We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.

H1N1 Prevention Tips – What are the various H1N1 prevention tips?

H1N1 virus spreads very fast and it is the main cause of swine flu, the dreadful disease which has been responsible for killing hundreds across the globe.

==>**The Best Possible Chance of Preventing Swine Flu**

People who do not follow the various H1N1 prevention tips can get easily infected by the flu virus. The H1N1 virus spreads from one person to other when a person gets in contact with the infected person.

If you are suffering from a cold or cough, you can take various precautions to prevent spreading the cold virus.

The various H1N1 preventive measures help you to stay healthy and prevent spreading the virus. One of the most important H1N1 prevention tips is to wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap.

If you are suffering from the common cold, you should always use a tissue to cover your nose and if you don’t have a tissue or a handkerchief, you should sneeze in your elbows and not in hands.

You should keep your bed clean and living rooms airy to prevent collection of infectious bacteria at your home.

You should avoid hand-to-hand contact with an infected person and should not touch your eyes or nose recurrently.

You should not share your personal items such as towels or soaps with an infected person.

If you get infected, you should stay at home and not get in contact with other people. You should get yourself examined and follow the instructions given by your doctor and  rest at your home until you recover.

We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.

Are there any risks associated with H1N1 vaccines?

According to the CDC, those at high risk for the H1N1 virus are children under 2, individuals over 65, pregnant women, individuals with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and HIV, and children under 19 on aspirin therapy. For the high risk group, the H1N1 vaccine risks may be worth the reward.

The H1N1 virus is more likely to claim the lives of one of the high-risk individuals than it is someone who is completely healthy. Pregnant women and those caring for infants under 6 months of age are suggested recipients of the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine risks may be worth it for those trying to protect their children from the virus.

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Another concern about the vaccine stems from a complications with a vaccine for a different type of swine flu back in 1976. The flu struck a military base in New Jersey, and the government launched a large- scale vaccination campaign. 40 million Americans were immunized, but the campaign was halted because over 500 people developed a paralyzing neurological condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome. The chance of this occurring again are smaller, according to the World Health, because “today’s vaccines are more purified.”

However, the full safety profile of any vaccine is unknown until it has been used on a large scale. Still, that’s one of the H1N1 vaccine risks that freaks people out. According to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, GBS is a “rare, neurologic disorder that has elements of an auto-immune condition in that some trigger (usually an infection or rarely a vaccination against an infection) results in a progressive weakening of nerves. GBS starts in the legs and works its way up the body.”

80% of GBS patients have a full recovery about a month after their onset of symptoms. 2 to 3 people can die of this disorder. What about season flu vaccine? Could seasonal flu vaccine increase H1N1 risk? Preliminary findings from a study by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control suggest those who took the seasonal vaccine could be more susceptible to H1N1. The revelation comes as flu season hits some B.C. schools hard.

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An outbreak of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) has lately caused concerns of a worldwide pandemic. As of this writing, the World Health Organization (also known as WHO) reports that thirty-nine countries have documented cases of the disease.

So, what is H1N1? The H1N1 virus, frequently called the swine flu is a virus that causes influenza in humans. The virus has gone through a recent mutation into its current form. Due to this mutation, humans have no protection from the disease. This is why authorities are worried about the chance of a pandemic.

The virus contains 2 genes from a typical pig virus, 1 gene from the avian flu virus, and 1 gene from human influenza virus. So now that we’ve responded to the query of what is H1N1, what about the symptoms? The symptoms of the H1N1 swine flu virus in people are similar to the those of the typical seasonal influenza virus. They include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A number of people have also reported diarrhea and nausea.

And, like the seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has happened as a result of illness associated with this serious disease. In the U. S. alone, about 36,000 people die each year from flu related issues.

Now that we’ve covered what is H1N1 and its symptoms, how about H1N1 complications and special risk factors? Typically the following people are at a major risk for complications: people 65 years of age and older, youngsters below the age of five, pregnant individuals, and those with certain chronic conditions. These chronic conditions consist of people with asthma, diabetes, COPD, and people with compromised immune systems. This includes those taking immunosuppressant drugs. People with any of the risk factors above should consult with their physician even before a flu onset occurs.

Medical professionals are worried that a worldwide pandemic could occur at any time. Pandemics seem to spread in waves and frequently pass around the planet 2 or 3 times. The 2nd or third wave is frequently more serious than the 1st. This is how it happened in the 1918 flu pandemic which is thought to have killed at least 50 million people. It is possible a more significant outbreak of the disease will occur during the normal flu season.

If you are worried about the safety your family, or know someone that has some of the special risk factors stated above, do some swine flu preparation. Take steps today to protect yourself and your loved ones from the swine flu. Once a pandemic strikes, it could be too late to do anything.

For additional info on how to protect yourself and family from the swine flu, download my guide on How To Reduce Your Risk of Swine Flu Infection By 98%. You can download my entire system at Swine Flu Prevention!

Copyright (c) 2009 Mark Farrell

H1N1 and H5N1 may co-mingle. Mutations are not the only concern. Scientists are worried about the possibility that the swine flu virus might co-mingle with the highly deadly bird flu A(H5N1) virus.

Looking at the Southern Hemisphere
Important clues about the likelihood of a lethal swine flu pandemic in the fall may come from the Southern Hemisphere, where the influenza season is just about to begin. Scientists and healthcare officials are actively monitoring the virus behavior in those countries, with particular attention to Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador. This would enable them to determine whether the swine flu out breaks actually becoming more severe. The hope is to use such information to develop more effective pandemic plans.

