What To Do About the Flu

Two strains of flu, seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu, are currently circulating in the U.S. Influenza is a serious illness that spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, and via saliva and mucus.
The word “flu” refers to illnesses caused by a number of different influenza viruses with a range of symptoms and effects, from mild to lethal. Most healthy people recover from flu without any problem. However, certain people and age groups are at higher risk for serious complications. As stated in the Healthy Home Guide published by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH), “Seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 vaccines are recommended for anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu, but particularly for seniors, infants, toddlers, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.”
Influenza is very contagious. Moreover, it is not merely airborne.
“Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface,” said state Department of Health Maui District Officer Dr. Lorrin Pang.
People may become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. The germs are spread by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a surface such as a desk or the handle of a shopping cart, for example.
“People infected with seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 shed virus and may be able to infect others from one to two days before getting sick, to five to seven days after,” said Dr. Pang. It can be longer in some people, especially children and those with weakened immune systems.
Seasonal, or common flu strains, arrive every year from October through May, said Dr. Pang. Unexpectedly, at the end of the flu season last spring, a new type (H1N1) began to circulate around the world. By June 11, due to its rapid spread worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 was underway. President Obama recently declared it a national emergency, prompting hospitals and local governments to quickly set up alternate sites and procedures if needed to handle any surge of patients.
“We have not needed alternative sites so far on Maui,” said Dr. Pang, adding that prevention, knowledge and education are key factors to avoiding both seasonal flu and H1N1. “Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines are available,” he said. He highly recommends receiving both the seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1 vaccines, because most people have little or no natural immunity to new influenza viruses.
The flu vaccine used each year contains the strains of the virus that are most common that year. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine, made just like seasonal flu vaccines, is expected to be as safe and effective.
The reason the H1N1 vaccine has been taking so long to arrive is the amount of time it takes to prepare.
Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said, “We take vaccine safety very seriously.” He wished we had the technology that could produce a vaccine in weeks or months, rather than the six to nine months it takes using the current tried-and-true technology.
“However, six months after the virus emerged, the H1N1 vaccine is becoming increasingly available with a high degree of confidence in its safety,” said Dr. Frieden. The CDC reports that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine includes all the same safeguards that gave hundreds of millions of doses of the seasonal flu vaccine an excellent safety record.
Dr. Frieden explained further, “If we had had the H1N1 vaccine ready earlier in the season, we would have most likely included it in the seasonal flu vaccination program, just as it will be in the Southern Hemisphere in their coming flu season.”
In the U.S., epidemiologists at the CDC are working with states to collect, compile and analyze reports of flu outbreaks while tracking the spread of all flu viruses.
In the meantime, practice safety and prevention by following the Department of Health guidelines. “A simple way to boost your overall health is to get a dose of seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine,” according to DOH.
Other immunity-boosting and prevention safeguards recommended include: social distancing, not sharing drinking cups, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, washing your hands often, keeping surfaces clean, staying home when sick, keeping your pets healthy, practicing good hygiene and taking care of your own health with regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and a diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
“This holistic message is becoming more and more important as the swine flu epidemic unfolds,” said Dr. Pang.
He recommends that those with underlying medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc.), who are at a much higher risk of complications of the flu, should call their physician to discuss options before they become ill or if they become ill. Even without the vaccine, anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu might be recommended.
But those without underlying risks, Dr. Pang said, who have flu symptoms (fever plus either a sore throat or cough), can treat themselves at home with hydration, rest and medicines (for fever, etc.). According to U.S. data, more than 95 percent of the cases were treating themselves at home.
Dr. Pang stated that the occurrences of H1N1 outbreaks are increasing on Maui, but said, “If you have flu symptoms, don’t panic. Please see your personal physician. It is extremely important to keep the hospital emergency room available for emergencies.”
But anyone with or without underlying conditions, who exhibits any one of the following symptoms should go to the hospital: difficulty breathing, cannot keep down fluids or food (vomiting), has changes in mental status (this covers a wide range from drowsiness to agitation/combativeness), or rebound fever (a second fever may be an indication of a bacterial infection).
High-risk individuals, healthcare workers and Critical Infrastructure Key Resource workers, such as police officers, have been given preference to receive the vaccine, but check with your healthcare provider or other designated distributors for H1N1 vaccine availability.