Influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu made a dramatic entrance in the world stage early April this year. From its home base in Mexico it traveled within days around the world. Caught unaware, most of us reacted with fear as deaths had been publicly tallied. On June 2009, it was announced as a pandemic, a new influenza strain, evolved from a re-assortment of four influenza viruses from swine, chicken and human.

From its discovery in April 2009 to November 14, the USA Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that there had been 47 million cases of swine flu in the USA alone. There were 213,000 who were hospitalized and there had been an estimated 9,820 deaths.

The influenza pandemic is still raging in the USA and Canada. Just today, the CDC had reported 99% or those tested specimens are swine flu cases, and there were 212 cumulative pediatric deaths from August to this week and 58,381 swine influenza cases. The proportion of influenza is above the threshold for flu epidemics for any out patient consultations.

Although, the CDC has reported a decline in influenza like illness consultations and even hospitalizations as of today, deaths are still occurring among the pediatric age group.

Symptoms are like the symptoms of any flu that affects the respiratory tract system. Usually it starts out as fever, cough or sore throat, runny nose, headaches, body aches, fatigue and chills. In swine flu, vomiting and diarrhea may occur.

You’ll want to ask, “What should I do?” Especially in regions of the world experiencing winter coincident with the celebration of the Christmas season which makes it a breeding ground for its transmission. Crowding and people contact can easily transfer the virus especially where people congregate such as in malls, churches and other places of worship. You just can’t avoid crowds at times and you get sloppy about washing your hand or kissing an infected person.

Although, the drugs oseltamivir or zanamivir are effective in the treatment of the swine flu when given in its early stages, the best way is still to get vaccinated.
The vaccine came around in August this year and is readily available. There are two kinds, one given by injection or the “flu shot” and the other through a nasal spray, administered through the nose.

The nasal spray is usually for healthy persons 2-49 years old who aren’t pregnant. For children 9 years and younger, it is recommended that they get two doses one month apart of the injection. Older children and adults need only one dose.

People who are recommended to be given the H1N1 vaccine are pregnant women of any age, those who are members of a household living with infants less than 6 months or who care for them, 6 months to 24 yrs of age, 25-45 years old individuals with a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system. After these any healthy adult 25 to 64 and 65 and higher can be given the vaccine.

It is expected that the swine flu vaccine wouldn’t create so much of side effects or reactions or some serious problems. It had been proven though that flu vaccines over the years have a good safety track record.

It is still best to observe practical preventive measures such as regular hand washing; eat a balanced diet; improve your immune system by eating lots of fruits and vegetables; a multivitamin can also help or a vitamin C supplement; manage your stress, stay out of crowded places and sleep well at least 8 hours a day.
To contain infection and prevent others from getting infected you should cover your nose when sneezing or coughing, stay at home when you’re ill and it is very important to consult your health care provider.

Swine flu may be mild in some cases but in children and in persons who have coexisting diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions it is fatal. So get vaccinated!