h3. H1N1—here it comes!
“I don’t have it. See,” Sophie said, “I don’t have a curly tail.”
According to the newsletter Sophie brought home,
This week H1N1 (swine ‘flu) has been confirmed in four Southwark schools including a school in Rotherhithe. This particular strain of the virus seemes relatively mild and responds well to the anti-virals (Tamiflu) which are used to treat it. Its symptoms are the same as those of the ‘flu except it is accompanied by diarrhoea.
Which is pretty matter-of-fact for a school newsletter. But wait, it continues,
The advice from the Health Protection Agency is that schools are not to close simply because cases are reported or confirmed. At this stage they feel that the virus is so widespread in the community that closing a school woiuld make no impact on its spread. the probability is that most, if not all Southwark schools will have confirmed cases before the end of the summer term.
which is remarkably sane, logical and progressive. See, it’s just a pandemic, which simply means everyone gets it. It doesn’t mean it’s the next sodding Black Death. Getting now while it’s hot not incredibly nasty would be a Good Plan. Swine flu party, anyone?
And then Sophie was wondering if H2N2 was ‘worse’ than H1N1, and if H5N5 would be the worst of all… I stayed out of that conversation. Is there a virologist in the house? Cath Eva Åsa?
Older people will remember ‘Hong Kong’ flu which swept across the country quite a few years ago—there is no doubt that H1N1 is a nasty does of the ‘flu…If you have any concerns around your own child’s health please see your GP.
Now, if only we’d had advice like that during that whole MMR gives you autism mess.
Tell Sophie that when Rotherhithe gets hit with H67N67, I’m outta here.
You can tell her yourself—I just remembered that you were a virologist in a former life, weren’t you?
I’m wondering, given the talent here on NN (and remembering this, too), if we could collaborate to give lessons to NN children? We probably cover all of biology, most of physics, stats, some chemistry…
And Henry can do the chicken husbandry bit.
Can you get H1N1 in SE16?
Cluck cluck.
Apparently so, Frank. Unless you’re wearing white librarian gloves.
No, wait…
Lots of good info on flu here.
Currently circulating human strains are H1N1 and H3N2 (these are incorporated into the vaccine). H5N1 (bird flu) would be a bad one to get since it has high mortality in humans but not yet worked out the human-to-human jump. Unlike the H1N1 ‘swine’ flu, which has.
We’re a long way from H67N67 since there are only 16 flavours of H and 9 of N.
I think the M67 is up near Manchester.
Richard: I heard your call… all over the Atlantic 🙂
And then Sophie was wondering if H2N2 was ‘worse’ than H1N1, and if H5N5 would be the worst of all…
Since the Spanish Flu (1918) was an H1N1 and that was worse than the Asian one (H2N2) and the Hong Kong one (H3N2) I would say no. Of course, if (when) the H5N1 or the H7N7* starts to go to humans and from human to human likelihood is that it will be worse. but the numbers are , as far as I know, in the order they were discovered…
Overall, it seems to be a slight bit confusion about the terminology. H1 can mean that it comes from either birds, humans, swine or other mammals – it’s just that it is mostly similar to the type 1 HA…. Influenza virus is a slightly nonfaithful virus, being able to exist in several hosts – but mostly birds which is Influenza A’s natural host.
Stephen: I agree!
Although, on the other hand, the present (swine)H1N1 isn’t as lethal as the few H5N1 seen so far i guess we’ll see what happens later on?!
*cause of the death of a few people in Holland due to zoonotic transfer. Also found in horses if I remember correctly… but mainly in poultry, and not only in Holland – UK too.
bq. And Henry can do the chicken husbandry bit.
I could comment on that, but definitely not in front of the children.
…or the chickens.
Thanks for the clarification, Åsa.