Swine Flu death toll hits double digits in US

Swine Flu (H1N1) cases and deaths are on the rise. The US just hit a death toll in the double digits last night and panic is growing. We would like to take this opportunity to pinpoint a few facts about the Flu that most have overlooked.

1- Seasonal flu kills 36,000 people every year in the US.
2- 13,000 people have died from complications from seasonal flu already this year.
3- Approximately 85 people have died from complications from H1N1 (swine flu)
4- Seasonal Flu HAS A VACCINE!!!

Not to steal thunder away from H1N1 (swine) flu, but those in a panic about swine flu should also be aware that seasonal flu is much more deadly and much more prevalent. More importantly there is a VACCINE for seasonal flu (a new one each year). Passport Health has flu vaccine for seasonal flu available year round in most locations. Health officials are still deliberating about whether or not to make a separate Swine Flu vaccination, or to include it in with the seasonal flu vaccination.

Swine flu is not targeting the usual suspects (young children and the elderly). Instead it is hitting the middle aged group and younger. There have been deaths of people in their 20s and 30s! The key to this is that each victim of the Swine Flu has had other health problems underlying. Whether it be obesity, lung or heart disease, it is this type of person (one with an already weakened immune system) that is losing the battle with Swine Flu.

It has always been important to take care of yourself, eat right, exercise, don't smoke or drink alcohol in excess and get adequate rest at night. Until a vaccine is developed, the only thing that can save you from getting the swine flu is ensuring your immune system is as strong as it can be. Certain antiviral drugs (tamiflu, relenza) do help with fighting swine flu if you do fall ill, but those drugs may be in short supply and very difficult to get.

Pay attention, wash your hands, cover your coughs and take care of your body. Its the only one you'll get!

swine flu updates here

H1N1 Influenza Virus Continues to Spread

The H1N1 flu virus (AKA: Swine Flu) is continuing its journey around the world. The CDC this morning confirmed that the virus is now present in 21 different countries claiming 984 confirmed cases of the virus.

On the bright side, there have been no more deaths associated with the H1N1 Influenza A virus other than the 25 deaths reported in Mexico, and the death of one Mexican toddler in Texas.

Several countries are taking extreme measures to prevent the spread of the H1N1 Influenza A virus. A Hong Kong hotel made the choice to quarantine all guests after 1 man at the hotel was diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza A. Officials in Egypt made the call to slaughter ALL pigs in the country, even though there have been no cases of the H1N1 Influenza A virus reported in the country.

The thought of a global pandemic does make many people uneasy and extra cautious in the wake of the Swine Flu spread. Hand sanitizer, tissues and antibacterial soaps are flying off the shelves at stores and children are yanked out of school at the mere mention of Swine Flu.

Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds (try singing Happy Birthday to mark the time) with warm water and soap, don't share drinks/food, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue (then throw it away!) or the inside of your elbow and stay home from work and school if you are feeling any flu-like symptoms. Let us not forget that proper hygiene and smart thinking are the way that we as humans should always behave, not just during outbreaks.

Keep in mind that every year the seasonal flu kills 36,000 people in the United States alone.