Pandemic Flu – Why do the good die young?

Website design By BotEap.comRecent medical literature on why the pandemic flu is and has been so deadly is key information not only for scientists and clinicians, but also for the general public. That people trust their belief that they are NOT at risk when the pandemic flu hits because they are young and healthy. It is this youth and vigor that really puts them at greater risk than a small child, a kind-hearted grandparent, or even a patient with HIV disease.

Website design By BotEap.comThe immune response that we all rely on to help us fight off and recover from the usual annual flu is the precise mechanism that pandemic flu is targeting. Unlike other diseases that turn off parts of the immune response, pandemic flu activates key parts of the immune response resulting in massive inflammation and destruction in the lungs and other key organs. This “storm” of immunity is most prominent in those with the strongest immune systems. In 2007, the group with the strongest immune system is made up of people aged 18 to 40 years.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat difference will this make? Check the numbers:

Website design By BotEap.comRegardless of age, when pandemic flu hits, 1 in 3 people gets sick.

Website design By BotEap.comOf this 33%, 79% of those between 18 and 40 years of age will require hospitalization, while only 54% of those who are 40 years of age.

Website design By BotEap.comOf those hospitalized, serious lung injury will occur in 80% of those between the ages of 18 and 40, while only 50% of those in their 40s.

Website design By BotEap.comOf those with severe lung injury, 79% of those between the ages of 18 and 40 will die, while only 50% of those in their 40s will die.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat does that mean when added up?

Website design By BotEap.com26% of all people aged 18 to 40 will be hospitalized (compared to 15% of those 40)

Website design By BotEap.com21% of all people ages 18-40 will experience a serious lung injury (compared to 8% of those 40)

Website design By BotEap.com17% of all people aged 18 to 40 will die (compared to 4% of those in their 40s)

Website design By BotEap.comAdmittedly, these are the worst numbers, but they are based on a combination of written accounts of the 1918 pandemic and the current H5:N1 avian flu outbreak.

Website design By BotEap.comSo what can we do? Ask a kindergarten kid!

Website design By BotEap.com1. Wash your hands

Website design By BotEap.com2. Do not share drinks or eating utensils

Website design By BotEap.com3. Cover your mouth with your elbow when you yawn, sneeze or cough

Website design By BotEap.com4. Don’t sit too close to others (6 foot separations helped stop SARS in Toronto)

Website design By BotEap.com5. If you are sick, stay home. Call your doctor, don’t go to the hospital where the sickest people will be. In other words, if you want to catch pandemic flu, hang out in the ER lobby.

Website design By BotEap.comWith these simple techniques, you and your family can stay safe when the Pandemic hits.