Arguing paper - Essay Example

In the United States alone, documented records of the CDCP have confirmed 17,838 hospitalized cases have been afflicted with this new virus from 48 reporting states and territories accounting for 672 deaths as of November 6, 2009. (CDC “U.S. Laboratory Confirmed Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30 to October 31, 2009” 1) As averred by the CDC and by the American Lung Association (ALA), influenza is a serious, “severe and sometimes life-threatening disease” (ALA 1) that should not be overlooked.

As of current statistics, this virus has caused the death of 1,799 people worldwide with over 182,166 hospitalized cases. (WHO 1) Aside from the symptoms (fever, headache, cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches), complications can aggravate chronic medical conditions of patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or asthma. As such, the simple influenza could eventually lead to death. In addition, the CDC recently proffered new strains of influenza viruses that emerge globally like Swine Flu and the new H1N1 virus which continue to be a health hazard globally.

The characteristics of the influenza virus are always changing necessitating constant monitoring as the emerging alterations lead to global pandemic. The new H1N1 virus have caused vomiting and diarrhea to people who have contracted it. When left unattended, it has ultimately lead to loss of lives. Therefore, influenza is indeed a serious illness but can be prevented with seasonal flu vaccination. The flu virus can be transmitted by people with the virus strain through coughing or sneezing. Healthy adults can be infected by touching something with the virus strain and then coming into contact with one’s mouth or nose.

With the new strains of virus that recently emerged, more people are susceptible of getting the disease. Therefore, if one suspected that he never got the flu throughout his or her life, there is always the possibility