The FDA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Pandemic Influenza and the Blood Supply to monitor this outbreak and its impact on the safety and availability of the nation’s blood supply. There is no indication the blood supply is at risk, and  it is important to remember that, when medically necessary, the benefits of a transfusion far outweigh the risks, including any theoretical risk of H1N1 flu transmission through blood or blood products.

Blood centers are required to reject potential donors who are not in good health.  Current blood donor screening procedures should easily identify persons with symptoms of H1N1 flu infection, because the symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to regular human influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu and these are symptoms that would be obvious in the screening process.

So, it is critical for patients that need blood transfusions or other blood products not to reject those treatments out of fear of any additional risk from H1N1 virus.

Perhaps, this is partly because the medical establishment now insists on calling the Swine Flu by the name of the virus that causes the flu – H1N1.  However, that seems a drab and nonthreatening name for something with the potential to kill more people in less time than World War II.  So, on this web site the Swine flu will remain the Swine Flu.

Since it first came to public attention in Mexico in late March the Swine Flu has not killed vast numbers of people as many feared it might initially.  However, the risk that the Swine Flu will explode into a worldwide pandemic is very real and you should remain aware of the risks.

Because if the Swine Flu virus mutates as many scientists expect that it will there is a significant chance of it becoming a public health disaster.

On May 20, the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Damon Arnold, reminded residents of his state that they cannot afford to become  complacent about the risks of Swine Flu.  To date, there are 794 confirmed H1N1 flu cases being reported in Illinois and most have been mild.

On May 22, when most Americans were preparing for the Memorial Day weekend Dr. Margret Chang, the Director General of the World Health Organization,  told a conference of public health specialists that, “For the first time in history, we are watching the conditions conducive for the start of a pandemic unfold before our eyes.”   She called the Swine Flu virus, “very contagious” and said that it is a “subtle, sneaky virus.”

So, this site is going to try to keep you informed of the potential risks of Swine flu and what you can do to lessen the risks for yourself, your family, and your community.