By Dr. Margaret Hurley
Special to the Times
On Oct. 24, President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 flu a national emergency. That, combined with headlines declaring confirmed cases in South Jersey schools, have aroused fear in many of us.
I attended a conference a day before the president’s declaration,
sponsored by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which included a
lecture on H1N1 influenza, otherwise known as the swine flu. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey
Department of Health and Human Services also have a wealth of
information about H1N1. I’d like to share some of it with my patients,
neighbors and community.
It is important to understand that the H1N1 influenza virus has been causing illness throughout the country and even in our area sporadically since it was first identified back in April. The difference now is the sudden upswing in the number of cases. Any doctor can tell you the flu is here.
First, the bad news:
Almost all states are experiencing widespread influenza, and for the period between Aug. 30 and Oct. 17, there were 411 laboratory confirmed H1N1-related deaths, and another 2,827 pneumonia-with-influenza syndrome deaths in the United States. Testing done nationwide by the CDC shows that virtually 100 percent of the flu viruses now circulating and causing illness are the H1N1 type. That means if you have the flu, you have H1N1.
Now, the good news:
Although scientists have been concerned about how this entirely new type of flu virus might behave, so far the severity of illness has been very similar to the seasonal flu. Most importantly, the virus is showing no sign of altering itself to become more lethal.
The H1N1 virus thus far has shown little ability to develop resistance to Tamiflu or Relenza. These medications are currently recommended to be used for high-risk patients and can decrease the risk of serious flu complications such as pneumonia. Seasonal flu, however, has become almost universally resistant to Tamiflu.
Although there have been delays in production of the H1N1 vaccine, there is very good evidence that it is a safe and effective vaccine. It has undergone the same safety testing as the seasonal flu vaccine that millions of people get each year. In fact, it is likely that H1N1 protection will be included in next year’s seasonal flu vaccine.
As the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, it is important for those at highest risk for developing serious illness from H1N1 receive the vaccine first. Local regulations may vary, but the CDC has identified those groups as pregnant women, everyone ages 6 months to 24 years, caregivers of children under age 6 months (the vaccine is not recommended for babies below age 6 months), health care workers, and people ages 24-65 who have chronic illnesses.
A little more bad news:
In contrast to the seasonal flu, H1N1 cases are more common in people under age 24. Greater than 50 percent of those hospitalized with H1N1 are under age 19.
But that also means some good news.
People over age 50 are at lower risk of contracting H1N1 because they have antibodies from previous exposures to slightly similar types of flu viruses. For a change, being older is an advantage against this flu.
As individuals and as a community, there is much we can do to prevent the spread of all types of the flu.
Since influenza virus is spread by droplets of respiratory secretions when someone coughs or sneezes, covering your mouth and washing your hands are the most important means of prevention.
The number one symptom that distinguishes flu from other types of respiratory illness common this time of year is fever. Cough is the next most common. So if you have a fever (usually over 101 degrees) and a cough, stay home.
Call your doctor if you have flu symptoms, especially if you are in one of the high-risk groups, as anti-flu-symptom medications work best if started as soon as possible after your symptoms develop. The CDC recommends that these medications be reserved for very young children, and children and others with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart defects or neurological conditions.
For most people, treatment for this flu will be over-the-counter medications to control the fever, plenty of fluids, and rest. The usual duration of illness for the H1N1 strain has been 3 to 5 days — shorter than for seasonal flu!
Talk with your doctor to develop a “flu plan” if possible, and stay informed by visiting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site flu.gov, or calling the CDC at (800) 232-4636.
Working together without fear and armed with information, we can live to tell our grandchildren about the “Flu Pandemic of 2009.”
Margaret Hurley, D.O., has offices in Woodstown, Salem County.