How does Swine Flu kill you?

[Moh]

We have had a lot of information on it (Well, not much but still) and the symptoms of it.

But how exactly does the flu kill you? What does it do to your body? Or does it just dehydrate you - which is why it could be deadly in hot countries?

[Neil]

From what I can figure out the worst part of it is "bowel problems", which in the UK really isn't exactly a problem since we have food and toilets here but I don't know, it could be worse depends how strong your immune system is I suppose.

[Toughened]

I would of thought it effects your respiration system?
Heyy what do I know?

[Jordan:A]

Well in a pig its on its spine

[LoveToStack]

Cytokine storms. It's when the immune system overreacts and basically kills you. Thus people with a stronger immune system are more at risk of death than those with a weaker immune system.

[Mr.Sam]

The person's immune system overreacts to the totally new flu virus and actually attacks the body's healthy organs and systems - that makes the healthy approximately 15 to 60 year old individual the most likely to actually succumb to the flu.

Because this cytokine storm phenomena is generally rare it is also not well understood. Cytokines are similar to hormones and are used by the body to communicate between cells, mostly on a local basis.

A cytokine storm can overwhelm the nervous system and cause breathing problems which is why hospitals put critical flu patients on assisted breathing machines.

[GoldSolid]

**** man thats scary ****

[Crimson]

:o

My immune system is meant to be cruddy! I'm saaaaaaaaaaaaaafe :P