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THE H1N1 influenza (often erroneously called Swine flu) that initially surfaced in the United States in mid-April 2009 has already infected millions of Americans, 20,000 of them requiring hospitalization, with a death toll of more than 1000, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a consequence, President Barack Obama has declared a national emergency in the United States on Sunday, October 25, 2009, noting that the H1N1 flu had doubled the past week, where 46 States out of the 50 have reported cases of this flu which has killed more than 100 children.
?This move allows the normal red tape to be cut ... making resources much easier to get to, it is hoped that this will be able to prevent a serious outbreak,? according to the declaration.
There are two issues we want to address in this column today as a part of our public health educational campaign about the H1N1 pandemic, because of the severe confusion about the virulence of H1N1 virus and about the safety of the vaccine against the H1N1 virus.
While it is true that about 36,000 die each year from seasonal flu-related complications and that the H1N1 flu pandemic has killed ?only? 1000 since it started about six months ago in the US alone, it does not mean it is less dangerous or less of a killer for those who get infected with this virus. In the Philippines, the death was reported at 30 a week ago. Worldwide, about 5000 have been killed by the H1N1 virus.
?There is no question we are seeing very severe cases hit in populations normally not susceptible to the flu, and without underlying health conditions in some cases,? according to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, who added: ?Young people and pregnant women have been particular targets of that.?
Indeed, the widely circulated impression (and the misinformation in the countless emails on the internet) that the H1N1 flu is ?milder,? implying it is less serious than the seasonal flu, and that ?we have nothing to worry about if we catch it,? is a dangerous oversimplification of a scientifically complex issue, where medical subtleties are vital in the extrapolation of mortality rates. ?Milder,? in this situation, does not translate to lesser risk to life, as the death toll from the H1N1 flu has so far shown.
Statistically, each year, a hundred-fold of people get the seasonal flu, compared to the much smaller number of H1N1 patients since the inception of this new virus. Also, the public is more careful and more aggressive in warding off exposure to the H1N1 virus. This is one reason for the discrepancy. If the same volume of people gets infected with the H1N1 flu, there will be more fatalities among those infected with the H1N1 virus than those with the seasonal flu virus.
A caveat: A virus that has killed a lot of people is a potential death threat to anyone catching it.
Safety of the vaccine
According to the US National Institute of Health, the H1N1 vaccine is ?remarkably safe.? President Obama?s daughters, Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, ?were given the vaccine when it became available for Washington, D C, schoolchildren,? underscoring how safe Obama considers the H1N1 vaccine is.
As of October 21, there were 11 million doses of the vaccine available in the United States, but not close to the great demand for it in this land of about 300 million people. The high demand is expected to be met by the end of November, certainly by the year?s end.
The initial target group (given priority to receive the vccine) includes healthcare workers (except those caring for patients with weakened immune system), women who are pregnant, those between 6 months old and 24, those who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, and individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions.
Children under age 10 are recommended to receive two doses of the vaccine, 4 weeks apart, to achieve full protection.
It is most unfortunate, though, that some innocent and helpless children, who could benefit from the vaccine, are being victims of the unfounded fears among their confused or misguided parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated.
In spite of potential (possible) side-effects, some serious, the H1N1 vaccine has been shown, and confirmed, by clinical applications in various institutions around the world, to be effective and safe, considering the alternative risk to life of the H1N1 virus infection. There is absolutely no medication around that is totally devoid of possible side-effects, including aspirin, which can cause allergic reaction, stomach bleeding, or even death.
The great benefit and protection conferred by the vaccine far outweigh the degree of risk from the potential side-effects of the H1N1 vaccine, more especially, in preventing fatality, according to health officials. With all the available clinical evidence today, the H1N1 vaccine is deemed effective and safe.
Medically speaking, what is really scary is if there were no vaccine at all against the H1N1 virus during this pandemic, or, if the available supply is so scarce as to exclude you and your family from receiving it.
The wise and prudent thing to do at this juncture is to discuss in detail all the issues with your physician in order for you to be able to make a well-informed and intelligent decision.
The whole world unceasingly strives for greater and faster progress in medical science and technology for the benefit of mankind. We have come a long way the past half a century, which has given us mind-boggling advances in medicine and other sciences. When we can, let us take full advantage of man?s noble achievements to prevent diseases and protect the welfare of our loved ones, ourselves, and, where possible, also of our less privileged fellowmen and society as a whole.
?The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
