Swine Flu stats (source Yahoo / CDC)
*more than 1,000 U.S. deaths so far
*Flu illnesses are as widespread now as they are at the winter peak of normal flu seasons
*"Many millions" of Americans have had swine flu so far, according to an estimate he gave at a Friday press conference. The government doesn't test everyone to confirm swine flu so it doesn't have an exact count.
*more than 20,000 hospitalizations.
*Nearly 100 swine flu deaths in children
US Population: 300,000,000+
# swine flu deaths: 1,000
# all flu deaths avg: 36,000
%population deaths from swine flu : 0.0003%
%population deaths from all flu (avg): 0.012%
Question
How many people in the US die each year from all of the various flu's?
Answer:
"CDC estimated that about 36,000 people died of seasonal flu-related causes each year, on average, during the 1990s in the United States."
Please note, I am not saying do not get vaccinated. That's your call. I'm saying the reliable data says it's highly unlikely that you will die from this, and the healthier you are, the less likely you are to get sick. That's it.
The CDC states:
What actions can I take to protect myself and my family against both seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu this year?
CDC recommends a yearly seasonal
flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three main seasonal flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The seasonal flu vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a related flu virus. The seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against the new H1N1 influenza. However a
2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently being made. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine.
In addition, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand rub*can be used.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
What flu antiviral drugs does CDC recommend in the United States for the 2009-10 season?
Oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (trade name Relenza®) are recommended for treatment and prevention of flu during the 2009-10 season.
CDC has issued updated interim recommendations for the use of antivirals in the treatment and prevention of influenza for the 2009-10 season. This guidance is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm.
So, take proper precautions, boost your immune system, and if you do feel sick, see your doctor. And don't panic.
I'm upping my vit c, eating more greens and trying to get a bit more sleep.