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Experts Worry About Return Of Swine Flu

Virus similar to deadly 1918 flu

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 13, 2009

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While the late spring outbreak of swine flu, or H1N1, has pretty much run its course in the U.S., health experts worrry about what will happen in the fall, when flu season returns.

Adding to those worries is new research that indicates the H1N1 virus looks a lot like the virus strain responsible for the flu pandemic of 1918. That outbreak killed between 40 and 100 million people world wide, and in particular, seemed to target young, mostly healthy adults.

Researchers reporting their findings this week say tests have confirmed that H1N1 is able to spread beyond the upper respiratory system--the part of the body usually impacted by seasonal flu--and spread more deeply into the lungs. That can lead to pneumonia and, sometimes death.

The new research was reported Monday in the journal Nature.

The 2009 H1N1 outbreak was greeted with near panic when it first appeared in Mexico, but then quickly faded from the headlines. While it spread quickly, it appeared to be a fairly mild form of illness; most people recovered within seven days and there were very few deaths.

But health experts are worried about a sense of complacency. Viruses have a way of mutating, and it possible that during the flu season, swine flu in combination with seasonal flu could become a deadly tandem.

Although the severity of the pandemic is currently considered to be moderate with most patients experiencing uncomplicated, self-limited illness, the World Health Organization some groups such as pregnant women and persons with asthma and other chronic conditions such as morbid obesity appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death from infection.

"Since the spread of the pandemic virus is considered unstoppable, vaccine will be needed in all countries," the WHO said in a statement.

The WHO this week said that vaccine makers should start making immunizations against H1N1 and that healthcare workers should be first in line to get them.

Companies working on an H1N1 vaccine include Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis AG, Baxter International Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, Solvay and nasal spray maker MedImmune, now part of AstraZeneca.

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