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Novel H1N1, a.k.a. Swine Flu: are cruisers less susceptible?
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The Novel H1N1 flu virus, previously referred to as the Swine Flu, is spreading worldwide much in the same manner as the regular seasonal influensa viruses. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization declared that a pandemic of Novel H1N1 was underway. Are cruisers on private boats who have limited contact with people less likely to be exposed?
The virus is believed to be spread through human contact. An infected person coughs, sneezes or touches something; then you touch it. Presto. you're down for the count. What are the symptoms of the H1N1 virus? They're all the usual suspects: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Plus, it’s a sneaky little bug. The novel H1N1 virus may be able to infect others from Day One, even before they've become symptomatic, or even as long as five to seven days after they’ve been hit. So there's no way to ensure you're not getting exposed. Someone may look healthy one day, only to be flat on their back the next.
Examiner writer Sue Frause says that her flu symptoms took several days to emerge and only surfaced – of all times – while she was on a cruise (click here to read her full account):
We felt fine when we flew from Tofino home to Seattle on August 1, 2009. We'd had a great four-night kayaking trip, and were ready for fall. But eight days later, four out of the six developed flu-like symptoms, two of us with 101 temperatures, and the others a milder version. I happened to be aboard the M/S Westerdman on a Holland America Line cruise to Alaska when I came down with it.
To find out more about the novel H1N1 virus, you might try the following:
- Visit www.pandemicflu.gov. The site includes links to the public health departments for each state.
- Call the Center for Diease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at 800-232-4636.
- Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television and read your newspaper.
- Talk to your health care provider and local public health officials.
- Certainly, cruisers on private boats may wish to reduce public exposure as much as possible during the current flu season. And once the flu vaccine becomes available, cruisers may wish to step into line and roll up their sleeves.
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