dentalblogs.com

As a doctor, your patients and employees trust you with their safety. The Swine Flu (H1N1) has everyone in a panic, and with good cause. Here’s a brief overview of the facts.

The Facts about Swine Flu
Swine Flu is common in pigs, and this is not the first outbreak in humans. In 1918, pigs and humans became ill at the same time, which created a question as to connection. In 1930, the flu was identified in pigs. Another outbreak occurred in 1976, and the nation experienced significant turmoil over deaths and a paralyzing disorder thought to be associated with the inoculations provided by the US government’s National Influenza Immunization Program. Until recently, most Swine Flu occurrences were of the H1N1 strain. However, in 1997, new variations were identified.

Humans contract the disease by exposure to a diseased animal, but this is rare. Only 12 US cases have been reported since 2005. Properly cooked pork cannot carry the disease.

Various strains of Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) exist. The current outbreak is of the H1N1 variety. An outbreak of H1N1 occurred in 1918 in the United States.

Swine Flu is not the only flu circulating this year. Seasonal flu and the more serious Bird Flu (H5N1) are spreading. Bird Flu is being closely monitored overseas because it, like Swine Flu, has pandemic potential. No Bird Flu cases have been reported in the US in 2009.

Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue, lethargy, chills, and headache. Some patients experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Incubation is 24-48 hours, and adults are contagious for 4-5 days, while kids can be contagious up to 10 days. The germs survive for only minutes outside of the body, so most transmission occurs when an infected individual coughs or sneezes on someone. Hand washing is and imperative preventive measure.

Swine Flu is stronger than many other strains of influenza, and it spreads rapidly.

For young, elderly, or infirm individuals, Swine Flu can be lethal. The disease can lead to pneumonia in this demographic. Of patients who have been hospitalized for Swine Flu, 70% had other conditions that heightened their risk for complications. According to www.flu.gov, at this point, people over 65 do not seem to have increased risk unless other health problems exist.

Swine Flu Timeline 2009 and Beyond
April 2009 – WHO declares public health emergency of international concern after US cases were reported

May 2009 – infected Canadian pigs linked to Mexico outbreak of the virus

June 2009 – WHO declared H1N1 a moderate pandemic, the first pandemic in 41 years

September 2009 – FDA approved four vaccines for H1N1 2009

October 2009 – Obama declares national emergency; Swine Flu in 168 countries; vaccine shortage; confirmed death toll at 1000 in the US (CDC), 5000 internationally (WHO); one in five children show flu-like symptoms in US (CDC); FDA okays Peramivir, and IV drug to treat certain flu patients

January 2010 – Should be the peak of flu season

Public Vaccinations
As of July, three cases of Swine Flu had shown resistance to the Tamiflu vaccine.

Vaccine shortages are due to the fact that the virus is not growing as fast as predicted in eggs from which the vaccine is made. Other problems, such as packaging, have also arisen.

Health Professionals
A CDC survey in 2005-06 showed that only 42% of healthcare workers received the flu vaccine.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/index.htm

Free Resources
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/index.htm

Stay Informed
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
http://blogs.webmd.com/focus-on-flu/?ecd=ban_cdc1_cdc_cdc-flu-cb

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza
http://www.haverford.edu/biology/edwards/disease/viral_essays/warnervirus.htm
http://pandemicflu.gov/individualfamily/about/h1n1/index.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147797.php