posted by Eric Vanderham on May 16
Most people have had influenza more then a few times in their life. The symptoms of normal flu versus swine flu are often similar, such as a stuffy nose, coughing, aching body, sore throat, high fever over 100 degrees farenheit, fatigue. H1N1 or as we call it, swine flu, is spread through coughing and sneezing which then infects others. Some differences are noteworthy with H1N1 flu.
In children, signs that indicate an emergent medical trip include difficulty breathing, acute vomiting, lethargy or not waking up, severe irritability, not drinking enough liquids, bluish or grayish skin tone, flu symptoms that decrease and then return with a worse cough and fever.
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.
HINI flu. This is a respiratory disease and is a type of flu virus that occurs frequently in pigs. It is not a normal year that humans contract swine flu, but it can result in a human infection and this year definitely has. This is because it is a new form of the virus. It has two genes from flu viruses that are typically in pigs in certain parts of the world. At this time, there is no population of pigs in the U.S. that are showing an infection of this virus. The H1N1 was found in a herd of pigs in Alberta, Canada which are now quarantined. Do not be concerned however about contracting this virus from eating pork. It is not distributed through food, but is a respiratory disease. I realize Egypt slaughtered all their pigs, but they are the only country that has done this, at least that has been broadcast. Pandemic flu is one in which there is minimal immunity in ones body, and therefore the disease spreads quickly from person to person. There is no pandemic flu at this time. Pandemic flu is a typically caused from a new flu virus. Pandemic flu results in a global spread of acute illness with huge populations becoming ill from the disease. At this time, the H1N1 virus is being observed and monitored carefully as to how the virus is spreading. Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that is spread from person to person, there is a vaccine for it, and people normally have some degree of immunity to this flu. Precautions: have plenty of Kleenex on hand to cough and sneeze into and throw out your used Kleenex rather than leaving it around for germs to spread. Wash hands with soap, use sanitizers when youre not near soap and water, and tell people at work to head for home if they are showing symptoms of this flu.
Why are people focusing so much on swine flu compared to other flu? As in any flu, other medical conditions you may have can result in a person being more susceptible to the flu, and a combination of the two may be more dangerous. People with heart disease are more susceptible. In addition, because this is a respiratory virus, anyone who already has respiratory issues can be doubly impacted by this 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 or swine flu that can be administered by a physician, but usually the symptoms need to be fresh, within two days prior to having the drug. Health care departments are administering this anti-viral drug to the most acutely ill and those who have to be in close quarters 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.
There were several people who came back from Mexico this past spring break at our office. We all wash our hands at work and a couple staff worked from home for one week as their spouse or them was feeling ill. I have not become ill, nor have any of them tested positive though they have been tested a few times now as a precaution.