The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (also known as "swine flue", due
to its genetic similarities with influenza viruses normally occurring in pigs)
made its first appearance in North America in April 2009 and then rapidly spread
worldwide, becoming the predominant influenza virus in circulation all over the
world, officially declared as the new influenza pandemic virus by the WHO in
June 2009.
Since this influenza virus subtype is relatively new, most
people are not immune to it. This means that the probably of falling ill with
influenza after exposure to H1N1 virus is significant.
This is the reason why
worldwide surveillance and monitoring are paramount for the early detection of
H1N1 influenza outbreaks. According to the last WHO report (5 February 2010),
the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the main influenza virus
circulating worldwide. However in the last few months it has been observed a
global overall decline of influenza cases due to this virus.
In North Africa and in certain areas of South and East Asia
and of Eastern Europe, pandemic influenza transmission continues to remain
active, although geographically localized, while in other parts of the world
except for sporadic or localized cases the H1N1 activity is decreasing or
remains low.
H1N1 virus Symptoms
Symptoms of H1N1 influenza (or pandemic influenza A) are not
very different from those of seasonal flu and can include fever, cough, sore
throat, headache, body aches, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
Although some cases of severe illness and death have been reported, most cases
of H1N1 influenza are mild and resolve on their own within 4-5 days.
To date most cases have occurred in infants, children and
younger adults, which therefore have been shown the most susceptible to H1N1
virus infection.
Although H1N1 influenza symptoms are generally mild, certain
groups of patients are particularly at risk of developing serious illness or
respiratory complications. These include children under 2 years of age, old
people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, people affected by diabetes or
chronic cardio-respiratory diseases and those with an impaired immune system.
As a result,
these people should take particular health precautions when
travelling abroad, especially in those countries where the risk of contagion is
still present. Of course the most obvious preventive measure is to postpone the
trip. However, when this is not possible, these patients should consider taking
antiviral medications with them on their journey.
H1N1 virus Treatment*
The treatment of H1N1 influenza in otherwise healthy adults
usually involves rest and the use of traditional anti-pyretic medications to
relieve fever, analgesics to relieve body aches, and anti-cough medications to
reduce cough. For patients who are at risk of developing severe or complicated
illness (see above), it is advisable to take specific antiviral medications
which can be obtained with the prescription of a doctor.
The main preventive measures include vaccination (for people
at the highest risk of contagion or complications), as well as general hygiene
measures.
In this respect it is important to remember that the H1N1
influenza virus spreads from person to person mainly through coughs or sneezes
of people who are infected, but also through casual contact with objects which
have been contaminated by nasal or buccal secretions of infected people (e.g.
towels, handkerchiefs, glasses).
Therefore the most important and effective preventive hygiene
measures include: staying at home when sick, avoiding close contact with sick
people, washing one's hands after coughing or sneezing (with or without using a
handkerchief), throwing away the handkerchief after using it and avoiding using
the same towels or drinking from the same glass as an infected person. Finally,
it is important to remember that getting sufficient international health
insurance coverage is always a fundamental safety measure.
International
Health Cover