What Is H1N1 (Swine Flu) And How Does It Affect Your Immune Health?
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What Is H1N1 (Swine Flu) And How Does It Affect Your Immune Health?
Chris Harmen is a writer for Respiratory Guard. The elderberry lozenges are a natural dietary supplement made from elderberry extract, which maintains immune health (http://www.respiratoryguard.com) and boosts the immune system (http://www.h1n1flucures.com).
H1N1, also known as swine flu, has become a phrase that has struck fear around the world, yet many people still don’t understand how it compares to the seasonal influenza virus. The H1N1 virus is a new influenza A virus that is composed of what scientists call a quadruple reassortant, meaning it is made up of several different genetic strains of viruses including two genes from influenza viruses normally circulated in the European and Asian pig populations, one gene from avian influenza and one gene from human influenza.
Contrary to some initial fears, the H1N1 virus is not spread via the food chain, but instead is a respiratory disease spread by contact with infected individuals. It’s spread just as the seasonal influenza virus is passed via infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.
Who Is At Risk?
When the epidemic was first discovered, panic set in, closing schools. People immediately went to the emergency room rather than the family doctor. Since then, the panic has subsided and most experts suggest only going to the doctor if certain symptoms are present including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or fever that continues for more than three days. Parents with young children who are ill are encouraged to seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or seizures.
About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the ‘high risk’ category for serious seasonal flu-related complications. These conditions include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
Yearly influenza epidemics can seriously affect all age groups, but the highest risk of complications occur among children younger than age two, adults age 65 or older and people of any age with certain medical conditions. Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. The vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 have recovered without medical treatment, yet hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
The First Lines Of Defense
Vaccination is recommended by the CDC as the first line of defense to prevent the disease or severe outcomes from the H1N1 virus. Vaccinations have been proven to prevent 70 to 90 percent of influenza-specific illness. Among the elderly, the vaccine reduces severe illnesses and complications by up to 60 percent and deaths by 80 percent.
Seniors (adults 65 years and older) are prioritized for antiviral treatment to limit risk of complication if they contract the flu. While your age could mean you have a lower risk of getting the flu, certain risk conditions (COPD, diabetes, etc.) mean if you get sick, you may have higher risk of complications from any influenza.
However, some groups of people should avoid getting vaccinated for health reasons. These groups include anyone who is allergic to chicken eggs or any other component of the vaccine, anyone who has had an adverse reaction to flu vaccines in the past, and anyone who has had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Aside from vaccinations, the second line of defense in fighting flu is good hygiene. Since it’s is spread via hand to mouth and nose contact, hand washing is essential. Hands should be washed frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers are also effective at fighting flu viruses. People who have H1N1 are wise to sneeze into their sleeve rather than hands to prevent transmitting the germs.
Fighting Flu By Boosting Immune Health
It’s impossible to not be exposed to seasonal or H1N1 flu at some point, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone who is exposed will become ill. Boosting immunity before coming in contact with the virus can help ward it off.
Fighting flu and enhancing immune health is possible by building immunity with vitamin C, zinc and elderberry extract. Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies that coat cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Zinc increases the production of white blood cells that fight infections and helps them fight more aggressively while also assisting white cells release more antibodies.
Perhaps one of the most promising immunity boosters is elderberry extract. Research conducted at the University of Oslo has demonstrated that products containing elderberry extract also aid in the prevention of the influenza virus by preventing viruses from attaching to host cells, thereby preventing infection.
Good hygiene, vaccination and immune support such as vitamin C, zinc and products containing elderberry extract provide several of the barriers required to fight the H1N1 virus.
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