A/H1N1 virus under the electron microscope. The diameter of the virus – 80-120 nm
Throughout its existence, humanity is faced with the threat of global epidemics – pandemics. Smallpox, plague, dysentery, tuberculosis, and lots of other known diseases. But it would seem than can be dangerous flu? Headache, joint pain, fever and other symptoms that are not very frightening people. Several days of bed rest, delicious, hot tea and many fruits contain vitamin C, not the most complicated recipe for health, is not it? In fact, we should not forget that it was influenza – “king” of epidemics. It is this virus (and not some kind of plague) is capable of in a few weeks to reach billions of people and virtually stop life on the planet! And if all people are sick, then who will we be treated? Frightening? Yet?
swine flu
A/H1N1 virus under the electron microscope. The diameter of the virus – 80-120 nm
In 1933, the influenza virus was officially opened, described and since then the progressive mankind knows how about “work” that nasty virus and why it can be so dangerous.
First of all, influenza is of three types – A, B and C. This causes a pandemic, is rarer and is “only” of the epidemic, and influenza type C, even more rare, and talk about it in light of the pandemic has not yet worth it.
Secondly, the virus – a living creature, and he is able to change, to adapt. How does this happen? Inner part of a small living organism – the flu virus – RNA nucleotide contains odnonitchatuyu (in fact, the genome of the virus), enclosed in a protein sheath. The genome is stable and the same for influenza viruses of the same type. But the additional outer shell – it contains two proteins – hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) – it is not like that. But when the flu virus enters the human body, our protective forces, fostered the evolution, with terrible force snatch on the virus and … Yes, a person would have been impregnable immunity to influenza. If the flu, for example, was smallpox – if these two proteins did not change with such astonishing speed.
Thus, influenza in 1933 for clarity (and simply to indicate, without any mental reservation) called N0N1 (hemagglutinin H0, neuraminidase N1). However, in 1947, a new variant of the virus – H1N1: neuraminidase remained the same, and hemagglutinin changed beyond recognition. As a result – the immunity acquired by the virus in 1933 N0N1, was in 1947, not a useless old age, but because the disease has changed. “Asian” flu in 1957 was caused by a virus, which replaced both the protein – its formula H2N2, in 1968, the formula would look like H3N2. It has been suggested that the “Spanish flu” H1N1 was the same and they were confirmed: in 1997, Research Institute of AFIP (U.S.) received a sample of the “Spanish” of the virus in 1918 from the corpse of native women in Alaska, buried in the permafrost 80 years ago. It appeared to be strain H1N1. By the way, the last major outbreak of H1N1 influenza was recorded in New Jersey, USA, in 1976
Raises the question – how and where these changes are occurring in the envelope of influenza virus?
And then come to the rescue of our smaller brethren – namely, pigs and poultry. In the early twentieth century, many researchers have observed: almost every epidemic of influenza in humans is accompanied by a similar epizootic diseases among animals. Several years ago the planet was shocked phrase “bird flu”, which turned out to be nothing more than a close relative of H1N1 – H5N1 – although not so close to be transmitted from person to person. And it is good, because deaths from the virus was not a good figure of 50%. Gradually, the bird flu changed, changed – becoming less dangerous for humans, but retaining a small fraction of avian genetic material in RNA. Then one fateful meeting took place – in one organism, one cell met ordinary swine influenza virus (and, of course, pig, human viruses can get sick) and human H1N1 influenza virus with the memory of avian influenza. There was an exchange of gene material and get a new influenza subtype H1N1. And there was this flu chief newsmaker of recent days: April 29, WHO officially confirmed 114 human cases of swine influenza (for officially unconfirmed reports of the disease have died 152), eight cases have died: one, seven in Mexico, one – in the U.S. . Cases of possible infection reported from all continents, and the panic is growing.
So whether the risk of fatal?
The main trouble threatening from this strain of virus – a human has not developed immunity to it. Of course, gradually formed, of course, the virus will change and everything will be new – so history teaches. But there is one weighty and no small “but”: the stages of transmission from human to human virus most often weakens. All other speculation – and the deadly, and on some special features – mass hysteria and nothing more. While hiding under the hysteria and a sad moment – at risk by virtue of state immunity are weakened (and it is the children and the elderly) and people with chronic illnesses (who do not?). For them, the disease can occur especially hard, and possible death. Adult (healthy) people are likely to transfer the swine flu influenza is common – fever, ache in the whole body, cough, headache.
