Asthma and swine flu: Here's what to do --------cnn

Asthma and swine flu: Here's what to do --------cnn
Nearly one-third, or 28 percent, of adults and children hospitalized with H1N1, also known as swine flu, have asthma. That's more than any other chronic condition, according to a recent analysis of cases published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
(The next most common complications on the list were diabetes and a weakened immune system, at 15 percent each.)

"Asthma was the most common underlying medical condition that we saw," says Seema Jain, M.D., a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jain's team analyzed 272 people who were hospitalized with swine flu for more than 24 hours between April and June.
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H1N1 Virus Mutation Monitored for swine flu Vaccin Preparation

"That is still to be determined, as it is based on how the production goes",said Dr Kon.The scientists will also be keeping a very close eye on whether the virus mutates.

"The vaccine will be based on certain parts of the virus, so they'll need to see whether those parts change."The detailed scientific work is being done at GSK's plant in Belgium, while executives in London negotiate global contracts.

Health experts are monitoring H1N1 cases in countries like Brazil, where winter and normal "seasonal" flu is just beginning.

Professor Ab Osterhaus, who is based in Rotterdam, has studied flu viruses for half of his 30-year career, and predicts various tensions in the months ahead.

He said: "If you start to produce the pandemic flu vaccine, it will go at the cost of the seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people around the world every year - so we still have a responsibility there as well. The production capacity is limited, and vaccines have to be produced within six months. There is likely to be competition between countries. The richer countries have ordered pre-pandemic vaccine. That is not the case for countries that don't have so many resources.So if we have a pandemic, there'll be a problem with equitable distribution of these protective measures. It's a major issue for the World Health Organisation to consider."

GSK agreed to provide 60m doses of Vaccine for Swine Flu

The hard work is only just beginning for scientists developing a vaccine. At the west London office of the drug giant GSK, there is a special unit for global planning on flu pandemic vaccines.

A special sample of the swine flu or H1N1 virus has arrived at GSK in the past week, allowing scientists to begin a detailed analysis.

The UK medical director, Dr Pim Kon, told the six-month process has many uncertainties. Although the company has agreed to provide 60m doses of a vaccine, it is not yet known how many people that will cover.

The Health Protection Agency recorded more than 60 new cases alone on Tuesday, and although nobody has yet died from the virus, experts are warning against any complacency.

Because of swine flu 4 Santa Clara schools closed till Monday

The schools are Delphi Academy, Santa Clara Elan Espirit Preschool, Santa Clara Challenger School and San Jose Rucker Elementary School. The schools were closed Thursday, and will reopen on Monday. Branham High School in San Jose had been shut down earlier in the week.

County health officials are asking everyone to take precautions like covering their cough and washing their hands regularly.

The county so far has identified six cases of probable swine flu. The samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control for confirmation.

Several other schools around the state have been shuttered after officials found confirmed or probable cases of swine flu among the students.