Posted by 10derHeart on April 29, 2009, at 4:12:19
In reply to Re: Why is swine flu so scary?, posted by Tabitha on April 29, 2009, at 2:31:33
I think influenza can be more aggressive than a cold, especially in people who are already ill, the very young and the very old. At least that's what I remember from the seasonal flu. I used to work in a hospital ICU and occasionally saw severe cases. It weakens you and then other conditons may compound things.... Many thousands die every year from the flu or flu-related causes. A virus is a powerful and tricky thing when it mutates.
I'm guessing the "cold" virus (or is it more than one, probably) we all encounter is "weaker" only because our bodies have built up many antibodies to combat it....? It is not "new."
Mostly, I'd say the fear comes from the word death. I don't know if anyone's ever died from a cold. But you're right as far as the U.S. cases go so far - only about five of maybe 68(? - changes often) confirmed cases have been hospitalized, according to some media reports.
But in Mexico, possibly 150 or more people have died :-( It can be a pretty serious illness, but it can also be treated successfully, and/or not make a person very ill at all.
Fear of the unknown, and the accompanying feelings of powerlessness, are scary, perhaps?
poster:10derHeart
thread:893207
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090421/msgs/893428.html