Pandemic Flu: A cause for concern?

Why all the concern about Pandemic Flu? Well, few of us are old enough to remember the Influenza epidemic from September 1917 through June 1918, which killed 675,000 Americans (a number far greater than the total number of Americans who died in World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Wars COMBINED). With few exceptions, "the Flu" has become an inconvenience for most people, causing us to miss work or school for a few days. Even so, the CDC estimates that about 36,000 Americans die of flu related illness every year.

Fortunately, one of the things which helps to defend people against a dangerous, germ infested world is the fact that animal infections, generally, tend keep to their specific species, and human specific viruses stick to humans. This means pig viruses infect only other pigs, and human viruses infect only humans. Furthermore, we are protected from developing life-threatening Flu infections every year because our immune system is already partial immunized against Influenza, from previous exposure. However, every now and then, a rogue virus, such as influenza, mutates, and acquires the ability to infect human beings as well as their natural host (e.g. pigs [swine] or birds [avia]). And when this happens NO ONE has immunity to this new virus.

What appears to have happened with this new Mexican Swine Flu is that an Influenza virus that previously infected only pigs, mutated, and now has the ability to infect human beings. Influenza is generally highly contagious. Typically flu viruses spread from one person to another via respiratory droplets (a sneeze or cough), or more likely, though touching an infected object such as a hand or doorknob, and then your own nose, mouth, or eyes. That being the case, people get infected from other infected people, not from touching or eating infected pork.

One difference with this type of Flu from the ones we normally see from year to year, is that this Flu seems to attack young healthy people, not just the very young, very old, and the sick. It is also striking that this infection is appearing later than the normal Flu season. At the time of writing, about 149 flu-related deaths have be limited to Mexico, with about 2000 people being hospitalized. Thus far, the few suspected US cases have not been deadly. There have been no confirmed cases in Milwaukee. As you can imagine, with an illness as common as the flu, it is difficult to get accurate numbers. This infection is often referred to a "pandemic" because it has the potential to spread across the whole world, but it is important to note that at this time the numbers of deaths are small; FAR smaller that those seen in a normal flu season, so there is no need for panic.

What are the symptoms of influenza? A sudden onset respiratory infection, with a fever (greater than 100.5 degrees F), and severe body aches and/or headache. You might also have a cough, sore throat, or diarrhea/vomiting. If you develop theses symptoms, contact your health care provider by telephone. Sometimes it is better for someone to screen your symptoms over the phone rather than come in and infect an entire waiting room. Your provider will probably want to get a viral culture at this early stage to confirm the presence of Swine Flu. Your provider might also want to prescibe a medication called Tamiflu, or Relenza. If you are sick, stay home from work or school.

How do you protect yourself from getting infected? First, and most importantly, wash your hands frequently. You might want to invest in a portable hand gel sanitizer. Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose. Also, keep away from sick individuals. Wearing face masks is probably over-kill unless you are in close contact with someone infected. It has also been suggested that masks potentially trap and collect the virus, causing you to inadvertantly carry it around with you.

For further information about this Swine Flu outbreak, follow this link to the City of Milwaukee Health Department.
Also see the community resources links below to contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).