The swine flu virus is H1N1. I shudder to imagine what will happen when
virus H2N2 arrives!
Tim, you're forgetting the last flu scare which was H5N1.
It's just a classification for scientists to keep their head around the
dozens or hundreds of strains of flu virus out there.
Why is the current flu scare H1N1 when the last one was H5N1? Why isn't the
current flu higher than H5N1?
Probably has to do with the order they were discovered by scientists? Or
maybe the makeup of the virus. Who knows. <g>
Hey, enter the contest;
Under pressure from pork industry lobbyists, the U.S. has government
has stopped referring to "swine flu," and will instead refer to the
outbreak as the "H1N1 virus." While "swine flu" may have been
misleading--eating pork is not a risk factor for contracting it--H1N1
is a mouthful. The PR move on pork's part was probably necessary, but
it doesn't seem like the new name is going to stick. Here are some
suggestions floating around the web for alternative names.
Bacon's Revenge, North American Influenza, The Pink Death,
Man-Bird-Pig-Flu, and The Flu formerly known as "Swine Flu."
Pure hogwash? Perhaps, but in the words of one TBM staffer, we figured
we'd "throw the slop in the trough for all to pig out upon."
If you've got a better idea, send the new name to
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS68802868220090430
and while waiting;
Eat well, avoid crowded conditions, wash yo hands, fer christ's sake and
if nearby a cougher/sneezer. turn away, and don't inhale until you do.
And We enjoy a Neti Pot just to keep the pipes open.
Good luck, y'all.
g.
--