Flu outbreaks are occurring all across the country—three months earlier than usual—because of the circulating H1N1 virus (aka swine flu). Unlike with seasonal flu, we still don't have a vaccine to prevent it. In the Southeastern states, hospitals are dealing with a particularly high volume of H1N1 cases. Admissions at one emergency room department in Memphis have doubled because of the flu. Same in Austin. Other hospitals have increased their staffing by 50 percent to deal with the onslaught of flu cases.
While most cases are mild, a small percentage of folks develop severe complications, such as difficulty breathing, pneumonia, or severe dehydration. H1N1 has caused several hundred deaths in the United States so far, half of those in children younger than 13. Scientists still don't understand why the virus predominantly strikes younger people or why, in rare cases, otherwise healthy adults are experiencing life-threatening infections.
[ Slide Show: 10 Do's and Don'ts to Protect Against Swine Flu ]
The first doses of vaccine probably won't be available for at least another few weeks. And a RAND survey conducted in June suggests that about half of American adults are willing to have it. In fact, those ages 18 to 64 said that they were more likely to get the new vaccine than to get their seasonal flu shot. That's more than 100 million adults who would like to get immunized.
Whether the vaccine will arrive soon enough and in large enough quantities to protect most of the population remains in question. Richard Wenzel, an H1N1 expert and former president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, predicts that the outbreak will last another four to eight weeks before tapering off. In fact, some areas in the South already are seeing a decline in cases. Given that the vaccine will be produced in limited quantities on a rolling basis, most healthy middle-aged adults—who the government recommends should be vaccinated after children, college students, and pregnant women—won't be getting immunized before the outbreaks peak and wane.
There are, though, ways to protect yourself before the vaccine becomes available, like avoiding handshakes and kisses. Follow these five do's and five don'ts to minimize your chances of getting sick or spreading the illness to others.
Dina Brickler of IN @ Sep 28, 2009 11:03:45 AM
C.A. Bouthillier of OK @ Sep 25, 2009 08:08:30 AM
Don D. Brock of AZ @ Sep 24, 2009 22:10:55 PM