Pandemic Preparedness may help reduce mortality
One thing thats for sure: Putting in place systems that will quickly detect any sign of increasing severity or an upsurge in cases following the first wave is a priority, says McCaw. Pandemic planning, including antiviral distribution strategies and vaccination preparation efforts, need to work on the assumption that a second wave may occur. And that it may be more severe than the first.

Of particular relevance, in this regard, are the findings of a 2006 re-analysis of the Spanish pandemic influenza of 1918, led by professor John Oxford, of the Centre for Infectious Diseases, Bart’s and the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.

Oxfords team found that, contrary to common belief, most of the people infected with the swine flu A(H1N1) virus during the 1918 Spanish flu survived. This, despite the fact that vaccines and antiviral medications were not available at that time. If this tells us anything, its that judicious and careful planning… could help reduce mortality in a new pandemic to figure significantly less than 1918, says Oxford.

There is every reason as we face the first pandemic of the 21st century that we can be optimistic, turn again to history and return to Churchill for inspiration give us the tool and we will finish the job.

Major differences between then and now
Avaccine to protect us in the event of a deadlier swine flu outbreak in the fall is being prepared in countries across the globe. As mentioned above, together with the availability of antiviral medications, this is one major difference between now and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19. However, there is no guarantee that the vaccine will be ready in time, or even effective, because the virus may change in the meantime. And, almost certainly, there will not be enough of it for everyone.

There is also the likelihood that, by fall, the swine flu A(H1N1) virus might become resistant to antiviral medications, hampering any effort of treatment when most needed, as millions of people will likely be infected.

Probably not better off than in 1918
What is the most likely scenario for the world in the eventuality of a second, more severe, wave of swine flu? Experts say this may be more similar than expected to what experienced during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Of particular concern is hospitals’ supposedly inability to cope with increasingly large numbers of patients, at a time in which a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, due to sickness, and lack of adequate medical supplies and medications are highly likely. Fear may play a role, as well.

During the Spanish flu, fear of contagious kept caregivers from performing their duties, says Dr. Monica Schoch-Spana, of the Center for Civilian Bio defense Strategies at the Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore. Hospitals were crippled by influenza’s hold on urban population shortage of linens, mattresses, bedpans, and gowns arose in some instances.

Despite 80 years of medical advances and expansive growth in the health care industry, there remains great uncertainty about our capacity to respond to an infectious disease emergency, says Schoch-Spana. In many respects, we may be at a disadvantage today compared with 1918. Then, most people were cared for by family members. Patients did not rely heavily on paid health professionals, nor did they expect today’s sophisticated standards of care.

Intentional exposure to the A(H1N1) virus should be avoided
Lastly, health officials warn that getting swine flu, now, does not necessarily give immunity to further, more severe infections. One reason for this is that the virus may not be the same in a few months, as a result of mutations.

Another, and most important, reason is that too little is known about how the swine flu A(H1N1)virus reacts in any one individual. It may cause severe disease and death. Consequently, intentionally mixing with people who have swine flu in the hope of being infected should be avoided.

As of now,  there are limited quantities of H1N1 vaccines available, but are increasing on a daily basis.  Both the Nasal Spray and injections are available.

What is interesting, and a little disconcerting, is that members of the medical community have opposing views as to whether or not you should rush to get vaccinated.

This is to say that there is only one H1N1 vaccine but it has 2 opposite views.

Some doctors are recommending that we get vaccinated against Swine Flu at the first opportunity while other doctors are currently against it.

CONS

Not enough information from the FDA.  To early to start using it. Some doctors are even going as far as to tell their pharmacies not to recommend it yet. The reason behind most of those opposed?

Production of the vaccine was started before the FDA had concluded their testing.  all of this was done to be certain that the vaccine would be available on time to distribute to the public.

There is even a FDA statement associated with the vaccine that states that “Clinical Studies are Ongoing”  according to some doctors this can only  mean that all of the evidence is not yet in.

Skeptics are telling us that this untested vaccine is potentially dangerous and unnecessary.

PROS

Immunize before it causes a major pandemic across the country.  They want to vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

This was the only way they had to get the vaccine to the public in time for the flu season.

Some say that there “were no shortcuts” by the FDA inspectors.

Some doctors also tell us that even though the vaccine production was speeded up, the quality of the inspections were just as thorough.

The production of the normal seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine differ very slightly.

It should be given to the public ASAP because children especially are at a higher risk for the H1N1 Swine Flu virus.

Priority for the H1N1 Swine flu vaccine are being given to health care workers, children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years, adults who care for infants under 6 months, pregnant women and adults with conditions such as asthma or a compromised immune system that predispose them to complications from flu.

The CDC and H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccinations

When questioned about the safety and side effects of the 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu vaccination, this was response of the CDC:

Will the 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine be safe?

“We expect the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be closely monitoring for any signs that the vaccine is causing unexpected adverse events and we will work with state and local health officials to investigate any unusual events.”

Are there any side effects to taking the 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine?

“CDC expects that any side effects following vaccination with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine would be rare. If side effects occur, they will likely be similar to those experienced following seasonal influenza vaccine. Mild problems that may be experienced include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot is given.

After vaccination you should look for any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, swelling around the eyes or lips, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness. If any unusual condition occurs following vaccination, seek medical attention right away. Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given. Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form.” 

No matter what facts you are presented with, either for or against, one must also be aware of possible misinformation by well meaning people.  And, this goes for those both for or against the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine.

It is suggested that you speak to doctors on both sides of this issue but ultimately, it is only you and your family that can make this important decision.