Flu Season 2009-10: Novel H1N1 and Current Concerns

We have made it through the first couple of weeks of ragweed season so what’s next? Mold counts remain moderate to high but many people seem to have caught on to the importance of “staying the course” with their allergy medications, at least until after the first good frost. I can’t believe I’m talking about the first frost at a time when it seems summer has yet fully arrived.

So what’s next?

Normally I would be discussing preparatory measures for fall-winter asthma control but instead I am compelled to talk about the upcoming fall-winter flu season 2009-10.

H1N1 has been the most talked about issue among health care professionals in recent weeks. This new flu virus has many of us concerned about the next several months. Swine flu H1N1 (swH1N1) has been reported in every state of America and has infected over one million people here. The good news is it has led to less than 500 deaths (to date) and has not proven to be highly incapacitating to most of its victims.

Our concern has to do with it (swN1H1) being a brand new flu bug that continues to cause new infections at a time of the year when flu syndromes are not usually headline topics. Such a different flu virus (compared to previous ones) can have a much greater infectious impact in a population which lacks immunity to it.

Furthermore, young children, pregnant women and healthy young adults appear to be most at risk for this new virus. In contrast, seasonal flu has typically been more deadly for those over age 65 years of age and younger people with chronic health problems.

What should you do?

1) I recommend you learn as much as you can about how to prepare for this year’s flu season. You can start here: (CDC’s Q/A )

2) Get your seasonal flu shot as soon as you can (if you are older than 5 months, are not allergic to egg or previous flu shot, and have never had a rare neurological disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome )

3) When you are thinking about the multiple flu vaccinations that may be recommended for flu coverage, consider the balance between the risks associated with getting a flu vaccine (swH1N1 included) Vs not getting it. Risks of flu vaccine injections over the past several years have been minimal, whereas risks of infection and death from seasonal flu syndrome have been considerably higher. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.

4) Learn about treatment and the use of antiviral agents here:

(Antiviral drugs)

5) Stay up to date on reports of flu activity in your state here:

(Up to date info on flu cases in your state)

6) This site will give you state oriented availability of flu vaccine:

(Information on flu vaccine in your state)

7) Finally: Let me know what you think by making a comment on this site or by email: allergyqa@aol.com (I am really interested! I may post your question, anonymously)

Here is a link to the Cold & Flu section of HealthCentral.com where there is more detailed information: http://www.healthcentral.com/cold-flu/c/359713/85352/winter-approach 

The Moment of Truth Approaches: Ragweed Season 2009

Okay fellow allergy sufferers now is the time to begin your preparation for ragweed season 2009. Perhaps you’ve been coasting along for the last 3-4 weeks, enjoying the summer with only minimal nasal and eye itching and watering. The up and down humidity may have caused a little off and on nasal congestion. Just hit a few speed bumps right?

Well the good times will soon be over my friends. Right now billions of ragweed plants are out there on the verge of mounting a ferocious assault which kicks off on August 15^th of this month.

What are you prepared to do? Are you going to be like millions of others and wait for the first salvo of allergy symptoms to remind you of your “Achilles heel” of the late summer and fall season? Will you be one of many who desperately run to the drug store or your doctor’s office to get those magical antihistamines and nasal sprays, only to find that they don’t work nearly as well as before? The pills end up giving you a few hours of partial relief before the itching, drainage and sneezing returns. The nasal spray won’t even get past the first third of the inside of your nose before running down your upper lip. The sinus pressure makes your head feel like a bowling ball. You get the picture?

Perhaps you are so desperate you dash to the store for some of that quick-acting (quick fix) over-the-counter nasal spray (no prescription needed). You know what I’m talking about. The Afrin or Neosynephrine, or many others of the class that rapidly relieves stuffy nose, but if used for more than three days, may cause dependency (you may get addicted my friend).

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO AVOID THIS SCENARIO?

Remember: “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”

One to two weeks before the start of ragweed season is the best time to start your long-acting antihistamines and prescribed nasal sprays. That means the time is now!

I won’t go into detail about the meds because I have already covered this topic in several of my postings (follow the links).

Bottom Line:

Get going with your allergy treatment plan before the onset of symptoms in order to give yourself the best chance of getting through the ragweed season with minimum difficulty. Talk to your allergist or primary doctor to find out what medication is best for you and most safe (regarding possible side-effects and drug interactions).

Good Luck!

Links: Ragweed Season