H1N1 - The Facts - The GloBELL ROAR

Swine influenza has been around forever, though it has primarily infected swine populations around the world. That being said, the similarity between pigs and humans (did you know pig hearts are not rejected as human heart transplants?) also means that swine influenza can easily jump the genetic hurdle – and it has done so many times in the past. But what makes the H1N1 influenza virus is quite unique, probably because it has its origins in four different strains.

What surprised scientists most about this virus is that it was found to include genetic elements from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and a type of swine influenza commonly found in Asia and Europe. The antigenic shift (a genetic change enabling the virus to “jump” between species) is believed to have occurred when a pig was infected with both avian influenza and human influenza simultaneously, causing the virus strains to mix. Acting as a mixing pot, individual cells infected with both viruses at the same time created a new type of virus, which eventually became the H1N1 virus.

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When humans became infected with this novel virus, they first exhibited symptoms similar to other influenzas. However, it soon became apparent that while most infected individuals experienced mild symptoms, a very small population of patients (which included even those who were previously very healthy) developed viral pneumonia. Individuals with a previously higher risk for pneumonia (heart disease, respiratory complications) composed 70% of hospitalizations in the US.

The WHO first declared an H1N1 pandemic on June 11, 2009. Since this time, the H1N1 virus has already spread throughout most the world, causing death in almost every nation (notable exclusions include Papua New Guinea and Greenland). However, vaccines have since been administered to over 16 countries (including Canada). It should also be noted thatthere have been 24 confirmed cases of anaphylactic shock following vaccination in Canada alone, as of late November. Despite the fact, the safety profile of the new vaccine has been compared to that of the seasonal flu vaccine, causing fewer than a dozen cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The H1N1 virus is a pandemic still fresh in the minds of the world. As a result of the media hypes associated with a global infection, many new health measures and practises have become regularly enforced, including a new technique for sneezing/ coughing, and the installation of hand sanitizers nearly everywhere you go. Most importantly, it should be noted that the virus cannot be spread by eating pork products or being around pigs (although you’re at higher risk at catching regular swine influenza), and is spread by droplets from coughs and sneezes from infected individuals, just like the regular flu.

Things to remember:
1. If you feel the need to cough or sneeze, remember to do it into your elbow.
2. Isolation and quarantine are great, but you should still treat sick family members or friends with love and infection affection
3. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly, especially before you eat.

If you got the vaccination, feel free to announce that you are invincible.