Relatively young, healthy people have been dying from the H1N1 flu strain going around this year — not in large in numbers, but still. There have so far been nine Bay Area flu deaths this season, which is a slightly alarming number given that several of the victims were between the ages of 23 and 48, a couple of whom had no underlying health issues.

The earlier strain of H1N1, known as "swine flu," which came around in 2010, largely affected young children and the elderly, while this one seems a bit different.

A 23-year-old in Sonoma County died from H1N1 on Wednesday; an otherwise healthy 48-year-old woman died in Marin County on Monday; and a 41-year-old woman died in Santa Clara County just before Christmas.

Additionally, upwards of 50 or 60 people have been hospitalized with flu-related complications in the Bay Area this season, and peak flu season has only just begun. It runs January to March.

Stories like this are coming in from around the country too, with this 41-year-old father dying in Texas; and this 47-year-old paramedic in Alabama, also a father, and his wife remains hospitalized because of the virus.

So go get a flu shot! It's probably wise. Even if you find vaccinations scary for some reason. Back in 2010 it almost seemed pointless because there weren't enough vaccinations to go around and they were telling only, like, teachers and health care workers to get shots. But now, there's plenty, and you do not want this flu.

[BCN/Appeal]
[CBS]