May 4, 2009

• If Miss Piggy didnt sleep around…

  Hey folks, while I prepare for my trip (first one to give me a cool nickname like Indiana Jones wins a prize!) Here is some information about the swine flu

  

  The World Health Organization (WHO) currently puts the pandemic alert at Stage 5…what does this mean to you?

  Phase 1 is no circulation in humans whatsoever. Phase 4 is confirmed human to human transmission. Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent.

  This does not mean panic…instead if you start feeling symptoms of the flu as you are familiar with them, go visit your family doctor first to be examined, as at this point most of you are unlikely to have been exposed. Do not just toss back a z-pack (azithromycin) as antiBIOTICS have no effect on viruses, and instead you need an antiviral.

  Below is information from emergency physicians monthly with relatively frequent updates on the status.

  The Basics
  •Swine Flu is a reassortant type A influenza virus that originated from swine at some point in the past
  •Unlike past infections with swine flu, the current outbreak strain efficiently spreads from person to person—secondary attack rates are approximately 20%
  •The diagnosed cases in the US represent only the tip of the iceberg, it is likely to be circulating in your community

  Symptoms
  •All cases outside of Mexico reported to date have consisted of mild influenza-like illness with the exception of the prominence of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  •The US should be prepared to see severe cases with fulminant pneumonia given the experience in Mexico
  •The incubation period is approximately one to seven days
  •The infectiousness period begins 1 day prior to symptoms and continues for seven days after symptoms commence

  Diagnosis
  •Standard rapid tests may be falsely negative, but could be positive for influenza A
  •RT-PCR testing is required to confirm the diagnosis of swine flu
  •Viral culture can also be used to isolate the virus
  •The CDC has published case definitions for possible, probable and confirmed cases:

  Treatment
  •The virus is susceptible to treatment with the neuraminidase inhibitors, oseltamivir (tamiflu) and zanamivir; it is resistant to amantadine and rimantidine
  •Standard treatment for seasonal flu should be employed (i.e. either zanamivir alone or oseltamivir in combination with an adamantane to cover the possibility of resistant seasonal flu)
  •Antiviral guidelines are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm
  REMEMBER: ANTI BIOTICS DO NOT WORK AGAINST VIRUSES

  Infection Control
  •Full airborne protections are warranted (N-95 masks)

  this virus is making its debut at the tail end of the Northern Hemisphere’s influenza season, there is hope that the outbreak may abate. However Southern Hemisphere countries, whose flu season is about to begin, have reported suspect cases the virus may now begin to circulate in that hemisphere and reappear again in the Northern Hemisphere in the fall of 2009.

  •Vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine is not protective

  Hope that answers any questions you may have at the moment. As I am approaching the end of my Almost Doctor J tenure, I will be including a standard disclaimer in any medical post or on the site in the future. For now, this site is merely a result of my own thoughts and research and should in no way shape or form be substituted for proper medical advice in the event of sickness or emergency. I am just an average almost-doc on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the powerless, the helpless in a world of criminals who operate above the law.’

  Oops, that was David Hasselhoff…I am here for your entertainment and occasionally education.

  And now, a joke.

  My grandfather always told me we would see a black president when pigs fly…and 100 days into office for Barack Obama…swine flu.

  Rec if you feel this is helpful for the average person to know about.

  • 11:21 pm
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