Flu danger for Australians

I sometimes watch that silly A Currant Affair when I'm in a vegetative state and desire a bit of a laugh. Generally it's how they turn every story into some spectacular, sensationalist, over the top bit of tabloid journalism. Some rip off artist pursued by a reporter and camera man for example; it's entertainment. It has no news value whatsoever, and the people being chased always get the shits and never say anything of value.

So it was with a few grains of salt that I watched their report on the coming flu season. Usually about this time of year they drag out the standard flu report and encourage people to get the flu shot. Usually with pictures of sick people in hospital. All very predictable. Fuck, no wonder I find telly so fucking boring these days.....

Well it appears the show that cries wolf all the time may actually be right this time. After reading a bit about it online, I made an appt with the doctor on Monday to get the flu shot. Apparently the 2009 flu is making a come back this year.  

The Influenza Specialist Group, Australia’s leading Influenza medical expert body, estimates that a quarter or more of the Australian population, could face an increased risk of severe complication when contracting Influenza this season. Many of the people at risk, because of an underlying medical condition, are in the younger age groups and consider themselves flu-proof. ISG data shows that only 30-40 per cent of people in this high risk category are being immunised.  

The virus responsible for the 2009 pandemic has been responsible again for widespread outbreaks in Canada and the USA this year. And younger adults have been hit hardest. About 60 percent of those who have died from influenza in the US this season were 24 to 64 years old, compared with 18 percent last season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.3 This season's dominant flu strain is the H1N1 virus, the same one that struck in 2009, with high rates of hospitalization and death among young adults and the middle aged according to the CDC. 

Dr Hampson, Chairman of the ISG points out that while influenza was often most severe in the elderly and very young, the ages most affected varied depending the circulating viruses. “The H1N1 pandemic virus has consistently had its greatest impact in the younger adult group. Which is a concern because a recent ISG survey had again shown that people under 65 with various underlying medical conditions are still not being vaccinated and are not aware of the risks that they face.” 

Those at greater risk of complications include: people with heart conditions, asthma and respiratory conditions, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, impaired immunity and neuromuscular disorders, or those who smoke, are obese, pregnant, aged over 65, or of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. more