H1N1-Should we be afraid?

I've been asked by several lay people in the community about H1N1 recently, and I've heard all kinds of rumors some even from MDs. My Dad (who is a superintendent of schools) recently went to a conference on this pandemic teaching them how to handle the situation, prevent spread, etc. Here are some tidbits I have found interesting...and that helps me answer some questions:

Stats: (from CDC website)
*Between April 15 and July 24 there were 43,771 confirmed cases of swine flu in the US, of these 5011 were hospitalized and 302 people died. Also...
*The age group with the highest hospitalizations due to H1N1 is Age 0-4. The age group with the highest confirmed cases is age 5-24. The age group with the highest rate of death due to H1N1 is age 25-49.
*US mortality rate of H1N1 so far is 0.57%...average mortality rate of seasonal flu is 0.12%.
*They are estimating that 50% of the US population will become infected this fall (not all infected will necessarily have symptoms) They are also estimating 2million hospitalizations due to H1N1 and 30,000-90,000 deaths...35,000 people die annually from the seasonal flu.


Stats: (from KDHE website)
Sedgwick and Riley co. have the most cases at 42 and 34 respectively. Shawnee Co (Topeka) has 8 confirmed cases.

My opinion: (for what it is worth)
It is a little scary that the death rate of H1N1 is nearly 5x that of seasonal flu...however it is still only 0.5%. It is also concerning that normally healthy age groups are the ones contracting this flu. However, still most deaths occur in people with other underlying medical conditions. I think it is good to be a little scared b/c that will help everyone take precautions that will prevent the spread, but I don't think it is worth losing sleep at night worrying that you or someone you love will get Swine Flu.

Recommendations from the CDC to prevent transmission of H1N1:
1. If you have a fever...STAY HOME until fever is gone...w/o the use of antipyretics. Also try to stay away from others as much as possible.
2. Wash your hands often...especially after you cough or sneeze.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth
4. Cover your nose/mouth with a tissue when you cough/sneeze, then throw away tissue.

*I feel like the above is common sense with the exception of #1. We tend to feel an obligation to go to work even when we are sick, but that has been the strongest recommendation. My dad was told at his conference that if his whole cafeteria staff is out sick...so be it...it is better than spreading H1N1 to every child and then every family in town.

Treatment: (I'm almost done...I promise)
Tamiflu and Relenza are both currently recommended for treatment and prophylaxis of H1N1. I was told by a prescriber in the community that Tamiflu is not recommended but this is FALSE. There are a few cases of resistance to Tamiflu, but the CDC still feels that for the most part it is effective. This Link http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm provides very good info on treatment on prophylaxis for all ages if you need help.

I know we are tired of this subject...So sorry to talk about it so long, but I thought most of this was useful info (which is why I looked it up) Hopefully you won't revoke my posting rights :o)