Is Swine Flu really a threat?

Answer 1

Yes, for those at high risk (see related question below for more information.

As of 12 February 2010, According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated* that since the beginning of the pandemic, the US has had approximately 57 million cases of A-H1N1/09 Pandemic Swine Flu and approximately 11,690 resulting deaths. Based upon this, an estimate of the mortality rate in the US from the pandemic is 0.02%. This is lower than the seasonal flu mortality rate.

From what experts are saying you should simply continue to wash your hands and avoid unnecessary contact with ill people. Basically all you should do is treat it as if it is part of the regular flu season. At this point in time Swine Flu is not a great threat, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that in 1918 there was a strain of Swine Flu that came back deadlier the second time, in the fall. So as of right now it is not a large threat, but just stay in touch with what is happening with the progression of the flu over the next few months.