H1N1 and Swine Flu: Is it a Pandemic?
H1N1 or swine influenza spreads via sneezing and coughing, which then infects others. The majority of people have had the normal flu in their lifetime, and the symptoms of that and H1N1 are similar such as a fever over 100 degrees farenheit, chills, fatigue, stuffy nose, aching body, sore throat. There are some differences with H1N1 though.
In children, some indications you should take them immediately to the hospital are the following: lethargy, bluish or grayish skin tone, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting, extreme irritability, not drinking enough fluids, having repeat flu symptoms that are worse the second time around.
For adults, symptoms that indicate emergency medical help would include labored difficult breathing, severe vomiting, dizziness, pain in chest or stomach or pressure in those areas, confused thinking, and flu symptoms that diminish and then return with greater coughing and fever.
H1N1 flu: this respiratory disease does not normally result in swine to human transmission. This year a new form of the virus has developed and is now being passed person to person. The U.S. is not deteching the virus in any herd of pigs presently, but in Alberta, Canada, an infected herd was discovered and is now under quarantine. Some people are concerned about eating pork, but the virus is not spread through food. Egypt has decided to slaughter all their pigs, and other countries may have followed suit, though this has not become news yet. Pandemic flu is one in which there is very little immunity in the body, and the disease spreads quickly amongst people. There is no pandemic flu at the time of this writing. The H1N1 virus is being carefully monitored in order to determine how the virus is spreading. Seasonal or common flu is a respiratory illness that spreads person to person, and there is a vaccine for it. Most people normally have an immunity to some degree built up against the common flu. Precautions: have kleenex, hand sanitizer with an alcohol base, and wash with soap and water frequently. Employees should leave the work premises if they are showing symptoms of the flu.
So whats the big deal about swine flu compared to the other influenza that goes around? As in any flu, other medical conditions you might have can in combination become more dangerous to your system. For example, heart disease patients are more susceptible to having medical concerns heightened by the flu.
Having a flu shot will not protect your from swine influenza, otherwise there would be lineups of people waiting for their vaccination.
There is an anti-viral drug for H1N1 that can be provided, but usually the symptoms need to be recent, within two days prior to having the drug. Health care departments are administering this anti-viral drug to the most severely ill and those who have to be in close proximity with them who are more susceptible to infection.
Who is most at risk for acquiring H1N1? People with respiratory conditions, especially those under age five, pregnant women and older people over age 65.
Ive been with many people who came back from Mexico this past April. We all wash our hands at work and a couple staff worked from home for one week as their spouse or their family member was feeling ill. I have not become ill, nor have any of them tested positive though they have been tested a few times now just for safety sake.
