Allergy Symptoms Raise Concerns About Swine Flu For A Significant Population
Recent research conducted within the allergy community shows that seasonal allergy sufferers are worried that they are unable to distinguish between allergy symptoms and the swine flu.
Carlsbad, Calif. (PRWEB) May 1, 2009 -- A timely survey of the U.S. seasonal allergy population shows that, in spite of knowing how they are affected by allergies each year, a significant minority worries about swine flu initially once symptoms start. At 68% of those polled, male allergy sufferers who worry about swine flu outnumber females with a similar concern by a ratio of over two to one.
The allergy and flu surveys are a part of the morefocus group's on-going health and lifestyle research initiative that is studying the changing attitudes of U.S. consumers to healthcare, leisure, education and work. The participants in the allergy and flu studies were drawn from a combined 4,000 patient panel recruited from the Group's online health and lifestyle publications. With the allergy survey scheduled to close in the first week of May, the swine flu poll was conducted on a sub-set of the panel starting on Monday, April 27, 2009, with the full results available in late May.
Dr. Regan Carey PhD, who leads the analytics team for the morefocus group said, "This is the fifth year that we have run the annual flu survey and the coincidence with our new seasonal allergy research and the swine flu outbreak provides an interesting opportunity to compare changing reactions to media coverage. It is interesting to note that preliminary results show a marked decrease in over-reaction to swine flu coverage when compared against the results of our May 2006 Avian Flu research. Increased media interest always heightens concerns, however this outbreak is being treated far more pragmatically by the majority of the population. "
Preliminary results show 38% of respondents expressing heightened concern about the Swine Flu against 51% for the 2006 Avian Flu outbreak. Within the allergy sub-set the percentage is lower, with slightly under 26% being more worried about the risk.
Dr. Richard Scuderi MD PhD, morefocus group's Medical Director, commented, "Although there are some similarities between the symptoms of seasonal and food allergies and the flu, such as nasal congestion, headache and rash, typically allergy symptoms do not include fever, chills, aches and pains, tiredness, and sore throat, In addition, allergy symptoms rarely curb appetite whereas in many cases the Swine flu does."
Dr. Scuderi continued, "Irrespective of their susceptibility to allergic reactions, people with flu symptoms should contact their doctor for possible laboratory testing. They should also avoid spreading germs by frequent hand washing and should cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze. Those who become ill are asked to stay at home and limit contact with other people."
The final report on the allergy research will focus on the shift in attitudes to traditional healthcare and the balance with alternative therapies. In particular the survey has been designed to highlight the generational differences. Preliminary results indicate that there has been a marked decrease in allergy sufferers' hospital and visits to their GP this year, with a significant proportion of respondents indicating that worries about job security in the current economic environment are a primary concern.
Further information and summary results of the Flu and Allergy studies are available on request from morefocus or at Learn About Allergies.com, with updates available at Allergies.iHealthBlogs.com.
About morefocus group inc.
San Diego- and London-based morefocus group inc., carries out independent research, builds and maintains high-traffic content networks across multiple verticals. The Company owns or controls a leading independent healthcare and lifestyle network controlled by a suite of proprietary publishing, analytics and behavioral monitoring applications. The publications and software applications are applied to build engaged traffic, recruit, sample and manage consumer panels, and report consumer awareness data to consumer organizations and corporations.
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