Scientist have discovered why this flu strain really doesn't effect people over 50 unless they have some underlying condition. This strain is similar to the one that came through the United States in 1974. So people who were around then have some antibodies already built up to fight it.

If it came through in '74, wouldn't this apply to everyone over the age of 35?

I've never even considered getting it...

If it came through in '74, wouldn't this apply to everyone over the age of 35?

You are correct. This is the reason this strain is mainly effect young people from new born to about early 20's.

You are correct. This is the reason this strain is mainly effect young people from new born to about early 20's.

I guess I'm extremely safe then.

Just another bit of info. The current pandemic strain also has some of the same characteristics of the 1918 flu outbreak. That one killed about 45-50 million world wide. The key point is this one lacks one certain gene so it is not as bad.

 

The NovelH1N1 has the same symptoms of the regular seasonal flu. It is also treated in the same way. The reason it is important for young people to get the shot is they don't have any antibodies to fight it. It is just as important for older people to get vaccinated if they have underlying medical conditions.

I guess I'm extremely safe then.

:thumb:

I was born in January of 74...maybe I'm safe!

I was born in January of 74...maybe I'm safe!

I was a sophomore in high school! :eek:

At this point, 48.5% say no.....

Just another bit of info. The current pandemic strain also has some of the same characteristics of the 1918 flu outbreak. That one killed about 45-50 million world wide. The key point is this one lacks one certain gene so it is not as bad.

 

The NovelH1N1 has the same symptoms of the regular seasonal flu. It is also treated in the same way. The reason it is important for young people to get the shot is they don't have any antibodies to fight it. It is just as important for older people to get vaccinated if they have underlying medical conditions.

 

Of course, health care worldwide has improved by about a million percent since 1918.

 

I'll be taking my chances.

Both my wife, who works as a teacher in a Day Care Center and I who work with handicapped adults, will be getting the shots.

 

My company in fact, is strongly telling, ordering us (considering who we work with) that if we get sick with the H1N1 to stay home period! They will pay us to stay home even if you are out of sick or vacation time!

Of course, health care worldwide has improved by about a million percent since 1918.

 

I'll be taking my chances.

Of course it has but that hasn't stopped this pandemic. The thing that is worrying health care officials is if this strain starts to mutate and there is not medicine to combat it. That might be starting to happen.

 

I've see a report that said there is possibly a mutant strain that is starting. There was a possible confirm case in North Carolina of human to human transfer of this mutated virus. The report also stated that there is no known medication, at this time, to combat it.

Of course it has but that hasn't stopped this pandemic. The thing that is worrying health care officials is if this strain starts to mutate and there is not medicine to combat it. That might be starting to happen.

 

I've see a report that said there is possibly a mutant strain that is starting. There was a possible confirm case in North Carolina of human to human transfer of this mutated virus. The report also stated that there is no known medication, at this time, to combat it.

 

You're smarter than that. I've seen and heard dozens upon dozens of reports (and you have too) about how horrible this current strain is and how it's going to cripple the world. Of course, I heard the exact same thing about SARS and the bird flu, and scores of other horrific diseases that never amounted to much.

You're smarter than that. I've seen and heard dozens upon dozens of reports (and you have too) about how horrible this current strain is and how it's going to cripple the world. Of course, I heard the exact same thing about SARS and the bird flu, and scores of other horrific diseases that never amounted to much.

 

To be fair the 1919 outbreak of the avian flu was a true catastrophe.

To be fair the 1919 outbreak of the avian flu was a true catastrophe.

 

But, as you well know, that had less to do with the disease itself than the inability of the world's medical resources of the day to deal with it.