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H1N1 update for 30 October 2009: prevention, symptoms, vaccine, treatment
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H1N1 update, 30 October 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conference on Friday afternoon, 30 October 2009, conducted by Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, covered important information on influenza virus, vaccine, and treatment.
"What we have today is essentially more virus, more vaccine and more treatment. The disease continues to be widespread and is currently widespread in 48 states. We’re seeing some states decrease, particularly in the southeast of the U.S... But we don't know whether that's a decrease before an additional wave. It’s only the end of October and flu season lasts until May. In the past two months, we've seen more hospitalizations in people under the age of 65 than in most entire flu seasons. So we know that there's been a lot of disease from influenza, from H1N1, in virtually all of the influenza we're seeing is still H1N1," stated Dr. Frieden, who continued, ". . . whether or not vaccine is present and whether or not people recognize that they have an underlying condition, people with
underlying conditions, who have fever and cough, should see their provider promptly. Children are
particularly high priority for prevention and for treatment. This is a younger people's flu. In a
usual flu season, 90% of the deaths are among people over the age of 65. In H1N1, 90% of the
deaths are in people under the age of 65. Up until now, there have been 114 laboratory confirmed
deaths among children. More than two-thirds of those have been children with underlying
conditions." There was an increase of 19 confirmed pediatric deaths from last week, the largest single week jump in pediatric deaths so far.
How do you know if you have the flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
•fever *
•cough
•sore throat
•runny or stuffy nose
•body aches
•headache
•chills
•fatigue
•sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Thomas Frieden, M.D. stated, "There is a certain rhythm of flu spread in a community where we see first an increase on the number of cases generally first in children. Then in older people. Then an increase in hospitalizations, as people develops complications. And then tragically, deaths following that. And the hospitalizations may follow by about a week. The number of the peak in cases, peak in
hospitalizations can happen about a week later. And the peak in deaths, two to three weeks after
the peak in cases. So we are expecting to see, sadly, increasing numbers."
Who's getting the vaccine? The preliminary data shows that half is to children, half to older persons. 2/3 of these have had underlying conditions.
Prevention is key. Frequent hand washing, cover sneeze and cough, stay home if feeling ill. *See article below.
Treatment is the focus. Although there have been many millions of cases, confirmed hospitalizations and deaths are underestimated numbers. In terms of hospitalizations and deaths, CDC can provide information and does on their website each year, of the number of laboratory confirmed hospitalizations and deaths. These numbers are an underestimate of the total because there are people who don't get reported or laboratories that don't test, or laboratory tests that are falsely negative. The number that the public is familiar with, 36,000 deaths per year from influenza in a normal flu year is based on estimates.
H1N1 vaccine supply is increasing steadily. While many are frustrated with not receiving vaccine or obtaining it quickly enough, the gap between supply and demand is closing. H1N1 vaccine supply is increasing steadily. As of the 30th of October, 26.6 mil doses are available for shipment.
In terms of seasonal flu vaccine, more schools, children, and providers are getting seasonal flu vaccination. There is no reason to think that there will not be a significant flu season this year. Only time will tell. The CDC continues to recommend seasonal flu vaccine. Currently there is not enough seasonal vaccine to supply demand.
More liquid Tamiflu is released now and more will be obtained from manufacturers as they can provide it. In addition to the liquid Tamiflu, the CDC has worked with many of the national chains, which are willing to compound, to make the syrup from the adult Tamiflu. This is something that should be done by a professional pharmacist. Please do not try this at home.
Some have expressed confusion as to whom the vaccine is distributed, which groups are priority, and when vaccine is distributed. CDC has left this to each state, jurisdiction, to have some flexibility within the priority groups. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Thomas Frieden listed the following priority groups.
FIVE priority groups for category match to type of recommended vaccine:
- Pregnant - injection
- Caregivers - intranasal spray or injection
- Children & young adults - either spray or injection
- Ages 25-64 w/ underlying condition - injection
- Health care worker - either spray or injection
An unvaccinated health care worker does provide a health risk to others.
Focus on prevention and treatment; do not wait for the results of test, which may not be accurate.
*High risk groups with signs and symptoms should be treated. High risk factors:
•Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
•Adults 65 years of age and older
•Pregnant women
•People who have:
-Cancer
-Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
-Chronic lung disease [such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]
-Diabetes
-Heart disease
-Kidney disorders
-Liver disorders
-Neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain or spinal cord injuries, moderate to profound intellectual disability [mental retardation] or developmental delay)
-Neuromuscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
-Weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV or AIDS or who are on medications that weaken the immune system )
*For those who have contracted the illness but are not high risk, the CDC encourages bed rest, fluids, and TLC.
Stay informed on the H1N1 flu. Great tips are available for parents on www.flu.gov. Visit this site for signs, symptoms, and when to contact your provider if things are not looking as well as you thought.
How to stay healthy during flu season:
~Dr. Udo Erasmus on natural health
~H1N1 vaccine is safe and effective
~*Stay healthy during flu season
All Health and Happiness Examiner articles, photographs, and artwork © 2009-2010 by Gabriella D. Filippi. Reprints granted with written permission. All rights reserved.
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