New Developments in the Fight Against H1N1


You've heard about it on the news, received information through work or school and perhaps even know someone who has contracted the disease. It's H1N1, or “swine flu,” and it's making headlines on every news station and across the Internet.

 

How dangerous is the H1N1 virus, and what are the latest developments in preventing it? Here's breaking news on the flu that has people on the alert.

 

How Widespread is H1N1?
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists H1N1 as a pandemic, hitting countries around the world and affecting, or having the potential to affect, a wide variety of populations.

 

In addition, the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) H1N1 website states that the illness had been found in 48 U.S. states as of October 2009, and diagnoses are now on the rise, according to health experts. This means individuals need to be more cautious than ever, as well as organizations at the government level such as schools, many of which are currently developing plans in case the illness surfaces.

 

What's the Latest News on H1N1?
According to the CDC in the U.S., as of the time of this release, cases of both seasonal flu and H1N1 are currently increasing as flu season gets into full swing.

 

To try to pull in the reigns on the disease, the WHO issued a press release stating it will be sending the vaccine to 95 developed countries (see the story, here http://www.reuters.com/article/internal_ReutersNewsRoom_ExclusivesAndWins_MOLT/). As of October, 16 countries have been targeted to receive the vaccine shortly with the remainder of nations to follow. Both manufacturers and governments have gotten in on the initiative, donating the vaccine and supplies in the effort to waylay the virus.

 

Who Should Receive the H1N1 Vaccine?
It is important to know that H1N1 is a separate virus from what is commonly called “seasonal flu”. The vaccine against H1N1 was developed for this specific strain, so standard flu vaccines may not protect you and your family from the disease.

 

According to the CDC, the most at-risk groups include babies, young children and pregnant women. Interestingly, though the flu in general can be more dangerous to the elderly, H1N1 has not been shown to be deadlier for the 65 and over age category. Health professionals theorize that this could be because an influenza similar (but not identical) to H1N1 ran its course in the early 1970s, and some people may therefore still have an immunity to flus of a similar type.

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the H1N1 vaccine in October 2009 and the vaccine is now being shipped throughout the U.S. and around the world. If you or your child or children fall into a high-risk category, contact your doctor immediately if you wish to receive the vaccine. High-risk groups include:

  • children ages 4 and under
  • pregnant women
  • people who work with, live with or care for a high-risk group
  • children ages 5-18 who have chronic medical conditions
  • health care workers who may have direct contact with patients

Anticipating Shortages
Though the CDC stated this month that it does not currently note shortages of the H1N1 vaccine, high-risk groups are receiving priority on vaccinations, so even if you're not in a high-risk category, call your physician or local clinic now to find out when the vaccine may become available to you.

 

Though vaccines continue to be distributed in the U.S., news sources are reporting long waiting lines at clinics as worries that there won't be enough vaccine to go around are higher now than ever, particularly as a number of H1N1-related deaths have been reported. DON'T PANIC. The number of H1N1 deaths are minimal in relation to the total number of infected individuals.

 

If you have symptoms (LINK: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/h1n1/clinical-guidance.shtml) or are worried about H1N1 for any other reason, contact your doctor immediately. Stay calm, stay away from others in the waiting room if possible or call the doctor or clinic in advance for special instructions; some offices are requiring suspected flu and H1N1 sufferers to wait in an area separate from other patients.

 

Meanwhile, remember that most cases of H1N1 in usually healthy individuals are not fatal. Even if you are infected with this virus, chances are very good that you will fully recover.

 

For more up-to-the-minute information, check these links regularly:

 

Most Popular Sites

Migranes