Swine Flu Causes Panic
Some people said that pigs would fly when Obama became president. And so, when he won the election, swine “flew.”
While most people know of the 2009 H1N1 virus through jokes and sensationalist stories, not as high a percentage of people know specific details about the virus. For example, although the virus shares many genes with a similar strain that circulates among pigs in North America, H1N1 is actually a very different form of influenza.
Cases of H1N1 in the United States first appeared in April of 2009. The World Health Organization declared an official flu pandemic on June 11. Statistics on global numbers of confirmed cases say that the U.S. has the most of any country (over 40,000). However, dividing those numbers by each country’s total population puts us down to a much safer-sounding fifteenth in the world. Deaths resulting from swine flu have claimed a shocking 10.7 percent of all infected people in Brazil, and, frighteningly enough, 1.2 percent in the United States. Studies say that this percentage may be linked to the high obesity rate in America, which is a risk factor along with pregnancy.
Gallup polls taken in late August show that 36 percent of Americans believe they will contract the virus this year, which is up from 20 percent in early May. Conversely, the public’s confidence in the federal government’s handling of the virus has fallen by 14 percent. Fifty five percent now claim that they would most likely take a vaccine if one were offered. The 2009 H1N1 virus has been isolated and modified, beginning the production of vaccines. Although this process can take up to several months, the final product will probably be ready sometime this fall. It is recommended that people between the ages of six months and 24 years get the vaccine, along with anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system. Scientists do not expect shortages of the vaccines, but demand can be unpredictable.
Coughs and sneezes are the culprits for spreading the virus. After leaving the respiratory system, it usually enters new victims by coming into contact with their own mouths. The most common symptoms are fever, headaches and body aches, chills, sore throat, and possible diarrhea and vomiting.
If you believe you have the flu, minimize contact with other people to avoid spreading it. Stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever have passed. Always cover up your coughs, and make sure to wash your hands as often as possible. Disinfect bathroom surfaces and bedside tables, which are especially prone to infection. Also, make sure to wash all your linens after the sickness has passed. With these steps, we can reduce the tragic effects of the H1N1 virus.
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