Questions are being asked as to why obesity seems to be causing problems and why infected individuals in some cases seem to spiral into serious illness rather than mild to moderate conditions that are presented on average. High percentages of obese or exceptionally obese people have become desperately ill and health experts believe it is because obese people suffer from secondary conditions such as asthma and other ailments which leave the more vulnerable. Simply being obese has not previously been a factor of risk for the seasonal influenza.

High risk groups in general are a concern for health systems worldwide and nations are continuing to stockpile antiviral medications generic tamiflu and relenza as well as ordering further quantities of vaccinations so no one in high risk categories will be left unprotected. The northern hemisphere has been fortunate not to be facing an immediate threat of this pandemic virus during normal influenza season. Government health officials are studying the effect of this influenza strain as it makes its way through the southern hemisphere during their flu season, watching for any clues that may be helpful in the coming months in the north.

Swine Flu Health Hurdles For Obese Patients

U.S. Health experts reported that ten patients suffering from extreme symptoms of swine flu were hospitalized in Michigan in May and June, three have since passed away from the illness and notably nine out of ten were either obese or very obese. Only three of them had secondary health issues and of the three who passed, only one suffered other health problems. This question of obesity and risk requires more examination as underlying problems may have existed and been undetected however there are enough questions to warrant further study.

Another noteworthy problem was five of the ten patients formed blood clots in their lungs and six of them suffered from their kidneys shutting down. These are not new complications in swine flu patients but the numbers are out of proportion. All that can be done right now is warn clinical personnel of the aggravated conditions associated with swine flu for this patient demographic and remain vigilant while treatment progresses in extreme obesity patients.

The Center for Disease Control – CDC – released their mortality and morbidity statement which detailed statistical information for swine flu in the U.S., a total of 37,246 cases and 211 deaths as of July 10th, 2009 have been identified in the United. These numbers are somewhat misleading since many cases of swine flu go undiagnosed so the total is probably far more with some estimates reaching one million cases with many being only mild cases of flu.

Since the virus was first noticed in California back in April ‘0994,000 cases have been reported worldwide in more than 100 countries so says the WHO.

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They also discovered those individuals who lived through the 1918 pandemic as survivors of the illness appear to have added protection against the virus. Experiments conducted on monkeys and ferrets showed that seasonal influenza would not reproduce in the lungs but H1N1 did replicate appreciably better in the lower respiratory tract.

As an aside, The WHO has noted a quality vaccine capable of combating the H1N1 flu virus could possibly be delayed until the end of the year upsetting the preparedness plans for vaccination installed in many countries. There are emergency stores in place if countries need to respond more rapidly if in fact they feel the need is urgent.

There is a problem currently with vaccine production for H1N1 pandemic vaccine attaining the proper “harvest” of the main ingredient needed to produce the vaccine. Unlike the season flu vaccine production these yields are considerably lower, only producing about half as much as usual with regular influenza or seasonal flu vaccine.

So far the twenty first centuries first pandemic has claimed at least five hundred victims and made ill more than a million according to approximations. Thw WHO stands by its claim that novel H1N1 Influenza A virus is mainly infecting people at a mild to moderate severity level but this in no way means it is similar to seasonal influenza.

There is no mistaking that this new pandemic virus is different from seasonal influenza according to medical experts. Pregnant women and obese people are at serious risk and younger adults seem to contract the illness more. There are at risk groups who as a rule are not as harshly effected by seasonal flu as they are by this new virus. The capability to set in the lungs is not unique to this new pandemic virus. The 1918 Spanish flu had the same characteristics and mortality estimates range widely – between 30 million and 100 million people.

Elderly Are Protected

Medical personnel tested the New virus in blood taken from elderly patients and workers living in residence at nursing homes in the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands. People who were born prior to 1920 had a strong response from their natural antibodies to the new H1N1 virus. This could only mean that their systems actually “remembered” from a previous infection in early childhood. This discovery is supported by another study published in a national science magazine that found those individuals who had survived the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic continued to have immunity defenses toward that virus.

The influenza viruses undergo constant change which is the reason infection reoccurs and why vaccines are always being reinvented. The current seasonal flu strains of H1N1 virus are related two or three times removed from the H1N1 Spanish influenza virus of 1918 and also the new novel H1N1 recent pandemic variety. The current swine flu has strong origins and continues to bedevil the world’s population. The current virus has the potential to harness a major blow to the health of the worlds people and cause pain to the world economy.

Fortunately the current strain of influenza can be controlled using antivirals Generic tamiflu and relenza and the technology is now in place to develop vaccines pretty rapidly to combat infection unlike in 1918. There are more controls and surveillance in place than there were in 1918 and the WHO is heavily invested in a leadership role offering hard data and pandemic preparedness information that is timely and effective. Hygiene and medical practices have also come a long way since the 1918 pandemic and complications encountered can be treated using modern clinical methods.

