cHeroKee
12-21-2013, 10:53 AM
Nationwide H1N1 Swine Flu Outbreak
Dec 21, 2013
Swine Flu outbreak emerging across the nation. While not yet at a pandemic level, a majority of those cases are the same strain of the virus which caused a global pandemic in 2009. At the moment, Texas appears to be ground zero though new cases are being reported across the U.S. and Canada. It is expected that case numbers will dramatically increase over the year-end holidays as families and friends gather.
It is also important to note that unlike most strains of influenza, H1N1 does not disproportionately infect adults older than 60 years. In fact, in a typical year, 90% of flu deaths occur in those over age 65. With H1N1, approximately 60-80% of deaths occurred in those under age 65.
Even in the case of previously very healthy persons, some develop pneumonia or what is known as "acute respiratory distress syndrome" or (ARDS). The pneumonia caused by flu can be either direct viral pneumonia or a secondary bacterial pneumonia. As such, it is recommended that doctors and clinicians be extra vigilant for its onset, including in younger, healthy patients. Those whose chest X-ray indicates pneumonia should be considered for both antivirals and antibiotics.
In addition, those with serious H1N1 infections often suffer kidney damage, including complete renal failure.
As is well known in medical circles, recent case-control studies show the yearly trivalent flu vaccine is only about 56% effective in reducing flu risk, and that number is for people with good health. Statistically, that is similar to a coin toss, and a far cry from the panacea of protection often promoted in the print and broadcast media.
Risk Mitigation
Despite being informally referred to as "swine flu", the H1N1 virus cannot be spread by eating pork or pork products, as is the case with other influenza viruses. Regardless, cook your food thoroughly.
Swine flu is typically contracted by person to person transmission, including respiratory droplets, so you would be well served by steering clear of sick individuals over the holidays, even to the point of politely declining the dozens of obligatory cheek kisses, even if you have had a flu shot. If you are sick, stay home or otherwise practice social distancing for the safety of others.
Dec 21, 2013
Swine Flu outbreak emerging across the nation. While not yet at a pandemic level, a majority of those cases are the same strain of the virus which caused a global pandemic in 2009. At the moment, Texas appears to be ground zero though new cases are being reported across the U.S. and Canada. It is expected that case numbers will dramatically increase over the year-end holidays as families and friends gather.
It is also important to note that unlike most strains of influenza, H1N1 does not disproportionately infect adults older than 60 years. In fact, in a typical year, 90% of flu deaths occur in those over age 65. With H1N1, approximately 60-80% of deaths occurred in those under age 65.
Even in the case of previously very healthy persons, some develop pneumonia or what is known as "acute respiratory distress syndrome" or (ARDS). The pneumonia caused by flu can be either direct viral pneumonia or a secondary bacterial pneumonia. As such, it is recommended that doctors and clinicians be extra vigilant for its onset, including in younger, healthy patients. Those whose chest X-ray indicates pneumonia should be considered for both antivirals and antibiotics.
In addition, those with serious H1N1 infections often suffer kidney damage, including complete renal failure.
As is well known in medical circles, recent case-control studies show the yearly trivalent flu vaccine is only about 56% effective in reducing flu risk, and that number is for people with good health. Statistically, that is similar to a coin toss, and a far cry from the panacea of protection often promoted in the print and broadcast media.
Risk Mitigation
Despite being informally referred to as "swine flu", the H1N1 virus cannot be spread by eating pork or pork products, as is the case with other influenza viruses. Regardless, cook your food thoroughly.
Swine flu is typically contracted by person to person transmission, including respiratory droplets, so you would be well served by steering clear of sick individuals over the holidays, even to the point of politely declining the dozens of obligatory cheek kisses, even if you have had a flu shot. If you are sick, stay home or otherwise practice social distancing for the safety of others.