H1N1 Twitter Chat with infectious disease specialist Felipe Gutierrez, MD
EDITOR'S NOTE: On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Raising Arizona Kids (@RAKmagazine) and Banner Good Samaritan (@BannerGoodSam) co-hosted a live Twitter chat featuring infectious disease specialist Felipe Gutierrez, MD. Following is the transcript of that event.
RAKmagazine: We'd like to welcome infectious disease specialist Dr. Felipe Gutierrez from Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center to our H1N1 Twitter chat. Thank you.
Dr. Gutierrez: Thank you for having me.
RAKmagazine: Let’s jump right in. Why all the concern over H1N1? What is it? What's the big deal?
Dr. Gutierrez: H1N1 is an influenza just like any other, except that it has not been seen in the human population before. The last time where we had a new virus like this, many people died. So, concern is raised for what can happen with this one.
RAKmagazine: How is it different from seasonal flu? Does it matter if I know the difference?
Dr. Gutierrez: Major difference appears to be the age of people affected. Seems like greatest number are in the younger population. The seasonal flu typically affects those 65+, very young and those very sick. This one seems to affect otherwise young, healthy people. Those who have been the sickest, by and large, have had other medical conditions.
RAKmagazine: Great lead into our next question. Who is at risk?
Dr. Gutierrez: Those with greatest risk are those with underlying medical conditions, such as neonates and pregnant women. However, we are all at risk in that we do not have a natural immunity given fact that it is new virus to us.
