[LINK] Obama urges calm, caution and activation of online social networks.

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Jan Whitaker wrote:
> At 12:30 PM 5/05/2009, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:
>> My
>> understanding, is that the H1N1 virus is new to medical science and they don't
>> know the vector, symptoms or have a vaccine to prevent people from contracting
>> the disease. The advice provided seems 
>> useful  and generally applicable, to even
>> "normal flu" :
> 
> Not exactly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_A_virus_subtype_H1N1
<snip>
> I think what you're thinking of is the comment 
> that it's a variant that combines aspects of 
> several others and for which they haven't yet 
> developed the vaccine. That happens with every 
> year's outbreak of flu. They have to match 
> closely with the specific variant for each years jab to work.
> 
<snip>

Here is what WHO says:

> How do people become infected with influenza A(H1N1)?
> 
> Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed. To prevent spread, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly.
> What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
> 
> Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.
<snip>
> Why are we so worried about this pandemic possibility when thousands die every year from seasonal epidemics?
> 
> Seasonal epidemics occur every year and we are able to treat the virus with seasonal vaccines. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic. It is a new virus and one to which the populations will have no immunity.
<http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/about_disease/en/index.html>
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: (+61)0414 869202