The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the rapid test for detecting the agent of the 2009 influenza virus on June 21, 2010. This is the test that was used in the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic, authorized in April, 2009 by the FDA under the new Emergency Use Authority. But the Emergency Use Authority stops when the pandemic is over.
This more recent FDA clearance of the test under standard rules is important because this same strain is anticipated to be the dominant H1N1 strain in the 2010-2011 influenza season.
Other key developments include the following:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on June 22, 2010 that it would not endorse mandatory influenza vaccination for healthcare workers.
The CDC now recommends (surgical) face masks instead of the N-95 respirators for healthcare workers during all contact with influenza patients. This represents a welcome change in CDC policy and follows the same recommendation previously made by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
On June 24, 2010, the Association of Professionals in Infection Control recommended that children 6 months to 9 years of age who have not received at least 1 dose of the monovalent flu vaccine should receive 2 doses of the next season’s flu vaccine. This recommendation was made on the basis of a study showing a good immune response in only 20% of children in this age range following a single vaccine dose.
Flu vaccination rates in the United States increased by an average of 8% in the 2009-2010 season, presumably as a result of national publicity on the topic.
Pandemic H1N1 flu vaccine discarded: 40 million doses expired on June 28, 2010 and will be discarded.This represents 25% of the 162 million doses purchased. Another 32 million doses will expire next year and might be used if this pandemic agent comes early.
Quick Reminder – How do we catch the virus?
How do we get the Flu?
Colds and flu are spread when virus-laden fluid droplets are released into the air by coughing and sneezing or transferred to surfaces by touch. British researchers have shown that the cold virus is activated at temperatures slightly below 37°C, the normal temperature for humans.
So it seems that the tales about catching cold have a grain of truth: if you sit in a draught, your temperature may drop just enough to activate the cold viruses that have been biding their time in your nasal passages.
When you breathe overly dry air (especially in planes and artificially ventilated office buildings), your nasal passages may form tiny cracks that provide an entryway for viruses. The best defence is plenty of fluids to rehydrate the tender membranes; try using a humidifier or opening the window to improve air quality.
You’re more vulnerable to colds and flu when your immune system is depressed. Preventive steps include avoiding alcohol, getting plenty of rest and reducing stress levels.
Ashraf Ezzat is an Egyptian born in Cairo and based in Alexandria. He graduated from the faculty of Medicine at Alexandria University.
Keen not to be entirely consumed by the medical profession, Dr. Ezzat invests a lot of his time in research and writing. History of the ancient Near East and of Ancient Egypt has long been an area of special interest to him.
In his writings, he approaches ancient history not as some tales from the remote times but as a causative factor in our existing life; and to him, it’s as relevant and vibrant as the current moment.
In his research and writings, Dr. Ezzat is always on a quest trying to find out why the ancient wisdom had been obstructed and ancient spirituality diminished whereas the Judeo-Christian teachings and faith took hold and prospered.
Dr. Ezzat has written extensively in Arabic tackling many issues and topics in the field of Egyptology and comparative religion. He is the author of Egypt knew no Pharaohs nor Israelites.
In 2013 his short The Pyramids: story of creation was screened at many international film festivals in Europe. And he is working now on his first documentary “Egypt knew no Pharaohs nor Israelites”.
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