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WHO Headquarters in Geneva
The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) announced Thursday July 17, 2009 that the H1N1 flu is the fastest moving pandemic ever, and that there was no longer any reason to continue counting every case. Now national health authorities only need to report clusters of severe cases or deaths caused by a new virus.
A pandemic is defined as an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region. For example, when an infectious disease such as the flu, small pox, or typhoid spreads across the United States or the world, that is a pandemic.
The HIV/AIDS virus that spread world-wide several decades ago was a pandemic event.
What is not a pandemic disease
A disease is not pandemic just because it is widespread or kills a large number of people, for instance, cancer. To be considered pandemic, the disease must also be infectious or contagious.
WHO said in a statement that “the 2009 influenza pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed.” Although originally called the swine flu, authorities were quick to note the flu strain was transmitted from person to person.
They clarified the difference between the two by calling the disease H1N1. In doing so, they noted it was a new strain of “Influenza A virus subtype H1N1,” although the strain was closely related to swine flu.
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms for H1N1 are similar to the influenza symptoms, and can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
During the 2009 outbreak, an increase in diarrhea and vomiting has been reported by patients, symptoms that were missing with previous strains.
The main cause of death in those who have contracted H1N1 is respiratory failure, although other causes have included pneumonia, high fever, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.
Most deaths were likely to be found in young children and the elderly.
Prevention Techniques
Typically, the flu spreads among human beings through coughing or sneezing, and when people touch their nose or mouth after touching something the virus has fallen on such as tabletops, telephones, or other surfaces.
The flu cannot be transmitted through food. Most people are contagious during the first five days although children can remain contagious for up to ten days.
The best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu is to use standard infection control practices that include:
- Frequent hand washing using soap and water.
- Alternate hand-washing choice is with alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers.
- Reduce likelihood of transmission by disinfecting household surfaces with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.
WHO officials predict a new vaccine to combat this newest strain will not be available before the end of 2009, and then there will be a limited supply.
Seniors especially need protection
Because the elderly are particularly at risk, special care needs to be taken to stay out of crowded places, avoid people who show influenza-like symptoms, and faithfully practice infection control guidelines.
Pandemic disease will not go away anytime soon. We need to make sure our loved one is kept as safe as possible away from any potential connection to those who may be infected, and to contact their doctor as soon as they exhibit flu-like symptoms.
If you have any questions whatever about your loved ones health, call their health care provider as soon as possible.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Mary // Jul 19, 2009 at 8:35 pm
This is great info. Remember to always get your elder their flu shot. It really does help. It may not specifically protect them against the H1N1, but it will help for all the other strains of flu.
2 Edie // Aug 4, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Any type of vaccine created for a specific reason should help those who might be in harms way. Especially because as we grow older our immune system may weaken. There are so many new strains of various diseases, it doesn’t take much to lose a loved one very quickly. Thanks for reminding us to take our flu shots. I’m as guilty as anyone on that score.