VOA标准英语2009年-H1N1 Swine Flu Keeps Hospitals in Northern

By Carol Pearson
Washington
24 September 2009

The World Health Organization says the H1N1 swine flu virus should be part of next year's seasonal¹ flu vaccine². The WHO says the H1N1 pandemic could affect up to one third of the world's nearly seven billion people. There will only be enough vaccine this year for one sixth.

As swine flu spreads, hospitals are putting plans in place to cope with a crush of patients, many of them children.

Some U.S. hospitals are setting up screening centers in outdoor tents.

Dr. Pat Crocker evaluates sick children at a Texas hospital.
"In some cases, it will be possible for the patient to be seen, registered, see the physician, discharged, right from the tent and never even have to come into the hospital," he said.

The practice also helps protect other patients and hospital staff from exposure to H1N1 swine flu. 

"Of the patients who come in with flu symptoms, almost 70 percent are testing positive for influenza³ A," Dr. Crocker says, "And right now, that means H1N1."

The symptoms for the swine flu are the same for seasonal flu: cough, sore throat and fever. 

Tiasha Brown suspects her daughter has the virus. "My child has been having 101 [Fahrenheit] plus fever, runny nose, flu like symptoms because she has come in contact with someone who does have the swine flu," Brown said.

Seasonal flu viruses change slowly so many people develop some resistance. 

Dan Rutz, a spokesman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, says this is where H1N1 and the seasonal flu viruses differ. "In the case of a pandemic strain, the population has no protection at all because the immune system has never been exposed to that insult before," he explains.
 
However, health officials have noted⁴ that older people might have some immunity⁵
because they were exposed to a similar virus in the 1950s.

Most cases of H1N1 are mild. But the virus can be deadly for some patients.
Those with chronic⁶ disease and pregnant women are most vulnerable.

"I'm pregnant, too. And if my child has the swine flu, I would really like to know," Brown said.

A vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu, but there will be only enough H1N1 vaccine to inoculate⁷ one sixth of the world's population.

Health officials are counting on the public to keep the pandemic under control.

They have been stressing sanitation⁸.

And keeping fingers away from your nose, eyes or mouth.
 
Coughing into your elbow and frequent hand washing.

The World Health Organization recommends that next year's seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the swine flu.

1 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

2 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

3 influenza   

n.流行性感冒，流感

参考例句：

• They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.他们采取措施
• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 immunity   

n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权

参考例句：

• The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。
• He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。

6 chronic   

adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

参考例句：

• Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
• Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。

7 inoculate   

v.给...接种，给...注射疫苗

参考例句：

• A corps of doctors arrived to inoculate the recruits.一队医生来给新兵打防疫针。
• I was just meant to come out here and inoculate some wee babies.我是过来这边给小孩子们接种疫苗的。

8 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。