A report led by the University of Michigan Health System indicates a connection between the H1 N1 virus and obesity involving severe cases. While being obese does not necessarily mean you have a greater chance of contracting the virus, the severity of the virus may increase with obese patients . Out of 10 patients observed, 9 were obese and seven of those were morbid with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 30. Three of the 10 patients died of pneumonia and serious lung damage related to the H1 N1 flu, and others were “on deaths door” {VignetteVideo assettitl=”H1+N1+Interview” id=”4D25E92180A1967861A6AB911B2B15E7″ aspectratio=”1.77″ autoplay=”off” width=”375″ height=”211″ }according to Dr Lena Napolitano, M.D. chief of the Divison of Acute Care Surgery who treated the patients. More studies are needed to determine how and why the obese patients seem to have more problems with the H1 N1 virus, because that had not been the case with other strains of influenza. This may serve as a warning to obese people who develop flu like symptoms that extra attention may be needed this fall when the virus is expected to return in high numbers. Watch our interview with Dr Napolitano and a package report by Carina Sonn…{VignetteVideo assettitl=”Carina+Sonn+reports” id=”6B095063E830661F5726478B6014679A” width=”375″ aspectratio=”1.77″ height=”211.864406779661″ autoplay=”off” }