The Difference Between H1N1 and Other Influenza

To answer the question of what makes the H1N1 flu so different from the other flu we see each year, we have to consider what a pandemic is.

A pandemic occurs when a flu virus develops into a different strain of the virus, in which there is no immunity to that particular strain. It is then of course passed from person to person, who have no immunity, and reaches larger sections of the global population, becoming a pandemic flu.

Do we have an immunity to H1N1? No, we do not. This respiratory illness impacts the lungs, nose and throat.

Do we have an antiviral drug? Yes, and in some countries it has been stockpiled to be available to each person in the population of that country.  Does it stop the H1N1? No, but it is used to treat patients in the early stages of the H1N1, and decrease the length of time for the illness.

Is there a vaccine? In some countries a vaccine is going to be available by November 2009. This means there will be two types of vaccines for flu – one for this strain, and one for the regular flu. The vaccine is supposed to prevent a person from becoming sick from the H1N1. This will be an emormous step in providing an emergency preparedness plan to help halt the spread.

Symptoms: An updated list of symptoms are similar to those in a regular flu: fever, coughing, achy muscles, sore throat, fatigue, decreased appetite, headaches, and possibly nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting though these last three symptoms don’t always accompany the other symptoms.

Infectious Period: This type of flu shows that people are most likely to be infectious – to pass on the flu to others, for one day before symptoms show up in one person, and that infectious period lasts likely about seven days. Once another person is infected, they show symptoms anywhere from two to seven days.