The Swine Flu

The H1N1 influenza -- an unprecedented mix of human, swine and avian flu -- surfaced in Mexico this past spring. It has since faded from the headlines, but last week the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a Level 6 Pandemic. The warning was raised to Level 6 when the new strain of flu met certain WHO criteria, as it established itself in 2 separate regions of the world: North America and Australia.

There are several troubling aspects to this new flu that should be getting our attention. First is the remarkable similarity between the behaviour of this flu and the destructive Spanish flu of 1918-1919.

The 1918 Flu Epidemic

In March of 1918, soldiers at Ft. Riley, Kansas, flooded into the infirmary with acute respiratory distress and high fever. Over 100 soldiers fell sick. As the United States shipped troops overseas to fight in World War I, the flu spread. It was called the "Spanish Flu" because Spain was not involved in the war and had no censorship on its news, so more reliable reports of the disease's spread came through the Spanish press.

• The Spanish Flu first appeared in the spring -- an unusual time for the flu, which customarily proliferates in the winter. The current flu virus first appeared in Mexico in the spring.
  

• The Spanish Flu seemed to subside, only to come back with deadly ferocity in the wintertime. The current flu virus has so far appeared "mild," and reports of it have faded from the news, although in Australia -- where it is now winter -- it is beginning to spread.
  

• While normal seasonal influenza usually takes the greatest toll on the very old and the very young, because they have weaker immune systems, the Spanish Flu struck those in the prime of life with strong immune systems. The current flu virus is striking down those in their twenties at a greater rate than any other age group.
  

The Spanish Flu could strike with a suddenness that took your breath away. A person could seem fine in the morning and by night be dead. In the 2 years that it took this deadly flu to subside, it killed more people than the Black Plague. One-third of the world's population was infected, and an estimated 50-100 million people died from it.

Cytokine Storm

According to a Wikipedia article on the 1918 Flu, research has shown that "the virus kills via a cytokine storm (overreaction of the body's immune system) which explains its unusually severe nature and the concentrated age profile of its victims. The strong immune systems of young adults ravaged the body, whereas the weaker immune systems of children and middle-aged adults caused fewer deaths."

Prevention

This means that our approach to this disease will not involve strengthening our immune systems. I know that seems counter-intuitive, but it may be the way to survive if you or someone in your family becomes sick with this new flu.

This flu seems to become an "auto-immune" illness, turning the victim's own immune system against him. Organs begin to shut down and the lungs fill with fluid. One source I've read recommends boosting your Vitamin D3 levels before the flu hits this winter. Vitamin D3 normally comes from sunlight, but most people are not getting much sunlight these days. D3 is anti-inflammatory, so it should help reduce the pro-inflammatory action of this disease.

Other things you can do include getting lots of exercise, lots of rest, and eating a healthy balance of food. Avoid large groups of people once the flu starts to come back later this year (don't eat in restaurants or go to large gatherings). Especially avoid anyone coughing or sneezing, as this flu is spread through droplets coughed up by infected people. It can be contagious from before the person begins to show symptoms until the symptoms go away -- usually about 7 days. Wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your nose and mouth. Using alcohol-based antibacterial gel on your hands is a good idea as well.

I for one intend to have some bottles of Mucinex or a generic equivalent on hand, as the congestion in the lungs is the biggest killer with this flu.

And even though it seems "Third World-ish," the online discount medical supply houses are selling out of surgical face masks, so you might want to lay in a supply of those... to wear when tending a sick household member or to go out in public when this really sets in.

And it will. I suspect that by this time next year we will all be shaking our heads about the Flu of 2010.