Unfortunately, in this situation, the situation of the inhabitants of post-Soviet space is very similar to the Mexicans took the first blow of the new virus: poor nutrition, neglect of sport, leadership, alcohol and smoking (respectively, the immune system suffers from) and – must admit – care attitude to generally accepted rules of sanitation and hygiene, and health as their own and their loved ones – it is almost a national trait. While, perhaps, yet we’ll even give odds to Mexicans – traditional Russian “maybe” and the recently acquired “I will take the” much worse than the lack of habit of washing hands before eating.
What you need to know
- There is only one group of drugs effective against swine flu – this is the neuraminidase inhibitors II (zanamivir) and III (oseltamivir) generations. Unfortunately, other drugs may well proven in other cases, there will not help.
- More fluid – Pamper yourself with warm tea with raspberries, rosehip decoction, drink just water. Avoid fizzy, sugary and alcoholic beverages.
- Temperature undercut only paracetamol, since the H1N1 strain of increased risk of hemorrhagic complications while taking aspirin.
- Bed rest and, of course, quarantine. And do not hesitate to call an ambulance.
Chronicles spread
March / April 2009 – a massive outbreak of influenza-like illness in Mexico, which was almost immediately dubbed the swine influenza (later the name was changed to a more accurate medical H1N1). The authorities of the country until the end of April confirmed 81 fatalities. The virus affects mainly adults, which is characteristic of a pandemic disease. 30 April, WHO has identified a new disease for the 5-th, the penultimate, the level of danger.
May 2009 – flu reaches Japan, Australia, by the end of the month, May 22, the first case of H1N1 infection recorded in Russia. U.S. and Europe are taking extraordinary measures to prevent, but the virus is spreading. June 11, WHO announced the threat of a pandemic. There is development of a vaccine, but at best, waiting for her only by October-November this year.
situation in the world in August 2009
ill – more than 230 thousand people
dead – more than 2200 people
Cases H1N1 recorded in almost all countries of the world, the unit managed to avoid infection. Governments of all countries and international humanitarian organizations to provide funds to prevent the spread of the virus. United States, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Canada leaders in the number of cases. In Russia formally recognized sick flu strain H1N1 180 people, mostly – tourists returning from abroad.
August 21 reported that the H1N1 virus found in birds – turkeys on farms in Chile.
Prevention
In view of the primary specific prophylaxis (primarily those categories of risk) in Russia and abroad is carried out to accelerate the development and registration of specific vaccines based on selected strains. Epidemiologists also welcome the vaccination of “seasonal” influenza, containing antibodies against the damaging agents (proteins) of three different from the “pork” strain of the virus.
In the memo about the high pathogenic flu, WHO identified the need to eliminate close contact with people who “seem to be unhealthy, with a high body temperature and a cough. We recommend thoroughly and frequently wash hands with soap and water. “Stick to a healthy lifestyle, including full sleep, consumption of healthy food, physical activity. With proper heat treatment will kill the virus. Primary prevention is not specifically aimed at preventing the virus in the body, and not on strengthening specific immune response to prevent development of disease.
Treatment
Treatment of disease caused by strains of the virus “swine flu is not fundamentally different from the treatment of so-called” seasonal “flu. When expressed phenomena of intoxication and violation of the acid-alkaline balance is held detoxification and corrective therapy. Of the drugs acting on the virus itself and its reproduction of the proof of the effectiveness of oseltamivir (Tami-Flew). In its absence, WHO experts recommended that the drug Zanamivir (Relenza), with a relatively mild course of disease doctors recommend that post-Soviet countries arbidol, despite the fact that it applies to drugs with unproven efficacy, and WHO does not consider it as an antiviral drug.
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Synonims: Oseltamivir
Treatment of severe and moderate severity cases directed at the prevention of primary viral pneumonia, usually flowing heavily and causing hemorrhage and raised respiratory failure, and adherence to prevention of secondary bacterial infection, also often causes the development of pneumonia.
Shown as symptomatic therapy. From antipyretic drugs most experts recommend medications containing ibuprofen and paracetamol (not recommended to use products which contain aspirin, because of the risk of the syndrome of Ray).
Emergency treatment in hospitals (call the ambulance) is necessary if signs of severe respiratory failure, oppression and violations of the brain function of the cardiovascular system: dyspnea, shortness of breath, cyanosis (blue in the face of the skin), a swoon, the appearance of stained sputum, low blood pressure, the appearance of pain in the chest.
Mandatory access to a doctor (usually at the clinic at the place of residence) must be at a high temperature, not decreasing at the 4-day, pronounced degradation after a temporary improvement.
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Health to you and your family!
