To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate Against the H1N1 Virus

This flu season, the focus is on the H1N1 influenza virus. It has become a pandemic, it is affecting more flu cases than the regular seasonal influenza virus. The question regarding whether or not one should get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus continues to be a controversy. What are the risks? What are the benefits? Should you get vaccinated?

Whether or not to get the H1N1 vaccine is a personal decision. Read the following carefully, and click on the links for more detailed information before making your decision. Whatever your decision is, be sure that it is a well-informed one.

H1N1 Flu Statistics:
Up to date, there has been over 1600 cases of H1N1 infection across Canada
Of theses cases, 101 have died from complications related to the infection
Each year, 2000-8000 Canadians die from the seasonal flu
Teenagers and young adult are the majority of the infected population
Rate of hospitalization is the highest in very young children (6months – 5years of age)
Between 1% to 10% of patients with clinical illness require hospitalization.
Of hospitalized patients, from 10% to 25% require admission to an intensive care unit and 2% to 9% have a fatal outcome.
7% to 10% of all hospitalized patients are pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women are ten times more likely than the general population to require admission to an intensive care unit when compared with the general population.
Are there oral drugs available to treat the H1N1 flu virus?
Early research has shown that oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) that are effective in treating the H1N1 Flu Virus.
These are not recommended to give these drugs for mild disease or for preventative purposes.
No sufficient information is available to suggest that H1N1 virus requires the use of antivirals.
Most patients in Canada are recovering well on their own.
There is a risk that the virus could be resistant to antiviral treatment if antivirals are overused to treat mild illness.
The known and potential benefits of Tamiflu outweigh the known and potential risks for children under 1 year. Treatment decisions remain with a physician, who would consider prescribing Tamiflu after weighing the potential risks and benefits to any individual patient.

What's in the H1N1 vaccination?

Non-adjuvant type contains:
Split influenza virus, inactivated, containing antigen
Thimerosal (mercury derivative), sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride, water, egg proteins, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate and sucrose

Ajuvant type contains:
The above ingredients plus DL-α-tocopherol (vitamin E), squalene oil, polysorbate

What are the benefits vs. side effects of getting vaccinated?
According the Public Health Agency of Canada, the seroprotective rate is 97%. (note: seroprotective rate does not necessarily translate into clinical protection rate.)

Side effects
Pain, swelling, redness in the local area
systemic symptoms include: fatigue, headaches, arthralgia, myalgia, sweating, fever
in extreme cases, vaccination has been linked to Guillian Barre syndrome and neuropathy

Who are most at risk for contracting the H1N1 flu?

children under 5 yr of age
pregnant women
people with chronic conditions including:
Heart disease
kidney disease
diabetes
asthma and chronic lung disease
liver disease
blood disorders
severe obesity
immunosuppressed (those on cancer drugs and people with HIV/AIDS)
neurological disorders

What is the difference between a cold and H1N1 flu symptoms?
 
Symptom
Cold
H1N1 Flu
Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1  flu.
Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The  H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are fairly uncommon with a cold
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes present in H1N1 flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

What can I do to prevent myself from contracting the H1N1 virus?
Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
Keep your hands away from your face.
Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands.
Get immunized.
Keep common surface areas—for example, doorknobs, light switches, telephones and keyboards—clean and disinfected.
Eat healthy foods and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong.
If you get sick, stay home.

If you would like more specific advice on individualized treatment or preventative measures (ie. Specific dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, or herbal medicine treatments), contact naturopathic doctor Lei Gu for an appointment.


References:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/legislation/interimorders-arretesurgence/prodinfo-vaccin-eng.php#a2
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/index-eng.php
http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/