The other night my dad was asking my about H1N1 and what they've said in school about the virus. Our teachers have been anticipating that we as nursing students will be getting these kinds of questions, so they actually have been briefing us with updates, which has come in useful.
During the conversation with my dad, he asked why the media is saying that H1N1 will most effect the younger population. That was one answer I didn't know... I actually hadn't even heard about that. It would make much more sense for the virus to hit people with weak immune systems the hardest, and that would be, for the most part, the elderly or older adults.
Finally, 2 days ago I learned the answer! I was so excited that I raced home right away to tell my dad after class. It was explained to me by a biochemist, so I'll do my best to make as much sense as he did. So, here is why people in their 30's and younger are more at risk of catching the H1N1 flu than those that are their senior:
H1N1 (or Human Swine Flu) is a strain of influenza that is so named because it affects pigs. It can also (obviously) affect humans however, and is a respiratory illness causing symptoms much like what you would expect with the regular flu. It has been declared a pandemic influenza virus by the World Health Organization, and we're anticipating it to hit hard this winter in Canada.
Influenza has been around for hundred of years, and during that whole time it has undergone many different genetic mutations, resulting in certain strains of the flu. This is why you can't just get a flu shot once and be covered for life! Because the next year there will be a different strain of the same virus, and you're vaccination for the year before will be ineffective, because it was designed to be effective on the specific strain of the year before.
But, like a breed of dog, influenza is a particular 'breed' of virus. And just as you can only change so much in a Black Lab before it's no longer a Black Lab, the influenza virus can only mutate in so many way before it loses it's identity. Making sense so far? Over the hundreds of years it's been around, influenza has pretty much run through the full spectrum of mutations that are possible for it to go through and still remain itself, so it's now common for strains to reappear that have been seen before. Human Swine Flu is one such strain! Interesting isn't it? Despite all the hype and fear around H1N1, it's already occurred; first in the 1950's and again in the 1970's.
So why are older adults more likely than younger people to be affected? Because it's quite likely that they were already vaccinated for this particular strain of influenza when they were just children, or teenagers, and still carry the antibodies. Cool, right?? Please note: I beg you not to read this and then think you have nothing to worry about! It's possible that you missed your flu shot the particular year it was for the H1N1 strain. Even if you didn't, a flu shot still cannot guarantee 100% success, especially after so many years have passed.
It's therefore still very important that you take precautions to keep yourself from being infected. Here are some tips to avoid contracting H1N1 or spreading it to others -->
- Wash your hands regularly with warm water and regular soap, especially after you cough or sneeze. When you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash right after you use it, and wash or sanitize your hands right away. If you dont have a tissue, cough and sneeze into your upper arm or sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs can spread that way
- If you become sick, stay home and limit contact with others.
This flu virus is mainly spread person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by people infected. People may also become infected by touching something with the H1N1 flu virus on it, such as counters or doorknobs, and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Stay healthy you guys! Thanks for reading :)
Until next time,
Brit
