H1N1 Virus in Perspective: There is Good News
Official Says That the Threat of Swine Flu (H1N1) may be Overblown
Nov 11, 2009
The media has overstated the dangers associated with the H1N1 virus (also known as “swine flu”), according to Dr. Richard Schabas, chief medical officer for the Hastings and Prince Edward counties in eastern Ontario. "By the time all the dust has settled on H1N1, somewhere between 200 and 300 people will have died [from H1N1] in [Canada]," Schabas said on November 5 during panel discussion on CBC News: The National. He added that, "By the time all is said and done, this is not a major public health event.”
But panic over H1N1 continues to escalate as the virus spreads. Is the general population overreacting?
Why the Panic over Swine Flu? A Brief History of this Pandemic
The first cases of swine flu were reported in Mexico and the United States in March and April of 2009. In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic, meaning that the virus had spread worldwide. As of November 1, 2009, there have been confirmed cases of H1N1 in 199 countries and 6000 H1N1-related deaths.
H1N1 is a “novel” virus, meaning that it is a new strain of flu against which children and few adults under 60 have existing antibodies (http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm). While regular seasonal flu tends to most adversely affect those under two and over 65, it appears that H1N1 primarily targets seemingly healthy young adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that of the 292 H1N1-related deaths that occurred from August 30 to October 10, 2009, the highest percentage of them – 33% - were adults from 24 to 49 years old.
H1N1 in Perspective: The Stats
An examination of the numbers surrounding H1N1 offers a little perspective on the perceived threat of this virus. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the number of H1N1-related deaths in Canada reached 135 on November 10, 2009 (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/surveillance-eng.php). However, the Public Health Agency of Canada also states that between 2000 to 8000 people die from various strains of the seasonal flu annually, and the CDC reports that there are up to 36,000 seasonal flu-related deaths in the U.S. annually.
The Good News about H1N1: Prevention and Treatment
The good news about H1N1 is that it can be prevented, or, if contracted, easily treated. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against influenza illness.” This is true for both seasonal flu and H1N1. The H1N1 vaccine has been available for high-risk groups (including pregnant women, children between six months and five year of age and adults under the age of 65 with chronic conditions), and will be available for anyone else who wants it by Christmas.
Another simple method for preventing the spread of any flu is to wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap. Other recommendations from the CDC for avoiding the contraction and spread of H1N1 include:
- avoiding contact with sick persons
- covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- practicing good health habits, such as getting adequate sleep, drinking fluids and eating nutritiously
The majority of people who do contract H1N1 will “experience the milder disease and recover without antiviral treatment or medical care,” says the WHO, which goes on to add that “of the more serious cases [of H1N1], more than half of hospitalized people had underlying health conditions or weak immune systems." The CDC recommends that anyone who does contract H1N1 stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care. (For emergency warning signs that require medical attention as soon as possible, visit the CDC website).
Sources:
Cbc.ca
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Health Agency of Canada
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