Prevention of H1N1: A Remix of Remedies

Yet another death   reported today due to H1N1 virus! Every day the toll is rising.  What is causing public anxiety is that the victim certainly had not been out of the country in recent months and had not come in contact with any apparently known case of H1N1 in the neighborhood.  In other words, the virus is already present in the community and choosing silently its preys.. By the time the diagnosis is established by the present tools available with us, the first 48 hours are over in many cases making the drug(Oseltamivir or` Tami flu`) less effective against a severe infection. Case detection and treatment of every case may not be possible in our country. It is certainly not cost effective to use the drug on every `cough cold and fever.` As it is we have other viral infections ( Dengue, Chickengunia, influenzas) looking for their shares of victims and do not forget age our old friends  tuberculosis and malaria in India.

          Although, officially there should be ` no cause for panic`, but the stress level is certainly going up in public minds (Who does not watch TV and /or at least read the headlines in the newspapers?).The question `aam Janta` would like to ask to the `pandits` is : How do I prevent myself and my family from H1N1 infection ? Well, specific vaccination against the virus could be one answer. It may be known to many that no vaccine can provide hundred percent guaranty against the disease. The feasibility to vaccinate all susceptible  against H1N1 in the country is remote ( After 62 years of independence we could not vaccinate every child against Poliomyelitis ).There is also a  possibility that the clever virus may mutate itself and change in a way to make the vaccine less effective.( Stress level going up ??).

          Hold on. If the window is closed, the door has opened! The search now is: apart from specific vaccination (and other public health measures), how can we improve our immunity against these viral infections? Are there any` evidence based` work that simple inexpensive ( apparently !) measures can boost  immune mechanism in my body? In 1985, Dillon and Baker observed that viewing a humorous video boosted the level of salivary immunoglobulin (Ig A) in human subjects. Salivary immunoglobulin is one of our bodies’ first line defence against the potentially harmful infections to which we expose ourselves with almost every breath. In 1989, L Beck showed that laughter may lower stress hormone levels and increase the number of immune defence cells in the blood. Michel. Joseph of UCLA in USA is already in an advanced stage of a project to find out “scientific promise of potential link between humor/laughter and health”. He writes (www.rxLaughter.org) : “ Laughter boosts immune response in the body by production of T cells which help fight infection. Laughter also produces protein called Gamma interferon and B cells. These cells provide antibodies that search out and destroy disease cells. Laughter might prevent getting a cold or two a year and may definitely be of aid to chronic illnesses.” Well, we know that laughter is a good medicine, since it increases our immunity. But now we know that even anticipation of laughter itself increases endorphins and human growth hormone in our blood whose presence reduce stress and enhances immunity. Endorphins are group of peptide hormones produced naturally in the body that bind to opiate receptors and are found in the brain. Endorphins reduce pain and effect emotions.

          Now, a FAQ : How do I summon up laughter ? Well, there are few suggestions to those who have not laughed for a long time. You can think of a comedic film you saw long back, read a joke book, you may practice a night joke policy with family. You may watch people and laugh at the human behavior (including your own). Surround yourself with people who laugh. Do you need evidence that laughter is more contagious than the H1N1 ! So, laugh at H1N1 and be happy.

Retired Professor of Pediatrics and Child health.Based in Bangalore,India.Email: pksarkar18@gmail.com

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