Facts about Influenza(H1N1 Virus)

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Millions of people in the United States - about 5% to 20% of U.S. residents - will get influenza each year.

Also according to the CDC, an average of about 36,000 people per year in the United States die from influenza-related causes, and more than 200,000 have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influenza-related causes.

People age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children are at higher risk for complications from seasonal influenza. However, for reasons we don't know yet, H1N1 has affected younger people (under 25) more so than older people. So far, people older than 64 do not appear to be at increased risk of H1N1.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu.

The symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

H1N1 and seasonal flu are similar in many ways in terms of how they spread, their signs, symptoms and severity.

The CDC is testing a vaccine specific to H1N1 and is expected to be ready for public use sometime this fall. This vaccine is not intended to replace the annual seasonal flu vaccine, however. And unlike the seasonal flu vaccine, the H1N1 vaccine will be given in two doses about 30 days apart.

The CDC recommends the following groups receive the H1N1 vaccine as well as those who were previously diagnosed with H1N1:

-- Pregnant women.
-- Caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age.
-- Health care workers and Emergency Medical Service personnel.
-- People 6 months to 24 years of age.
-- People aged 25 to 64 who have a health condition associated with a higher risk of medical complications from the flu.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, www.cdc.gov

For more information about the H1N1 virus, visit http://henryford.com/swineflu

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