Precautions for H1N1



Precautions for H1N1

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Almost every time we turn on the television, we see something about the Swine Flu. Why is the media making such a big deal about a H1N1 pandemic? It could possibly have something to do with the fact that in the 1918 flu pandemic, the total deaths were between 50-100 million people worldwide (Barry, 2006). Due to the advancement in modern medicine (vaccines, information on spreading germs, etc.), it is highly unlikely that the Swine flu of 2009 could have a death toll of such great magnitude as did the Spanish flu of 1918. During the next few pages of this paper, readers will be informed of certain precautions that are being taken to cope with the potential pandemic, as well as those that need to be taken.

One may notice that individuals use the terms Swine flu and H1N1 interchangeably. H1N1 is the scientific name used in the medical field referring to the particular virus strand (CDC, 2009). The term Swine Flu is used due to the fact that some swine carried a virus very similar to the H1N1 virus. It is believed that this virus mutated and is now able to be transferred from human to human (CDC, 2009). The virus cannot be spread from pig to human by means of eating pork or through the air (CDC, 2009).

The word pandemic is often used when speaking of the spreading of a flu virus. There have been three pandemics in the past: the Spanish flu, the Asian flu, and the Hong Kong flu (Swine, 2009). A pandemic usually occurs in a wave, or a series of waves. A pandemic occurs when the following characteristics are met: contagious from individual to individual, possibility of causing illness in infected individuals, low immunity in the populations affected, and noticeably different from freshly circulating strains (Swine, 2009).

The H1N1 virus is highly contagious and is spread just as the seasonal flu is. Coughing and sneezing are the main culprits in the spread of the virus (CDC, 2009). The virus may also dwell on surfaces, thus when a healthy individual touches that surface, then touches their nose, eyes, or mouth, they may become infected with the virus (CDC, 2009).

Although no one is positive where the Swine flu originated, we know that the flu first entered into the United States near the end of 2008. In the past few months, it has spread like wildfire. Now the virus is present in almost every state and there have been several deaths since the start of the outbreak. For example, there had been 477 deaths as of September 4, 2009, and now the death rate is just below one thousand deaths (Sternberg, 2009). Most of the deaths have been the elderly, those with previous medical conditions, pregnant women, etc.

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of the Swine Flu versus the symptoms of the common cold and seasonal flu. The symptoms of the common cold are: stuffy nose, congestion, body aches, and a cough. The Symptoms of the seasonal flu and H1N1 are: fever, painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea, and major fatigue. It is impossible without testing to distinguish whether you have H1N1 or the seasonal flu (AOL, 2009).

One way to strengthen your immune system and improve your body’s ability to fight off the H1N1 virus is to get a vaccination. A vaccine is a dead or weakened form of a virus. The H1N1 vaccines: are created just as the seasonal flu shots are, are safe and effective, will not prevent flu-like illnesses caused by different viruses, and will not prevent against seasonal flu. There are different types of vaccines used to prevent the H1N1 virus: the live, intranasal vaccine and the inactivated vaccine. The inactivated vaccine is a dead virus that is injected into the muscle of an individual (CDC, 2009). The intranasal vaccine is a live, weakened version of the virus and it is administered through the nose of an individual. It is weakened; therefore it will not cause illness. This is recommended for individuals from two years to forty-nine years of age (CDC, 2009).

If you decide on getting vaccinated for the H1N1 virus, there are some precautions that should not be overlooked. With either vaccine if one has a severe allergic reaction to eggs, they should not get vaccinated for the H1N1 virus. If one is pregnant, has long-term health problems, or are children from six months to two years of age, they should not take the intranasal vaccine. Though it is important they get vaccinated, the intranasal vaccine, as previously stated, is a live, weakened, form of the virus (CDC, 2009). The immune systems of those listed may not be able to handle the live virus. If they are to be vaccinated, they should receive the inactivated vaccine. With the intranasal or the inactivated vaccines, you may have mild or possibly even severe reactions to the vaccine. The mild reactions are different for each type of vaccine. For example, mild reactions for the intranasal vaccine are: runny nose, headache, fever, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and sore throat (CDC, 2009). The mild reactions to the inactivated version include: soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection sight, fainting, headache, muscle aches, and fever. Although it is highly unlikely, some individuals experience severe allergic reactions that are life-threatening. This is possible in both forms of the vaccine (CDC, 2009).

In 1976, a different strand of the Swine Flu was worrying many individuals. Vaccines were given out and it ended up not being as bad as expected. This leads to the question: “If I was vaccinated for the 1976 Swine flu, do I have to get vaccinated for this one?” The answer to that question is “yes.” The 1976 virus and the present virus are diverse enough that individuals who were previously vaccinated may not have the protection they need. To be safe, all of those individuals would need to be vaccinated (CDC, 2009).

