Doctors put swine flu risk in perspective
Updated: Mon Nov. 02 2009 6:13:13 PM
ctvottawa.ca
As the second wave of swine flu makes its way through the region, doctors are reminding residents to stay calm.
One to two out of every million people will die of swine flu. Meanwhile, people are 35 times more likely to die of seasonal flu.
While it's important to protect yourself, Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion said residents need to keep in mind that seasonal flu is more common and more deadly than H1N1.
The deaths of two young Ontario children who were otherwise healthy have contributed to a lot of fear, she said.
"My heart goes out to the families that are affected by H1N1 in a severe way, but we have to remember that it's a small number compared to those affected by the seasonal flu."
According to McNaughton-Filion, taking a common sense approach is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the virus.
"Everybody has to take care of themselves: wash their hands; get rest; drink fluids. If they have a cold -- stay home; if they're well -- go about their usual business," she said.
Since the second wave of swine flu, emergency rooms are seeing an influx in patients with flu-like symptoms and flu clinics across the region are faced with long lineups of people waiting to get the H1N1 vaccine.
"I'm finding a weird range of indifference to terrible fear," said Shannon Walls, a health care volunteer who works in palliative care.
At Ottawa schools, the fear has some parents keeping their children home from school even when they're healthy.
"Our message to parents in conjunction with Ottawa public health is business as usual and our schools are open," said Julian Hanlon of the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Symptoms of swine flu include:
- fever
- cough
- muscle aches
- fatigue
- severe headache
- sore throat
- lack of appetite
More severe indicators include:
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- bluish or grey skin
- bloody or coloured mucous
- sudden dizziness or confusion
- severe or persistent vomiting
- high fever for more than three days
- low blood pressure
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
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Comments are now closed for this story
Mike
Yes, let us "put swine flu risk in perspective", but please don't misrepresent the risks.
The text and video are different. Text says:
"One to two out of every million people will die of swine flu. Meanwhile, people are 35 times more likely to die of seasonal flu."
But the video says "1 in a million". 103 confirmed deaths out of 33 million people is about THREE in a million. And that's just so far. How can you pretend to predict the future based on what's happened so far with grade school math errors and say it's only a 1 in a million chance it will kill me ?
Both my son and I have asthma. Our odds are MUCH higher.
And how can you say "people are 35 times more likely to die of seasonal flu." ? Not this year. And seasonal flu does NOT kill this many healthy adults and children !
Anne
«People are 35 times more likely to die of seasonal flu». Well, I have been wondering if I should get my kids and myself vaccinated. But we never get the seasonal flu shot... So why on earth should we wait in line for 10 hours to get this one???
Jt
MIke
Atleast from reports a large number of those who have died have had other medical conditions.Don't look at the 103 and just assume there all heathly as i said reports say a large number of those that have died have had other medical condition.Yes some people who died might have had no other medical conditions but from the reports that is a small %.As for the reg flu its hard to say as numbers are not reported as the h1n1 is.You aslo say so far 103 have died from the h1n1 and you can't pretend to know what will happen in the future which is true.At the same time it is hard to say what will happen with the reg flu this year.
cn
What good does it do to keep analyzing the odds? Absolutely none. Just do your best to take care of yourself. The rest is out of our control.
And the seasonal flu DOES kills thousands of people a year. It just doesn't make the news like this did.
jmw
Mike,
103 in 33 Million is one on three million, not 3 in a million.
Mom in Ottawa
I dont get the seasonal flu shot neither does my daughter... to me there is no point in getting this shot either.. we both dont have underlaying conditions.. we are both heathly..... I rather Let the people who are high risk get it instead.. Lets all relax and put it into perspective..
Fred N.
Mike, yes healthy people do die from the seasonal flu, every year. Read the stats.
Even if you are at a higher risk due to your asthma, you're still more likely to die in a car crash. Can't live your life in fear.
Lisa
If people are 35 times more likely to die of seasonal flu why is the whole world making such a huge deal out of the H1N1? Is there something the general population does not know? Why is our government going to such extreme lengths to have everyone vaccinated? So many questions with no real answers. I am one of those parents keeping my perfectly healthy child at home because I truly do not know what or whom to believe. Istanbul Turkey have people in space suits disinfectiing class rooms when we have a government and doctors advising us to make sure our children wash their hands at school, what is going on? Hopefully I am not the only Canadian who thinks our government should get their crap together.