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Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Autoimmune Diseases and Flu Season: H1N1 (Swine Flu) and Seasonal Flu

Every time I turn around lately someone is talking about the swine flu (H1N1). There have been outbreaks on college campuses around the United States and with kids back to school everyone is a little nervous about what germs they may bring home. The vaccine for the H1N1 Swine flu won’t be available until October and the seasonal flu vaccine has only been available to selected clinics and doctors so far. It is entirely possible that even with the vaccine, many people will catch the flu.

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Let’s face it even if you do everything right there is a chance that you can get swine flu or the seasonal flu. Hand washing seems to be the best line of defense and my kids tell me that there are hand sanitizer dispensers in every classroom. The local schools seem to be doing everything they can to prevent an outbreak, but unless you are living in a bubble there is still that chance that you or the people that surround you will become sick. It is entirely possible that many will come down with swine flu before the proper agencies are even able to get the vaccine to the people that would benefit from it most. So I thought I would talk about what to do if you actually come down with this strain or any other strain of flu.

Firstly, you are not going to know if you have H1N1 or the regular seasonal flu. The symptoms of this and any other strain of flu virus are sudden onset of cold like symptoms. Fever (over 100 degrees), chills, headache, dry cough, runny nose, lethargy, body aches are the most common symptoms but sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. If you or anyone that you are living with is experiencing these symptoms, get to the doctor right away.

The sooner you see a doctor the better. Anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu must be taken within 12-48 hours of the onset of symptoms to be effective. Tamiflu can help to reduce the duration of the symptoms of the flu up to 30%. Tamiflu is also prescribed for the prevention of the flu if you have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with the flu. This is particularly important if you have a compromised immune system.

If you are unfortunate enough to catch the swine or seasonal flu, there are many over the counter flu remedies that may ease your symptoms. Make sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any over the counter remedy because it may interact with any prescription drugs you are taking.

The most important thing you can do for yourself when sick with the flu is get plenty of rest. Having experienced the flu first-hand I can tell you that your body isn’t really going to want to do anything but rest. Make sure to get plenty of fluids when dealing with the flu because dehydration will only make you feel worse and may slow down the healing process.

If your symptoms do not improve or start to get worse, see a doctor right away. Many people with autoimmune diseases have a more difficult time fighting the flu because of the treatments for their disease often weakens their immune system. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, having difficulty breathing, experiencing chest pains as a result of coughing or are coughing up yellow, green or bloody phlegm get to a doctor right away. These may be symptoms of a much more serious condition.

Secondary infections as a result of the flu include sinus infections, bronchitis, ear infections and pneumonia. Some secondary infections may result in hospitalization. It is vitally important to listen to your body and if there is any indication that you are not improving call the doctor.

It can take up to two weeks for a healthy adult to get over the flu. If your immune system is compromised it probably will take longer. Most people with the flu recover completely within a reasonable amount of time, but there may be lingering symptoms such as a cough and general weakness. It is important that if you are unsure about any symptoms that you are experiencing that you contact your doctor and do not hesitate. It is much better to ask to see the doctor and have it be a relatively small issue than hold off and wait to see a physician and have it be much more serious and harder to treat.

Tags: autoimmune, autoimmune disease, campus, chest pain, chills, classroom, college, cough, dehydration, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, disease, doctor, dry cough, fever, flu, flu season, germs, H1N1, hand sanitizer, headache, kids, lethargy, nausea, outbreak symptoms, phlegm, remedy, runny nose, school, sinus infection, swine, swine flu, Tamiflu, United States, vomiting, vomitting

Posted in Autoimmue Disease, Decisions, Health/Fitness, Lesson Learned, News, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, Solutions | 5 Comments »

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Is a Vaccine for Rheumatoid Arthritis On the Way?

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Currently there are several studies underway attempting to develop a vaccine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Scientist in the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel are conducting clinical trials for the vaccine that each country is trying to develop. Each country and trial approaches the issue from a different perspective. It will be at least 5 years before any vaccine is ready for market but it is encouraging news for those of us who deal with the effects of this disease.

Recently in Vienna, VA the Senior Vice President of Research, Cellular Immunology of CEL-SCI Corporation, Dr Daniel Zimmerman presented data that indicates that treatment with the CEL-2000 vaccine prevents or retards tissue damage caused by RA. In animal studies, mice were treated to induce the disease to a measurable level at which point they were treated with either Enbrel or CEL-2000. Over the course of 28 days the CEL-2000 was injected twice and Enbrel every other day and an arthritis index score was given both both sets of test animals. The study was continued for an additional 28 days after which it was determined that the new vaccine was able to reduce the effects of severe rheumatoid arthritis with a simple vaccination. Human clinical trials have not yet been scheduled.

Scientists at Newcastle University’s Musculoskeletal Research Group in the UK are hoping to develop a vaccine using patients own blood cells to suppress the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The research is being funded by a 216,000 pound grant from the Arthritis Research Campaign. John Isaacs, Professor of Clinical Rheumatology at Newcastle University is leading the team that will test the effectiveness of the experimental vaccine on eight rheumatoid arthritis patient volunteers. The patent’s own blood will be harvested and treated with the vaccine and then injected back into the patients affected joints. If these experiments are successful, future larger scale trials will be scheduled.

In studies funded by the Israeli company ProtAb late stage clinical trials for an antibody treatment called Protimab are underway. The technology was founded from the research conducted by Professor Yaakov Naparstek of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. This antibody that they have developed targets the molecules in the body that stop pro-inflammation cytokines from doing their job rather than attacking the molecules that cause inflammation. The company hopes to begin clinical trials for Phase I & IIa within the next two years.

All this is a hopeful sign for those of us with rheumatoid arthritis. Which company or country has the best solution to the issues that face those of us with RA has yet to be determined. The results of these and other clinical trials and time may be the determining factor.