Deadly Swine Flu Outbreak

[Elspode]

This stat would seem to indicate to me that those who are more active and likely to be out and about socializing are at greater risk. Or I could be completely wrong. The stat as posted doesn't really reveal whether or not this age range is dying more than younger or older people who have been exposed, or if there are simply more members of that demographic who have contracted the flu.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Elspode

This stat would seem to indicate to me that those who are more active and likely to be out and about socializing are at greater risk. Or I could be completely wrong. The stat as posted doesn't really reveal whether or not this age range is dying more than younger or older people who have been exposed, or if there are simply more members of that demographic who have contracted the flu.

That's true but influenza viruses usually only kill the young and old because of a weaker immune systems. Since the majority of people that have died are middle aged, it hints that this is a strong strain along with its never before seen avian, swine, and human hybrid makeup.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by Elspode

This stat would seem to indicate to me that those who are more active and likely to be out and about socializing are at greater risk. Or I could be completely wrong. The stat as posted doesn't really reveal whether or not this age range is dying more than younger or older people who have been exposed, or if there are simply more members of that demographic who have contracted the flu.

In a lot of cases, the immune response of the host itself is what is deadly in a flu infection. Those with the most aggressive immune response are young and middle-aged adults. Children and the elderly can squeak by.

The same was true for bird flu.