It is possible that the there will not be enough of the vaccine to meet the demand. In this case, the vaccines will be given to the individuals that would be most affected by the virus. The priority groups are: those that are between six months and up to sixty-five years of age who are at risk for the seasonal flu, pregnant women, household contacts for immune compromised individuals, and individuals sixty-five and older who are at risk for the seasonal flu (Swine, 2009). If you are one of these priority groups, you will be among the first to get vaccinated. If you are not, you must wait until all of the willing individuals in the priority groups are vaccinated (Swine, 2009).

Children are known for spreading germs. This is, in large part, due to the fact that children do not understand the consequences of their actions. In efforts to prevent a major child to child transfer of the H1N1 virus, the school officials are going to have to be on the top of their game. Actions which should be taken include: disinfection of commonly used surfaces, forbiddance of students/staff to attend if they show flu-like symptoms, posters about how to avoid acquiring the virus, hand washing promotional activities, sending information about the virus to aide parents in identifying the symptoms, and finally, school officials need to work together to prevent outbreaks (Duncan, & Sebelius, 2009). These methods are just a few of the preventative methods that educators should take to prevent a major epidemic within the school system. In the likelihood that these measures are ineffective, schools must have an emergency plan. This emergency plan must lay out all the measures that should be taken in the instance of an outbreak. It should not be difficult to identify an outbreak due to large numbers of absentees. School officials must always be on their toes and help to prevent a major outbreak. Not only are grade school aged children very susceptible to the virus, college-age individuals are also. Professors and other higher education instructors, as well as students, should take the preventative measures listed previously in the paragraph (Duncan, & Sebelius, 2009).

One day, after the H1N1 came about, I went to visit one of my friends in a hospital in Cape Girardeau. I went into the institution and noticed several posters informing visitors of the preventative measures of the Swine flu. Before being allowed to even proceed past the front desk, I had to sign a waver stating that I did not feel bad, hadn’t been around anyone who had the H1N1 virus, and had not been to Mexico, etc. I also had to soak my hands and arms in Germ X when I entered and exited the facility. Though it took a while, I felt that the hospital was doing a great thing. I haven’t entered a hospital since the virus has been found in every state, but I believe the hospitals have implemented even more precautionary methods. For example, in some larger hospitals they turn visitors away in hopes of keeping the virus from entering the hallways of the facility. In other hospitals, they are attempting to educate visitors about how to avoid and prevent contraction of the Swine flu virus. They are also posting information on the importance of staying home when you feel sick. Scientists, though, say that they cannot prove whether it is working or not (FOX, 2009).

The question still remains, “Who is the most susceptible?” The answer is the elderly, young children, those with immune deficiencies, and pregnant women (CDC, 2009). The listed individual’s immune systems are all weakened in one way or the other. All of these individuals are on the priority vaccination list and should be vaccinated.

Every day, pandemic or not, we should be cautious of germs. If we are out in the public it is highly important that we wash our hands with soap and warm water. This will wash germs off of your hands. If you aren’t able to use the traditional soap and water, alcohol based disinfectants are great alternatives. Some examples of these include Germ X and Purrell. Germs do not enter your body through your hands. Germs enter your body through your mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Another way to reduce allowing germs into your body is to avoid contact of your hands and face. That way, the flu virus, or any other germs, cannot enter your body. There are several disinfectant sprays that can destroy the flu virus. Avoid contact with those who are sick or show flu-like systems. If one has flu-like symptoms, they should stay home until twenty-four hours after their fever has ceased (CDC, 2009). If one would happen to contract the H1N1 virus, it is a good idea to have a flu buddy. A flu buddy is a good, dependable friend or neighbor that could get crucial items for you during your illness. These items may include medicine, food, water, and other essentials. Having a flu buddy will help prevent the spread of the virus by allowing the infected person to stay home, thus containing the virus and killing it (Swine, 2009). When you sneeze or cough, make sure to always cover your mouth with a tissue and then dispose of that tissue and wash your hands (CDC, 2009).

One of our best defenses for the Swine flu is knowledge. If we stay informed on what is going on around the country with the H1N1 virus, we should be in good shape. If one takes the proper preventative measures, there should be little chance of them contracting the H1N1 virus.

Work Cited Page

AOL (2009). Health News: is it cold, flu, or h1n1? How to tell. Retrieved from flu/680877

Barry, J.M. (2006). What the 1918 Flu Pandemic Teaches Us. Medical Laboratory Observer, Retrieved from mio-

Center for Disease Control (2009). 2009 H1N1 and You. Retrieved from

Center for Disease Control (2009). 2009 H1N1Iinfluenza Vaccine. Retrieved from

Center for Disease Control (2009). 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine: Inactivated. Retrieved from

Center for Disease Control (2009). 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine: Live, Attenuated. Retrieved from

Duncan, A, & Sebellus, K. (2009). Lead & Manage My School. Retrieved from

Fox News (2009). Hospitals Restricting Visitors to Stop H1N1. Retrieved from

Sternberg, S. (2009). 40 children have died of h1n1 in usa. Retrieved from

Swine flu: Are You Prepared? (2009). Journal of Mental Health Practice, 13(1),

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