成人头条

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With the world facing its first pandemic in 41 years, it's easy to get caught up in all the clamor that's circulating about the H1N1 virus or swine flu. Marilyn Yourdon, director of Student Health Services at 成人头条, puts the H1N1 virus in perspective and says we shouldn't dismiss the potential severity of the seasonal flu.

Yourdon: "I think we need to remember that the seasonal flu actually has caused more deaths in the last year than the swine flu, so we need to remember that and continue to have appropriate protection for yourself against the seasonal flu."

The H1N1 virus continues to grab the headlines, but Yourdon says no one can say with certainty how severe the H1N1 virus will be.

Yourdon: "We really don't know how severe the virus is going to be at this point. Right now, we are seeing, clinically we are seeing mild cases of the H1N1, but we don鈥檛 know whether the wave that will really come in the fall, or if there will be a wave in the fall, whether it will be more severe and have more of an impact."

As odd as it may sound, those who have already had a mild case of the H1N1 virus may be at an advantage, as Yourdon explains.

Yourdon: "Those who tested positive for the H1N1, or swine flu, that recovered from it actually could be considered lucky because they now have built up immunity against the virus."

It won't be too long until the public has an opportunity to take a flu shot for the H1N1 virus, but it remains to be seen how effective the vaccine will be.

Yourdon: "The effectiveness of the vaccine really remains to be seen. We haven't really begun to use it in full mode yet, and so it will take some time to give the vaccine and see what happens."

Yourdon says many of the flu prevention techniques apply to both the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu.

Yourdon: "Some prevention tips that I think are very important that would reflect either seasonal or swine flu, and that would be good hand washing, always good hand washing is very important; keeping your hands away from your face. If you cough or you sneeze, use the upper part of your sleeve to cough or sneeze into, or a tissue, and throw it away."

If you experience flu-like symptoms, Yourdon says it's a good idea to talk with your doctor.

Yourdon: "If you develop flu-like symptoms now, such as fever of 101 or greater, or you're having a sore throat or cough along with that fever, you certainly would want to call your health care provider to let them know what's going on, and they will advise you at that point in time. You may be able to get treatment, but certainly if you have fever, you want to stay away from other folks."

Health officials are greatly concerned, in part because the H1N1 virus is so contagious.

Yourdon: "There are various differences between the seasonal flu and the H1N1. The swine flu is very highly contagious, so we have to be on our guard about that. It will also pop up here and there. It doesn't have a particular course that it follows. You may see it in one place and then again in another place. And a lot of time it starts in the fall."

While both the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu should be taken seriously, Yourdon says there are some notable differences.

Yourdon: "Those that are susceptible or more at risk with the swine flu are those that are pregnant, those that are younger, like 24 years of age and younger, those that have respiratory illnesses like asthma, or those that have diabetes or immune compromise condition; they would be much more susceptible with the swine flu. The seasonal flu usually affects more the elderly and the very young."

It remains to be seen whether the H1N1 will be more deadly than seasonal flu. What worries health officials is that it's a strain of the flu that has never been seen before.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for 成人头条.