So.... it's just the flu, right?

[dorkulon]

I know the flu can be deadly for the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. But for the vast majority of people, isn't this just a nasty bug that is not life-threatening? Or is it worse than the usual flu in some way?

[iamjoy]

1. This One Is Killing The Young

this flu strain is killing teenagers, young adults, etc - not the usual suspects with compromised immune systems due to age or underlying health issues.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. In Mexico, where they don't exactly have great healthcare

[drm604]

2. One thing that makes it potentially worse...

is the fact that it's come on so suddenly that we don't have a vaccine for it. Usually we have time to immunize high risk groups so they're at less risk. That isn't the case this time.

[Believing Is Art]

3. I've heard in Mexico that most of the deaths have been young adults

That's only word of mouth and I might have heard it on the news as well.

I got a really nasty one in 2005. Doc said one more day and I would have been admitted and the hospitals were full already. It came on fast and hard. I checked what the vaccines were that year (I didn't get the vaccine), and I think I got the Fujian Flu. Worst one I've ever had and I was in my early 20't then.

[LeftHander]

10. I had one that year too...ended up with double ear infection

sinus infection....globs of brown green goo filled up my head....along with fever coughing, puking shitting and sweats...

that was fun....felt like my head was going to explode.

Went to the doc and he attacked the ear and sinus infections which were a problem that could of gone bad. few days on on antibiotic, nose drops and lots of clear fluids...and I started to clear up...

[billyoc]

4. Seems like the stronger immume systems are more susceptible.

[elocs]

5. We need to get a grip here. The regular flu kills abouty 36,000 in the U.S. each year.

The swine flu is not even remotely close to causing the number of deaths that occur each year in a normal flu season. The sky is not falling and the panic over this is over the top because if that attitude is taken too often people will not believe when there is actually a pandemic to deal with.

[pnutbutr]

6. not to mention

that this strain of flu may have been around for months before it was noticed in Mexico and the US. Nobody was looking for this specific strain and the symptoms are typical flu symptoms.

[Clear Blue Sky]

7. Correct. That's 100 people per day dying of the normal flu. We need perspective here.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

9. Yeah, pretty much

I'm a total germophobe AND a conspiracy theorist (just ask LostinVA on this one) and I'm not freaking out.