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VOL. 76 (2), 241-258, 2010 LA GRIPE A/H1N1(2009) Y SU TRATAMIENTO...

carecerse de los conocimientos y recursos actuales) se intentó luchar
con remedios ineficaces, y con un exceso de confianza y engaños a
la población.

Palabras clave: Gripe A/H1N1; Gripe A/H1N1(2009); Gripe A;
Gripe porcina; Gripe «mexicana»; Pandemia de gripe; Vacunas con-
tra la gripe A; Oseltamivir; Tamiflu; Zanamivir; Relenza.

ABSTRACT

The influenza 2009 A(H1N1) and its treatment:
A summary of its main features

At the middle of March 2009 an A(H1N1) emerged whose genome
contains segments that are about one-third from «old» North
American swine influenza, one third from North American avian,
and the remaining third evently divided between eurasian swine and
human origin.

The new modality of influenza emerged initially in Mexico and
immediately after in United States of America; its propagation in
many other countries on several continents has been very rapid.

Actually, what «was new was not just the virus but also the
continent origin (North America, not Asia), the season of origin
(spring, not late fall), and the cohort at risk for infection and death
(children and young adults, not infants and the elderly)».

Contrary to earlier speculation, it seems that a certain level of
immune protection against the new influenza A(H1N1) virus has
been previously acquired by some sectors of population, depending
on age.

Vaccine production was internationally organized. Most licensed
flu vaccines consist of inactivated egg grown virus, then purified and
generally adjuvants added.

Furthermore, the neuraminidase (= sialidase) inhibitors
oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) have been used
in treatments, mainly in children, at the hospitals. The risk of
appearance of resistant strains advised cautious dispensation.

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