As Swine flu continues to tally up new victims, governments around the World prepare for a ramping-up of the pandemic. As I noted in H1N1 part 2, in terms of a historical perspective, it is likely that the worst is yet to come. This fall, not only is it expected that a 2nd wave of Swine flu will cast a long shadow over the health landscape, but seasonal H1N1 will be making it’s presence known as well.
Now, we all have heard about seasonal flu vaccines and they do exist for seasonal H1N1. However, this treatment will not protect someone from novel H1N1 (Swine flu). In anticipation of increased severity, the Federal government has issued guidelines for large scale vaccination clinic planning and vaccine storage.
In addition, “emergency” authorization of novel H1N1 diagnostic testing has been authorized by the FDA. It has become apparent that drug resistant H1N1 is already manifest. So, in order to combat this heartier strain, newer vaccines are set to begin clinical trials.
Developing a new vaccine can take several months and producing it in large quantities can take just as long. And the risk of the target virus developing resistance is always present. However, here in New York’s capital region, a local university has recently announced the discovery of a method to target viruses in a new manner.
Flu drugs on the market currently affect certain proteins of the target virus. For example, take H1N1, where H and N stand for hemagglutinin and neuraminidase respectively. Until now, treatment affects only the common virus component neuraminidase, which allows the virus to escape an infected cell after reproduction and further sicken an organism. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have found a new way to attack both the H and N components of a virus. Not only does this new method (which is a chemical compound or “drug”) work in a previously unutilized manner, but it’s operation in the traditional manner is just as effective as any other treatment, such as Tamiflu. This newly discovered compound not only prevents a virus from leaving an infected cell, but prevents a virus from entering a cell in the first place.
Though this compound is clearly needed (as drug resistant H1N1 and other viruses spread) it will be some time before a proper medicine is made from it, as it must under go further development. However, even considering this, here is a new and powerful weapon in the fight against novel H1N1 and all other forms of the flu.
Now don’t get me wrong. I do not wish to hype the Swine flu “epidemic” to be a 21st century version of the Black Plague. A H1N1 is not the first sickness to cause alarm and never manifest into the end of civilization. Remember SARS and Avian flu? However, as mankind becomes increasingly mobile and viruses emerge and mutate, at some point it is likely that a mass sickness could kill many people and so I do advocate some measure of preparedness. Besides, in terms of health, one can never know too much.
Comments
I have a tip that may help, and no vaccination is necessary. My daughter learned this great program at pre-school called Germy Wormy Germ Smart. It teaches kids to understand how germs spread and how to NOT spread them. It was so much fun for her, and amazing how quickly the kids learned healthier hygiene habits! The website speaks for itself: www.germywormy.com
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