Runny nose? Aching body? Constant sneezing? Sprouting a curly, pink tail? These all may or may not be legitimate symptoms of H1N1, until recently known as swine flu.

The alarmist news about H1N1 has been circulating since spring of last year, making global headlines and even garnering special segments on “60 Minutes.” While this new strain presents its own set of threats, misinformation persists. Here we break down the H1N1 variant, the difference between regular flu and swine flu as it relates to our susceptibility, and a few other things you should know before going hog wild.

1. H1N1 IS NOT ENTIRELY PIGGY

H1N1 has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs (in Europe and Asia) and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus, or one with four sources, which is why the former name — swine flu — is technically outdated.

Since first being discovered in April last year and labeled a pandemic by June, our understanding of H1N1 has evolved. Original concerns about the virus being contracted via consumption of contaminated or undercooked pork have turned out to be flatly false. The virus instead passes from human to human very much like seasonal flu.

Judging by recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are practically no differences between H1N1 and the seasonal flu. The primary distinction between them, and the reason swine flu was declared a pandemic, is because of how easily it passes from person to person.

Judging by recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are practically no differences between H1N1 and the seasonal flu. The primary distinction between them, and the reason swine flu was declared a pandemic, is because of how easily it passes from person to person.

2. STATISTICS ON YOUR SIDE?

Swine flu has been the inspiration of countless Halloween costumes and late-night satire; but those infected, the virus is downright scary. According to the CDC, the U.S. death toll has reached nearly 4,000 since the novel influenza appeared in April. About 70 percent of hospitalized cases had one or more previously recognized medical conditions, placing them at “high risk.”

However, based on morbidity and mortality statistics to date, the swine flu is actually considered one of the mildest pandemics ever. Of the almost 4,000 deaths attributable to swine flu, there have been more than 22 million cases in the U.S., or about one death out of every 18,000 people; an extremely low incidence. And these numbers are just a blip compared to the worst-case scenario hypothesized upon original outbreak.
First estimates had the virus killing anywhere between 45,000 and 90,000 people – between 10 and 20 times where we are today. Scientists expect that by the end of winter, the number of deaths could double, still significantly less than initial estimates.

As it turns out, during the April-to-July 2009 period, 1.44 percent of patients with swine flu symptoms were hospitalized, 0.239 percent required intensive care or mechanical ventilation and 0.048 percent died. Many experts estimate that 15 percent of the population would ultimately be infected by the virus. The previous worst-case scenario estimating that 90,000 could die was based on the virus infecting 30 percent of the population.

“It’s very important to note, however, that every year with the seasonal flu, approximately 36,000 people die in the United States,” says David Laurie, director of the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department. “The point is that the flu can be very severe (and) significant, and we really want to make sure we’re doing all we can from a prevention standpoint.”

3. IF YOU'RE WORRIED, GET VACCINATED

“A central question in public health around flu, given that 1918 was so horrible, becomes: Do you prepare for the unlikely worst-case scenario, or do you prepare for the much more likely not-so-bad thing?” A question posed by Philip Alcabes, epidemiologist and urban public health specialist at Hunter College in New York.

At the beginning of the swine flu outbreak, it was nearly impossible to get a vaccination. Now with the hysteria winding down and cases less frequent, there is a surplus of vaccinations. Last year, people reported throughout the United States that even though they were on a list to receive a shot, it wasn’t guaranteed there would be enough.

Dr. Dean Blumberg, pediatric infectious disease specialist at University of California Davis Medical Center, told the Harford Courant last year that patients will not get sick from the H1N1 vaccine.

“The flu virus is inactivated in the shot version of the vaccine, so it can't make you sick,” he says. “The virus is alive in the nasal spray version, but it's so weak that the most you could get would be a very mild runny nose or scratchy throat.”

Nevertheless, the best way to prevent contracting and spreading H1N1 is to get the vaccine. Since zoonosis, an infectious disease contracted from a non-human animal, has been predicted to become more prevalent in future years, it’s all the more reason to tread carefully.

“A central question in public health around flu, given that 1918 was so horrible, becomes: Do you prepare for the unlikely worst-case scenario, or do you prepare for the much more likely not-so-bad thing?” asks Philip Alcabes, an epidemiologist and urban public health specialist at Hunter College in New York.

The influenza pandemic of 1918 is known as the most devastating epidemic in world history. It killed more people than World War I (approximately 40 million), and 1/5 of the world’s population was affected. Without the resources or technology of today’s medical community, more people died from influenza in one year than four years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague.

4. SWINE FLU WAS AN AFFINITY FOR CHILDREN

A study released on December 30, 2009 by outbreak specialists from Imperial College London and from the CDC showed that children are twice as susceptible to H1N1 as adults. Approximately 60 percent of the cases were among children.

Studies say people most susceptible to H1N1 are those with pre-existing health conditions, children, infants and the elderly.

There’s still a lot of chatter that there could possibly be a “third wave” of H1N1, and the severity of such an occurrence is questionable. Basic hygiene is the first step to protecting children from H1N1 as well as the flu. It also has been recommended that alcohol rubs be used on skin and surfaces before feeding because it will break down viral proteins.

5. THE FUTURE OF H1N1 - DO PIG'S FLY?

What is the future of H1N1 in the U.S.? A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey found Americans are losing confidence in the government's ability to prevent a nationwide epidemic, though a small majority continues to say there will be enough vaccine to immunize everyone who wants it.

Despite how intense the disease has become, as of August 1, 2009, Texas stopped tallying novel cases of H1N1 influenza. That means any case of influenza deemed quadruple reassortant will not be added to the tally, which for Travis County presently stands at six deaths and 36 hospitalized cases.

Currently, only four states have declared widespread flu activity — Delaware, Maine, New Jersey and Virginia.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, was careful to warn about the future of H1N1.

“I think there’s a perception out there that we’re winding down, that we’re in a lull,” he says. “It’s a time when we really need to guard against complacency as we move into a new normal.”