 |
Talk of the H1N1 virus seems to have simmered down recently, but the reality is the virus is still very much alive, and has already claimed thousands of lives. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) have confirmed that 2,498 people have died from the virus. However, they believe there are many more unreported H1N1 deaths. The agency estimates that between 8,330 and 17,160 people actually have died from H1N1.
It is challenging to get an accurate look of the number of flu cases in the US because many people with flu don’t have affordable health insurance and many don’t seek medical care and only a small number of those are tested. More people who are hospitalized or die of flu-related causes are tested and reported, but under-reporting of hospitalizations and deaths often happens. For this reason CDC monitors influenza activity levels and trends and virus characteristics through a nationwide surveillance system and uses statistical modeling to estimate the burden of flu illness (including hospitalizations and deaths) in the United States.
The virus is not over yet, it’s expected to continue for several months. CDC officials are recommending everyone get the flu vaccination especially those over the age of 65 because they are at higher risk of serious complications. If you do not have medical insurance it’s important to get coverage. In the event that you fall sick, health coverage will ensure you receive needed care. However, flu vaccines to protect against 2009 H1N1 are widely available even without health insurance.
