Swine flu most lethal for targeting healthy, working-age individuals?!

[insomnia]

I was reading a Mexican newspaper on the Swine Flu outbreak, and noticed something disconcerting:

"la “incidencia de los casos graves” involucra a personas en edad productiva, de entre 20 y 50 años de edad."

In other words, seemingly healthy, productive people without weakened immune systems who aren't the typical fatality victims of the flu appear

Comments

[robby]

I found a little blurb from a doctor in Mexico City to the effect that the vaccine given to them was not effective, as two of his collegues had already died, and he indicated the media was under reporting the severity of the crises.

[insomnia]

That's not the first time I've heard that the vaccines weren't working. I think that this thing is going to be badly out of control soon, to the point of effectively shutting down large parts of America... though I hope I'm wrong.

If I were releasing a movie in the near future, I would want to reschedule its release date by several months.

[insomnia]

We're not all gonna die, certainly. That said, I think it's quite likely that we in California can find ourselves in the same situation as the people of Mexico City, with practically every public event cancelled, hundreds or possibly thousands infected, and about 4% fatalities for those who get this particular flu.

I would rather that people take it seriously and nothing happens, in this case, because trying to live life as normal is going to be what spreads the outbreak to hundreds of people at a time. So far, California has been comparatively lucky. There's this school in Queens that had about three kids suspected of coming down with the swine flu, and now about 100 students are reporting early stage flu symptoms. If this turns out to be the swine flu, odds are good that those kids infected their families... and all the details indicate that anti-flu meds aren't working on this one.

Chances are good that people have it in California who aren't diagnosed yet... so precaution is essential for containment.

[qilora]

sounds like conspiracy.

:P

[insomnia]

There's actually been some pretty poorly researched speculation about this being a biological weapon, but a friend of mine has pointed out how damaging that it can be to spread such rumors.

The fact is, many fatal pandemic viruses that spread most widely effect the most resistant individuals more aggressively than the weakest. Weak people are less social and die faster, and, as such, have less of a chance of passing on the virus to others.

The most rapidly fatal viruses oftentimes burn themselves out, but something that goes after the strong and takes its time? That's far more likely to spread.

[qilora]

"The fact is, many fatal pandemic viruses that spread most widely effect the most resistant individuals more aggressively than the weakest. Weak people are less social and die faster, and, as such, have less of a chance of passing on the virus to others."

i am weak: +10
my immune system is the shiz: -10
i am social-anxious little friendly hermit: +50
i kiss EVERY kid i can get my hands on: -100

i'm doomed. :P

[insomnia]

I understand that, but it's kind of splitting hairs. In Mexico, it's got about a 7% fatality level. Here, I suspect it would be less, but it's not something that should be treated like any other flu.

[robby]

There are probably unreported flu deaths in Mexico, very sick people that don't make it to the hospital and for whom there is no official cause of death.

H1N1

[anonymous]

I'm not certain but i sure i was a recent victim of the new flu. I live in the upper penninsula of michigan and have heard the local college campus has had multiple cases. if this is what i had idk it went like this> went out saturday felt fine, sunday felt sick bad no vomit or fever. sore throught, chills, slight cough, foggy headed feeling. Monday Fever reaching 103.5+ in and out of reality due to high fever, sore throught, vomiting but i'm fairly certain that was due to the high fever. tuesday same thing if not worse, wednesday fever broke, no more sore throught but insomnia and cough. Friday... well it's still like thursday for me still have a runny nose and cough but the insomnia is the weirdest part i can't sleep and still feel kind of a body high from the cold. It might be added that i am a 24 year old smoker a pack a day who gets bronchitis 2-3 times a year and as horrible as that is it is nothing like this i thought i was going to die. I fought this cold with over the counter medicine due to lack of insurance and being told