Articles

The H1N1 Vaccine - Make an Informed Decision!

Dr. Susan Slipacoff B.Kin, ND

As of November 1st all provinces and territories in Canada will have begun their vaccination program against pandemic H1N1 influenza. Many people who originally thought that they were not going to get this vaccine are now reconsidering their decision mainly due to media hype and constantly evolving information regarding the severity of the virus and safety of the vaccine. As a result, for the general public, making an informed decision has proven challenging and daunting.

To help shed light and eliminate the confusion, a summary of the most current and up-to-date information and statistics available is provided. It is believed that the best prevention is maintaining good health and doing your part to stop the spread of infection. This information package also includes ways to prevent the risk of infection and ways that you can boost your immunity naturally Ð whether you decide to, or not to be vaccinated.

What is the H1N1 Flu Virus?
The H1N1 flu is a respiratory disease caused by a novel type of influenza virus. Since it is novel, few people are immune to it, resulting in a more rapid spread and a large part of the population being infected.

Did You Know?

The overall risk of a serious H1N1 infection is estimated to be similar to that associated with the seasonal flu. The majority of people affected experience mild symptoms and recover rapidly without the need for hospitalizations or medical care.
In Canada, as of September 2009, there have been 1479 hospitalizations due to the H1N1 virus, of which 20% were admitted to an intensive care unit.(1)
As of October 2009, the number of estimated deaths due to the H1N1 virus in Canada is 95 people, making it a 0.05% death rate.(1)
The number of deaths in Canada due to the seasonal flu influenza virus reported per year by the Public Health Agency of Canada is between 2-8000 individuals.
As of September 2009, the World Health Organization reported 3205 deaths worldwide due to pandemic H1N1 in 2009 alone.
Adults 65 years of age and older (born prior to 1957) are generally less likely to be infected with H1N1 virus.(5)

High Risk Populations:

Those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or bronchitis have a 5 times greater risk of contracting H1N1 and having more severe symptoms2. This was the case in 79% of the people who have died from H1N1.
Pregnant women in their 3rd trimester.(2)
Children under 2 years of age. This age group has the highest rate of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and ventilation rates of all risk groups.(2)
Preliminary data in Canada show that those with the previous seasonal flu shot are at increased risk of being infected with H1N1.(3)

How can you tell if you have the H1N1 Flu or Just a Regular Cold?
While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make you feel more severely ill for a few days to a few weeks. Refer to the chart below for the differences between cold and 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 degrees 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.

The progression of cold and flu viruses also differ(4):

Cold symptoms:

Begins with a sore throat.
Runny nose and congestion follow.
Cough by the 4th to 5th day.
Nasal secretions usually start out as clear and then turn thicker closer to the end of the infection.

Flu symptoms:

Comes on quickly and is more severe.
Sore throat
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and soreness
Congestion and cough

H1N1 or Swine flu:

Same as the regular flu symptoms only it is also associated with vomiting and diarrhea
Shortness of breath

Who Should get the Vaccine?

People under 65 years of age with chronic conditions (such as asthma).
Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
Healthcare providers as they are in contact with large amounts of people, including those who may not have a strong immune system.
Pregnant women.
Note: Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

Ingredients Found in the H1N1 Vaccination for the General Population
(Derived from: Health Canada, product information leaflet Arepanrix H1N1)

Thimerosal (Thimerosal acts as a preservative and is in the amount of 2.5 micrograms organic mercury)
Egg protein
Formaldehyde
Sucrose

Of Note: Pregnant women receive a different form of the vaccine. It does not contain the ingredient, Adjuvant, which is a substance added to some vaccines to stimulate the immune system so that not as much of the actual killed or weakened virus has to be used to acheive the same response. Without Adjuvant, pregnant women receive 2 vaccinations to ensure they are protected against the virus. This inturn results in twice the amount of thimerosal/mercury exposure. Health Canada reports however that this is a safe amount for pregnant women.

Flu Prevention Tips
If you are one of the many people who decide against getting the H1N1 vaccine, do not fret because there are many measures you can take to prevent becoming infected with the flu.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. Although it is easy to come into contact with the H1N1 virus, in order to prevent its progression, some very simple steps can be practiced:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Frequent hand-washing.
Take the "Hands-off-the-Face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face without washing your hands thoroughly first.
Gargle twice a day with warm salt water.
Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, or hydrogen peroxide. A Neti-pot or a Sinus rinse is also extremely effective.
Eat healthy and get your nutrients naturally whenever possible. Foods that are rich in vitamin C and vitamin D are highly desirable for boosting your immunity. Vitamin C rich foods include colorful berries, oranges and peppers. Vitamin D is best obtained from natural sunlight, but once daylight savings rolls around, most people start to get less. For this reason you may wish to inquire about supplements.
Take Supplements. Check with your Naturopathic Doctor or healthcare practitioner on the ways you can boost your immunity with vitamins and herbal extracts. No one person is the same so recommendations and dosages may vary. Like food, vitamin C and vitamin D supplements are widely used for boosting immunity.
Drink as much warm liquids as you can. Herbal teas such as Echinacea or Astragulus are ideal for helping keep your immunity strong.
Consider getting the natural flu shot with a trained naturopathic doctor. This is a homeopathic solution that supports the immune system but does not contain any heavy metals or other preservatives that may harm your body.

Whatever your decision about getting the H1N1 vaccination - for yourself or your family - get as much information as possible and make your choice an informed one! Stay healthy and be well!

For more personalized information and tips on how you can boost your immune system, call us at Kleinburg Integrative Health, 905-893-2898 and book your appointment. We're offering an H1N1 Alternative Vaccine Clinic. Our hours are: Monday - Thursday (9-7pm) and alternating Saturday's (9-3pm).

References:

Click to Send This Page to a Friend!