Ayanna Haskell
October 23, 2009
SOC 202
Worldwide nearly 5000 people have died from the swine flu since it has come about this year. It has now developed into a worldwide epidemic. Hence the undocumented accounts of individual cases the number may be larger. The World Health Organization said that there were 4,999 one week but the week before, there were over 260 cases stemming from the western hemisphere. The first ever deaths of swine flu have been reported this week in Iceland, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago. 46 states excluding Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey and South Carolina have had widespread cases effecting a lot of the state. A vaccine can be used to protect immune systems and fight the virus, children will need two doses. The vaccine increases immune response but some are not sure if it is truly safe for children or pregnant women. There are different vaccines for those in the U.S and those in other countries. Children are more likely to need the vaccine because they are hit the hardest when it comes to overall cases and symptoms. A quarter of the swine flu deaths are of children and adults under 25. the most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness at the injection site and minor flu symptoms.
5000 deaths worldwide is a very large number and could easily be even larger. I never really understood how anyone could die from a flu only because I looked at it as just a harsh version of a cold. I was mistaken incredibly. Now that there is a vaccine I believe there will be fewer cases but precautions must still be taken to prevent the swine flu. I keep hand sanitizer on me because I like to keep my hands as germ free as possible and hand washing is even more important now.
2 comments:
I agree that 5,000 is a lot of people that have unfortunately died from swine flu just this year. However, people have always died from the flu. Most of the people who are dying from it are those who have proexisting conditions. However, we do still need to take all possible precautions and stay at home if we have the symptoms.
It is sad that this many people have died. I also think that people need to take proper precautions like carrying hand sanitizer, washing hands often, and getting vaccinated if possible. If people take these simple steps there could be a dramatic decrease in the number of deaths.
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