Swine Flu: H1N1

Just FYI: As an ER physician, I am seeing Influenza A, H1N1 variety, every day. This virus has a very common and rapid onset constellation of symptoms: slight sore throat, a rapidly developing cough with bronchial "burning," fever, headache, and muscle aches. There are effective antiviral medications you can take early on, IF you can get to your physician ASAP. After 48 hours from the starting of symptoms, these drugs have no effectiveness.

They do not work like antibiotics fighting bacterial infections either. They slow the virus down and you are not as sick, but you are still sick. I personally had this virus as the person who coughed in my face tested positive (days later). I took the inhaled form of the antiviral drug with the onset of my symptoms, and I was amazed at how effective it was. I felt the burning in my chest improved for a good 8 hours between doses, but these symptoms came back in force after that. I played this game with my symptoms for 3 days before I felt "the storm" abating.

Nonetheless, most people survive the infection with rest and non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. People at risk for developing a more serious case are those with allergies, such as asthma and so forth. They seem to be the sickest, and they need to be in close contact with their physician.

This virus like most viruses is very contagious. It spreads rapidly in the young people population at schools and preschool because younger children do not understand about their hands, coughing, and touching other people. ER waiting rooms is another "breeding" place, so take advantage of the nurse handing out masks. Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is much superior to hand washes, but it all helps.

In the alternative literature and press, the flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine specifically are receiving a lot of negative press. I think the risk of actual infection is much higher than the perceived risk of the vacines, so I recommend them. Life is about weighing risks and benefits. If you are very young or very old, with allergies as mentioned above, or have other debilitating diseases, H1N1 can make you deathly ill. So far, all my patients have survived, but a fair number went into ICU.

Anyway, if you are getting sick do everybody a favor. Stay at home. Stay off airplanes. Take care of yourself. This virus, which probably started in pigs in the orient, now lives in the human race. It knows how to get around. Good Luck!