More Good News: H1N1 Flu

Good Morning!

 

Today is another beautiful fall day! I hope you had a great and healthy, productive week!

 

I am happy to share with you more good news for your health regarding the H1N1 flu virus. I’d planned to focus on today information about nutrients that support our immune system’s functioning. That will be included in my next post later this week.

 

I’ve read several reports about the H1N1 flu that I think you should know about. They provide substantive scientific information to dampen some of the hysteria and place this current pandemic into a more balanced perspective.

 

Vitamin D Supplementation Averts Patient H1N1 Outbreak

 

Perhaps the most interesting news I have to report regarding a recent outbreak of H1N1 in June, 2009, at Central Wisconsin Center (CWC), located in Madison Wisconsin. CWC is a long-term care facility for people with developmental disabilities, home for approx. 275 people with approx. 800 staff. Unfortunately, according to Dr. Norris Glick, the state epidemiologist was not interested in studying it further so he passed it on to the Vitamin D Council.  Serum 25-OHD (active Vitamin D form) has been monitored in virtually all residents for several years and patients supplemented with vitamin D.

 

In June, 2009, at the time of the well-publicized Wisconsin spike in H1N1 cases, two residents developed influenza-like illness (ILI) and had positive tests for H1N1: one was a long-term resident; the other, a child, was transferred to the facility with what was later proven to be H1N1.

 

60 staff members developed ILI or were documented to have H1N1: of 17 tested for ILI, eight were positive. An additional 43 staff members called in sick with ILI (11–12 staff developed ILI after working on the unit where the child was given care, several of whom had positive H1N1 tests.)

 

So, it is rather remarkable that only two residents of 275 developed ILI, one of which did not develop it here, while 103 of 800 staff members had ILI. It appears that the spread of H1N1 was not from staff-to-resident but from resident-to-staff (most obvious in the imported case) and between staff, implying that staff were susceptible and our residents protected.

 

No Massive H1N1 Infections in the Southern Hemisphere Flu season in the Southern Hemisphere is ending and the predictions of massive infection with H1N1 did not occur, and it when it did it was a mild infection.  New Zealand and Finland public health authorities have downgraded the pandemic emergency to a threat in their respective countries. Finnish health authorities said that H1N1 influenza would be downgraded as a threat given that the bulk of patients appeared to recover well without medication or hospital care.

 

H1N1 Death Rate Lower Than Regular, Seasonal Flu

 

In terms of death rates, H1N1 thus far has been much less severe than the regular flu.

 

The calculated mortality rate for H1N1 in 2009 is only 0.5 percent. In 2006, the death rate for influenza was 0.77 percent, and in 2005 it was 0.79 percent.

 

H1N1 Similar to 1957 Pandemic, Not 1918

 

A report published in Science in May, 2009, based on analysis of the outbreak in Mexico, early data on international spread, and viral genetic diversity, made an early assessment of transmissibility and severity. The death rate was estimated at 0.4% based on confirmed and suspected deaths reported to that time. The researchers noted, “Although substantial uncertainty remains, clinical severity appears less than that seen in the 1918 influenza pandemic but comparable with that seen in the 1957 pandemic.”

 

Significant Protective Immunity Already Exists Against H1N1

 

A report that will be published in the November issue of the Journal of Emerging Diseases has describing research findings reported from University of California, Davis last week found that many people over the age of 60 carry antibodies or other kinds of immunity against H1N1.

 

The findings among adults suggest that a portion of preexisting immunity to the H1N1 strains exists, especially among adults aged over 60 years. It is possible, according to the researchers that some adults in this age group have had previous exposure, either through infection or vaccination, to an influenza A (H1N1) virus that is more closely related to the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus than are contemporary seasonal H1N1 strains.

 

In fact, the CDC now admits pre-existing antibodies against the virus are found in about one third of H1N1 2009 patients over the age of 60, a phenomenon that suggested some levels of immunity may have existed to the new pandemic H1N1 virus.

 

“These findings indicate that human populations may have some level of existing immunity to the pandemic H1N1 influenza and may explain why the 2009 H1N1-related symptoms have been generally mild,” said Carol Cardona of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

 

CBS Finds H1N1 Isn’t As Prevalent as Feared

 

A three-month-long investigation by CBS News, released last week included state-by-state test results, revealed some very different facts. The CBS study found that H1N1 flu cases are NOT as prevalent as feared. A CBS report stated:

“If you’ve been diagnosed “probable” or “presumed” 2009 H1N1 or “swine flu” in recent months, you may be surprised to know this: odds are you didn’t have H1N1 flu.

 

In fact, you probably didn’t have flu at all.”

