Niko
Editor, Senior Moderator
Is H1N1 flu more severe than seasonal flu?
Posted: <script type="text/javascript"> wnRenderDate('Thursday, October 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST', '', true); </script>Oct 08, 2009 5:05 PM EDT <noscript>Thursday, October 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST</noscript><!--END wnDate-->
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One concerned mother, Roxanna Voge, brought her two-year-old son, Christian, to the hospital Thursday, afraid he might have swine flu.
By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Many parents want to know if H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, is more severe than the seasonal flu? Officials at East Tennessee Children's Hospital weigh in.
Doctors say an unusually high number of kids with flu-like symptoms have been streaming in for treatment lately at ETCH.
The culprit most likely is swine flu. In fact, officials say last week, six kids at the hospital all wound up on ventilators in critical condition. Several had confirmed cases of swine flu.
One concerned mother, Roxanna Voge, brought her two-year-old son, Christian, to the hospital Thursday, afraid he might have swine flu.
"On Saturday, the highest his fever got was a 103.4," Voge says.
While she's physically strong, Voge admits that emotionally, "It's been scary. That's why I brought him here to Children's."
Dr. Lori Patterson says she understands the concerns. "We can't predict who will get sick and who will die and I think that's the most frightening things about it."
Last year, 68 children nationwide died from the seasonal flu during a five month period.
Last week, 19 children died from swine flu across the nation. Three of those were in Tennessee.
"Between a third to half of those who are dying are perfectly healthy kids," Dr. Patterson says.
Her agenda isn't to scare the public. She says swine flu isn't necessarily more deadly than the seasonal flu. It's just that this is a new strain, never seen before.
"We don't have immunity so you have a whole lot of people that are vulnerable," Dr. Patterson says.
The doctor also says she understands parent concerns about the swine flu vaccine, but believes it's the best defense. Dr. Patterson says she'll get the vaccine, along with her children.
The CDC predicts that 100 million Americans could be infected with swine flu and 30,000 to 90,000 could die from the new virus.
On average, the seasonal flu kills about 36,000 people nationwide.
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11283171
Posted: <script type="text/javascript"> wnRenderDate('Thursday, October 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST', '', true); </script>Oct 08, 2009 5:05 PM EDT <noscript>Thursday, October 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST</noscript><!--END wnDate-->
<!--END WNStoryHeader-->
By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Many parents want to know if H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, is more severe than the seasonal flu? Officials at East Tennessee Children's Hospital weigh in.
Doctors say an unusually high number of kids with flu-like symptoms have been streaming in for treatment lately at ETCH.
The culprit most likely is swine flu. In fact, officials say last week, six kids at the hospital all wound up on ventilators in critical condition. Several had confirmed cases of swine flu.
One concerned mother, Roxanna Voge, brought her two-year-old son, Christian, to the hospital Thursday, afraid he might have swine flu.
"On Saturday, the highest his fever got was a 103.4," Voge says.
While she's physically strong, Voge admits that emotionally, "It's been scary. That's why I brought him here to Children's."
Dr. Lori Patterson says she understands the concerns. "We can't predict who will get sick and who will die and I think that's the most frightening things about it."
Last year, 68 children nationwide died from the seasonal flu during a five month period.
Last week, 19 children died from swine flu across the nation. Three of those were in Tennessee.
"Between a third to half of those who are dying are perfectly healthy kids," Dr. Patterson says.
Her agenda isn't to scare the public. She says swine flu isn't necessarily more deadly than the seasonal flu. It's just that this is a new strain, never seen before.
"We don't have immunity so you have a whole lot of people that are vulnerable," Dr. Patterson says.
The doctor also says she understands parent concerns about the swine flu vaccine, but believes it's the best defense. Dr. Patterson says she'll get the vaccine, along with her children.
The CDC predicts that 100 million Americans could be infected with swine flu and 30,000 to 90,000 could die from the new virus.
On average, the seasonal flu kills about 36,000 people nationwide.
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11283171