The H1N1 virus
The image found on the CDC.gov website here shows weekly deaths of children in the USA from influenza over the last 3 years. If you look closely you will notice that normal seasonal flu caused deaths, but they rarely occurred before January of each year. This year the rise in deaths has occurred at the beginning of October and is already similar to the number of deaths in January. Almost all influenza viruses tested in the USA and Canada at present is due to the H1N1virus, so almost all these deaths are likely to be due to that virus. We know most of us are vulnerable to H1N1 ( as its new) so the numbers have been and are likely to continue to increase at least to some extent. Whilst these numbers are small compared to the USA population size they certainly suggest that becoming prepared has been sensible.
I am putting this data for you to see, not to worry anybody but because I keep reading on the Internet that the flu is not something to be concerned about at all. I just wanted to let you see what the facts are. There are some out there that seem to denigrate anything that health authorities do but it seems remarkable to me that this new strain has been identified and new vaccines made in less than a year. The graph linked to above suggests that health authorities are doing exactly the right thing being as prepared as they can be with all the ammunition they can muster in case things continue to worsen.
Whilst for the vast majority the H1N1 flu is going to be an inconvenience and a few days off work but for an unfortunate few it may be more serious and it now looks as this is true of the younger under 25 age group.
The main message is that the H1N1 virus seems to be affecting different people that the normal seasonal flu particularly younger people under 25 and pregnant women. In has recently been reported that pre-existing respiratory problem even if well controlled eg asthma are a risk factor for the more serious form of the disease and also those overweight are especially vulnerable.
It would seem to me that if you are young and smoke or are overweight this might be the perfect time to stop smoking and try to improve your health rather than wait until the New Year. Although I have not seen any particular work on smoking with the H1N1 it would make sense that it would increase your chance of an infection descending into the lungs, just as it does with the normal seasonal virus.
What to do to avoid H1N1 altogether? Avoid those who are sick even family members. Wash your hands regularly. If you have a very young child or about to have one then remember that being breast feeding usually protects against viral diseases, and recently evidence that vitamin D maybe helpful – so get the family outside without the sun screen for an hour or two- though don’t get burned. Consider vitamin D supplements if you are stuck in the office a lot and don’t like the sun that much. I am also a big fan of zinc lozenges to hold in the mouth and suck – it certainly seems to help me after I have been coughed over at work and on airline flights! Make good choices to stay healthy consider avoiding too much alcohol eating lots of different fruit and vegetables (5-6 servings a day) as well as some sun.
The drug Tamiflu is effective in the first 48 hours so consider contacting your doctor early on if you think you are particularly vulnerable and you feel more sick than expected, but remember that all drugs have side-effects so don’t be upset if the doctor does not want to prescribe them to everybody.
Be alert – do what you can to avoid getting sick or getting too sick, but don’t panic it really doesn’t help – just take action where you can. At least there is drug therapy for the sickest and the vaccine is expected to be available here in Cayman before the end of November.
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