1 Million Americans May Have H1N1 Flu

(CBS/AP)  Health officials estimate that as many as 1 million Americans now have the new H1N1 (swine) flu.

Lyn Finelli, a flu surveillance official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, voiced the estimate at a vaccine advisory meeting Thursday in Atlanta.

The estimate is based on mathematical modeling. Nearly 28,000 U.S. cases have been reported to the CDC, accounting for roughly half the world's cases. The U.S. count includes 3,065 hospitalizations and 127 deaths.

An estimated 15 million to 60 million Americans catch seasonal flu each year.

The percentage of cases hospitalized has been growing, but that may be due to closer scrutiny of very sick patients. It takes about three days from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization, Finelli said, and the average hospital stay has been three days.

Other health problems have been a factor in most cases: About one in three of the hospitalized cases had asthma, 16 percent diabetes, 12 percent have immune system problems and 11 percent chronic heart disease.

The numbers again highlight how the young seem to be particularly at risk of catching the new virus. But data also show that the flu has been more dangerous to adults who catch it.

The average age of swine flu patients is 12, the average age for hospitalized patients is 20, and for people who died, it was 37.

The World Health Organization declared swine flu a pandemic earlier this month. As of last week, it said that more than 39,000 cases had been reported worldwide, with 167 deaths.

[r28zee]

scared of swine flu ? maybe you should be considering the poisonous vaccine you will be FORCED to take thanks to the w.h.o. and the private bankers looking to pocket billions on your life. the general public is being unknowingly conditioned to accept such a thing . sign the petition here.. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-universal-declaration-of-resistance-to-mandatory-vaccinations .spread the word!

[panhandlpete]

Expect more stories like this one to condition the public to rush to get a "flu" shot as the next 'flu season' approaches so the drug companies will make millions. Flu shots are good for 'whatever' specific strain that they are made for, not a blanket protector, so when one strain gets put down, another strain somehow develops. Preventive measures to improve the overall health conditions of the citizens and better inform them, rather than drug them, would be a more sensible route. OR, is there a subtle subversive plan in the works?

[Sloughfoot]

CDC, WHO, HLS and all the others crying wolf didn't get the death toll they were hoping for to justify their exsistence. They are now resorting to "computer modeling" to create sick people who exist only in virtual reality. Hey CDC it was a bunch of Hooooy, now let it go, your credibility fails you the more you cry wolf.

[stn_sage]

At this point in time, I think this is irresponsible reporting.

Granted, there may be thousands who are sick from it, but that doesn't equate to a "million"! At least NOT yet!

Lyn Finelli, ought to be advised about the ramifications of inciting PANIC and FEAR in the public!

We get occasional acts of terrorism from individuals and/or groups outside the government, we don't need acts of terrorism coming from people from within the government!

This is like yelling, "FIRE"! in a theater! It is OR should be, considered illegal!

[jnbeaumont]

My girlfriend caught thr swine flu on a flight from Las Vegs this month enroute to New Orleans,she was very sick for 4 days and with no health coverage in this richest nation in the world. She or we could not afford a doctors visit or hospital. Lets have universal health care now!!!!!!!!!

[legacyabq]

Yeah, well, here ya go: the symptoms of the flu are, well, like those of the flu. How's that?

[mahdeealoo]

You report H1N1 Flu virus but do not give symptom recap to keep people vigilant...for those who need to know.