The Swine Flu Hysteria

I received this note from my sister and I thought I would share it with you just as a reminder when you're listening to the news go on and on about the 'deadly virus'. BTW, this is not meant to disrespect the people who were affected by the flu, it is more as a caution to the way the media has been over emphasizing the severity of the flu when, in actuality, it is no worse than the usual influenza that afflicts us every flu season.

I know there have been quite a bit of news about the new H1N1 virus (Swine flu) and people are afraid because of what they hear in the media. What we all need to do is combat the swine flu hysteria.

Let’s put some perspective on the current data;
1) all flu viruses have the ability to mutate, change and adapt;
2) there are new anti-viral drugs which can combat the virus effectively (zanamivir and oseltamivir);
3) You can still use your common sense and wash your hands, soap is VERY effective with this virus.

An average of 36,000 people die in the U.S. each year from regular flu. Globally, “Influenza epidemics occur yearly during autumn and winter in temperate regions. Illnesses result in hospitalizations and deaths mainly among high-risk groups (the very young, elderly or chronically ill). Worldwide, these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths. Most deaths associated with influenza in industrialized countries occur among people age 65 or older. In some tropical countries, influenza viruses circulate throughout the year with one or two peaks during rainy seasons.” (Also from World Health Organization)

So far, there have been 168 deaths in Mexico and ONE in the US from the H1N1 virus. I think we need to worry more about the regular flu than the H1N1 (swine flu), don't you think? All I’m saying is YES, be prepared but don’t buy into the mass media hysteria and stock pile all the Tamiflu you can get your hands on. You wouldn’t do it at any other time, would you? We have enough things to worry and pray over, like the wars and the tanking economy. Let’s pray for peace, let’s pray to end hunger in the world, let’s pray that CNN and other media will stop scaring people with all the hype. Don’t forget, wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, throw away the tissue you just blew your nose on and HAVE A GREAT DAY

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