Major pharmaceutical manufacturers the world over are working on vaccine production and the WHO is recommending first response health care worker get priority immunization. These health workers would be followed by high risk groups in the population and depending on vaccine quantities immunizations would proceed as nations see fit for their own circumstances.

The WHO had approximated that up to 4.9 billion doses of new pandemic swine flu vaccine would be prepared for the coming influenza season but production amounts and the assumption that only one shot per person will be necessary will be determining factors of vaccine readiness. Since the latest results on vaccine production were disappointing the WHO is in the process of revising their previous numbers.

Though similarities exist between the H1N1 influenza virus of 1918 and the H1N1 novel swine flu pandemic virus currently circulating, Many differences are also noteworthy. There have been continuous declines in the mortality and morbidity numbers of the three pandemics of the last century that have been due in part to better virus surveillance, improved health practices, and networking among nations medical response personnel to coordinate efforts globally to combat the pandemics. Communications also play an important role with near instantaneous reporting around the world to new and significant events.

One thing remains constant. A potentially deadly virus is spreading around the world and millions of people will be getting very sick from it.

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Medical Care

• Appointments with primary health care providers are expected to rise by one hundred fifty to four hundred percent in an epidemic situation causing much havoc and cost to the health care structure.
• During an influenza pandemic or epidemic health care systems are pushed to the brink by illness complications like sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia which increase costs for care substantially not only for outpatient services but from an inpatient point of view. Data compiled in big hospitals located in the United States prove that admitting patients to facilities rises by one hundred to one hundred seventy percent in an influenza pandemic or epidemic.

Industry Health Watch

• Influenza on its own is shown to be responsible for one tenth of all illness related nonattendance from work.
• When those absentees come back to their jobs eighty percent of the adults claimed a reduced performance in their ability to function at work.
• Production losses come in at twelve billion dollars every year in only the United States.

In the past influenza was difficult to treat and options limited to mainly bed rest and doctors orders. Patients would treat symptoms using OTC medication but the virus was always left undisturbed to run rampant until it subsided causing a threat of secondary illness and complications from the primary disease itself.

Many corporations and businesses today will stockpile their own stores of antivirals such as generic tamiflu and relenza in the event of an pandemic or epidemic outbreak of flu. In fact, some countries are looking into the practicality of non medical hoarding of medicines such as tamiflu when global stocks may be insufficient to administer courses of antivirals to those who will be in most need of them during an outbreak. Currently there is nothing stopping a company from warehousing tamiflu for their employee use in the event of influenza outbreak.

Understanding Vaccinations

Vaccination is with doubt the best strategy in the prevention of a full blown pandemic and the administering of vaccine targets high risk sectors of a population such as chronically ill and the elderly. Research has shown us that vaccinations are effectual at levels of seventy to ninety percent with thos percentages dropping off in certain groups such as elderly who have a thirty to forty percent effectiveness. In the case of a new virus variety becomes active after a vaccine is produced and administered, those people who get their vaccination are not protected from the new strain.

The WHO makes a point of organizing a data exchange of information gathered from around the world so experts can determine which strain of virus needs to have a vaccine produced to combat it. Surveillance of influenza cases globally helps make certain the best and most effective vaccine is formulated annually.

Useful Antiviral Drugs

Older antiviral medicines are becoming obsolete because of quickening of resistance to the drugs, they are narrow in their treatment options and some have adverse reactions which are less than favorable. Newer antiviral medications have been developed that are called neuraminidase inhibitors [or NAIs] that challenge the virus at the point of reproduction effectively blocking its growth and these NAIs have displayed successful results.

Two antivirals medications in the NAI class are being produced in mass numbers and distributed worldwide for novel influenza H1N1 virus combat. One is known as Zanamivir [aka relenza] which is administered via a dry powder and inhaling mechanism. The other more popular NAI being shipped and stockpiled globally is Oseltamivir or often referred to as Generic Tamiflu which is an oral medication taken in capsule form or liquid for easy ingestion by children.

These neuraminidase inhibitors work on the surface enzyme of the flu virus called the neuraminidase protein which is blocked, or inhibited and restricts the growth or expansion efforts of the virus. The neuraminidase part of the virus is not exclusive to a single influenza strain but common in all varieties and the drugs action means the virus cannot continue infecting cellular physiology.

Tracking Influenza Outbreaks globally Via Surveillance

When a medical practitioner realizes that a flu virus is active locally they can dramatically increase their rate of diagnosis using certain symptoms to form a diagnosis which means they can better treat the influenza virus. This means when patients are not feeling well they can see their primary health care provider for a checkup and feel pretty certain they know what they have and how to treat it.

The WHO collects information about potential hot spots for influenza outbreaks through its Global Influenza Surveillance Network and reports the pertinent flu virus information globally twice a year. This so individual nations can begin preparing for specific threats from influenza. The contents of the influenza vaccine for the following flu season are developed annually using data provided by this WHO network.

