The cold weather flu season is now here, and you may be wondering, “If I get sick, how do I know if it is seasonal influenza or swine flu?” Both seasonal flu and H1N1 are influenza A viruses, which share many characteristics and symptoms of infection. Only laboratory tests, not symptoms alone, can distinguish the common flu from the new pandemic influenza.
What Is H1N1 Swine Flu?
In the spring of 2009, a novel H1N1 swine flu hit the scene; novel meaning that this influenza virus had previously only infected animals, but has now made the jump to humans. Novel viruses can be especially dangerous. The human immune system has years of experience dealing with the common seasonal flu, but the novel H1N1 virus is brand new, and we have no established immune defense against it.
* Both Novel H1N1 Flu and Seasonal Influenza are Dangerous *
Although both seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccines are slated to be available in the fall, there may be a shortage of H1N1 vaccines, which means that those with the highest risk of becoming ill from swine flu are likely to be vaccinated first.
But don’t let concern over swine flu distract from the importance of getting vaccinated against the common flu. Every year in the United States, approximately 36,000 people, mostly the elderly, die from seasonal influenza. Any type of influenza that effects humans is cause for concern.
* Populations at Highest Risk from Influenza *
Seasonal Influenza: Those most vulnerable to the seasonal flu are mainly the elderly; but young children, and people with certain health conditions such as asthma, pregnancy and immune suppression, are also at risk.
Novel H1N1 Pandemic Flu: Both children and young adults, as well as those with preexisting health conditions, appear to be at greatest risk of becoming ill with the new swine flu. Young people have been the most vulnerable demographic in flu pandemics of the past as well, such as the Spanish Flu epidemic that killed tens of millions in 1918. Epidemiologists suspect that older adults, over the age of 65, have more experienced immune systems which may provide them with some level of built in resistance to the novel H1N1 virus.
* Typical Symptoms of Influenza *
Seasonal Influenza: Symptoms of seasonal flu often come on suddenly and may include high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur, but are more common in children than adults.
Novel H1N1 Pandemic Flu: Unfortunately, symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza are very similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. It is not possible to know which type of influenza you have by symptoms alone.
* How Are H1N1 Pandemic Flu Infections Diagnosed? *
In addition to symptoms, the prevention and treatment of novel H1N1 viral infection are very similar to those for seasonal flu. Therefore, it is likely that only those patients who have a high risk of serious complications will actually be tested for the flu.
To test for novel H1N1 influenza virus, an upper respiratory specimen, such as a nasal swab, is collected. The CDC is recommending that all specimens be sent to state public health laboratories for a confirmed diagnosis. If you do get tested for this new pandemic flu, how quickly the results are available depends on the type of testing done.
There are rapid flu tests that can help identify the general type virus in less than half an hour. However, not all family practice offices offer this quick test, and if an provider does, it will likely only test in cases where knowing the viruses identity will make a difference in the treatment course chosen. The information that these rapid flu test can provide is limited.
Rapid flu tests can confirm the presence of an influenza A virus, but are not reliable in distinguishing the novel H1N1 virus from the seasonal flu virus. Infection with the new H1N1 virus can be best diagnosed through sophisticated laboratory analysis, such as reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions and viral cultures, the results of which take days, not hours, to obtain.
Siriraj Hospital Ready for H1N1 Flu Diagnosis
Siriraj Hospital has announced that it can now diagnose the H1N1 flu. Meanwhile, the Virology Association advised authorities to continue to closely monitor the outbreak and to support local researchers in diagnosing the virus and developing medication.
Dr.Teerawat Kulthanant, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, today announced that the hospital can now diagnose the H1N1 flu. He said the hospital had obtained samples of the virus from the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Science to develop a diagnostic test.
Dr.Teerawat said the diagnostic procedure, which matches the genome sequence of the virus, is similar to the one used by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.
He added that the hospital is also capable of detecting antibodies in a flu patient which can be used in developing a vaccine as well as identifying cells that cause drug resistance.
Meanwhile, the head of the Virology Association, Prasert Thongcharoen, said foreign laboratories are working to develop a vaccine for the H1N1 flu but it would take some time for it to be available for general medical use. He advised authorities to continue to monitor the outbreak closely and to support local researches on the virus.
Diagnosis
Influenza diagnosis is generally based on a self-assessment of symptoms. Fast, accurate diagnosis for flu is essential to early treatment.
When to see a doctor
It’s not necessary to see a doctor if you’re generally healthy and you develop flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and body aches.
Do call your doctor, however, if you:
•Have flu symptoms and you’re pregnant
•Have a chronic disease, such as emphysema or a heart condition
•Have a compromised immune system, such as during cancer treatment, following transplantation, or have HIV/AIDS
In addition, do call a doctor:
•For children under 5 or adults older than 65 who have flu symptoms
•If you or a family member has:
◦Difficulty breathing
◦Chest pain
◦A fever above 103 degrees (that doesn’t go away with fever-reducing medicine)
◦Profuse vomiting or diarrhea
◦Dizziness or lightheadedness
◦Inability to keep fluids down
◦A feeling that something just doesn’t seem right compared with normal flu expectations