H1N1 and Children

Children with neuromuscular disorders more likely to develop severe complications from H1N1.
USA Today (2/18, Sternberg) reports that "thousands of children and adolescents with neuromuscular disorders, asthma and other conditions...are suffering consequences of H1N1 that will linger long after the 2009/2010 swine flu pandemic ends." Although "no one knows exactly why flu has such a devastating effect on" these children, "the evidence has been mounting since late 2005. Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia "reported that, even in typical flu years, children with these ailments were six times more likely than other children to develop severe complications from flu."
Colorado health officials say H1N1 may ward off seasonal flu. The AP (2/18) reports that health officials in Colorado say the H1N1 virus "may have pushed the seasonal flu aside." Joni Reynolds, director of the Colorado Immunization Program, noted that flu hospitalizations have been dropping steadily in recent months. She added that swine flu is "keeping the other strains at bay." Still, Dr. Ned Calonge, the state's chief medical officer, said he remained "reticent to predict that we won't see a seasonal flu," which he said may extend into March and April.