Swine Flu H1 N1 Info Symptoms Prevention Treatment Version 2
H1 N1 And Your Immunity
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Transcript of H1 N1 And Your Immunity
H1N1 AND YOUR IMMUNITYCarol Morley, Naturopathic DoctorZawada Health, Mississauga
Overview
What is H1N1? What is the history? Transmission, progression and
symptoms Guidelines
Health Canada, Ministry of Health, CDC, Motherisk
Prevention
H1N1
Flu virus – human swine influenza Subtype influenza A Genetic elements from four different flu
viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe
Result of reassortment of human and swine influenza viruses
H1N1 – history
1918 flu pandemic – “Spanish flu” 1930 1976, 1988 – isolated human cases 1998, 2007 – in swine 2009 pandemic
Respiratory illness outbreak in March/April 2009 Patient zero was a 6 month old girl in Mexico
Farm in Alberta with a link to the outbreak in Mexico
H1N1 Pandemic
World Health Organization (WHO) definition emergence of a disease new to a population agents infect humans, causing serious illness agents spread easily and sustainably among
humans 6 levels - geographical
Must be infectious i.e. not cancer H1N1 – pandemic as of June 2009
H1N1 Spread
When someone coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets filled with virus can travel up to two metres away.
If these droplets land in your eyes, nose or mouth, you may become infected with the virus.
Doorknobs, pens Not through pork
Attacking the Body
Starts in the nose and then moves into lower airways No symptoms
Attaches to cells and divides Symptoms may start 2-7 days for symptoms to begin after
‘infection’ Strength of immune system determines
path taken
Symptoms
Almost always: Cough and fever
(≥100° F / 37.8° C)Common: Fatigue Muscle aches Sore throat Headache Decreased appetite Runny noseSometimes: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea
• Cold vs flu?
• Seasonal flu vs H1N1?
Who?
Median age of confirmed cases: 12 years Median age of hospitalized cases: 20 years Median age of lethal cases: 37 years
>65 years of age
Hospitalized Deaths
Seasonal flu 60% 90%2009 H1N1 5% 8%
Who?
Patients hospitalized with H1N1 influenza Adults with associated risks
asthma, chronic lung or heart disease Children with associated risks
asthma, chronic lung disease, neurologic disease, or sickle cell disease
6% were pregnant women
Who?
Case fatality is reported to be 0.4% 2.4% for the 1918 influenza pandemic 0.1% for seasonal flu The highest death rate is in persons 50-
64 years.
H1N1 Vaccine
Arepanrix from GlaxoSmithKline Stimulates an immune response using a
killed or weakened virus that uses the body’s own defense mechanisms to prevent infection.
With the H1N1 flu vaccine you will have some immunity to the current strain of the H1N1 flu virus within 10 – 21 days.
H1N1 Vaccine
Priority groups for immunization clinics: pregnant women children 6 months to 5 years under 65 with chronic conditions people who live with or care for infants
under 6 months old immuno-compromised healthcare workers
H1N1 Vaccine
Egg – potential allergen Thimerosol in multi-dose vials
mercury Adjuvant
Boosts an immune response Stretches out a vaccine to provide more Vitamin E, squalene (shark liver oil), and
water
H1N1 Vaccine – Pregnancy
Adjuvanted for 20 weeks + or with underlying conditions. Adjuvanted now considered ok <20 weeks
(Oct 30, 2009) Unadjuvanted vaccine is considered the
preferred option. extensive experience regarding the safety
of unadjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccines in pregnant women
there is currently no data on the safety of the adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine in this group
H1N1 Vaccine
Who Shouldn’t Get the Vaccine? Not approved for children under six months of age. You have had a previous anaphylactic (severe
allergic reaction) to any element of the vaccine. You have a hypersensitivity to eggs (e.g. hives,
swelling of mouth and/or throat, breathing difficulty).
You currently have a high fever. You have experienced Guillan-Barre Syndrome
within eight weeks of receiving a seasonal flu vaccine.
Conventional Treatment
Antivirals Must be taken within the first 24 to 48
hours after getting sick Available in two forms:
a pill (called oseltamivir or Tamiflu®) an inhaler (called zanamivir or Relenza®).
Prevention
Wash your hands. Disinfect door knobs, surfaces. Sneeze into your sleeve. Avoid large crowds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Naturopathic Immune Strategies Nutrition
More fruits, veggies, garlic, onions, less sugar and alcohol
Vitamin D, probiotics Herbal
Astragalus, cat’s claw, licorice Lifestyle
Gargle with warm salt water, neti-pot Stress management Sleep
Resources
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/index-eng.php
http://www.who.int/en/ http://www.motherisk.org/women/index.jsp http://www.flu.gov/index.html
Thank you!
Carol Morley, NDZawada Health, 201 City Centre Drive,
Mississauga