Influenza A (H1N1) : What you need to know

More than 50,000 people are infected worldwide. It is interesting to note that the 20-30's are more susceptible, suggesting some form of immunity in the older population. However, if you fall under the high-risk groups; pregnant women, age older than 65, infants and children younger than 2 years old, people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, heart disease and asthma and people with a compromised immune system, H1N1 may cause complications leading to death.

Same as seasonal flu, symptoms of H1N1 are:

• Fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Malaise
• Vomiting and diarrhoea in some cases

Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (originally referred to as 'swine flu') is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease. The virus can spread from person to person, through exposure to infected droplets expelled by cough or sneeze, or contact with contaminated hands or surfaces.

The mortality rate for H1N1 is not alarming, less than 0.5% and is not any higher compared to ordinary flu. On the contrary to the H1N1 flu, the SARS virus which affected the ASEAN countries back in 2003 saw a mortality rate of 10-20%. As for the Avian flu, the mortality rate is higher, 262 people died from a total of 429 people infected worldwide.

Some of the precautions one should adopt include improving personal hygiene like washing your hands with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after use. Wear a facemask to prevent spreading the virus to others, especially when sharing common spaces with household members who are at high risk of complications from influenza. Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have fever. Visit the doctor if you suspect that you have come in contact with persons suffering from H1N1 flu.

As all flu are caused by viruses, doctors may give you anti-viral jabs but most of the time, you need to rely on your body's immune system to do the job. Hence, prepping your immune system with immuno-boosting nutrients may be beneficial.

Up your intake of vitamin C. You can obtain this either from foods or supplements. Bear in mind that you would need to take more fruits (5 servings) to get enough vitamin C and also go for freshly-cut fruits rather than buying from fruit vendors (as the Vitamin C content may be lost due to exposure to sunlight and air). I would suggest a combination of vitamin C, A, E, Zinc in tablet form as you are assured that you are getting enough and it is convenient. Vitamin C is water-soluble and may stay in your body for a short while before your body get rid of it via urination. Therefore, combining with fat-soluble vitamins such as A and E may also give extra protection to the immune system as they are stored in the fatty region of the cells.

As for herbs, you may try garlic, echinacea and horseradish which people use to treat upper respiratory tract infections such as sinus and colds (should be taken at first onset of symptoms).