This information must be updated often since flu viruses are continually changing so if the correct influenza strain is not produced the protection factor of the vaccine will drop resulting in more illness and further fatalities. This same WHO influenza surveillance network is used as a world alert system warning when a potentially virulent strain of flu shows pandemic qualities. This network has vastly improved influenza epidemiology since its inception in 1952, when WHO experts concluded a network of labs spanning the globe could assist its international member nations on overall influenza preparedness. The WHO works closely with Pharmaceutical companies and national health systems of its members to provide guidance for testing and development processes.

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The facts are that national warehoused quantities of generic tamiflu are destined for treating infected patients only rather than targeting treatment and prophylactic care. Some nations are now considering plans for stockpiling enough generic tamiflu to aid in treatment as well as providing drug intervention to those who have made contact with individuals who already have the contagion.

This study looked carefully at models of research showing how cost-effective it would be to decrease the transmission of novel influenza A by utilizing generic tamiflu in a preventative prophylactic manner. The research displayed how treating pandemic influenza in this way would not only reduce risk but save money in an effectual manner by lowering the overall impact of an outbreak on society. This study combined with other previously analyzed data showed that using generic tamiflu in a prevention strategy would greatly assist in controlling a virulent infection incidence.

The impact from an influenza outbreak could be reduced even further if the generic tamiflu stockpiles were increased by an unlimited amount. Patients who were treated as soon as they became symptomatic as well as infection prevention when individuals are exposed to infection whether at school or work or via familial contact, could reduce illness rates by more than half by comparison to no intervention at all. The money saved woul amount to about $70,000.00 per one thousand people saving some twenty one billion dollars in the United States on its own!

Including further tactics to combat influenza like closing down schools will decrease the number of fatalities and present health cost benefits to boot. Having a vaccination program in place before an outbreak hits hard would also be vital in flu control depending on how effectual the vaccine was at diminishing illness.

The WHO is strongly advising nations to use generic tamiflu for the prevention of avian influenza for people in contact with infected individuals or even suspected of having the illness and research shows that such a strategy may also be a viable tactic in the event of an H1N1 pandemic outbreak. This is even more practical given that the vaccine could be delayed and insufficient in quantity and initial potency in the first wave of outbreak.

Prophylaxis with antivirals or vaccines

Ideally, vaccination against influenza would be the best method of prevention. In the initial stages of a pandemic however there are usually limited – if any – amounts of vaccine available and that which is used may not have the full matching characteristics to the infectious strain. Production of a vaccine will only be able to start once the correct variety of virus is established. It usually takes months for a vaccine to be developed and so the initial months of a pandemic are vulnerable times. Given these factors the use of antiviral medications such as generic tamiflu and relenza are more important than ever to ease the burgeoning growth of pandemic influenza.

Having a solid plan in place is imperative when the state of global health is so uncertain and knowing an adequate supply of antivirals like generic tamiflu are in place relieves anxiety levels. Generic tamiflu is a known virus inhibitor that has proven effectual aganst varying types of influenza. Having tamiflu stockpiles at adequate levels when an outbreak occurs is crucial to early influenza defense. Health organizations the world over must decide if these generic tamiflu stocks should be used to treat influenza or act as a prophylaxis.

How The Study Worked

The premise of the research study was to look at the possible health results and cost effectiveness on society when using tactical methods of mitigating pandemic influenza on community and populations in America. Using a population of 1,632,000 persons and the average household demographics based on an earlier census, the study looked at no intervening measures with sixteen singular and combined tactical approaches for intervention which included using tamiflu as a prophylaxis after exposure, treating influenza with generic tamiflu as well as prior to vaccination before a pandemic outbreak with fractionally dynamic vaccine; and the closing of schools.

Assumptions were made regarding the amount of tamiflu available studying quantities for twenty five percent of the population through to limitless amounts of generic tamiflu for therapeutic treatment and prophylaxis. The representation also made consideration for the possible effects of both generic tamiflu and vaccines in lowering death rates and the presence of illness in a time of vigorous pandemic. The number of cases of illness was lowered from five hundred cases per one thousand people and no intervening measures to two hundred and thirty bouts of flu per one thousand persons using generic tamiflu as a pre exposure prophylaxis. Fatalities also dropped from 13 per one thousand to 5 per thousand people. The manufacturer of tamiflu [oseltamivir] provided the funding for the comprehensive research.

More About An influenza Pandemic

When a pandemic of influenza takes place it is caused by a new strain of influenza A emerging and the world’s population is left vulnerable because no immunity yet exists and the outcome is concurrent epidemics breaking out around the world resulting in large numbers of fatalities and sickness. The world’s worst pandemics thus far were the Spanish flu A H1N1 in 1918 – 1919 which caused more than thirty million deaths globally, Asian flu A H2N2 in 1957-1958 resulting in one million fatalities around the globe, Hong Kong flu A H3N2 in 1968 which had an outcome of eight hundred thousand people dying in only six weeks around the world.

