While much of the interest in the H1N1 or swine flu virus has faded since this past spring, with flu season rapidly approaching, many are wondering: Is it time to be concerned? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, as well as the World Health Organization, perhaps so.
The CDC has estimated that the U.S. may have already experienced as many as a million or more cases, based upon their formula for calculating such numbers. According to their calculations, there may be 50 times more cases than are currently being reported, since many who experience milder forms of the flu do not visit the doctor.
So the question for us in the U.S. is: What’s the likelihood that we, individually, may contract this virus? Well, according to the CDC your chances are pretty good, in fact, in a worst case scenario, their projections are that almost half the people in the U.S. could contract this flu. And while that is the worst case, it demonstrates that the CDC is taking this bug very seriously. The World Health Organization estimates that, worldwide, as many as 2 billion people, nearly a third of all humans, could be infected within the next two years. Such numbers demand our attention.
Strangely, in a reversal with our annual flu outbreaks, this virus seems to affect younger people more than older ones. In the majority of the early cases, those most affected were between the ages of 5 and 24 years old, with the average age of victims being 12. In fact, according to the CDC, those over 60 seem to have developed some immunity to this particular strain, perhaps because of a similar flu epidemic that occurred a half century ago.
What can you do to protect yourself? Do you need to stockpile surgical masks? What do you do if you think you or a family member may have this flu?
The best protection is to stay away from crowded areas where the flu may be spread. If you or a family member think you have the flu, stay home and follow the standard procedures for flu treatment. Drink liquids, get rest; and if your symptoms are severe, difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the stomach, confusion, dizziness, severe or persistent vomiting; or if the symptoms improve and then return with a fever and cough, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention.
Regarding wearing masks, most experts seem to believe that masks are only marginally effective, if at all; and most readily available masks, including standard surgical masks are ineffective. The mask that experts recommend is known as, “n95.”
Repeated hand washing with soap or sanitizing the hands with an alcohol based gel is one of the best ways to keep from infecting yourself. Keep hands away from your mouth and eyes and clean them regularly.
It has been projected that a vaccine will be available some time in September, but even a vaccination cannot guarantee that you won’t contract this virus. If, while the virus is active in the Southern Hemisphere, it should mutate, the vaccine being produced today might not be effective. No one really knows.
The best insurance is to remain aware of outbreaks in your particular area and to take precautions accordingly. Hopefully, all this excitement over the H1N1 virus may be an overreaction. Time will tell.
For additional information or updates, visit the CDC website.
