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Thank You, Swine Flu: Seasonal Version No Big Deal

History, and this past spring, show novel strains 'crowd out' normal ones

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2009 2:33 PM CST

(Newser) – A perfect storm of factors related to the swine flu pandemic have many experts predicting the usual seasonal flu viruses will be no-shows this season. First off, the rush for H1N1 vaccinations saw many patients being vaccinated for the seasonal varieties as well. And then there’s “crowding out,” a little-understand phenomenon that means novel flu strains essentially monopolize patients' lungs.

Virtually all flu cases in Europe and the US this season have been H1N1, and the outbreak in South America earlier this year did not see significant levels of either of the two main seasonal viruses. “I would bet against a seasonal flu this year,” one professor of epidemiology tells Bloomberg. “But I wouldn’t bet very much money.”

People fill up paperwork while in line at the Anoka County H1N1 Vaccination Clinic in Minnesota.
People fill up paperwork while in line at the Anoka County H1N1 Vaccination Clinic in Minnesota.   (AP Photo)
A child is given the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.
A child is given the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.   (AP Photo)
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I’m not so sure how strong the crowding-out theory is. It certainly seemed to play a role in the Southern Hemisphere, but we anticipate there will not be crowding out in January and February. - William Schaffner, Vanderbilt University

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
cornelison
Dec 19, 2009 9:35 AM CST
Hi DLY. *LOL* *OLO* *LOL* I started researching farming practices around the world a few months ago. If you check out You Tube you'll find out why it's plausible that we might be getting sick from where our meat is coming from. Warning; don't eat lunch while watching it.
Chudluv
Dec 18, 2009 7:05 AM CST
I agree with DLY here. Its been so over blown that death was on your door step if you didn't get a shot for the H1N1. My better half works in the medical field and is exposed countless times and yet she didn't get the shot or mist. Nor have I ever gotten either H1N1 shot or the seasonal flu shot...EVER! Or for 10 years I never come down with the flu until after Chemo and Radiation treatment for cancer did I have my first flu infection.
cornelison
Dec 18, 2009 6:46 AM CST
Nevertheless, factory farms are destroying the landscape with pollution & filthy practices. People are eating pork processed in environments like you find with puppy mills. Just check You Tube and what you see are the norms. Use keywords factory farms pigs.
Health • US

 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • vaccination • influenza • pandemic • swine flu • H1N1 virus • CDC • seasonal flu • crowding out • winter flu season

 
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