Wishing you all a good healthy fall and winter season. This fall we have quite a scare on the horizon. A couple of years back we were confronted with a threat of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), last year it was the avian flu virus(H5N1) and this year there is a full blown threat of swine flu(H1N1). Influenza infections are common every year and the flu is a very contagious disease with a reasonably high rate of fatality.
The Influenza virus is of three types – Influenza A, B and C. Influenza A is the most contagious and fatal and has the broadest host range, from wild birds to pigs and many other animals, and humans. It changes fast due to the high rate of mutation. That is the reason we are on alert every year to make a new vaccine to combat new challenges. H1N1 is one of the sub-types of Influenza A virus; H3N2 is another sub-type which is part of the seasonal flu. Influenza A virus has 2 most prominent proteins – Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase. There are various types of both of these proteins and that is how different subtypes vary. Both are important proteins in the infection process. Hemagglutinin anchors the virus at the receptors on the cell membrane, then Neuraminidase helps in injecting the viral genome in to the cell which in turn causes infection. So far we have known that genes (segments of DNA) are the ones that do the job of inheritance – whether we get a crooked nose or dimpled cheeks, widow’s peak or continuous hair line – but these influenza viruses tell us that RNA also works as genes. However, RNA genes are only limited to viruses, no other living organism has RNA genes.
Swine Flu (novel H1N1) has been reported to be pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the variant of the virus which caused Spanish Flu (H1N1) in 1918. It is known to have killed 50 to 100 million people around the globe. Due to the high rate of mutation of the virus, you are never sure how it will actually behave, only time will tell. It is certain that our preventive measures will make a lot of difference in the severity of infection as well as spread of the virus. The recommendation from CDC (Center of Disease Control - the Pentagon of infectious diseases) and WHO (World Health Organization) is that we should prepare ourselves to face this threat. There are reports of fatality from this viral infection from many nations across the globe including ours, and our neighbors Mexico and Canada. All nations on this planet should be on full alert and the public needs to be educated and guided in this respect.
This most contagious influenza virus can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions. Therefore, it is important to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with tissue. One should also keep a distance from a sick person. We all know that good hygienic practices go a long way in giving us good health. Any one can get flu, but the rate of infection is highest in children and the elderly. For most people it lasts a few days, but can also last up to 10 days. The infection causes fever, soar throat, chills, fatigues, cough, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. It can be followed by pneumonia making the existing medical condition worse.
Prevention and control
For seasonal flu, there are 2 types of vaccines available:
i. Inactivated (killed) vaccine, or the flu shot, given by injection into muscle
ii. Live, attenuated (weakened) influenza vaccine is sprayed into the nostrils
There are two kinds of prevention which one can exercise:
i. Vaccination
ii. Boosting the immune system by use of beneficial herbs and vitamins.
Most herbs have antimicrobial properties. There are quite a few herbal remedies. I would suggest you refer to my blog to get further information on this topic: http://www.holistichealthtips.blogspot.com.
The vaccine for seasonal flu is already available and for novel H1N1 will be available soon. It takes close to 2 weeks to develop protection against the virus. Both seasonal flu and novel H1N1 vaccination should be taken. I would also suggest that seniors should take vaccination against pneumonia.
I have borrowed some excerpts from Dr. L. Collins, who has been practicing medicine for a long time and now is my colleague as a Professor in the biology department. Her recommendations on prevention of flu are given here:
Preventive measures are listed below. They all stimulate the immune system to function more efficiently.
1. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
2. Sleep 7-9 hours nightly.
3. Exercise daily.
4. Wash hands frequently during the day and keep hands away from the face between washes. Wash hands for as long as it takes to sing happy birthday song.
5. Stress reduction modalities.
6. Eat onions and garlic often.
7. Vitamin D 4,000 i.u. daily.
8. Vitamin C 1-2,000 mg. daily according to Gastro-intestinal tolerance.
9. Vitamin B Complex when under stress.
10. Food with probiotics daily. Examples are kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, cultured buttermilk, cultured cheese, and cultured sour cream. Or, one may take acidophilus capsules.
11. Ginger tea daily.
12. Elderberry capsules 575 mg., 2 daily. If ill take 2 capsules 4 times a day.
13. Echinacea herb if exposed to the flu. Take for 10 days then go off for 7 days.
14. N-acetylcystine 600mg. twice a day and then if become ill, increase to 4 times a day.
15. Golden seal 400 mg. 1-2 capsules 4 times a day if become ill. Take for 2 weeks and then stop for a week.
For discussion in detail, I refer you to her blog: drlcollinswords.blogspot.com.
You can Call 1-800-232-4636 or visit CDC‘s website at WWW.cdc.gov/flu. CDC is the most authentic source of information on infectious diseases.
This is a humble attempt to furnish you with information on the Swine flu (novel H1N1) virus. For treatment, you should get in touch with your own physician, as he knows the best about your health status. There is a lot of information available through CDC and other web sites.
Please take care of your health with knowledge.
Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.
