THE FLU (Swine, H1N1, Bird, Monkey, Seasonal, or whatever…)
Health authorities worldwide monitor the spread of influenza outbreaks. No matter how the media seems to heighten alarm, panic isn't helpful. In fact, jumping on some of the ballyhooed bandwagons may cause more harm than good. It's better to sort the matter out calmly and logically. Some of the information below is conventional medical wisdom, but also check out the links for reliable non-mainstream data and ideas from the cutting edge. At the least, learn about natural anti-virals and how to support your immune system year round.
In general: Many flu outbreaks aren't as dangerous as they are portrayed by sensation-hungry 24-hour TV cable news or by authorities who don't want to be caught being too casual. Many hyped outbreaks in fact turn out to be less deadly than the annual flu. Not that it is so tame. Some years the garden variety flu kills over 30,000. Those victims are typically already compromised in some way—for example, have another disease or are nutritionally deficient or become dehydrated.
How is the virus spread? It varies from the original source (e.g. H1N1 “Swine flu” got started by contact with infected pigs) but close contact with a person who has the disease is the usual means.
Symptoms : Again, varies with the strain, but in the case of H1N1, it was high fever (over 100 ? ), cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, severe headache, fatigue, possibly vomiting and diarrhea
Who is affected? Influenza is typically more serious in infants and the elderly. With H1N1 many thought the air pollution over Mexico City made that city's population more vulnerable. Avoiding dehydration is also a big factor in survival.
How is the virus spread? By contact with infected pigs and by close contact with a person who has the disease.
Symptoms: high fever (over 100 ? ), cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, severe headache, fatigue, possibly vomiting and diarrhea
Who is affected? Influenza is typically more serious in infants and the elderly. This particular disease has been dangerous in young people—those who would not seem to be at special risk. Many think the pollution in Mexico City damaged lungs there and made citizens more vulnerable. Avoiding dehydration is also a big factor in survival.
HOW TO PREVENT THE FLU
Standard advice: The CDC and conventional medical authorities warn that during an outbreak we should avoid crowds and close contact with sick people. Surgical masks may offer some protection against spreading. We are also to wash our hands frequently, stay home if we are sick and throw away tissues after use. There is nothing wrong with those cautions but glaringly omitted is usually any advice on how to support our immune systems.
Vaccines: The annual flu vaccine too often does not cover you for exactly what happens to go around and are not without risk. For example, the immunizations for the 1976 swine flu outbreak caused 500 cases of paralysis and 25 deaths—a much bigger problem than the epidemic itself. Because of their mode of action and added ingredients, vaccines of all kinds create lasting irritation in the brain. Listen to a shocking interview about that. And just for the record, it is now thought that the deaths during the 1918 pandemic were not from the virus but from secondary bacterial infections that could be effectively treated today. (By the way, I've never had a flu shot and don't intend to—I've also never had the flu. Perhaps it's just luck or a blessing, but I think it's because I treat my immune system with respect.)
Drugs for the flu: Two anti-viral drugs are supposedly effective against flu if you use them quickly. Tamiflu ® is the best known. Its use is controversial because the drug apparently only shortens duration a day or so and its side effects include all the symptoms of the flu except fever. (So, if a well person took the drug for prevention, they might feel like they have the flu—such a deal!) Some psychiatric side effects are even more worrisome and may have contributed to several deaths. A lot of smart people think that hysteria can be been purposely whipped up for the financial gain of companies making vaccines and anti-virals. (I won't say what you should do but if I did get the flu, I personally wouldn't accept the anti-viral drug risks because there are effective and safer natural remedies.)
Your wonderful immune system: Many people exposed to the disease do not come down with it and most who do contract the flu recover quickly. Obviously you want to be in one of these two groups—not in the grim statistics of those who perish due to weakened immunity. Learn more about supporting your immune system . If you want to be extra cautious you can do all of the items covered at that link because they all work in different ways. The same behaviors and remedies probably should also be in a “kit” for use in case illness strikes along with an instruction sheet—it's hard to think straight when you are sick!
