Look for yourself then. These are the numbers of U.S. pediatric deaths (ages 0-17) from seasonal flu going back to 2003-2004, pulled from the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm
2003-2004: 152 (a bad flu season, which prompted the separate reporting of pediatric deaths)
2004-2005: 39
2005-2006: 41
2006-2007: 68
2007-2008: 83
2008-2009: 68
The 30,000 number that is oft-quoted by CDC is misleading.
India
Man succumbs to swine flu in Gujarat
Ahmedabad, Oct 1 (PTI) A 48-year-old man today died due to swine flu in the SSG Hospital in Vadodara, taking the toll to 34 in the state, health officials said.
The victim has been identified as Rohit Patel, who tested positive for swine flu virus and was put on ventilator.
His condition turned critical yesterday.
Meanwhile, today six more positive cases of H1N1 virus were reported from the state, taking the number positive cases to 208.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/310140_Man-succumbs-to-swine-flu-in-Gujarat
Dalton second-grader dies from swine flu
By Mike Morris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
8:01 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/news/swine-flu-kills-dalton-151690.html
A Dalton elementary school student has died from illness related to swine flu.
The Dalton Daily Citizen reported Thursday that Candy Chen, 7, died early Wednesday morning.
The girl was in the second grade at City Park Elementary School in the northwest Georgia town.
Believe what you want to. That 36,000 figure is posted on the CDC site. I just posted a link to it.
I looked at the data as you requested. I still say that the CDC has some splaining to do Lucy.
The influenza related deaths are about 36,000 according to two respected studies.
The CDC states that there are two groups that are most at risk for influenza. Traditionally those would be the young and the elderly.
What the CDC and you need to explain, is how one of those two groups only has around 50 deaths each year on average. If we are to take your premise seriously, then the mortality in the less exposed groups would have to be even less. Are you willing to go out on a limb and state we only have about 150 deaths from influenza each year.
That’s what your argument’s end conclusion would have to result in. Do you believe that? Seriously?
I don’t.
Pathologist says W. Pa. woman died of swine flu
The Associated Press
Updated: 10/01/2009 08:09:18 AM EDT
http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_13460977
PITTSBURGH—A forensic pathologist says an otherwise healthy 45-year-old western Pennsylvania woman has died of the swine flu.
Dr. Cyril Wecht (WEKT) says he was hired by the family of Deborah Spangler to confirm her cause of death. Spangler, of Renfrew, Butler County, died Sept. 10 after seeking treatment for the flu at a hospital.
Wecht and Dr. Bruce Dixon, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, announced the results of the autopsy because they say the woman’s family has been shunned by those who don’t understand the flu.
ER’s are filling up with H1N1 patients
Posted: Oct 01, 2009 2:55 PM MST Updated: Oct 01, 2009 3:55 PM MST
By Gretchen Ross
Posted by Noah Stubbs
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=11242461
EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - Substantial flu illness has hit nearly every state, according to the CDC.
The most recent flu data show the virus continues to impact pregnant women: through the end of August, 100 women had to be hospitalized and 28 died.
In Evansville, one young mother remains in intensive care with the swine flu.
Experts say the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be available Tuesday.
The nasal vaccine and will first go to health care workers and children, ages six to 24 months.
The H1N1 shot will be available later next week.
States and cities are developing distribution plans.
Here in the Tri-State, health officials issue a new warning when it comes to the virus.
They say to avoid a pandemic patients, who are high risk with flu like symptoms, should only make trips to the emergency room and health clinics as a last resort.
Emergency rooms and health care clinics are filling up fast with flu sick patients.
Officials are say only go to the ER If you have emergency problems.
A local hospital emergency room and convient cares have seen more patients lately waiting to be treated for flu like symptoms.
Doctors say it may not be the best idea to get treated there.
“Being in public is not a good idea because it exposes other people,” Dr. Timothy Almquist said. “Certainly we do have a chance of a large number of people in the emergency room and clinics and being in those locations and becoming exposed.”
Dr. Almquist says if you display flu signs such as fever, a cough, sore throat or body aches then consult your personal physician first.
“Typically taking fluids, Ibuprofen brands of fever medication are a good idea,” Almquist says.
Dr. Almquist says never hesitate to come to the emergency room if you experience serious warning signs of a flu-like illness.
“If you have difficulty breathing, chest pains, abdominal pains or other issues that you consider to require assistance please make sure you come to the hospital,” Almquist says.
Family practice physician, Dr. Don Brake encourages his patients to call as soon as they start to show signs of the flu or H1N1.
“Calls us or my preference is just have you come in and what we have done for a few patients if they have symptoms, prescribatory symptoms, we will give them a mask,” Brake says.
Dr. Brake says right now he is prescribing Tammiflu for his patients who feel they can’t self medicate.
Patients may have some options if they do not have a personal doctor or medical insurance.
“Echo Clinic and some urgent cares are available,” Brake says.
While some doctors may treat patients for their flu symptoms over the phone, Dr. Brake says you stop in and see your physician so you are diagnosed correctly.