What makes mexico's swine flu
so virulent
Scientists engaged in investigation of the current
swine flu epidemic have begun with the direct question of why the flu
affects Mexico with more intensity than other countries. There are more
cases of the flu in Mexico, and more deaths, when seen in proportion,
to the rest of North America. There has to be a reason to this that
provides useful information to those on the front lines of the battle.
Comparing Mexico to the rest of North America however, is not as simple
as it might seem. Researchers in the US
working in partnership with institutions in Mexico feel that there are
not enough swine flu infections at this time to learn anything from.
There need to be thousands of cases before a proper representative
average is able to be taken.The reason for all the numbers coming out
of Mexico could just be because of the fact that the disease started in
Mexico and has had a longer time in the region than in the US.
Scientific opinions usually cannot be made without adequate
representative samples. In addition, accurate sample-taking is
difficult amid all the commotion surrounding swine flu. There could be
deaths included in the swine flu account, that do not come from swine
flu, but instead come from other causes. The people who die of other
illnesses related to the respiratory system can present symptoms very
similar to does the swine flu. The people who die need to be properly
autopsied and tested for samples of viral infection before proper
pronouncements are made.
Making a proper comparison between one country and another also
requires that an adequate model is created of the countries in
question. The model would include information on the age groups the
patients fall into, thei genders and complications from other diseases
that need to be considered. If for example, a large number of people
who succumb to the swine flu in Mexico happen to be people already
devastated by HIV, this death statistic has little to offer to what is
to be anticipated for healthy people. Before making such a comparison
betweenn countries, therefore, it has to be ascertained that the
population in one country that is falling ill with the disease is
similar to the population in the other country that might fall ill from
the disease.
What possible factors might there be to the emergence of the disease in
Mexico that might not apply to another country? An important
characteristic specific to Mexico is that people there tend to put off
visits to the hospital for too long. When people get flu-like symptoms,
a stuffy nose, cough, or body ache, they just try to take
over-the-counter medicines to deal with it at home. People who are sick
with anything go out to the pharmacy for over-the-counter medication
before they think of visiting a doctor. There has been focused
government action in Mexico trying to raise awareness among the public
not to put off a visit to the hospital for long, and among hospitals
and doctors to look out for the rights symptoms. By the time people
realize that what they have is not a simple cold or fever, they may be
too far gone.
Mexico City has famously bad air quality. The terrible environmental
situation in Mexico City is a potential aggravating factor. Mexico City
is also overpopulated in the extreme. Diseases move from person to
person far more quickly in such crowded places in a way that just
cannot be expected in other countries.
These then are the kinds of peculiarities that scientists need to keep
in mind before they can draw a map of what is to be expected in the US
and Canada, and what kind of ferocity the disease will have in these
places compared to Mexico.

Swine Flu In The Us


Today's pandemic scale with swine flu, is at Phase 5, a step short of a full pandemic declaration.

History Of Swine Flu
Some counties have chosen to use a respirator mask in place of surgical masks; these improved devices have filters that keep the air inhaled and exhaled quite clean. It is well-recognized that having people taking antivirals for no good reason can help viruses learn how to resist the drug. The virus came to the associated with swine because early tests revealed that the genetic structure of this virus is strikingly similar to the genetic structure found in influenza viruses that attack populations of pigs in North America. The swine flu keeps spreading today; but most people who fall ill with the disease do not report severe illness.

Scientists are looking for specific insights into the genetic change the virus appears to have made last month that allows it to be so successful at surviving in humans.
It is believed that Cancun might never recover. The WHO has agreed to consider the suggestion. Mexico City, a crowded, sweating, lively city that 20 million people call home, closed down recently; every activity that was not essential to survival was put on hold. The CDC's most promising prospects in swine flu vaccines contain a mixture of genes from the current swine flu virus and also contain parts of other viruses that allow for better growth in the laboratory environment. It is also quite resistant to the common flu drugs Amantadine and Rimantadine.