With all the concern about the swine flu leading to cancellation of events, government panic, and school closures, how dangerous is the swine flu really? The death toll attributed to the swine flu, or H1N1 influenza, has now risen to 29 in Mexico. The U.S. has had two deaths that have been attributed to the swine flu. Although the first death was a visitor from Mexico, this latest death was a U.S. citizen. No other deaths have been reported worldwide.
Considering the fact that the standard flu kills around 36,000 people in the U.S. alone each year, these relatively few deaths from the swine flu is actually good news. Most of those who have died from the swine flu had other serious health problems or complications that led to their deaths. For instance, the most recent US casualty--a woman in Texas on the Mexican border--had recently given birth, as well as having chronic health problems and pneumonia.
From all indications, the swine flu appears to be somewhat milder than anticipated. Those who are in generally good health who contract the virus can expect fever, sore throat, cough, and possible other respiratory problems, as well as possibly diarrhea, headache, vomiting, and fatigue. However, it does not appear that healthy adults need to be overly fearful if they do come down with the swine flu. If you suspect that you may have the swine flu, contact your doctor to confirm. Anti-viral medication is available to help reduce the severity of the flu symptoms. The anti-viral treatments should begin as soon as the flu is identified and continue for five days.
Considering the fact that the standard flu kills around 36,000 people in the U.S. alone each year, these relatively few deaths from the swine flu is actually good news. Most of those who have died from the swine flu had other serious health problems or complications that led to their deaths. For instance, the most recent US casualty--a woman in Texas on the Mexican border--had recently given birth, as well as having chronic health problems and pneumonia.
From all indications, the swine flu appears to be somewhat milder than anticipated. Those who are in generally good health who contract the virus can expect fever, sore throat, cough, and possible other respiratory problems, as well as possibly diarrhea, headache, vomiting, and fatigue. However, it does not appear that healthy adults need to be overly fearful if they do come down with the swine flu. If you suspect that you may have the swine flu, contact your doctor to confirm. Anti-viral medication is available to help reduce the severity of the flu symptoms. The anti-viral treatments should begin as soon as the flu is identified and continue for five days.
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