There is a lot of stories in the media about the H1N1 Swine Flu and how it could prove to be a deadly threat to society over this year’s flu season. The purpose in me writing this is to help clear up some of the myths and reduce the level of hype that the media uses to gain attention and ratings.
First of all, H1N1, or, Swine Flu, has nothing to do with pigs. It is a normal strain of the flu, just like any other. As with most viruses, there are multiple mutations or, strains, of the influenza virus. It is the same with the common cold. How do you think you can catch a cold so many times? It is because you are not catching the same cold. The good news about this is that once you catch a particular strain, your body then produces defense mechanisms called antibodies, which prevent you from getting the disease again, well, at least that strain.
So why the hype?
Well, it is because this particular strain is the one that is currently spreading more quickly and appears to be becoming the “dominant strain” of flu. You may have noticed the push for flu vaccinations in recent years. These vaccines are usually a combination of what scientists at the time feel are the most likely strains of the flu for a particular flu season. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong. The H1N1 is a strain that they may not have expected to proliferate as quickly as it did, and we did not have a vaccine ready to prepare people for the virus. There should be one available in October.
The truth is, the H1N1 virus was first detected in the US population at the beginning of 2009, according to the CDC website. However, it may have been present in other countries long before us. It is just becoming the dominant strain of the flu, which wasn’t expected.
The Killer Flu?
There is a lot of talk about H1N1 becoming the “killer” flu. A killer flu is a strain of the influenza virus that spreads rapidly among the population and is stronger than a common strain.
The fact is that almost every strain of the flu has the potential to be a killer. The elderly, young children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable due to the fact that their immune systems do not function as well. Most flu related deaths fall into those age groups.
A flu that spreads quickly gives little chance for preparations and precautions to be taken to help prevent the spread of the disease, and the groups mentioned above tend to suffer more and be affected more by the virus.
What can I do?
First, if you are elderly, pregnant, or the parent of young children, consider getting vaccinated for H1N1 when the vaccine becomes available. While all vaccines pose a small risk of causing a full-blown infection, it is not likely and may be worth looking into. Please also keep in mind that some vaccines use embryonic stem cell lines in them so, be aware from a moral perspective as well.
If you are a normal, healthy adult, you will be fine. You can get the vaccine as well, but, chances are, if you catch the flu, it will be a rough few days but, you’ll get through it just fine. Just take the regular precautions you would take for any cold/flu season.
- Wash your hands regularly
- If you feel like you are getting sick, don’t go to church or crowded places
- Avoid physical contact with others, wave during the sign of peace
- Drink plenty of fluids and take extra vitamin C
- If you have any question or feel really ill, see your health care practitioner
Finally, I do not claim to be a health expert or a doctor. If you have real concerns or questions about the flu, you should call your doctor for additional information. Also, refer to the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov for additional information and facts about the H1N1 and other flu strains.
Have a safe and healthy flu season everyone, and don’t buy into the hype. Maybe next year we’ll have White-Striped Duckbill Platypus Flu…who knows…