Disinformation about H1N1 dispelled

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m confused about the swine flu I keep hearing about on television and the ordinary flu I’m immunized against every fall.

Are they the same strains or different? My family feels I should get both injections, simply because I am elderly and have several medical issues. Also, I love pork and question if I will have to give up one of my favorite dishes.

DEAR READER: In April, a new strain of influenza was detected in Mexico and the United States. Because it shared numerous similarities to flu viruses that commonly occur in pigs, it was dubbed swine flu. Further studies, however, discredited the presumed similarities, and the name was changed to H1N1. Cases were discovered worldwide, primarily because of people who traveled outside the countries of origin. Because it met specific requirements, it then took on the term "pandemic.”

Signs and symptoms of the disorder strongly resemble those of the influenza we are immunized for each year and include fatigue, headache, chills, fever, cough, sore throat and more. Symptoms range from mild to severe.

With seasonal influenza, certain people are at higher risk than others: those with pre-existing medical conditions, the young and old, and those working in the medical field.

In the case of H1N1, healthy adults older than 64 do not appear to be at increased risk of contracting the virus, but those with diseases or chronic conditions may be at risk for serious complications. Therefore, they should be vaccinated. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said that almost one-third of people older than 60 may have antibodies to protect against getting the virus. Oddly, those commonly affected are younger than 25. Underlying causes for acquiring the virus include a compromised immune system, heart or kidney disease, pregnancy and neurological disorders.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu virus are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, chills, headache, fatigue and a runny or stuffy nose. Many have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Some symptoms warrant emergency medical attention and include severe or persistent vomiting, difficulty breathing, a gray cast to the skin and flu-like symptoms that appear to improve, only to return with fever and a worsening cough, shortness of breath and dizziness.

It appears that those infected can spread the infection to others from one day prior to symptoms presenting to seven days after. An H1N1 vaccine was being produced as I write and was expected to be ready around Oct. 15. In the interim, common sense prevails. Protect against droplet contamination, the means by which H1N1 is spread. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when sneezing or coughing. Wash your hands more often than you normally would, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid close contact with sick people, and avoid crowds when possible. The CDC recommends people remain at home for at least 24 hours after a fever breaks. Germicides, including chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, antibiotics with an iodine base and soap, are effective when used for a sufficient length of time and in a proper concentration.

To answer your question, H1N1 cannot be acquired from eating pork or pork products. There is also no documentation to indicate water in swimming pools poses a problem. But water fountains certainly do. Children have a tendency to touch the base of the water supply and could contaminate it, since studies indicate the influenza virus can remain on surfaces up to eight hours after being deposited.

Readers may send a question to Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Gott is a retired physician and author of "Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and "Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” available at most bookstores.

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