 

Before beginning their investigation, CBS News asked the CDC for state-by-state test results prior to their halting of testing and tracking. The CDC did not initially respond so CBS went to all 50 states directly, asking for their statistics on state lab-confirmed H1N1 prior to the halt of individual testing and counting in July.

 

What did they find?

 

CBS reported: “The results reveal a pattern that surprised a number of health care professionals we consulted. The vast majority of cases were negative for H1N1 as well as seasonal flu, despite the fact that many states were specifically testing patients deemed to be most likely to have H1N1 flu, based on symptoms and risk factors, such as travel to Mexico.”

 

Secretary of Health and Human Services: There isn’t a Spike in Flu Cases

 

During a recent Senate hearing, convened earlier this week, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services confirmed that the spike in reported cases of the flu in September, was caused by more people going to the doctor than they did with the same type of symptoms in 2008, and other preceding years.

 

After All Other Treatments Failed, a Potentially Fatal H1N1 Case is Successful

 

And finally, from New Zealand, a seemingly terminal case of H1N1 infection that responded successfully to high doses of Vitamin C after failure to respond to 20 days of critical care treatment.

 

A 56 year old male was referred to Auckland Hospital ICU on 1 July 2009 with total respiratory failure, for ECMO external oxygenation. The patient had contracted H1N1 Swine flu (confirmed by tests) while on holiday overseas, and had developed what is known as ‘white out’ pneumonia. This refers to x-rays showing no air space in the lungs.

 

After 20 days of life-sustaining ECMO (similar to a heart lung machine) treatment and other critical care, the patient, who was unconscious by induced coma, had not responded. The ICU team advised the family of the likely outcome and had prepared them for the possibility of the patient’s death.

 

Family members approached Centre for Advanced Medicine Limited (CAM) , an alternative medicine treatment clinic or advice on the clinical use of intravenous vitamin C for such cases.

 

At the family’s request, information was provided to ICU doctors including ISO 9001:2008 registered protocols, safety data, dosages and access to vials of IV vitamin C under CAM’s license for wholesale medicines.

 

The ICU team agreed to administer intravenous vitamin C according to the family’s wishes. This decision acknowledged the family’s rights, in compliance with the New Zealand Health and Disability Act, 1997.

 

The patient received intravenous vitamin C starting on the evening of 21 July, continuing until 29 July. 25 grams was provided on the first day increasing over the first three days to 50 grams twice daily which was sustained for a further six days.

 

By 24 July x-rays indicated increasing lung function and ECMO external oxygenation was discontinued on 26 July. After several days of assisted ventilation and critical care for ongoing secondary conditions, the patient was able to commence his recovery and rehabilitation.

 

The patient was discharged from hospital on Friday 18 September, and is recovering at home on the farm.

 

The decision by the Auckland Hospital ICU team to administer adequate dosages of IV vitamin C, and their skillful coordination of ICU procedures, were responsible for the positive medical outcome.

 

Permission from the patient and his family has been sought by CAM to publish these details on its website and elsewhere in the interests of accuracy. This permission was willingly provided.

 

Resources:

• http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsletter/vitamin-d-and-h1n1-swine-flu.shtml

• http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/24/IV-Vitamin-C-Used-to-Recover-Terminal-Swine-Flu-Case.aspx

• http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/324/5934/1557

• http://newsroom.finland.fi/stt/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=22386&group=General

• Peter Doshi, AM. American Journal of Public Health, May 2008, Vol. 98, No. 5: 939–945. cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/general/news/jun1208deaths-br.html

• Baker MG, Wilson N, et al. Pandemic influenza A(H1N1)V in New Zealand: the experience from April to August 2009. Euro Surveill. 2009; 14(34): pii=19319.

• Available online: eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19319

• Katz J, et al “Serum cross-reactive antibody response to a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus after vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine” MMWR 2009; 58: 521-524.

• http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/printable_news.lasso?id=9255&table=news

• http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2009/05/cdc-older-people-have-some-h1n1-immunity.html

• http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5819a1.htm

• http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/SwineFlu/14329

• http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/21/cbsnews_investigates/main5404829.shtml

• http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/12/health/main5008535.shtml

• http://newsroom.finland.fi/stt/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=22386&group=General

• http://www.camltd.co.nz/h1n1.html

 

My next post will contain information about nutrients-vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs that support and enhance your immune system.

 

Remember to ask your doctor/qualified health care provider all of your questions.

 

If you don’t want to wait for the upcoming post, you can still listen to our Holistic Preparedness Teleseminar. It’s filled with educational information about nutritional support for the immune system.

 

Call Playback Number: (605) 475-4898 Access Code: 528128#.

 

For Your Good Health!

Dr. Elaine Ferguson

 

 

 

 

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