H1N1 Pandemic Flu - An Unusual Flu Season
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H1N1 Pandemic Flu - An Unusual Flu Season |
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Why the Fear?
Epidemics have periodically swept through human populations and caused immense destruction. The threat of epidemics is now much less than it used to be, thanks to modern isolation and sterilization techniques, and medicines invented since the antibiotic era began in the 1930’s. But there are still many diseases we can’t cure, and the evolution of viruses is ongoing, so the threat of a new infection emerging that we can’t contain is ever-present. In addition, human populations are now so large, and transportation is so easy, that the spread of disease is all too easy. In fact, that is why we now talk about “pandemics.” A pandemic is an epidemic that goes worldwide.
Why is the current flu virus called Swine Flu?
Influenza viruses usually stick to one host. A human virus spreads human to human and doesn’t cross over to any other species. Likewise for a pig virus or a monkey virus. But sometimes there is a cross over, and a human can be infected with a virus that was circulating in another species. That doesn’t usually lead to a serious public health problem, since the human doesn’t pass it on. Even if a crossover virus causes serious illness, such as with the Avian (bird) flu scare a couple years ago, it doesn’t usually spread from person to person.
But sometimes the virus is altered in such a way that it can start going from human to human. That is what has happened with the current H1N1 virus – it started with swine, went to humans, and can now go easily from human to human. That is why it is called the Swine Flu – because of where it started.
How serious is this Swine Flu?
Very luckily for us, although the Swine Flu seems to go easily from human to human and is very contagious, it doesn’t usually cause much damage when it does infect us. We are learning more about this as statistics become clearer, but as of now, it seems to be similar to regular, seasonal flu. That’s not to be taken so lightly, however, since just “ordinary flu” kills about 36,000 people every year in a normal flu season. And pregnant women are more at risk for getting very sick from this flu.
Can the Swine Flu be treated with medicines?
Happily, the answer to this is yes. We have two medicines, Tamiflu and Relenza, which can be used to treat this flu, if taken within 48 hours of its onset. That’s good, because most of the other flu viruses we have in circulation have become resistant to these drugs. Because the disease doesn’t usually cause much damage, however, it is not recommended to treat most patients with these anti-viral drugs – people usually will just get better on their own.
What about 1918 and other flu epidemics?
The 1918 Spanish Flu spread worldwide and killed tens of millions of people. Since then we have had other flu epidemics – the Hong Kong flu, the Asian flu – which were not so dangerous and debilitating and deadly. One reason is that the viruses themselves were just not so deadly. Another reason is that these flu viruses are related to the 1918 flu, and the human population has developed some immunity. That, actually, is why older people, who are usually among the likeliest victims of flu epidemics, are relatively protected from this Swine Flu. They may have already been exposed earlier in their lives to similar viruses, thus developing some immunity to this one.
Is the Swine Flu over and done with?
It may not be. Many experts still believe a third "wave" of H1N1 (Swine) Flu activity is possible. That’s the way the flu generally travels, in waves. The first wave of H1N1 occurred last spring, and it slowed down over the summer. The second wave began after school was back in session, through October and into November. We saw a decrease in activity from December through January, and many experts are predicting a third wave later this winter or spring. The winter flu season typically lasts through February and March, and sometimes even into April.
Is there a Swine Flu vaccine?
Yes. This year we have been giving two separate flu vaccines – one against the ordinary Seasonal Flu, and one against the Swine Flu. We want you to be protected against both. We started giving H1N1 vaccines last October. As of 3/14/10, we do have a supply of H1N1 Injections and Nasal Mist in most of our offices.
Please see our news article on H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines for more information about Seasonal Flu vaccine and H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine, including information about the types available (nasal spray or shot), who qualifies for the nasal version, and answers to timing questions.
What has Bayside been doing about the Swine Flu?
Our role is to protect our patients – and also to protect our staff. Throughout this epidemic, we have kept up to date on the situation day by day. Bayside even had a special educational conference with one of the leading flu researchers in the United States, Robert Belshe MD, on May 12, 2009. He spoke to us just one week after he published the leading editorial on the Swine Flu in the New England Journal of Medicine. He just returned to update our clinicians this March, with another educational conference on influenza.
Our Medical Director, Richard Ash, MD, devoted himself completely to the emerging epidemic last May as it unfolded. We ordered supplies and equipment, had educational meetings, developed patient handout materials, organized our internal communications, and learned what we needed to do for our patients. We have continued to monitor the pandemic and stay up to date.
With all of this preparation, we are now better able to respond to future epidemics and continue to provide the highest-quality care for Bayside patients.
For more information about seasonal flu and H1N1 flu please visit our Health Library section on Influenza, or visit the CDC page “H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) General Information”. Also, here are some good resources from the CDC and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia:
