What's the big hype with the H1N1 virus?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 23, 2009 -- There’s been a lot of talk about the H1N1 virus, better known as swine flue or Mexican flu. Many are calling it a pandemic. Many are frightened about how many people it’s killed so far this year.

“From mid-April to August 30, a total of 9,079 hospitalizations and 593 deaths associated with laboratory-confirmed 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infections were reported to CDC.” ~ CDC Weekly Report

Those are staggering numbers and by hearing them, it’s enough to scare any one of us. However, there is no cause for alarm. Did you know that the seasonal flu kills roughly 36,000 people every year in the United States alone? Since January, more than 13,000 people have died of complications from seasonal flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The big scare behind the H1N1 virus is the speed in which it spreads and the fact that it is a new strand of flu virus” says a local pediatrician for St John’s Mercy Medical Center here in St Louis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these practices to help contain the spread of the H1N1 virus:

* Stay informed. The CDCP website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

* Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
o Stay home if you get sick.
* Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
* Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
* Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

When available, get vaccinated. Get your children and loved ones vaccinated. Vaccination should be ready in about 3 more weeks. The vaccinations are estimated to be approximately 90% effective. There are many people that believe our children are getting over-vaccinated. I do not believe in over-immunization, however, I do believe that immunizations save millions of lives every year. My personal thoughts, do not fear over-vaccination, there is no such thing.

For more information regarding the H1N1 virus and other credible health information, please visit www.cdc.gov.

2009 pandemic     cdcp     Disease Control     flu     H1N1     influenza     james triplett     mexican flu     swine     virus