Swine fluSwine flu: 10 things you should know
Published 1 September 2009
A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30 percent to half the U.S. population could catch swine flu during the course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die
Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. It has also spread around the world, infecting tens of thousands and killing nearly 2,000.
Mike Stobbe writes in the Washington Post that that this summer, the virus has been surprisingly tenacious in the United States, refusing to fade away as flu viruses typically do. Health officials predict a surge of cases this fall, perhaps very soon as schools reopen.
A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30 percent to half the population could catch swine flu during the course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die.
How worried should you be and how do you prepare? The AP has boiled down the mass of information into ten things you should know to be flu-savvy.
1. No cause for panic
So far, swine flu is not much more threatening than regular seasonal flu. During the few months of this new flu’s existence, hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus has not dramatically mutated. That’s what health officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down.
Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the summer - a time of year the flu usually goes away.
2. Virus tougher on some
Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine flu. Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.
3. Wash your hands often and long
Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, “Now I know my ABC’s…” Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
4. Get the kids vaccinated
These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, especially if vaccine supplies are limited — people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers. Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.
5. Get your shots early
Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as possible. Check with your doctor or local or state health department about where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.
6. Immunity takes awhile
Even those first in line for shots will not have immunity until around Thanksgiving. This is because it’s likely to take two shots, given three weeks apart, to provide protection. And it takes a week or two after the last shot for the vaccine to take full effect.
The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get that shot.
7. Vaccines are being tested
Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they’re testing it to make sure. The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.
8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu
