Autopsies Show Severe H1N1 Symptoms Damage the Entire Airways
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released on December 7th the findings from autopsies performed on 34 patients in the New York City area who died of severe H1N1 influenza symptoms.
Contributing Factors to Severe H1N1 Symptom Danger
The results of these autopsies shed a bit more light on possible factors that may contribute to a higher risk of developing severe symptoms of H1N1.
Over ninety percent of the cases studied had prior underlying medical conditions, like heart or respiratory diseases, including asthma. Over seventy percent were obese, as well.
Additionally, as observed previously, contrary to seasonal flu, where most deaths occur in those over 65, the majority of these deaths were in those under the age of 50.
Damage from H1N1 Symptoms Similar to Earlier Pandemic Flu Outbreaks
According to Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH, "We saw a spectrum of damage to tissue in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts." In all cases, the upper respiratory tract was inflamed or damaged, some severely. In over half of the cases, the lower respiratory tract was also damaged; additionally, in over two-thirds of the cases, there was damage to the air sacs in the lungs.
"This pattern of pathology in the airway tissues is similar to that reported in autopsy findings of victims of both the 1918 and 1957 influenza pandemics," according to Dr. Taubenberger.
If someone with swine flu symptoms begins to develop severe symptoms, medical care should be sought immediately. The warning signs of severe H1N1 symptoms include:
In children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
photo by Mark Hillary
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For more on natural antivirals and ways to prevent and treat Swine Flu symptoms, be sure to read:
- Natural Ways to Prevent Swine Flu
- Natural Treatment for H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms
- Natural ways to boost immune system health, for a broad look at natural ways to increase immunity
- Top Ten Overall Immune System Booster Foods, looking more specifically at immunity builders in the diet
- Natural Antiviral Alternatives for an overview of foods, herbs, and essential oils that have natural antiviral properties
For a touch of humor, be sure to check out these great I Survived the Swine Flu Panic t-shirts and other fine products.
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