(03-13-2020 08:24 AM)bluebacker Wrote: There are roughly 1 billion cases worldwide every year and on the average about 500,000 people die from it.
The range of deaths each year from seasonal flu is 300,000 to 650,000.
Every year.
There is nothing called "The" Flu.
There are 4 types of influenza viruses and types have subcategories:
Human influenza viruses Types A & B cause seasonal epidemics of disease in almost every winter in the US. Only Type is known to cause pandemics.
Type C infections generally cause mild symptoms. Type D viruses generally infect cattle and is not known to infect humans.
Type A changes genetically more rapidly in recently years and can co-circulate every year. The origin host can be human or animal (Swine, Avian, Equine).
Corona viruses can be as simple as the common cold and are typically short term and mild. Rarer forms that arise on no particular schedule can be lethal like SARS, MERS and now CORVID-19. There is no current vaccine or antiviral drug to treat any Coronavirus type.
Differences in cause of death:
The flu doesn't kill people. The body essentially kills it self fighting the virus. The virus hijacks cells treating them like a host and the immune system attacks the foreign body by sending White Blood Cells, antibodies and anti inflammatory molecules to wag war and eliminate the threat. In most cases the body wins. The by-product is a runny nose, watery eyes, sinus, ear infections.
Any weakness with the immune system or any type of illness or frailty increases the chance the body will be a casualty of the war. Bacterial pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis, myositis can occur as well as more serious secondary diseases.
Unlike what was reported in another thread soap does not kill germs. It does remove them so it lessens the chance of contracting a virus. Most coronavirus types stay in the nose and throat causing mild symptoms. COVID-19 is very good at reaching the lungs which makes it a more efficient killer. Once in the lungs it directly attacks the respiratory system making it difficult to breath. It advances quicker than most most viruses especially if you over 60 or have other pre-existing conditions and illnesses. AS has been pointed out COVID-19 is not influenza but it is it's stronger, faster more lethal in-law.
That's why with COVID-19 keeping people away from large crowds where the virus is very efficient at reaching the lungs of others is so important. One sneeze capable of travel beyond the 3-6 ft infection range can infect 100 people in seconds.
You stop COVID-19 by isolating it from additional hosts.