The World Health Organization believes we are in a pandemic phase now and in under the worst threat in thirty seven years, having met the prerequisites needed to classify novel influenza A H1N1 a Pandemic and avian influenza in south east Asia meeting two of three conditions of a pandemic; a new virus has emerged and it has spread to the human population. H1N1 has met those requisites and capped it off by qualifying under widespread human infection or pervasive human to human transmission.

More About Generic Tamiflu

Generic tamiflu was produced as an overall active antiviral against which acted against any and all influenza varieties by thwarting the action of the neuraminidase [NA] enzyme on the membrane surface of the virus. When the NA enzyme is blocked it can no longer reproduce to additional cells in the human system. It is approved and dispensed as a treatment and preventative medication against influenza in kids above one year old and adults.

A Review Of Pandemics and Epidemics

As influenza viruses go influenza A is the most vigorous and worrisome type having become associated with most epidemics and pandemics over the years.

Influenza epidemics are happening nearly every year but each varies in intensity and depth and pandemics –which are basically global epidemics – happen in ten to forty year time spans and can touch nearly fifty percent of humanity.

In the last one hundred years the most severe influenza pandemic outbreaks were:

• Spanish influenza A H1N1 – 1918 1919 post world war 1 – over thirty million fatalities globally
• Asian influenza A H2N2 – 1957 1958 –one million deaths globally
• Hong Kong Influenza A H3N2 – 1968 1969 – eight hundred thousand global fatalities in six weeks

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There are obvious questions by many as to how we can protect ourselves from infection now and in the future and if we do get infected by this flu, how can we treat it effectively. The news of a pandemic of influenza has hit home with many people and questions arise about personal health and are we sufficiently prepared physically to combat a potential killer illness. What can we do to improve on our risk factors and increase our immunity? Compared with past outbreaks of deadly influenza viruses our health practices and hygiene have improved immensely and survivability is much higher now than in past pandemics.

There are medications available that have a potent effect on this particular influenza strain but the quantities are limited for mass distribution so antivirals such as generic tamiflu and zanamivir also known as relenza, may not be available in enough quantity to aid those who aren’t in a high risk group. Tamiflu is a powerful flu inhibitor if taken as directed and if the current strain of flu virus does not mutate and a resistance builds to it. These viruses are very adaptable and robust in their own right doing amazing things to survive. Recently over the last number of years other antivirals have been lost in the battle against influenza strains because of the resiliency of these bugs.

So if you are not in a high risk category or you aren’t a health care first responder who receive preferential treatments and therapies, what can you do to protect yourself? You start with your cells. The fundamental structure and makeup of our body are cells, combined to create our various life sustaining parts like organs, blood and skin. So if our cells are unhealthy, depleted in any way, inflamed, or worse, we become vulnerable to diseases and illness and lose our ability to battle back to health.

Influenza viruses in particular multiply on the basis of being able to invade our cells upsetting their task, gripping the body with their unhealthy might. Much research has been conducted into how viruses work and something as simple as glutathione deficiency can raise the intensity of a virus’ strength as it invades your body. Finding a source of supplemental glutathione is an important step toward warding off illness and could offer improved defense.

Your mother knew what she was talking about when she said you need your vitamins. Nutrient reduction can be a way for viruses to extrapolate within one’s system. If a person has a vitamin and or mineral deficiency than the body doesn’t have what it needs to aid in immunity, inhibit viral growth and build your natural defenses against the invading microbes. So many individuals have compromised immune systems due to nutrient deficit of this the medical community is sure. Certain factors compromise the body’s ability to absorb nutrients even in those who religiously take their “one a day’s” and eat a healthy diet.

Perhaps the vitamin supplements being taken are not as complete as advertised. A person’s ability to absorb digested nutrients could be hampered by Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Maybe the individual just isn’t taking the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals to make a difference. Many people have had immediate results when taking a multi vitamin in liquid form to aid in digestion and absorption. The nutrients are more easily absorbed and the body’s ability to make the most of the nutrients is enhanced which undoubtedly perks up the immune system.

So once you have increased your vitamin, mineral and antioxidant intake you can make some changes to more common healthful activities most understand but fail to pursue. Nearly everyone could be drinking more water and a rule of thumb for amount is on average half one’s body weight in ounces daily. This is a lot of water indeed but necessary to aid your cells in membrane fluid retention. Increase essential fatty acids to raise omega 3 levels, and start an exercise regimen that will enhance your health such as walking, yoga, tai chi or some form of aerobic action without overdoing things. Exercise has proven it can boost your immune system and ward off infections.

If we learn anything about pandemics it’s that we can only count on so much assistance from the medical community. Resources of antivirals such as generic tamiflu will be at best limited, vaccines will be delayed and then only administered to those at greatest risk. Global contagions can no longer be controlled, as if they ever could since human travel began. Your best protection is to rely on your own ability to improve your lifestyle and increasing your preventative maintenance by shoring up your nutrient levels and practicing healthful common sense.

