The first report confirms what many doctors have been seeing for months, in that according to a study published by the journal Nature Biotechnology, laboratory tests have confirmed that, "Seasonal strains of flu attach themselves almost exclusively to cells found in the nose, throat and upper airway, producing some of influenza's signature symptoms: a runny nose, scratchy throat and a dry cough. But the research shows that [influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus] -- by sticking to a greater range of receptors -- can also reach cells deep in the lungs."
Essentially what this is saying is that the potential for serious complications from H1N1 are much greater than from seasonal flu. Those persons who are identified as among the top risk groups (pregnant women, infants and small children, individuals who are immuno-compromised) should take care to avoid exposure at all costs. Even for those with healthy immune systems, H1N1 promises to bring you a week filled with cough, sore throat, and fever... it really will knock you on your ass. As thoughtful human beings, anyone who suspects they are infected should stay home for the week to reduce the spread of the disease.
Perhaps an even more worrying report comes this week from a summer camp in North Carolina, where two out several hundred campers and camp staff being given chemoprophylaxis (antiviral medication) to help treat H1N1 clearly displayed signs that strains of the virus are developing resistance to oseltamivir, one of the two most commonly used antivirals used to treat influenza. Oseltamivir is sold under the brand name Tamiflu. The virus is still shown to be susceptible to the other common antiviral drug, zanavimir (Relenza). The full report can be access via CDC's Mobidity & Mortaility Weekly Report.
A quick rundown on antivirals vs. vaccines...
Tamiflu and Relenza are two of the most common and effective antiviral drugs used to combat influenza, and stockpiles of both are common in doctors offices, hospitals, and state and federal warehouses (I have personally stocked more boxes of these medications than I could ever count - thanks CDC). These medications do not cure the flu, rather they enhance the body's immune response to the virus, hopefully making symptoms less severe, and reducing the overall time of infection. Antivirals can be taken in advance of expected exposure or soon after suspected infection.
These antivirals stand in contrast to vaccines (of which there are several for other strains of flu) that are currently being developed to protect the population against H1N1. Without going into too much detail, the production process for an H1N1 vaccine, while being implemented rather rapidly, is nevertheless complicated by the need to simultaneously produce and administer seasonal influenza vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccine production has more or less been completed, and the public can expect to see seasonal influenza vaccination clinics by the end of this month. H1N1 vaccine will likely not be widely available until mid-to-late October (which may miss the virus' peak), but as some have suspected, it is now being reported that protection from H1N1 can be achieved through one shot, rather than two, essentially doubling the vaccine supply.
The best advice remains the tried and true advice being repeated by public health practictioners for the past several months: cough into your elbow, wash your hands frequently, and stay home if you're sick. It's not the magic bullet that the public wants, but these practices can make the most difference in rates of infection.
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