Round 2 Swine Flu

In the battle against influenza, two formidable opponents

stand out: H1N1 and H3N2.

Each has its unique characteristics and challenges for public health.

H1N1 dubbed the "swine flu," leaped from pigs to

humans, while H3N2 is believed to have avian origins.

Younger populations are more susceptible to H1N1, whereas

H3N2 poses a greater threat to older adults.

Both subtypes spread through respiratory droplets, but their impact varies.

H1N1 can hit young adults and those with certain medical

conditions hard, while H3N2 is notorious for its

severity in those over 65.

Despite these differences, both strains are included in the

annual quadrivalent flu vaccine, designed to shield us from the

most common viruses each season.

However, the vaccine's effectiveness against H3N2 can

fluctuate due to antigenic drift, a challenge for vaccine developers.

As the flu season evolves, staying informed with resources like

the CDC's updates becomes crucial.

The traditional egg-based flu vaccines typically take about 6 to 8 months.

This process involves growing the flu viruses in fertilized chicken eggs.

This production method requires large numbers of chicken eggs and

may take longer than other production methods.

Fertilized chicken eggs cannot be done in a factory, you require a rooster.

So, standard chicken eggs sold in the grocery stores are not fertilized.

In 2009 the Obama administration declared swine flu a

public health emergency six weeks before H1N1 was declared a pandemic.

No deaths had yet been recorded.

After six months more than one thousand deaths occurred, and

more than sixty million Americans contracted H1N1, killing 12,500.

However, an adjuvant found in the vaccine produced that year

was found to be harmful and production was halted especially

in Great Britain where Narcolepsy developed as a result of taking the vaccine.

Having the flu can lead to secondary infections like sinus and ear infections.

Bronchitis caused by the flu virus can also lead to pneumonia.

When someone has the flu, it often makes them susceptible to bacterial infection.

The production of antibiotics in America plays a crucial role

in managing the supply during an epidemic.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, more than

29,400 people died from antimicrobial-resistant infections.

Responses to a pandemic involve many factors

and can vary based on the specific characteristics of the

virus, the available resources, and the public health infrastructure.

According to recent data, we are at an all-time high

in public cases of flu.

Not since 2008 has there been this many reports of influenza.

Entering the winter season and 2024 remember garlic and Zinc is your friend.

Get ready to Rumble. The second wave is coming...

The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has pulled all antibiotics used in livestock production from shelves as of June 2023.

So any shortages of human medicaitions will remain shortages...

Good Luck out there.