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The Different Strains Of Influenza

Presently three types of infectious influenza are active. They are referred to as Types A, B, and C Influenza. Type A influenza is the most talked about flu virus these days and is probably thought of as the most volatile as it is dangerous as a potential ignition infection for a great epidemic and it has proven this in the past. Medical experts sit up and take notice when influenza A has become virulent. These A strains infect birds and animals and can be aggressive against human populations as well. On the Basis of surface proteins the flu is separated in to differing sub groups. Two types of surface proteins and known as hem agglutinin and Neuramidase which are designated by the H and N letters correspondingly. The Strain varieties are referred to numerically. This means that H1N1 is a hem agglutinin with 1 as a variety and Neuramidase also with a variety 1 type. Hem agglutinin has sixteen varieties and the Neuramidase has nine varieties.

There are as many versions as combinations in the sixteen to nine ratio. That many strains of viruses of the type A influenza potentially could exist. These are not all dangerous versions of the illness and many are limited to infecting certain animal classes. There are only several of these which could potentially extend to humans. These varieties are the H1N1, H1N2 and H1N3. The H5N1 strain is the most volatile and dangerous of all and infects avian populations, animals and humans alike. It is commonly referred to as the avian strain. Found hosting in water borne birds, ducks are the reservoir for the majority of concern when hosts for this strain are considered. Transmission of the disease from these birds is through their saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Avian influenza exists in two types, one highly infectious and the other not so pathogenic a form.
Influenza B and C are less virulent and symptoms in humans are relatively mild.

These viruses which cause the influenza are beginning to show small signs of change referred to also as drift. The “drift” is what may cause a mutation within the flu virus creating a new combination of the genetic substance and this can make it quite resistant to any medications and the transmission of the mutated virus will become easier from human to human.

How Tamiflu acts

Generic Tamiflu is the medication of choice with primary health care providers when faced with prescribing for influenza. Tamiflu is an inhibitor drug so it will respond in a unique manner than from other medicines. Tamiflu combats the virus infection at its root level inhibiting its growth in the primary phase of expansion. It then begins to travel throughout the body hunting and killing the virus when it presents itself utilizing the antibodies within the patient to aid the process of healing. When starting a course of generic tamiflu it should be initiated in the first forty eight hours of initial onset of the symptoms. Ingested in this way it is really quite effective.

A full course of medication is recommended to last for ten days and should be completed in its entirety. Patients claim to begin feeling better within two days of starting generic tamiflu and the minimum treatment course should be five days or ten capsules in the course. Tamiflu can also be ingested as a chemoprophylaxis if one has been exposed to influenza infection but aren’t presenting symptoms or if influenza like symptoms are indicated but there is no time to await test results. There are now different recommendations for taking generic tamiflu for these different presentations of combating the flu so instructions from a health care professional should be sought. The CDC and WHO are updating protocols for generic tamiflu regularly to continue the best utilization of the medication and reduce the risk of resistance build up.

Generic tamiflu [Oseltamivir] and relenza [zanamivir] are the only current antivirals deemed effective in battling novel influenza H1N1 infection as a direct “curative” or as close as it can come to curing the virulent influenza illnesses.

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Patients who cope with asthma or some form of lung ailment are certainly at higher risk of complications resulting from H1N1 influenza though it behooves them to pay attention to the presentation of symptoms and not to panic if the illness is present. Noticing the symptoms in the initial stages of illness is vital to utilizing antiviral drugs such as generic tamiflu or Oseltamivir that is effectual at combating the current swine flu virus. Tamiflu medication is at its most potent when started at the earliest sign of illness and its effectiveness wanes if taken after a forty eight hour window of the onset of the illness.

If an asthma sufferer notices swine flu symptoms like hyperthermia [fever], lethargy, no appetite, and productive cough treatment action should be initiated. Some patients with the virus experienced runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and also diarrhea – in about forty percent of cases it affects gastro tract.
If a person begins showing indications of the swine flu virus that person needs to contact their primary health care provider to consult on their symptoms. A physician is ready to recommend if an office appointment is advisable or not. At the same time if a patient begins showing signs of the illness they should avoid contact with family members or any individuals who would normally be in contact with them. They also need to practice virus safe hygiene like washing hands thoroughly since frequent hand cleansing is probably the best way to prevent illness along with social distancing – keeping at least six feet away from others and avoiding groups, especially if you feel symptomatic.

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The avian viruses are divided into two groups, High contagion and low contagion. The majority of avian viruses fall under the low Contagion [or low Pathogenicity] Avian Influenza [LPAI] group, developing mild infections in the diseased birds. Birds will commonly present with disheveled plumage, loss of appetite, a reduced egg production, sneezing, and coughing. Often this class of pathogen will go undiagnosed.

