Income protection saves swine flu sufferers

To date, there have been over 2000 confirmed cases of swine flu (H1N1) in Australia(1) and over 50,000 worldwide(2). Australia currently has the fourth biggest case load of swine flu after Mexico, the US, and Canada. So far over 200 swine flu related deaths have occurred overseas(2), with the majority of deaths occurring in persons below 60 years of age.

As of 27 June 2009, there have been five swine flu related death in Australia(3), with these people also suffering a range of other health issues. With the rapidly growing rate of infection, it is obvious that the virus has now reached pandemic proportions. Hundreds have been forced to take time off work due to flu-like symptoms or quarantine. It has greatly impacted on people's ability to earn an income, with many struggling to pay the mortgage and other house hold bills.

How income protection insurance can help if you were diagnosed with swine flu

If you are diagnosed with the swine flu virus, the weeks you may need to take off to recover can be costly. This is why adequate income protection insurance is so important. Income protection generally provides up to 75% of your income upon diagnoses of a specified illness or injury. While there hasn't been any reported swine flu exclusions placed on income protection policies, some select insurers have placed swine flu exclusions on new life insurance policies for people planning to visit Mexico(4).

So despite the huge leap in the number of those diagnosed with swine flu, income insurance is still one of the best ways to financially protect yourself and loved ones. Make sure to shop around for the right type of income protection policy to suit your needs, and if you are still unsure about the policy and the fine print, speak to an insurance adviser.

How is it caused, do you need income protection insurance?

An influenza pandemic is caused by a virus that is either entirely new or has not circulated recently and widely in the human population. This creates an almost universal vulnerability to infection. While not all people ever become infected during a pandemic, nearly all people are susceptible to infection.

Scientists anticipate that pre-existing immunity to the virus will be low or non-existent, or largely confined to older population groups. H1N1 appears to be more contagious than seasonal influenza. The secondary attack rate of seasonal influenza ranges from 5% to 15%. Current estimates of the secondary attack rate of H1N1 range from 22% to 33%.

Even a pandemic virus that initially causes mild symptoms in otherwise healthy people can be disruptive, especially under the conditions of today's highly mobile and closely interdependent societies. The occurrence of large numbers of people falling ill at or around the same time is one reason why pandemics are socially and economically disruptive, with a potential to temporarily overburden health services.

Pandemics usually have a concentrated adverse impact in specific age groups. In past pandemics, illnesses and deaths have concentrated in a young, economically productive age group. This has been more disruptive to economies than when the very young or very old are most commonly and severely affected, as seen during epidemics of seasonal influenza. In seasonal influenza, the overwhelming majority of deaths occur in persons of 65 years of age or more.

Reduce your risk with income protection insurance

Are you at higher risk of lethal infection? People with underlying chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and several others, are more likely to experience severe or lethal infections. The prevalence of these conditions, combined with other factors such as nutritional status, can influence the severity of a pandemic in a significant way. When new influenza A (H1N1), termed Human Swine Influenza began spreading in Mexico, a substantial proportion of the cases of severe illness and death has occurred among young and previously healthy adults. As with seasonal flu, severe illness and deaths have also been reported in adults with underlying medical conditions including: chronic lung or cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immunodeficiencies and obesity. Moreover, pregnant women are at increased risk of complications from new influenza A (H1N1).

What can be done, save yourself with income protection insurance

One of the most effective ways to protect you, your friends and family from the flu (whether seasonal or pandemic) is to practice good personal hygiene. That includes regular washing of hands, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and staying at least one metre from anyone who is unwell. People who have the pig flu should not go to work or school or attend other public gatherings.

Protect yourself with income protection insurance

For those individuals who believe that serious illness can never happen to them, now is the time to reconsider their opinion. For those individuals who contract Influenza A (H1N1), the impact upon them and their families could be substantial. As recovery make take weeks, it is worthwhile for all individuals to ensure they have adequate income protection insurance in place.

Speak to an xLife adviser today to find out which income protection insurance policies suit your circumstances and ensure you are protected against medically diagnosed illnesses like swine flu (H1N1). Contact xLife to find more or to receive free income protection quotes.
Source:
1. Australian Government Dept. of Health and Ageing, National Case Update, 21 June 2009 2. Sydney Morning Herald, “Swine Flu Infections pass 52,000:WHO”, 23 June 2009
3. Sydney Morning Herald, Perth Woman is Fifth Swine Flu Death, 27 June 2009
4. Insurancenews.com.au, Swine Flu: Industry Watches & Waits, 11 May 2009

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April 2011