Via CNN: Regular flu has killed thousands since January
Since January, more than 13,000 people have died of complications from seasonal flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly report on the causes of death in the nation.No fewer than 800 flu-related deaths were reported in any week between January 1 and April 18, the most recent week for which figures were available.
The report looks at deaths in the 122 largest cities in the United States.
Worldwide, the annual death toll from the flu is estimated to be between 250,000 and 500,000.
So while it is understandable that we would want to get a grip on the swine flu situation, let’s try not to lose out heads.
h/t: OTB.
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April 29th, 2024 at 12:15 pm
The difference, though, if early news accounts are correct, is that while “regular” flu kills, the people who tend to die are either (a) sick and elderly or (b) have a compromised immune system. With swine flu, the people most susceptible to death appear to be those with ROBUST immune systems. That’s quite similar to the Spanish Flu of the early 20th century.
April 29th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
With swine flu, the people most susceptible to death appear to be those with ROBUST immune systems.
I am not sure that that is an accurate description, but I am no medical expert. I think it is fair to say that swine flu is potentially more deadly to people with robust immune systems than is the case with regular flu, but as I understand it, those with robust immune systems should still be able to weather it.