High contagion [or high Pathogenicity] Avian Influenza [HPAI] presents with more harsh symptoms that comprise sudden death, no interest in food and low energy, reduction in egg laying, facial swelling, malformed eggs and diarrhea. The fatality rate for HPAI can be as high as one hundred percent.

What is the H5N1 variation of avian influenza?

Every flu virus falls under one of Influenza A, B, or C based on their structural makeup. Type A is the virus variety that is the cause of fatal pandemics and can infect both humans and animals. The B variety is responsible for local outbreaks of influenza infections. The C type is the one virus version that seems to be the steadiest of all three, displaying just mild symptoms in infected humans. Varieties B and C are normally discovered in humans. Both of types B and C appear more stable than Type A and do not get grouped on the basis of subtypes.

Type A influenza viruses are separated into sub units and are named based on surface proteins Hemagglutinin [HA] and Neuraminidase [NA]. There are in existence sixteen varieties of HA and nine variations of NA which means a full 144 combinations are potentially likely.

Therefore, the H5N1 is a type A virus and its name is derived from HA 5 protein and NA 1 protein found on its outer membrane surface.

How Do Type A Viruses Cause A Pandemic?

Influenza Type A viruses are sub categorized into strains. The strains are constantly evolving into other strains. They possess a unique ability to trade genetic substance with other viruses to fashion novel viruses that make them volatile and tough to defend against. People are required to build up a different immunity [or antibodies] whenever a novel strain appears active.

Viruses are not able to restore the genetic harm done in the trade process, hence a process known as Antigen drift takes effect casing newer strains of virus through small alterations. In the event that this genetic substance from two species such as birds and human Influenza A in come together and mix, a totally new strain is produced. The process is referred to as antigen shift to which humans have no immunity, this results in quickened transmissibility and a serious pandemic can develop.

How Does The Virus Go to Humans From Birds?

Avian influenza viruses are not normally a threat to humans. Birds in migration are responsible for carrying the viruses but remain unaffected by them. These migratory birds then make contact with the domicile variety like poultry stocks and ducks thus transmitting an infection into them. The domestic avian populations can also become infected when they are exposed to tainted surfaces as well. When the virus lodges in these domestic bird populations it can become the foundation for a severe epidemic within those avian populations it infects. Humans contract the illness when they are exposed to these infected birds and their virus or if they come in contact with impure feces ridden areas of avian activity.

When the virus reaches the human host it begins the transformation of antigenic shift, mixing with the genetic substance of the human influenza form producing some unique variation strain of virus that unfortunately humans have no way of combating naturally since they don’t have an immunity to it. These genetic shifts can also happen in a third party species when they are susceptible to each of the bird and human viruses, for example the pig. When a human influenza virus and an avian flu virus meet, their genetic imprint comingle thus producing a new virus that has the potential of infecting people.

What Makes The H5N1 Virus So Harmful?

In 1997, the first cases of H5N1 influenza were noticed in Geese in China’s southern area. Combined, there were infections documented in eighteen people, six of those people became fatalities. From here the disease rapidly moved into Hong Kong, infecting poultry which led to the culling of a million and a half chickens in order to seize the advantage from the H5N1 virus. There was no sign of the virus for several more years when it once again reared up in 2002, once again plaguing Hong Kong. From then until now it has been responsible for killing millions of domestic birds in Asia and human infections have now been recorded.

The specific strain of H5N1 virus has been particularly virulent and the apprehension for human populations is growing. Currently it is no simple feat for a person to become infected with the virus, but those who become infected face a severe battle with the illness. Fifty percent of those humans infected have become fatalities and this number is worrisome to say the least. Everyone who succumbed to the illness was previously in robust health having never been previously infected. What is now more disconcerting to world health officials is the prospect of H5N1 virus mutating via antigenic shift which could produce a form of the virus that is deadly because of human to human exposure. If this were to happen the result could be a pandemic globally that could result in the human mortality rate soaring.

Is It Still Safe To Eat Poultry?

Yes it is quite safe to eat your favorite bird dish provided it is PREPARED WELL AND COOKED THOROUGHLY. H5N1 virus is susceptible to heat and is killed by heat sources of 70° – 100° Celsius, normal cooking heat. It is imperative that none of the poultry meat you eat is uncooked or raw and that goes for eggs as well. Remember to cook your birds well.

What Are The Chances Of A Pandemic Occurring?

On three occasions in the last century the world has been under siege by a bird flu pandemic. The Spanish influenza of 1918 to 1919 killed millions and estimates have been as high as 100 million but probably closer to half that. During that pandemic the United States recorded half a million fatalities. There was the Asian influenza pandemic of 1957 to 1958 which claimed seventy thousand people in the U.S. at the time. The Hong Kong influenza of 1968 to 1969 contributed thirty four thousand deaths.

The odds are high that there will be a pandemic of H5N1 influenza because the attempts to control the rapidly spreading virus have been unsuccessful. Human raised ducks are known to be a haven for the virus, acting as unwitting hosts of the bug without any indications of illness. The virus laden birds then release enormous amounts of the contagion through their fluids and excrement transmitting the virus to other vulnerable birds or humans. Virus detection in outback locations in various nations make it tricky to control the spread.

