Swine Flu Infects Children 14 Times More Than Elderly

[Purveyor]

By Tom Randall

Aug. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Children were 14 times more likely to be sickened by swine flu than adults 60 and older, the age group that is typically the most at risk for influenza, according to a U.S. study of the disease.

Children ages 5 to 14 became ill with swine flu, also known as H1N1, at a rate of 147 per 100,000 people, according to the study of 1,557 confirmed illnesses, including seven deaths, in Chicago from April to July, months when the flu virus usually doesn’t spread. The findings were reported today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

U.S. health officials are planning a vaccination campaign that will focus on those who are disproportionately affected by H1N1, which include children, pregnant women and adults with underlying health conditions. A separate CDC study released today from New Zealand showed swine flu targeted younger people and dominated other virus strains after circulating for just one month during the winter, when influenza is more active.

“Like other Southern Hemisphere countries with temperate climates, New Zealand entered its winter season with co- circulation of both seasonal and 2009 pandemic influenza strains,” said the authors of today’s report, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. “The number of viruses identified as 2009 pandemic influenza rapidly overtook the number identified as seasonal influenza.”

In New Zealand, the number of patients with flu symptoms who sought medical attention was 1,518 doctor visits for every 100,000 people from May 3 to Aug. 2, according to the report by the CDC.

BLOOMBERG: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=aa_UPQfegb1E

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. More likely to catch, or more likely to be diagnosed?

i.e., more people taking their kids to their doctor if sick, compared to adults going in themselves?

[aquart]

4. No. The older you are, the higher the percentage of immunity.

Seems that large bunches of the elderly have antibodies for this sucker.

[redqueen]

6. You can't know that.

This was an observational study... so there are many factors that could be confounding these results.

Do you have a link to the study?

[aquart]

13. Here.

<http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/diseases/articles/study_detects_flu_immunity_in_older_people.html>

<http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/old_folks_swine_flu_immunity/>

<http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/05/21/Over-50s-show-some-swine-flu-immunity/UPI-39061242922557/>

[CoffeeCat]

8. Seriously???

Is that true for this particular Swine Flu, aquart?

The elderly have additional immunity for this Swine Flu, whereas the children don't???

In a typical flu season, they say the elderly and children are especially prone to catching
the flu--and also having more serious complications from it--even death. But with this
year, they are saying that the elderly are a bit more immune this year, but children
are still susceptible, as they are every year?

I imagine children are more prone to catching it, because they have not been exposed to
as many germs/flues/pathogens, correct? However, this is typical of any year, right?

Just trying to understand...

[madrchsod]

11. anyone who was around from 75-76 has some immunity

how many millions have been born since then?

[phantom power]

2. Heh. I think my kid might have it.

Then again, it could be a lot of things. Whatever it is, she's missed 4 days of school this week, and tomorrow is on the table too.

[CoffeeCat]

3. Makes perfect sense...with ANY flu...

Anyone who has been around kids, knows that they sneeze all over each other, run around with snot dripping out of
their noses and they have their hands on everything--including each other.

Plus, kids are often in very close quarters with other children--either at school, preschool, daycare of other kids
activities.

This has always meant that more kids get the flu.

The elderly aren't out and about as much as young kids. Plus, they know how to wipe their noses.

This is true for every year--is it not?

[phantom power]

5. Children are cute little atomic-powered disease vectors.

Our school does a brave job trying to teach them good hygiene, and I think the kids listen pretty well, but c'mon. It's a losing battle.
:rofl:

[CoffeeCat]

7. Great description!

"cute little atomic-powered disease vectors".

:)

[RandySF]

9. Doesn't matter

I still expect to see seniors shoving kids out of the way to make sure they are first in line for the shots.

[madrchsod]

10. really? how nice of you to paint us with such a wide brush....

[emilyg]

12. Really?

Is that your plan.