Flu targets healthy 20- to 50-year-olds

The A flu virus (H1N1) remains cunning and dangerous. It is contained in large doses in this year’s flu cocktail, with H3N2 (known from the Hong-Kong epidemic in 1968) in smaller percentages.

Their combination has sent 34 people in ICUs, 5 of whom have lost the battle. A 14yo girl, treated at «Agia Sofia» Children’s Hospital, was added to the victim list today. The rest are a 54yo woman without a contributing medical record, a 30yo male with cardiac problems, a 48yo male with pathogenic obesity and a 53yo male with cardiac disease.

24 people are in critical condition in intensive care units all over the country (as of Friday evening), including a pregnant woman. 6 people have been moved to a normal room, no longer being at life-threatening risk.

1 in 3 in ICU is healthy

The reading of the medical history of those in ICU shows that the flu targets healthy people as well. From the 33 that showed complications, 10 did not have a health problem (chronic cardiac, respiratory,  metabolic or other diseases).

Meanwhile, people in the 20-50yo group seem vulnerable, too. One in 2 that are in ICU is under 50. In fact, a 26yo was admitted last week without a chronic health problem.

The spread of the flu all over the country

The data from the epidemiological checks of the ministry of Health for referring patients with seasonal flu show that the disease has spread throughout the country.

So, during the last week patients with the A (H1N1) flu are being treated in «Evangelismos», «Sismanogleio, «Ippokrateio», «Amalia Fleming» and «Ygeia» in Athens. In Thessaloniki the patients are treated in Ippokrateio, Papageorgiou, Agios Dimitrios, Theageneio and Inter-Balkan.  

Serious incidents were recorded in the ICUs at Serres, Edessa, Trikala, Larisa, Volos, Kalamata and Herakleion, as well as the University hospital of Herakleion.

Plea for vaccination by scientists

Scientists are stressing that there is still time for vaccination of vulnerable citizens with the seasonal anti-flu vaccine that also protects against the H1N1. An equally important measure of prevention, as they say, is the adherence to rules of hygiene and in case of an outbreak, the timely (within 48hrs) administration of antiviral drugs. According to KEELPNO, this protects the people exposed to the flu from the appearance of the disease or complications, and shortens its lifespan.