDC has been studying this hybrid virus and the strain
s it produced in an effort to gain more understanding. Some researchers believe
that the key is the original H1N1 virus, which hit the world in three waves over
the spring, summer and winter of 1918 and 1919.
Another notable swine flu epidemic took place in 1977. The flu that year was wid
espread, but it was the vaccine that made the news. That year, according to Wash
ington Post reporter David Brown, over 400 of the 43 million people vaccinated c
ontracted Guillian Barre Syndrome or GBS. Twenty-five of those with GBS died of
the illness. GBS causes muscle weakness and eventually paralysis.
Testing on the vaccine found that the vaccine used was not contaminated. Otherwi
se, the WHO say that the cause of the 1976-77 reaction to the vaccine is limited
to that particular vaccine. Extra steps have been taken to ensure that the 2009
vaccine does not have the same effects.
Treating a Swine Flu Outbreak in Your Home
Symptoms
The signs of contracting swine flu are described by the CDC as fever, cough, bod
y aches, headache, diarrhea, sore throat, vomiting and chills. Some people exper
ience all of these symptoms; others only come down with a few.
Treatment
Swine is treated like its seasonal counterparts, with rest and no contact with t
he public. Stay at home until your fever is gone for 24 hours. The fever must be
maintained without medications. Wash your hands often and cover your mouth when
coughing and sneezing.
Seek emergency medical care if your fever is more than 103 and does not respond
to medications. Also go immediately to the hospital if you experience trouble br
eathing, blue coloring in the skin, rash, abdominal pain and pressure, disorient
ation, unrelenting vomiting.
Swine Flu Prevention
The only way to prevent the flu is to wash your hands several times a day and ge
t the swine flu vaccine. Some people wore masks during flu outbreaks to prevent
transmission from stray coughing and sneezing droplets. However, the swine flu v
accine is a less conspicuous way to prevent coming down with the flu.
Flu Safety
The injected swine flu vaccine is comprised of an inactive version of the virus.
The nasal spray vaccine is made from a live but weakened version of the virus.
Although the vaccines may cause lfu-like symptoms, according to WHO, the swine f
lu virus cannot develop from the dead or weakened viruses in the vaccine.
Cases of people who have been vaccinated, but still contract the flu are not rel
ated to the vaccine itself. These people usually contract the virus within two w
eeks of getting their vaccine before the vaccine has created full immunity within
the body. In addition, immunity depends on the body receiving the vaccine. Not e
very body will develop immunity strong enough to overcome the virus. Vaccinated
individuals can also catch the seasonal flu strains, as the swine flu vaccine do
es not work on seasonal flu strains.
Swine Flu Understanding
Understanding the swine flu is the best way to prevent/overcome the epidemic. It
is also the only way that scientists can begin to understand pandemic flu strai
ns of the past and to prepare for those of the future. For referenced and resour
ced information, go to http://www.smilemd.com/infectious-disease-physician/infec
tious-diseases-understanding-the-H1N1-virus.aspx
Resources about the Author:
SmileMD Inc global publishing headquarters - Midtown Manhattan, New York. Nevill
e Coward, Chairman & CEO. http://www.smilemd.com instantly schedules nationwide
online medical and dental appointments for <a href="http://www.smilemd.com/blog/
article.aspx">infectious disease doctors dentists nyc</a>. Patient versions of m
edical & dental articles are library referenced for online publication by co-edi
tors-in-chief Judy J. Johnson DDS and Tracy E. Austin, MD. Dr. Johnson is a memb
er of The New York Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Austin is a member of the
A.M.A., American Medical Writers Association and the Association of Health Care
Journalists.