H1N1 Influenza A - Swine Flu: 27 September Brief Update

This week's H1N1 swine flu update comes on the heels of a recent announcement by the CDC that deaths due to influenza and pneumonia-associated complications for the week rose considerably to 572 from last week's total of 123, bringing September's number to a whopping 936 fatalities. Meanwhile, an additional 5,486 people were admitted to hospitals with infections of all types/subtypes of influenza, not just H1N1 swine flu, which is a useless distinction to make as it has already been confirmed that most, if not all, of the influenza currently circulating is H1N1. This increase means that there are now 10,082 individuals who have required hospitalization in the past several weeks. (source)

Also, from the same article sourced above, we get the following quote:
"The CDC said the latest data, based on reports by U.S. States and territories on Sept. 22, shows that 26 states had geographically widespread influenza activity in the past week, comparing to 21 states in the previous week.

The five more states that had widespread influenza activity include the most populous states of California and Texas. Meanwhile, four more states had regional influenza activity in the past week, bringing the total to 11.

All these indicate the second wave of the pandemic is imminent."

And, all of that is bad news, especially when you consider that it hit the media this week that, in dire pandemic conditions, it is likely we will experience triaging of ventilators. If you're a regular reader of Backwoods Survival Blog then this won't be news to you, but it is just beginning to trickle its way into the mainstream. I, however, have long said that perhaps the greatest danger posed by H1N1 is its ability to infect so many so fast and thereby overwhelm the medical establishment. Putting aside the possibly of some horrendously deadly future mutation, the terrible truth is that even in its current form the virus hits a certain percentage of those it infects very, very hard, and that percentage will track evenly alongside the total number as it continues to grow. If H1N1 swine flu infects billions as the WHO expects it will, then even a small percentage represents a crippling number of patients suffering more serious symptoms. It is simple, undeniable mathematics.

Don't forget that you need to be doing your research on the new vaccine so you can make a well informed decision regarding whether or not to take it. Immunizations will begin 6 October.

As a side note, you may or may not have heard that CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta contracted H1N1 swine flu this past week while covering military operations in Afghanistan as a correspondent. He reports that it began with a painful cough, body aches, and cold sweats; then worsened to include head congestion, vomiting, and persistent coughing. He required IV fluids, a nasal decongestant, tylenol and lots of rest in order to recover. The illness lasted 6-7 days, and he was the sickest he's ever been. (source)

Other H1N1 swine flu links of interest:
Spike in Pennsylvania Swine Flu Deaths
Widespread Flu Antibody Confounds Clinical Trial
Swine Flu Surge May Cause Heart Attacks
First H1N1 Vaccines Will Be Nasal Spray

The following was issued as a handout from the Red Cross to some U.S. school districts:


The following is an email bulletin recently sent from Penn State University to its students:
"Self Care Guide for Influenza
Written by Clinicians of University Health Services at University Park
Any questions please feel free to contact PSH Student Health Services: 717-948-6015

Following these basic guidelines can help ease your discomfort and speed your recovery.

DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN.

Increase your fluid intake. Drinking more fluids will help you stay hydrated and better control your temperature.

Fluids such as water, sports drinks and clear broth soups are generally well tolerated.

Get plenty of rest. Stay in bed and rest as much as possible.

Wash your hands frequently. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers after coughing, sneezing and wiping your nose to reduce the spread of the virus.

Isolate yourself in your room or home until at least 24 hours after fever has cleared without the use of fever-reducing medications. This means that your temperature
should be below 100 degrees for at least this time period.

For fever, chills and body aches use an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen (generic Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (generic Aleve). The major side effect of NSAIDs is irritation of the stomach, occasionally leading to gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. Stop the medication if you have stomach upset or pain. Consider taking acetaminophen (Tylenol), instead, for fever and pain if you
have stomach upset.

For stuffy nose and congestion use a decongestant.

The only effective oral decongestant currently available is pseudoephedrine. You must ask the! pharmacist for this medication (regulated because of illegal use to make
methamphetamine), although no prescription is required.

Decongestants purchased off the shelf contain phenylephrine and are much less effective. Oral decongestants may produce rapid heart rate, blood pressure elevation, nervous stimulation, and restlessness which may interfere with sleep.

An alternative to the oral medication is a decongestant nose spray oxymetazoline hydrochloride(generic Afrin). This can rapidly relieve nasal obstruction. When the decongestant effect of the drug wears off, nasal obstruction rapidly returns.

Therefore, this can be very effective, but limit use to 3 days (if used twice daily) or 5-6 nights (if only used at bedtime). Overuse by just a few days can result in “rebound” obstruction and mucosal damage.

For runny nose, sneezing and cough try an antihistamine.

The most effective antihistamines are first generation, although they tend to cause drowsiness. Examples of first generation antihistamines are brompheniramine (generic for DimeTapp), *chlorpheniramine (generic for Chlor-Trimeton and Singlet), *diphenhydramine (generic for Benadryl), and *doxylamine(generic for NyQuil and Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine).

The newer (non-sedating) antihistamines do not appear to have the same degree of effectiveness for treating colds.

Examples are *Loratadine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra – prescription required), and *Certirizine (Zyrtec).

For cough you can try a cough suppressant. Cough suppressants are natural narcotics, like codeine, and synthetic narcotics, like dextromethorphan (DM). They act on the brain to depress the cough reflex center. Their effectiveness in patients with chronic cough has been demonstrated in controlled studies but there is little published information on their effectiveness in coughs associated with colds. Cough suppressants can produce gastrointestinal discomfort but otherwise have few side effects. In normal healthy people with good cough reflexes, cough suppressants are safe. [SM Adds]: There is data that suggests taking cough suppressants is unwise with H1N1 swine flu; better that you maintain a productive cough to keep the virus from setting-up in the lungs, where autopsies of H1N1 deaths have shown that the virus burrows deep and does serious damage.

Drug interactions may occur with DM and certain antidepressants.

If you are on an antidepressant, discuss this with your provider.

For sore throat or nasal congestion consider using a saline rinse. Various nasal saline rinse kits are available commercially or you can make your own saline by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water in a clean container:

For the nose: Place the above mixture in a reusable sinus rinse bottle or draw up into a nasal bulb syringe. The most convenient way to perform a sinus rinse is in the shower or over a sink.

For the throat: Swish and spit

Keeping a throat lozenge, cough drop, or hard candy in your mouth will stimulate your saliva and help soothe your throat."

Posted in: H1N1 swine flu,health concerns,pandemic