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Fighting the Flu, The Old and The New
If you’ve picked up a newspaper, turned on your TV, or browsed the Internet lately, chances are you’ve seen quite a bit about influenza. You may be concerned about the “new flu,” and you may have questions. Here is a primer on the old flu, the new flu, and what you need to do.
I’ve heard about swine flu, and I’ve also heard about the H1N1 virus. What are they?
Swine flu and H1N1 are the same thing. Both terms refer to a new influenza strain causing illness in people that first appeared in humans in April 2009. When it first appeared, the H1N1 virus was often referred to as “swine flu” because it was thought to be genetically similar to a virus that occurs in pigs. The virus is now known to contain some genes from avian (bird) flu as well. Because this virus has not been seen in humans before, people generally do not have natural immunity to it.
By the way, H1N1 is not spread through food, so there is no way to contract H1N1 by eating pork or pork products. Despite its nickname, “swine flu” has nothing to do with pork.
Is H1N1 flu in my area?
Yes, H1N1 flu is here. The flu season typically runs from October to March each year. The H1N1 flu, however, seems to be getting an early start. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), twenty-one states including Maryland and Virginia are reporting widespread flu activity in September. It is unusual to have any widespread flu activity this early.
CDC models suggest that one million Americans contracted H1N1 flu between April and June 2009. That number is expected to increase dramatically as flu season progresses. Estimates published in September suggest that 30 to 50 percent of the American population – that’s over 100 million people – could become ill with H1N1 flu this flu season.
"New details are emerging almost daily," says infectious disease specialist Dr. Patrick Haugh. "The best piece of advice I have is for people to stay in contact with their health provider, whether it be their primary care physician, their child's pediatrician, or Southern Maryland Hospital."
What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
The most common symptoms are fever and cough, often with headache, body aches, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, chills, and fatigue. Unlike seasonal flu, some patients are reporting vomiting and diarrhea as well. Although most people infected with H1N1 flu recover at home and do not require hospitalization, severe complications and deaths have occurred in a small number of people.
How does H1N1 flu spread?
Based on what we’ve seen so far, H1N1 flu spreads in the same way that seasonal flu does. It may spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread when a person touches an infected surface and then touches his or her nose, eyes, or mouth.
How can I avoid getting H1N1 flu, and how can I prevent my family members from getting it?
Prevention is key. “Each and every person can do something to help control the spread of this disease,” Dr. Haugh says.
To protect yourself and your loved ones, first practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap, lathering for 30 seconds, and encourage your children to do the same. (Hint: that’s about the time it takes to sing the alphabet song.) Also, because flu viruses spread most effectively through the air, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand.
Second, get the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available, if it is recommended for you. (It is not recommended for people who have had an allergic reaction to seasonal flu shots, people who have an egg allergy, and babies younger than six months of age – check with your doctor.)
Third, stay home if you feel ill, and keep your children home if they are ill. See “Flu Facts” on page 8 for more tips to keep you and your family healthy.
When will the H1N1 flu vaccine become available?
We don’t know for sure. The U.S. Government has ordered hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine, and the CDC recently unveiled its distribution plan. Each state will be allocated vaccine based on population, and vaccines will be delivered to 90,000 designated providers nationwide, including doctors' offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, and hospitals. "Unfortunately, we don't know exactly when the vaccine will get here and be available to give to people," says Dr. Haugh. Weekly delivery of vaccines is expected to begin by the end of October.
Isn’t getting the regular flu vaccine good enough?
Although the seasonal flu vaccine offers excellent protection against this year’s seasonal flu, it does not provide protection against H1N1 flu. To be immunized from both, you’ll need an H1N1 flu shot as well.
The good news is that for most people, one dose of the H1N1 vaccine is enough to provide protection. Young children (under ten years of age) will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) recommends that people get their seasonal flu shots right away. The H1N1 vaccinations will put a double burden on providers, so it’s best to avoid the rush.
So stay informed, stop the spread, and get vaccinated. For up-to-date information on H1N1 flu vaccinations, contact Southern Maryland Hospital at (301) 868-8000.
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