H1N1 Virus Can Be Deadly Even For Healthy People

Virus Can Send Immune Systems Into Overdrive

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Health experts said the death of a 24-year-old Independence woman from complications of the H1NI flu virus is a reminder of how serious the illness is.

The woman died on Wednesday after being hospitalized for severe symptoms, such as diarrhea and extreme fatigue. Officials are not releasing the woman's name.

KMBC's Dan Weinbaum reported that before contracting H1N1, the woman was healthy.

One possible explanation for her death was that her immune system overreacted to the H1N1 virus.

Dr. Christopher Harrison, a pediatric and infectious diseases expert at Children's Mercy Hospitals, said, "It's sometimes the strongest and the healthiest who can mount that super immune system and response that causes injuries to lungs or sometimes cross reaction to brain tissue."

Those with underlying medical issues -- also the youngest or oldest victims -- can suffer severe consequences from H1N1, but in healthy patients the virus can create a storm of immune system responses from which the body can't recover.

Doctors said the signs that the immune system is overreacting are rapid breathing, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues and flu symptoms disappearing while a fever and cough return.

Harrison said, "If you start having shortness of breath, you start getting confused, lightheaded or dizzy -- those are reasons to think my system might be overreacting."

There is a vaccine for H1N1 on the way, and it should be available in mid-October. Doctors are prioritizing recipients in this order: pregnant women; household caregivers with children 6 months old or younger; medical and health care providers; those aged from 6 months to 24 years old; and everyone aged 25 to 64 years old.

After those priority cases, the general public will have access to the vaccine.

A Kansas City woman who gave birth while she had the H1N1 flu remains in a medically-induced coma suffering from a severe respiratory condition.

Clinics throughout the Kansas City area will be offering seasonal flu shots on Monday.

In Johnson County, 500 people will be able to get a free flu shot at a drive-thru clinic at 97th Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. "We need to be concerned, we need to be vaccinated, and we also need to do all of the standard, public health precautions to protect ourselves both from seasonal and H1N1," said Lougene Marsh with the Johnson County Health Department. "We'll be administering those vaccine doses until we run out."

The Overland Park clinic runs from 10 am to 2pm, or until supplies last. It's only for people 18 and older.

The Medical Reserve Corps of Greater Kansas City will be training people willing to assist local health agencies. Anyone interested in volunteering can go to the Mid-America Regional Council's office at Sixth and Broadway on Saturday.

source: kmbc