How serious is H1N1 flu?
Many people are unaware that even seasonal or “common” flu can be serious or fatal in some situations. Thousands of people die from seasonal flu-related causes in the United States each year. Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) are typically at high risk for serious flu complications. Flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. The CDC indicates that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of H1N1-related complications so far in the current outbreak. The agency is conducting more research about this issue. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications. They may make the illness milder for people who already are sick, and can mini
Most people will recover from the H1N1 flu without treatment. However, just like the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu can lead to serious health problems. Pregnant women; adults younger than 25 years of age; young children; and people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease, are more likely to have complications from the flu. H1N1 has also reached pandemic level 6, which indicates that the new flu virus spreads easily from one person to another.
