Image source: www.Flu.org

The big bad wolf

All the media around us warn us to be aware of the H1N1 flu. Everybody got an idea of how devastated this virus can be with half a million deaths in the State and over 30 million worldwide. However, the majority of deaths in the 1918 flu pandemic were the result of secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can be now treated by antibiotics due to the discovery of penicillin in 1928, attributed to the Scottish scientist and Nobel laureate Alexander Fleming. Consequently, new types of influenza developed in the world due to mutation and re-assortment of the influenza viruses from both animals and humans.
In flu history, in 1968 and 1969, the H3N2 Hong Kong flu emerged, killing an estimated 1 million people worldwide, 100,000 in Hong kong or 15 percent of the population and 33,800 in the USA.

Is it a big one this time?

In early April, influenza A(H1N1) from Mexico made a global outbreak. Known as swine flu, it came about from a core component of the re-assortment of four known strains of influenza A virus, one originating each from humans and birds and two from swine. Due to the ease of global travel, H1N1 easily reached the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia and the rest of the world.

Who are more at risk

The swine flu is more fatal in people with asthma, obesity, diabetes, compromised immune systems, secondary bacterial infection, and pneumonia, a relapse of the illness and in pregnant women. It is deadly if the infection is overwhelming. The drugs, oseltamivir and zanamivir are very helpful in lessening the severity of the illness. A vaccine had been successfully manufactured in August.
To date, there are about 53,175 cases in the US and 982 deaths or 1.8 % of the death toll.
Despite the H1N1, the seasonal influenza is still very much around claiming around 100,000 deaths globally in the 2008.
Nevertheless, if you compare influenza to cancer, it reveals that cancer has more cases and wrought more deaths each years. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the USA, 562,240 people will die of cancer this year or 1,500 cancer deaths per day as compared to 982 swine flu deaths worldwide. Cancer is like 1918 flu deaths but the only difference is it happens  every year.

The new kid in town phenomenon

H1N1 made a dramatic entry, scaring people out of their wits, but cancer has the most deaths and considerably caused more pain, disabilities, sufferings and medical expenses. People should be more scared of this scenario. Admittedly, the influenza viruses would continue mutating and re-assorting to produce deadlier viruses. But, I believe that science is discovering effective vaccines and drugs to combat the threat. On the other hand, cancer had been with us since time immemorial. Yet, we can’t find a real cure. Our research to cure cancer is slow to get a breakthrough. While preventive measure  as simple as eating the right kinds of food are advocated, the death toll is higher than any influenza pandemic. Thus, I also believe that cancer is the disease we should be fearful of and concentrate more in terms of prevention and cure.

Now, should we be scared of the H1N1?

Who really is the real monster in terms of disease? Obviously, cancer is!