Health officials have stated that the virus is now meeting two of three conditions for a pandemic to be called. It has begun infecting humans who are susceptible because no immunity exists and also it is contagious and it is sufficiently virulent to make humans seriously ill and cause death.

The only factor keeping the H5N1 virus at non pandemic levels is that it has yet to go through a genetic exchange or antigenic shift causing it to mutate into a more transmittable virus spreading human to human more easily. If this occurs the infection rate for humans will skyrocket bringing about a pandemic condition level globally in quick succession. The world’s first warning that this mutation has occurred will be grouped infections of patients presenting influenza signs that are near in timing and location. This makes it clear that the strain has the power to spread person to person.

Right now there is not a vaccine available to fight a strain of H5N1 bird flu that is infecting humans. Experts are working concurrently in most countries trying to produce a vaccine. S of spring 2008 the WHO was still pressing to launch a worldwide stockpiling of an effective vaccine with some success. Producing enough vaccine for global markets is difficult and so many manufacturers are stepping up research and testing but the demand is high. Maximizing the available vaccine via testing dose efficiency is also being undertaken.

What can Be one To Avert A Pandemic?

It would seem obvious that the disease must be controlled while still transmitting among the avian population. Not an easy task given that bird infections have reached epidemic levels in many Asian nations and it is spreading rapidly.

Health experts know that they need to keep the disease from infecting the human population. Individuals such as poultry workers who are contact with domestic bird populations are instructed to continuously observe the birds for indications of illness and contact the health system officials of ANY sign of infection in their birds and also restrict any exposure to ill birds at all cost. Ducks in particular have become highly infectious carriers of the disease without showing any illness.

In the event of a pandemic the entire world becomes at risk and certain best practices of prevention become important like personal cleanliness. You should also avoid crowds and populace locations and avoid raw eggs and poultry.

Getting a seasonal influenza injection won’t aid in fighting H5N1 but it will keep you healthy from other flu viruses and aid in avoiding further health situations that could complicate H5N1. All high risk groups such as first responders for health care, the elderly, children, chronic respiratory patients, those who must travel to infected countries, those with lowered immune systems and pregnant women should seek an appointment with their physician regarding a vaccine injection.

Are there Treatments available For H5N1 Flu And What are the symptoms?

The same symptoms will present with H5N1 as you would normally have with seasonal influenza. relentless coughing, body aches, sneezing, sore throat and hyperthermia. There is concern of complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, ear and eye infection and upper and lower respiratory problems. There are currently two drugs available, antivirals, which will aid in combating influenza. Oseltamivir or Tamiflu and Zanamivir or Relenza. These two medications can decrease the harshness of the infection and the length of time one is ill. They could prove to be ineffectual if the virus remains in the system for an extended period. The use of Tamiflu – Oseltamivir needs to be administered within a forty eight hour window from the onset of symptoms.

Both Oseltamivir /tamiflu and Zanamivir/ Relenza are in a class of antivirals called Neuraminidase inhibitors and they attack and block the surface proteins of the virus inhibiting or stopping the reproduction of the virus cell to cell. This blocking action halts the virus and patients recuperate.

There is another drug type available known as M2 inhibitors but the viruses have proven able to build a resistance to these medications making them ineffective at halting viral spread. Amantadine and Rimantadine are the names of the drugs. The stopping action of the meds works on the M2 proteins ability to multiply. The M2 inhibitors have been disappointing in their lack of wherewithal when fighting certain viruses but The oseltamivir-tamiflu and zanamivir-relenza medications are still potent in their attack. The drugs act as a treatment or as a prophylaxis in people who have been exposed to illness but are not presenting.

These drugs are currently stockpiled by many countries and require a prescription for use. You should consult a primary physician before taking Tamiflu or relenza since they have shown adverse reactions in some patients i.e. Relenza is an inhaled medication and those with asthma or other breathing ailments have displayed problems.

Bird Flu

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As positive as this sounds, influenza viruses are known to be extremely adept at altering themselves and they mutate quickly. This virus strain must be closely observed since if it modifies it can begin to spread much more effortlessly. Since the WHO raised their alert level to a pandemic phase 6 alert there have been in excess of three hundred deaths and more than seventy thousand cases of infection [and quite likely far more undiagnosed]. In the southern hemisphere it is the middle of flu season and the virus spread has impelled some Argentinean schools to close and one of their provinces has declared a public medical emergency.

The United States has decided to aid the Pan American Health Organization in its battle with the pandemic virus in the Caribbean nations and South America by donating four hundred twenty thousand courses of generic tamiflu for treatment options. They warned that the virus simply needs a minor mutation to become resistant to the generic tamiflu and the influenza is restricted just to the southern hemisphere, our influenza season is coming n the fall. The hope is that by then an effectual vaccine will be in place in sufficient quantities to make a difference in infection rates and that tamiflu antiviral medication will still be a viable treatment course.

