[SpiritWarrior]

I want to clarify something. This is not downplaying the outbreak but for some reason, what is underreported by the media and government is that the swine flu is not a fatal disease. People are terrified, because on some level they think if they catch it, they will die or be hospitalized. No, it is just the flu - a new strain with the same symptoms. New strains are identified every so often (Bird flu). If you treat it you will recover, if you don't it could lead to complications but understand these are the same complications that the "regular" flu can lead to and are no different, in essence.

The danger issue is mainly this: The new form cannot be stopped by vaccines or shots, so older and very young (or otherwise weakened) people can have issues. Typically, elderly people cannot handle a bad flu the same way us youngens can. It can lead to pnuemonia etc. But younger, healthy people can catch this and shake it off with the usual bedrest and attention and thus their bodies have assimilated the latest strain of the flu and beaten it. It is a new form of flu, but the flu nonetheless.