H1N1 questions about immunity

Thanks for your question. H1N1, like all flu viruses, can cause different symptoms in different people. Usually, it causes classical flu symptoms, including sore throat, runny nose, fever, muscle aches, headaches and tiredness. It is also possible to have symptoms such as vomiting and diahorrea.

Some people may get a very mild case and others may be more affected. Older people are less likely to get it, as they may have some immunity from previous exposure to different strains of the flu virus, but are more likely to have complications. Young people, especially children under 5, may be more at risk of complications, and need closer watching if you think they have H1N1. (See below for things to watch for)

Most people who contract H1N1 will develop immunity to it and not get it again. People who have very weak immune systems (usually associated with a medical condition) may not get this immunity.

It is also likely that this virus will change and “mutate” with time, as other flu viruses do. If the new version is different enough to H1N1, people that have had H1N1 may not be immune to it.

My personal approach to this and other illnesses is to boost the immune system with nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and zinc, plus herbs such as echinacea or olive leaf extract. Homeopathic oscillococcinum can be used at the start of the flu (3 doses eight hours apart). I would suggest encouraging the ill person to keep drinking clear fluids and, for young children, close body contact, especially skin to skin, boosts immunity.

I do not generally recommend medications to reduce fever, which is an important method that the body uses to “cook” a virus. A very high fever in a young child requires medical attention.

Medical attention is also advised if any of the following occur:

In children:

•               Fast breathing or trouble breathing

•               Bluish skin color

•               Not drinking enough fluids

•               Not waking up or not interacting

•               Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

•               Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

•               Fever with a rash

In adults:

•               Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

•               Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

•               Sudden dizziness

•               Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

For more information, see

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm