The H1N1 Flu (or the swine flu) has faded from the daily papers. But it is still very much with us around the world!!
Recently, the AAP wrote that “ the World Health Organization… is close to declaring a phase 6 alert for the swine flu virus that so far has infected almost 19,000 people, including 117 deaths, in 64 countries. The agency is considering how to address concerns about the mass confusion and panic that could result from declaring a global pandemic. Meanwhile, an 11-week-old boy became the fifth person in New York City to die from the new flu strain.” One of the many puzzling features of this flu is that—instead of the frail and elderly– it affects the young and healthy!
Keep your eye out for further developments during the summer. I suspect that the flu will quiet down now but re-emerge in the fall when typical flu season begins. It will be important to learn whether a vaccine has been developed in time for the 2009/2010 winter flu season.
In the meantime, keep washing your hands when you come in from shopping or playing at the park (or whatever) and especially before eating.
Dr. Hippo
Reference: AAP Smartbrief (6/7/09)
Tags: H1N1 flu, handwashing, swine flu update
I think it is scary. My husband who is 84 was exposed to it recently and now he is showing signs of having it. It scares me to death. If I get it it will be serious. I already have a breathing problem.
I am a germophobe I think, but hands have to be washed alot in this house. Coming from play outside, or shopping or the park or just to visit somewhere/someone. We take shoes off and head straight to the bathroom! So much so that my son will finish using his crayons and markers and wants his hands to be washed immediately! OY. lets hope I’m not warping them!
I love this post
My husband and I were just talking about this the other day. A couple weeks ago the media couldn’t leave this alone - now we’re hearing nothing. I know it’s still out there so why the change in the hype?
We too have become germ paranoid we have bottles of hand sanitizer in all the bathroom and placed here and there throughout the house for all to use. What do we do when this goes the way of penicillin and no longer works to kill the germs!
Apparently level 6 gives the government an excuse to take away all kinds of rights.
Hi Donna:
My understanding is that the Level 6 designation to the H1N1 flu was given on 6/11 by the WHO (World Health Organization) in response to the continued and worrisome spread of the illness throughout the world. This designation should allow federal funds to be appropriately directed to public health measures to protect us all and also will serve to spur vaccine production in anticipation of a fall outbreak of the H1N1 flu.
Dr. Hippo
GOsh the swine flu is just scary! 4 kids down the street are confirmed sick with it! my daughter has had another type of flu and it scarecd me to death
Thanks for the reminder. With two little ones you can never be too careful and this is scary.
Hopefully it won’t re-emerge later this year, but we’ll take precautions just to be safe! Thanks for the latest update!
Thanks for the info! For me, the swine flu is relatively scary! With little ones at home, getting the flu can be serious. We are being much more careful, using hand sanitizer and washing hands freqently as well as thinking about our activity choices. If it is a very crowded indoor activity, we probably won’t be doing it right now.
Thanks for the post. We live near Boston, which has been one of the hardest hit areas, so it’s a little scary. It’s always good to have a reminder to take precautions!
My concern is that if it does re-emerge later this year, it will be stronger/more drug resistant. Is there any way that could happen?
Thanks for the update!
I think this has been totally over-blown by the media.
I havent heard anything in the news so I hope it is going away or a medication has been found.
I heard it could mutate.
Wow I hope my daughter doesnt catch it!
i was wondering if this swine flu was anything like the bird flu they were so worried about a few years back. i think its all pretty unnerving just being out in public you never know what you might catch from a perfect stranger
Thank you for the update information, it is good to have. A man in our local hospital just died on the weekend, so I’ve been a little nervous about any symptoms my children have been showing.
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