The health minister of Great Britain said that their country is expecting to have one hundred thousand new swine flu infections each single day by the end of Summer and they will be revising their influenza tactics accordingly. The official statistics in England have been recorded as seven thousand four hundred forty seven cases of swine flu along with three fatalities but experts know the numbers far exceed these reported instances. Not all cases of swine flu get diagnosed because they are mild to moderate and people just sweat them out not bothering to see a physician for testing, some people refer to these influenza infections as the “man flu”. Clinicians are awaiting supplies of swine flu vaccines for the fall and winter months to aid in controlling the virus spreading.

Outbreaks have been occurring in restricted clusters and the patterns of illness remain consistent with results so far as inefficiencies in the spread seem to exist still. Officials have also noted the new virus is more prominent in the gastrointestinal system than the normal season influenza has ever been effecting roughly forty percent with the illness.

Swine Flu

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Short-term Guidelines were given to assist physicians who are treating babies with influenza-like sickness while mired in a pandemic of H1N1. The approval was based on information garnered during the current public health crisis relating to the H1N1 pandemic situation and the high risk group of infants that remain susceptible from the influenza virus. This called for necessary measures produced by vital conditions.

There is currently limited knowledge that concerns the administering of Tamiflu in patients below one year of age; a critical requirement has come to pass where this part of the citizenry needs to be treated because of the rise in morbidity and mortality due to H1N1 influenza. The Health services communities in the United States as well as Great Britain have also made this recommendation to treat infants with antiviral medicine Tamiflu.

Physicians Wanted Leadership To Show The Way

The modification was a reflection of the necessity to look hard at concerns from primary health care providers who wanted the government to take a leadership role and make the hard decision to treat infants instead of them having to guess at treatment with tamiflu in an off label manner. The decision to finally treat very ill babies with Oseltamivir is a no brainer considering the alternative could be hospitalization, harsh illness courses and even death from H1N1 influenza infection. Weighed against not treating infants with a medication – Tamiflu – which has an excellent safety record when administered in proper dosages to adults and younger kids.

Health officials also stated that responsible family members or caretakers of these children should be notified that the medication is being administered under special circumstances. The medication can be used when an assumed infection of H1N1 influenza is verified with a quick and affirmative test outcome. In addition, if a child presents with hyperthermia and no other reason can be found, a past exposure to an infected person, likewise if there is a fever and breathing is distressed. The course of action calls for administering Tamiflu using dosages according to the child’s age and weight.

Zanamivir or [Relenza] is also approved in kids seven years of age or older. Though a case of Tamiflu resistance was confirmed in the past week in Canada, the drug had been administered as a prophylaxis to avoid illness. This individual only suffered mild sickness and completely improved. There was no indication that the resistant strain was transmitted.

Canadian health experts also recruited twelve ICU departments in various provinces to examine the cause of why certain H1N1 virus sufferers appear to get hit harder from the infection than some others do. They will also study the function of risk factors with rigorous illness like age, gender, weight, and immune deficiency. Also, research will be done to figure out the length of time that the seriously sick patients continue to be contagious and the best practices for dealing with severity in the illness.

Concerns And Unfavorable Effects in Children Taking Tamiflu?

When oseltamivir was researched during clinical trials for use in kids with influenza, the ones taking tamiflu had comparable adverse reactions as those kids not taking the tamiflu. There were no grim side effects recorded. The most frequent adverse reactions in treatment and preventive measure trials were nausea and vomiting. The clinical trials recorded an incidence of some children quitting their tamiflu because of the previously mentioned side effects.

A safety appraisal showed a few adverse incidents were recorded with the use of tamiflu on children sixteen years old and younger. The reports were mainly to do with unique neurological or psychiatric occurrences like delirium, delusion, confusion, strange behavior, encephalitis and seizures. These results were nearly all reported from Japan who were administered tamiflu using Japanese guidelines, which were similar though not equal to those in America.

There were twelve recorded fatalities in child patients since tamiflu was granted approval. Mortality figures were all documented as being child patients from Japan. Certain cases were clouded regarding tamiflu influence in the deaths since other medications were involved as well as other clinical health conditions not to mention a lack of sufficient information outlined in the data.

The evaluation also recorded harsh epidermis reactions similar to allergies in certain young patients. Not all of these cases were found in Japanese kids and this reaction has appeared in adults as well. These severe skin anomalies in every age bracket are now being studied more closely.

The use of tamiflu – oseltamivir antiviral medicine in children suspected of suffering from H1N1 is a double edged sword but not utilizing it for any sick patient regardless of age in a time of a pandemic illness would be poor judgment on the part of health experts. Parents can make a life or death determination with the best advice available regarding the use of Tamiflu in their infant children.

Swine Flu, Tamiflu

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