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10 Facts About H1N1

H1N1 Facts
The H1N1 virus, or “swine flu” as it’s commonly known, was a strain of influenza that became pandemic in 2009. In the subsequent years, the virus was one of the most prevalent concerns of the worldwide medical community. Though the virus has not been as prominent in recent years, it can still infect people and have drastic effects in some regions of the world.

Here are 10 facts about H1N1 influenza:

  1. H1N1 is commonly referred to as the “swine flu” due to its similarities with the flu virus that affects pigs in North America. Further study has shown that it is different than the other virus and carries two genes that normally occur in European and Asian pigs, birds and people.
  2. The virus spreads the same way as the regular seasonal flu virus. It is contagious and can be contracted through coughing, sneezing or even talking to someone carrying it. It can also be contracted through mouth or nose contact with something contaminated.
  3. The H1N1 influenza virus causes moderate to severe respiratory infections. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, chills and fatigue. Severe cases include bacterial pneumonia bronchitis, sinus infections and an increase in underlying conditions.
  4. H1N1 is most severe in infants, young children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases. Mortality rates in people less than 65 are significantly higher than those associated with the common flu.
  5. People infected with H1N1 become contagious generally one day before showing symptoms and can continue to spread the virus for five to seven days after. Those with weaker immune systems, such as children, are generally contagious for longer.
  6. H1N1 can also affect various farm animals, including pigs and turkeys. Domestic animals such as dogs, cats and ferrets are also susceptible to the virus due to close contact with humans.
  7. It is estimated that more than half of the deaths caused by the H1N1 were in the Southeast Asian and African regions. This could be due in part to the quality of healthcare and limited availability of vaccines and medications.
  8. An estimated 105,700-395,600 people died due to respiratory complications attributed to H1N1 influenza during the first 12 months of the virus’s outbreak. This constitutes 0.001-0.007 percent of the world’s population.
  9. The virus was given pandemic status in 2009 after the disease spread rapidly throughout the U.S. and Mexico. It was announced to be in post-pandemic stages August 10, 2010. More than 200 regions across the globe have been affected by the virus.
  10. There have been more recent outbreaks of the disease. In 2015, India reportedly had over 31,000 people infected and 1,900 resulting deaths. There was a small outbreak in the Maldives in early 2017 with 185 reportedly having tested positive for the virus.

Vaccination is still the best protection against H1N1 influenza. Other measures can be taken, including hand washing, avoiding people showing symptoms and avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth. It is also suggested to get vaccinated against the disease if traveling to an area where contracting H1N1 is a possibility.

– Drew Hazzard

Photo: Flickr

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Behind the Virus: 10 Facts About H1N1

H1N1
There are many different strains of flu and each year the flu shot is redeveloped to guard the population against the strains that are most likely to spread during the upcoming flu season. One of these strains is H1N1 or Swine flu, which caused a pandemic in 2009.The flu is typically more common in the fall and winter months and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the flu is most common during December through February. The best method for preventing the virus is the flu shot, although it is not designed to combat each individual strain of the flu.

10 Facts about H1N1

  1. The H1N1 virus was first isolated from a pig in 1930, according to a report from CNN.
  2. The CDC estimates that 151,700 to 575,900 people were killed by H1N1 during the pandemic in 2009.
  3. More than half of H1N1 related deaths in 2009 occurred in Africa and Southeastern Asia.
  4. The CDC also says that people under the age of 65 were more greatly affected by H1N1 than they had been by other strains of the flu virus.
  5. In 1976, 13 soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey became infected with Swine flu, resulting in one fatality.
  6. It is unlikely for H1N1 to be passed from person to person, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  7. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, most people who contract the virus will be able to fight it off on their own.
  8. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied the impact that H1N1 would have on the country after the initial 2009 outbreak, estimating that it would have no more of an effect than other strains.
  9. The NIH studied the impact of H1N1 vaccinations among children and reported that efficient vaccination prevented the virus from being spread to 100 million more individuals.
  10. The H1N1 virus is constantly changing since pigs can contract viruses from birds and humans.

These 10 facts about H1N1 provide the public with insight into what the virus is, how it works, and how it is able to spread. These 10 facts about H1N1 also provide important information about the work that scientists are doing to learn more about it and prevent outbreaks.

– Helen Barker

Photo: Flickr