In a follow-up to our girl, MissFitz, I did a little googling.
Here's some perspective on the Hype around Swine Flu.
From the CDC's own website, with some personal Highlights:
"Seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by influenza viruses, which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year. In the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications, and; about 36,000 people die from seasonal flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Note: that above is simply estimates, however the estimates are based on pretty decent criteria (though technically not scientific).
Now, about H1N1, also from the CDC's website:
"About 22 million Americans have become ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza in the past six months and 3,900 have died, according to new estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "
"The total number of people who have been hospitalized is 98,000, with 36,000 of them age 17 and younger. The vast majority of deaths -- about 2,920 -- have been in people age 18 to 64. "
"All of the estimates come with substantial uncertainty. For example, total H1N1 cases in the United States range from 14 million to 34 million, and total deaths from 2,500 to 6,100."
See that? This new flu isn't significantly more dangerous that the seasonal flu. What makes it nasty is that the seasonal flu is made up of multiple strains, versus H1N1 is a single strain accounting for so much damage. The "other" nastiness is that H1N1 affects more peeps our age in a deadly way than the seasonal version.
Still, in general, it appears your odds aren't any greater for coming down with/dying from H1N1 than the Seasonal flu.
So much for "hype". I'm with MissFitz... what's the "real" reason for the hype and vaccine push. Who's getting rich? What's the motivation? the Health Care plan? It all just seems a bit fishy to me.
