Reply #16: if you're old enough, you may already have some immunity... [View All]

[dysfunctional press]

those people who were around prior to 1957 may be less susceptible to it.

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090520/swine-flu-less-severe-over-50s

...Why is 1957 a key year? Every flu season after it first appeared, the deadly 1918 pandemic H1N1 flu bug circled the globe. Each year, the virus acquired changes that made it different from the original virus. But in 1957 there was a new pandemic, this time with an H2N2 virus. The new virus took the place of the old H1N1 bug.

"And so when we talk about the pre-1957 exposures, we are referring to those exposed to the past H1N1 virus that went away in 1957," Jernigan said. "The farther back you go in time, the more likely you are to have been exposed to an H1N1 virus before 1957 -- and exposure to that virus many years ago may allow you to have some reaction to the new H1N1."

The new H1N1 swine flu bug is much different from the 1918 H1N1 virus. It's also much different from the H1N1 seasonal flu virus that still circulates. But something about that pre-1957 bug seems to have left older people with antibodies that neutralize the new flu -- and might offer some protection against it.

my wife was born in 1958, and she's not in a priority group- but she will get the shot when it becomes available for her.

take care of yourselves.