H1N1 Swine Flu 2009

Lately, everyone has heard the media panic regarding this year's H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic. I have to say that as a nurse, I probably have a little more understanding of this virus than the average person not in health care. I would like to share with you the knowledge that I have about the H1N1 Swine Flu of 2009, and my own personal and professional opinions on what you can do to remain healthy and recover if ill.

At my place of employment, all of the nurses had a conversation about the H1N1 Swine Flu one day during our lunch break. We all agreed that for the average person, the H1N1 vaccine probably posed more of a health risk than just catching the virus. This new vaccine contains Mercury, and has caused death for approximately 80 people who have taken the vaccine around the world. No, 80 is not a lot, but a lot of people haven't actually died from H1N1 Swine Flu either. Think about it. Over 300,000 people die annually from the seasonal flu. Do you hear about every single case on the news when someone dies from seasonal flu? No. When every single person who dies from H1N1 Swine Flu is reported to the media, it seems to the public that the virus is killing more than it actually is. Get my drift? It causes an unnecessary panic.

Personally, I do not know anyone, including any health professional who has gotten or plans to get the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine. They all agree that it's just not worth it. H1N1 Swine Flu is in most cases, less severe than the seasonal flu. It usually doesn't last as long in duration, and has milder symptoms overall than the seasonal flu. Plus, people born before 1970 may already have some natural immunity to this new virus, as in years passed, there were several flu strains that were very similar to H1N1 Swine Flu.

Personally, I have H1N1 Swine Flu right now. I went to the doctor today and tested positive for it. I will tell you how I feel. Today is the third day that I have been sick. The first day, I had chest congestion and a slight cough. The second day I had a little more chest congestion, a cough, and a mild fever. Last night, I had a fever around 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and the chills. I woke up this morning to chest congestion, coughing, and nausea. I'm not saying that this virus is pleasant at all, because it isn't. I was prescribed Tami-flu to take twice a day for five days. Hopefully, the Tami-flu will lessen the severity of my symptoms, and shorten the duration of my illness by 1-2 days. For nausea, I was given Phenergan, and for my cough and congestion I was given some Vicodin. (Helps suppress an area in the brain that triggers the need to cough). I have had seasonal flu before, and so far, knock on wood, the H1N1 Swine Flu has not been as bad for me as the seasonal flu that I have had in the past. I'm trying very hard to make sense right now as, yes, I am taking all of my medication, including the Vicodin as prescribed.

Hand-washing is the most simple method to prevent infection from H1N1 Swine Flu. The virus is spread through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing in the air up to six feet away. You can also be infected if you touch an infected surface such as a doorknob and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can live for 2-8 hours on surfaces outside of a human body. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol based hand-gel and rub into your hands for thirty seconds.

If you or a family member living in the same household is sick, take every precaution not to spread the virus within your home. Use separate linens and towels while sick, and try to spray your bathroom with Lysol before exiting. If possible, restrict infected persons to a "sick room" and even have them use their own bathroom until they are well. Wash linens and eating utensils well with hot temperatures and do not hug infected linens to your body before placing them into the washing machine. Dispose of used tissues immediately into the trashcan, and Lysol telephones after use.

I believe that personally, the best treatment is to rest, drink LOTS of fluids, and keep your fever down. Rest, sleep and fluids are essential to healing, and not allowing your temperature to increase to an unsafe level will protect your body from damage due to denaturing of proteins in your organs including the brain. Remember to wash your hands often, and seek treatment at your local emergency room or doctor's office if you think you have the H1N1 Swine Flu. If you have other health problems, this virus could be life-threatening. This article is my own personal opinion and should not be used as a diagnosis, or plan of treatment. Always seek professional medical advice and a thorough check-up if you believe that you are sick. Good luck, and I hope that no one else catches this virus! For more information, you can check out the Centers for Disease Control at www.CDC.gov.