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