The word ‘Pandemic’ is a frightening word and conjures up visions of plague and devastating illness. The H1N1 flu virus, previously known as the ‘swine flu’ has been escalated to a level 6 pandemic alert by the World Health Organization, and this is causing a lot of fear among Canadians, including people living with MS. A pandemic level 6 alert simply means that this is an illness which is easily spread and that will affect a wide number of people. The word pandemic DOES NOT refer to severity of illness, but to numbers affected and rapidity of contagion.
It is estimated that up to 11,000,000 Canadians may contract the H1N1 virus. The good news, is that for the great majority of them, the H1N1 flu will be experienced much as any other flu, headache, sore throat, fever, fatigue, and cough, and will resolve on its own in 1 to 2 weeks.
Canada has about 4,000 deaths each year related to flu. This is only a very small percentage of the total numbers of flu cases that occur. We know a lot about how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from seasonal flu, and protecting ourselves and others from the H1N1 flu is no different.
The first objective obviously, is to avoid getting the flu. We know that once you have contracted this virus, it is contagious from 24 hours before you experience symptoms and for 7 days after the onset of symptoms. That means there is plenty of opportunity to spread it around even when being diligent about things. You are contagious before you even know you have the virus!
Proper hand washing, done frequently, is the single most effective tool in limiting contagion. Other strategies include getting enough rest, avoiding others who are infected, (with special attention to transmission by handshaking, and kissing), and crowds when practical, and possibly getting a flu shot. In the case of H1N1, this means getting a specific H1N1 vaccine as the regular seasonal flu likely will not offer the needed protection. Health Canada anticipates having enough H1N1 vaccine for all Canadians and that it will be available by early November. For more information about the H1N1 vaccine and its release, please see the Health Canada link at: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/faq_rg_swine-eng.php#vac
The question of whether flu shots and vaccines are safe for people with MS comes up frequently as it used to be thought that these inoculations posed a risk for triggering an MS attack. Dr. Paul O’Connor, National Scientific and Clinical Advisor to the MS Society of Canada suggests that flu shots and vaccines are usually safe and are generally recommended after discussion with one’s physician.
If you do get sick, despite your best efforts to avoid H1N1, above all, STAY HOME. You are contagious for at least 7 days after the onset of your symptoms. The usual flu remedies include, rest, fluids for fever, and symptomatic relief with over the counter remedies. It appears that two prescription medications, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamavir) work to combat H1N1, so these drugs can be used to treat severe H1N1 cases if treatment is started within two days of symptom onset. Mild illness that appears to be going away on its own does not require treatment. H1N1 flu virus is resistant to amantadine.
People living with MS live with a special caution around infection. If you suspect that you have the H1N1 flu, call your family doctor. They likely won’t want to see you, but may want to be kept informed of your progress.
For people with MS, infection of any sort, be it a bladder infection, a common cold, or the flu, can worsen existing symptoms, or even appear to bring on new ones. This is called a “pseudorelapse”. A pseudorelapse is a neurological worsening caused by increase in body or ambient temperature or by stress (physical or psychological) which promptly improves or disappears with correction of the temperature or stress situation. This neurological worsening can be frightening, and can make activities of daily living more difficult with increased weakness, or problems with balance for example. Cool cloths, cold drinks, and NSAIDS (Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen – if approved by your physician) for fever can be helpful in lowering body temperature and reversing the neurological changes should they occur.
We all have a responsibility to do everything we can to avoid contracting H1N1, and to do our best to help to limit its spread.
Proper hand washing, done frequently, is the single most effective tool in 
