H1N1 Virus Targets Children and Young Adults
H1N1, also known as the swine flu virus is a strain of influenza with recent massive outbreaks. The H1N1 virus is unlike other influenza illnesses; contrasting to other flu viruses, H1N1 targets people under 25 more often than people 65 and over. In fact, the most at-risk are children 5 and under, especially those with chronic diseases. New reports are revealing that the H1N1 vaccine is now being offered at dozens of schools to combat the spread of the virus.
The chronic diseases often attacked by the virus are nervous system disorders: cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or even developmental delays in children. The most common cause of death has been respiratory failure. Signs of respiratory problems are blue lips and skin, excessive sleeping, dehydration, rapid breathing, seizures, and significant irritability such as not wanting to be held. Sometimes children may seem to recover from the flu, but then relapse with a high fever. The high fever is usually caused by bacterial pneumonia.
Recent news reports state that seasonal flu shots offered at schools, hospitals and drug stores, will help reduce the effects of the H1N1 virus. Patients who suffer from H1N1, but have received seasonal flu shots had a much milder course of illness. The seasonal flu vaccine helps existing antibodies to dull the effects of H1N1 symptoms. Despite the seasonal flu vaccine's role in fighting H1N1, health professionals still advise that everyone receive both the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu vaccine.
The behavior of the H1N1 virus, striking children, teens, young adults and pregnant women, more frequently than senior citizens, is an unusual characteristic of influenza that's being carefully monitored as the death toll rises. Almost 30% of children who died from H1N1 viral complications were perfectly healthy, while about 70% suffered from chronic disease. Government organizations have ordered more than 3.7 million doses of the 6.8 million vaccines that have become available, as 37 states are reporting widespread flu activity. 76 Americans under the age of 18 have died from the H1N1 virus complications so far this year; in comparison, seasonal flu is usually responsible for the deaths of 46 to 88 children every year. Doctors predict an increase in the number of deaths because it is only October and winter flu season has just begun to set in. Fortunately, the wide availability of vaccines can inoculate the vast majority of high-risk persons, if they seek a vaccination. The federal government stated that there are enough doses to vaccinate half of the American population, but if demand rises, they ensure that there will be availability for the entirety of the United States. Check out http://www.swinefluh1n1virus.com for all the latest details of the H1N1 virus.
