This is some actual, non-sensationalized information on the H1N1 flu from a health assistant at an elementary school. They are on the “front lines” of the whole thing, and the information they’ve received is, well, boring. This flu is not really worth being scared about:
- 90% of the flu viruses currently going around are H1N1.
- It’s more communicable since it’s new strain of flu, but H1N1 is no more harmful than your typical seasonal flu, and the virus is not mutating much.
- 6 months to 24 years old is by far the most affected age group.
- People over 64 years old aren’t getting it. It’s suspected there was a similar flu during their lifetime.
- 91% of child deaths involving H1N1 have involved additional preexisting medical conditions.
- Approximately 36,000 people die annually in the U.S. from the common flu (according to the CDC), 250,000-500,000 die worldwide from the flu (according to WHO), and the ECDC reports the number of worldwide H1N1 deaths to be 4,747 as of today. Yawn.
I’m just saying…
[…] 8. My friend Ben Sternke shares why H1N1 is boring. […]