It would take a lot of effort to escape the mass media craze surrounding the H1N1 influenza virus.  With all of the information out there, it is understandable why so many people are overwhelmed and confused.  Questions arising from this uncertainty include:  Is it truly a pandemic?  Should we be nervous?  And, most importantly (for most) should we be vaccinated?  The answers to these questions lie largely in separating fact from fiction.

In response to an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Mexico in March 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) declared a public health emergency in anticipation of a worldwide pandemic.   But is their validity to their concern?  Let’s examine the facts.

According to the World Health Organization, “A pandemic can start when three conditions have been met: a new influenza virus subtype emerges (for which the human population has no immunity); it infects humans causing serious illness; and it spreads easily and sustainably among humans.”

Let’s begin with the fact that there are humans within our population that do seem to have immunity.  Specifically, about one-third of adults over 60 years of age have been shown to have protective antibodies to H1N1.  This makes two very important points: 1) there has been previous exposure to this virus or a similar virus AND 2) those who had been exposed not only survived but developed immunity to protect them against future outbreaks.

Next, the majority of the cases in the United States are mild (NOT SERIOUS) and most people getting sick with the swine flu recover completely and on their own.  Of those who have been hospitalized (estimated to be anywhere between 0.3 and 5 percent), the majority had at least one underlying medical condition (heart disease, diabetes, immune compromise, pregnancy) that put them at increased risk for influenza complications.

Finally, as to whether or not H1N1 is spreading easily and sustainably, we will never know.  This is largely because the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control have encouraged health care practitioners to stop testing for H1N1.  How does this affect our perception?  Well, the reality is that only a minority of flu-like illnesses (about 20%) actually result from influenza while the majority (about  80%) come from other seasonal viruses.  By not confirming H1N1, every patient that comes in with a fever, cough, or runny nose can be considered an H1N1 patient (especially given today’s panic), which would falsely elevate the number of reported cases, possibly even to pandemic proportions.

Why would this matter?  It wouldn’t IF we hadn’t just spent billions of dollars to create and circulate a vaccine.  But we did, and what could validate the necessity of a vaccine (and all of the resources supporting its dissemination) more than an unusually large threat of disease (i.e. a pandemic)?  So, now the question becomes should we be vaccinated?  Before making a decision consider the following:

1. The H1N1 virus is NOT the serious threat it was originally believed to be.
2. By exposing ourselves to the mild virus now, we can build our immunity to future outbreaks (please note that this natural immunity tends to last a lifetime whereas vaccine-related immunity tends to wear off over time.)
3. The vaccine has been approved under the standards for Emergency Use Authorization which are lower than the standards for vaccine licensure.
4. The vaccine has undergone limited clinical trials and previous vaccinations with H1N1 have resulted in cases of Guillan-Barre, a nervous system disorder that can result in paralysis (note Guillan-Barre is a rare but serious complication.)
5. The live vaccine poses a danger of not only getting the flu but of infecting others
6. The inactive vaccine may contain controversial adjuvants (to help enhance the potency of the vaccine) that may be harmful to our health.
7. Due to the declared public health emergency, the drug companies manufacturing the H1N1 vaccine have been granted immunity and therefore will not be liable (financially or criminally) for any harm that may be caused by these vaccines.
8. Because the current virus form is mild, the greater concern is that the virus will mutate and become more dangerous BUT, if this happens the vaccine we have now will most likely be ineffective against the new strain.

Alternative means of preventing the spread of influenza exist and include:

• optimizing your immune system with a healthy diet, good hygiene, and sufficient rest
• covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue away after using it
• washing your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze
• avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs can spread that way
• staying home and avoiding contact with others if you get sick

The decision to vaccinate is ultimately a personal one that should be based on your individual circumstances.  My hope is that the information above has helped you sift through some of the H1N1 confusion and as such will allow you to make a more informed decision as to your next course of action.

Dr. Alona Pulde is a Family Physician and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, uniting two powerful and synergistic healing approaches – the technological skill of Western Medicine with the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine. She practices at Exsalus Health and Wellness Center in Los Angeles with her husband, Dr. Matthew Lederman, a board certified Internal Medicine Physician. Together, they have participated in projects such as lecturing for the eCornell Certificate Program in Plant Based Nutrition, films such as Healing Cancer and Forks Over Knives (in which they are the physicians treating some of the patients followed in the film), and answering nutrition and health questions for popular websites. They are currently collaborating with T. Colin Campbell on their next book, a follow-up to The China Study, addressing common and prevalent nutrition and lifestyle questions. They are the first doctors to ever work with John McDougall, MD.