In China, health officials are discovering that the bacteria that is found in pneumonia cases are rising along with instances of the disease H1N1 more commonly known as swine flu. Another threat is that the cases of seasonal flu are at high levels because of the new flu virus. Dr Anne Schuchat who is the head of the U.S. National center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there is a serious increase of pneumococcal infections this year around the country. A flu infection thins the lining of the respiratory tract, making the lungs more vulnerable to bacteria that can cause pneumonia. CDC officials in America are urging high-risk adults to obtain vaccinations against both pneumonia and H1N1.
I believe that this is a dangerous discovery. In the article, during a regular flu season most serious cases of flu and flu related pneumonia mainly occur in people 65 or older, now people are more vulnerable to H1N1 because the virus is unlike any other flu their bodies have come in contact with. There have been some side effects though it counts for a very small percentage of those receiving the vaccine. Now people are talking about the risks of getting the vaccine because of the rare neurologival illness caleed Guillain Barre syndrome.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/26/content_12549867.htm
1 comment:
I agree with you that this is a very dangerous discovery. I am not sure if I am going to get the H1N1 vaccine because of the neurological illness that it may cause. I am unsure of the vaccine and what it may do. This is very scary.
Post a Comment