Swine Flu…though we’re inclined to ignore it

Though we can’t quite comprehend/believe the figures being slung about by Doomsday Media Empire Inc. it’s becoming harder to ignore the prospect of a flu-filled winter. Whilst we are sure that most of you (like us) would rather be reading something worthwhile like the latest Harry Potter installment, owing to the raised level of concern with kids heading back to school and all we felt it timely to address this burgeoning elephant in the room.

So what do we really know about swine flu? Well, it was first mooted during the flu pandemic of 1918, when pigs became sick at the same time as humans but the identification of influenza as a disease affecting pigs was only confirmed during another outbreak in 1930. For the proceeding 40 odd years it largely kept to itself, expressing itself through various mutations and subtypes, and crossing occasionally between pigs, birds and humans, but not causing any major public health concern until a serious outbreak in Fort Dix in the U.S in 1976.

This outbreak, although confined to a small geographical area, caused huge concern and the public health authorities took steps to instigate a colossal immunization program. This initiative was the source of further concern to the public when there appeared an apparent link between the vaccine and a number of deaths and acute illness amongst susceptible parts of the population. The 1976 outbreak highlighted some major problems with vaccinations for many diseases, most especially when administered to children and the elderly i.e. those with weakened or developing immune systems. Read more about health risks of vaccinations.

The latest outbreak brings with it a whole new set of fears. Firstly, it has most definitely hit our shores, which means that we as a population will be subject to whatever vaccination program our health authorities choose to roll out. Secondly, it seems, this strain has serious implications for our young people. Having not been on the earth long enough to have been exposed to similar flu strains, their immune systems have yet to learn about the virus and develop suitable anti-bodies. Thirdly, due to the nature of the strain of virus currently making its way around the world i.e. its mix of pig, bird and human genes, it does appear to spread more readily than the seasonal flu that we are all acutely aware of.

However, it is important to pull the reigns on the wild rumours being spread about the H1N1 flu virus. Whilst it does spread readily and rapidly through populations, do take note – there is currently no evidence that swine flu is any more virulent (i.e. more aggressive in its effects on humans) than the seasonal flu. For every 1000 people who contract infection, roughly 40 require hospitalisation and 1 fatality occurs.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/51913.php