© 2009 by Daniel Carter. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying prohibited and will be prosecuted.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccinations will only be available to high risk groups to begin with. After these groups are vaccinated, the general population, ages 25 and up will be able to receive the vaccination, first come, first served basis, until the supply is gone. Although a CNN story reported Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stating that there will be enough of H1N1 vaccine for all who may want it, a statement from the CDC paints a more realistic, slightly ominous picture: "We do not expect that there will be a shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities."

The information above creates some important questions:

1. Who are the high risk groups stated by the CDC?

2. Where and when can the general population who are not considered high risk receive H1N1 vaccinations? (In the US)

3. If I am not able to get an H1N1 vaccination, how can I protect myself?

4. If anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu are not available and I contract H1N1 infection, what should I do to treat it?

HIgh risk groups listed by the CDC include:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age, including the following subcategories:

• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,

Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Vaccinations began October 12, 2009. New shipments are sent throughout the US weekly to specific clinics, hospitals and health agencies. Information about getting a vaccination, whether you are in a high risk group or not can be found state by state here.

Dr. Vinay Goyal, head of Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad Maharashtra, India, lectured in Molokai, Hawaii in August 2009. Among the important points he made in his lecture are:

• H1N1 virus, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates there. The only way the virus can enter the body is through the nostrils, mouth and throat. Therefore, risk of infection is dramatically increased because the virus is often transferred by breathing infected air or by hands touching the face.

• Contact with the virus is not so severe a problem as proliferation is. The virus has a relatively short life outside the body, but once inside the body, it proliferates (reproduces) aggressively.

• While most N95 respirators (face masks) filter certain particulate sizes, the H1N1 virus is much smaller than the filter, thus allowing the virus through such protective devices. However, such face masks can help stop the spray of droplets from sneezing and coughing, which have the virus in them. Therefore, use of the face masks could be justified particularly when in public places.

• Tamilflu does not kill the virus, but prevents the virus from further reproducing (proliferating), thus limiting the life-cycle of infection to about 1-2 weeks.

How to Prevent Infection from H1N1:

• Frequent hand-washing, including carrying disinfectant wipes or alcohol-based gels, particularly when you are in public places. Wipes can be particularly useful to clean off surfaces like grocery cart handles, door knobs, and even drinking fountains before touching.

• Keep your hands away from your face, except for washing.

• Gargle twice a day with warm salt water, or use a disinfectant-type mouth wash. The virus incubates for 2-3 days in the nose and throat before symptoms develop. Gargling apparently has the same type of effect on the virus as Tamiflu does in preventing proliferation.

• Clean your nostrils and sinuses once a day with warm salt water by using a neti pot (sinus cavity wash) or by swabbing with the solution on cotton swabs.

• Boost your immune system with Vitamin C, Zinc, and other immune system boosters such as echinacea.

These recommendations are generally consistent with CDC guidelines, but seem to be incomplete in comparison. The CDC's guidelines are listed below:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

The CDC's only recommendation for what to do if you infected with H1N1 virus is to "stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu."

Most reliable medical and health sources agree that the first 24 to 48 hours of symptoms of H1N1 are the most critical in getting any type of antiviral treatment.

Since Tamiflu may or may not be available depending on a variety of factors, it's good to know there are natural substances which are easily obtainable which are powerfully antiviral as well. Oregano oil and colloidal silver are commonly used to treat a variety of bacterial and viral infections with great success. In addition, some also recommend food grade hydrogen peroxide. Note that the pharmaceutical form available at pharmacies and grocers is not to be ingested because it contains stabilizers and other inedible substances. For more information on food grade hydrogen peroxide go here.

Other recommendations for treatment include drinking plenty of fluids, which could include some sports drinks which contain electorlytes (such as potassium). Foods rich in potassium could also be included, such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.

Plenty of bed rest is a must, avoiding contact with other people except for caretakers. Caretakers should use preventative measures to protect themselves and other household members from further infection, listed above.

Hard flu symptoms will usually last 5-7 days, followed by 3-4 more days of after effects, such as cough, residual congestion, etc. In more severe cases one can feel ill for two weeks, with lingering effects toward three weeks. However, several factors affect the length of time, including overall health.

Knowing how to protect yourself from H1N1 contamination is perhaps even more important than trying to treat for the infection once you have it. Once you have the virus, it's much more difficult to rid the body of it, than to prevent getting it. However, prevention can only be effective if everyone takes precautions and follows preventive measures. Reports of swine flu "parties" for the purpose of exposing each other to get build immunity and "get it over with" are extremely risky ideas, and do not contribute to overall public health. It is far more prudent to prevent disease than to facilitate a pandemic.

Symptoms of H1N1 Virus according to the CDC are as follows:

You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:

• fever *
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

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