Official names: Novel Influenza A (H1N1), Pandemic H1N1/09
Other known names: Swine Flu (no longer correct), H1N1
ETYMOLOGY [
1]:
The “H” in H1N1 stands for Hemagglutinin, a viral protein.
The “N” stands for Neuraminidase, also a viral protein.
ALL
Influenza A viruses contain an H and an N. The H protein can range in value from 1 to 16; the N protein can range from 1 to 9, [
2] e.g. H1N1, H7N3, etc.
Novel simply stands for “new”; a new strain of Influenza A subtype H1N1.
H1N1 is a
subtype of Influenza A. Similarly, H7N3 is a subtype of Influenza A.
Finally, there are various
strains of each specific subtype: H1N1 which affects humans, and H1N1 which affects pigs, for example.
HISTORY:
Various subtypes of Influenza A affect various animals, for example, H7N3 affects mainly chickens, H5N1 affects many species.
Influenza A is responsible for most flu in humans and about 50% of all human flu is due to the H1N1 subtype [
3]. The H1N1 subtype
has been scientifically well known throughout history, although since the recent outbreak “H1N1” has become associated specifically with the 2009
so-called pandemic, as we all know. The pandemic which killed between 50 million and 100 million people in 1918 was also an H1N1 subtype
endemic to humans (found only in humans) [
3]
Before 1977 it is thought all viruses were endemic [
6], again, associated with only one species. However, swine seem to be ‘incubators’ for several types of viruses, so a pig can
be a carrier for a bird flu which can then be passed on to a human [
4]. In 2004, in Canada,
Avian H3N3 and H1N1 Influenza A Viruses were isolated from pigs [
5].
The significant difference between the 2009 Novel Influenza A (H1N1) and past viruses is that for the first time in history specific sections of the
one virus belong to several different species. This means that a strain that was endemic to humans combined with part of a swine-only virus, which
also contains parts of a bird flu virus.
IMMUNITY AND VACCINES:
Immunity occurs when having the flu because antibodies are naturally created to fight off the virus; this is how nature balances us and makes us
stronger.
A vaccine introduced into the body contains a small amount of either live or dead virus, which our body creates antibodies for, similar to naturally
getting the virus. The difference is that a vaccine carries less of, or part of, the viral genetic component so we
generally don’t get sick
from it.
One significant controversial aspect of current-day vaccines is that adjuvants are added. An adjuvant, such as Squalene, is used to kick the immune
system into high gear effectively causing the body to fight itself. This has been done in order that less of the expensive viral component need be
used to cause the body to create the necessary antibodies.
Squalene has been associated with several immune and auto-immunity issues including Gulf War Syndrome [GWS]. The World Health Organization has
disputed any tie between Squalene and GWS (without scientific citation) but a scientific study published in the American Journal of Pathology [
7] has shown significant negative effects of
Squalene. Specifically, when rats bred to have arthritis were given Squalene, the rats’ offspring developed
chronic arthritis.
CITATIONS AND LINKS:
1 - Influenza A (H1N1): new and official name of swine flu virus, according to the WHO
trendsupdates.com...
2 - Study says wild birds unlikely to bring H5N1 to Americas
cidrapsummit.org...
3 - Influenza A virus subtype H1N1
www.cliffbelleau.com...
4 - Antigenic and genetic characterization of swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses isolated from pneumonia patients in The Netherlands.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
5 - Characterization of Avian H3N3 and H1N1 Influenza A Viruses Isolated from Pigs in Canada
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
6 Origin of Current Influenza H1N1 Virus
www.virology.ws...
7 - The Endogenous Adjuvant Squalene Can Induce a Chronic T-Cell-Mediated Arthritis in Rats
ajp.amjpathol.org...
[edit on 31-10-2009 by notreallyalive]
