By: Cory Ellerd
Submitted: 2010-05-12 11:02:06 | Word Count: 717
The H1N1 virus, more commonly acknowledged as 'swine flu', is not a new virus. H1N1 that we know today, such as the pandemic of 2009, is actually a permutation of four different forms of influenza: North American human, bird, and swine influenzas and a form of swine influenza native to certain regions of Asia and Europe. It also is not a new pandemic. The World Health Organization elevated the status from epidemic to pandemic last year, because the virus and its effect had met the requirements for pandemic status. The WHO has defined the processes of a pandemic, step by step from the first human case through to widespread, unstable growth over a very substantial area such as a continent or worldwide. A few of the key elements of a pandemic are the instability and rapidity of the rate of infection, and the large and comprehensive area of infection.
One of the first and most deadly outbreaks of the H1N1 virus was a strain that was seen in 1918, also known as the Spanish Flu, la grippe, La Grippe Espaņola, or La Pesadilla. This particular virus killed between 50 and 100 million folks in less than a year. It is arguably one of the most awful human pandemics in history. The anomalous thing about this strain of influenza, however, is that the flu itself isn't what did the most damage. The virus caused what is known as a 'cytokine storm', and consequently the overstimulation of the immune system. The immune system then released too many cytokines to attack the virus, which in turn causes a high rate of leukocytes to travel to the lungs. This process destroyed functioning lung tissue of infected patients, as well as a buildup of liquid in the lungs. All age groups were hit and hit relentlessly by the Spanish Flu, and an unusually high amount of younger adults.
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In 1976 there was an outbreak infecting 13 soldiers and killing one at Fort Dix, New Jersey, that lasted less than three weeks, and a Russian strain appeared some 2-3 years later.
The most recent outburst of the H1N1 virus was in 2009. Between April 24th and May 7th, 2009, the "influenza-like illness" had developed from less than 10 cases to almost 2,100. By June 11th of the same year, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 a pandemic. A little over 4 months later, Barack Obama (President of the United States) declared a national state of emergency. Almost 17,000 people have been lost to the virus.
Influenza can be treated, and healthy adults with access to adequate healthcare do not have too much to worry about as long as the illness is spotted early on. There are two main families of antiviral medications used for treatment that are usually readily available, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came up with a list of things to do to if you think you have the flu and how to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others, such as; stay home, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids like water or tea, abstain from smoking or drinking alcohol, try over the counter medications to counteract and alleviate symptoms, don't forget to see your doctor especially if symptoms worsen, and most importantly keep watch for emergency symptoms. Emergency symptoms are symptoms indicating that the influenza is not under control or on the decline, and that serious health complications . Dizziness, confusion, pain or pressure of the chest and / or abdomen, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, and severe or unrelenting vomiting are the major symptoms to look for. Left untreated, these symptoms can worsen, causing permanent damage and even death. Children and the elderly are usually at higher risk, but as we have seen in the past, this is not always the case. Be prepared for flu season and when in doubt, see your doctor!
