H1N1 Influenza Epidemic Continues to Grow
46 States Have Report Swine Flu to Be Widespread
Oct 22, 2009
Information collected by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Ga, shows that the spread of Swine Flu has made its way to 46 states. This in turn is driving visits to doctors for “influenza-like illness” to levels higher than normally seen even at the peak of the regular flu season.
Not only are visits to the doctor increasing, but the number of hospitalizations for confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 are also climbing and are “higher than expected,” the CDC reports.
Swine Flu Deaths
Even more troubling are the proportion of deaths caused by bacterial pneumonia following the onset of the swine flu. Based on reporting from 122 communities, the CDC reports that the number of deaths exceeds what would normally be expected and that there have been at least 11 children who have died.
“About half of the deaths that we've seen in children since September 1 have been occurring in teens between the ages of 12 and 17,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC. “These are very sobering statistics, unfortunately, they are likely to increase.”
Since April of 2009, there have been 86 children who have died from the 2009 H1N1 virus and the secondary infections caused by it. For this reason, if an individual who has been treated for swine flu begins to get worse they should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible or taken to the emergency room.
Dr. Schuchat bore this out in a press conference held Monday. “Regardless of what we have on paper, if you see something wrong call your doctor.”
States with Swine Flu Epidemic
The number of states and rapidity with which the virus has spread is, “unprecedented during seasonal flu,” Dr. Schuchat said. As of October 26, the CDC reports that the swine flu is wide spread in 46 states, with South Carolina, New Jersey and Connecticut showing regional outbreaks. Much luckier are Hawaii and the District of Columbia which are experiencing only local spread of the illness.
The swine flu is so prevalent that in many states doctors have stopped testing to see if flu-like illnesses are being caused by the H1N1 virus, under the assumption that it is. In this case, the antiviral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) are being used in an effort to reduce the severity and length of the illness.
Swine Flu Symptoms
According to information made available by the CDC, the following symptoms can indicate infection with the swine flu.
- Fever - in some of the cases, but not always
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea and vomiting have been reported, but again like fever this is not always the case
According to estimates presented by Dr. Schuchat, it is expected that this early outbreak may reach its peak within the next two weeks. But this does not spell the end to the risk of swine flu. It is expected that a second outbreak could take place at the start of 2010 and for this reason it is still important that all those at risk receive the vaccine, she added.
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