Every once in a while I get a call or e-mail with sad news:
someone has died of complications from the flu. Lately, with the
heightened awareness of the H1N1 virus, I’ve heard of a couple
of deaths related specifically to H1N1. In some cases the
deceased was perfectly healthy before becoming ill. The stories
are heartbreaking. Unfortunately, death is a reality of the flu.
Thousands die every year. The Virginia Department of Health does
not track the number of flu deaths in the state. “Flu deaths are
not required to be reported to VDH, so we do not have state
info, only national estimates,” said spokesman Robert Parker.
And while some people have told me that their loved one’s death
certificate has the cause of death as H1N1, Parker told me that
“H1N1 is not typically reported on a death certificate.” The
state does track the number of kids who die from the flu. This
year the state has recorded four pediatric flu deaths, Parker
said. The CDC reports that an estimated 12,000 Americans died
during the 2009 H1N1