H1N1 : A personal entry [ Wife & Daughter got it ]
As an American, I expect my government to have the H1N1 outbreak covered. And as you will see below, the CDC scores well. First lets dispense with some epidemiology. According to Slate.com which references the CDC, H1N1 is currently a outbreak and not an epidemic. The difference between the two lay in the morbidity rate (how many people die), once flu causes more than 7.7% of U.S. deaths, we have an epidemic. [the # changes from year to year]
Clearly H1N1 is an outbreak, and in my case, it broke right through my front door and infected my 2 year old daughter and pregnant wife (12 week). I then had an opportunity to see how good our online health information was.
What is H1N1?
First detected in the USA on April 2009, by June 11 the World Health Organization declared an H1N1 pandemic. Sometimes called Swine Flu due to the finding of genes common to North American Pigs, the flu was also found to have genes from flu viruses normally in Europe and Asia as well as bird (avian) and human genes.
Symptoms
- fever *
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
How does it spread?
- Air born transmission as a result of coughing and sneezing.
- Picking up the virus on hands (touching infected surfaces) and then touching mouth / eyes.
- People are contagious for 5 to 7 days after catching the flu.
High Risk Cases:
My wife & daughter were both high risk.
For the complete list of high risk cases go here: CDC LINK We focused on 2 specific cases:
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- Pregnant women
We were particularly afraid of the repercussions for my wife. She is 12 weeks pregnant. This is precisely what we did: (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PregnantH1N1Flu/#Treatment)
Treatment during Pregnancy
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) can be used to treat 2009 H1N1 flu. To get these medicines, a doctor needs to write a prescription. These medicines fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from making more viruses in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from flu illness. At this time, Tamiflu® is the best medicine to treat pregnant women who have 2009 H1N1 flu.
Fever should be treated right away. It can cause problems for the pregnant woman and her unborn child. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is best for a pregnant woman to use to lower a fever.
Graphs by CDC
CDC
Look at the Hospitalization versus death chart (below). The consistent and near parabolic rise is particularly frightening.
Regional maps
Though there is more than enough information at the CDC site… the government has provided so much more…
Additional Sites
Each state has hot Lines and multi-media. See the interactive map. I live in TN.
TN State Hotline 1-877-252-3432
TN Media Content
- Simple Ways to Protect Yourself - Video
| Audio (MP3) - Stay Informed. Go to Flu.gov. - Video | Audio (MP3)
Broadcasting to Kids
The CDC has gotten involved with SID the Science Kid on PBS and instituted a “stop that flue” campaign.
They involved Sesame Street both in English & Spanish… Go Elmo.
Broadcasting to Teens / Adults: Celebrities Pitch In
Mark Anthony, Amy Ryan, Jackie Joyner-Kersee ___________________________
Health & Human Services PSA’s
http://www.flu.gov/psa/index.html
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a video PSA contest on flu prevention
Conclusion
If you have internet access, the CDC provides all the information you will likely need. I was pretty impressed. Too bad the vaccine didn’t come in time. That is where the government has faltered a bit, but there is information on how to find the shot…
If you can’t find that in your area, resort to what we did… Tamaflu http://www.tamiflu.com/
