Pros and Cons About Getting Swine Flu Vaccine

There continue to be many questions about the swine flu vaccine. Some are running to stand in line for the shot and others are taking a wait and see attitude. No one can make this decision for you, but you should know that every year the flu (the seasonal flu) takes the life of 36,000 people according to the CDC. The problem with the seasonal flu is that it takes a different strain every year. You cannot develop an immunity to the flu.

The swine flu (H1N1) is something different again. So even if you get the regular flu shot you will not be protected against the swine flu. This is the first time there has been a vaccination for H1N1 and this vaccination has had no significant research behind it.

Take the time to check out the Centers for Disease Control Web site to help you make a wise decision about this vaccination.

Before you vaccinate you should consider:

1. Am I or my family member in a high risk group? (senior citizen, pregnant, or a child)
2. Am I at risk for coming in contact with the sickness?
   
3. Is my immune system weak?
   
4. What does my doctor advise?
   

Take precautions such as good hand washing. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and protect your hands when coughing and sneezing. Regularly use liquid hand sanitizer. Never touch the door handles in a public place with your bare hand. Always use a tissue or gloves to protect your hands.

If you feel the usual flu symptoms, immediately see your doctor. Do not wait until you are seriously ill. Swine flu can kill you if you do not get treatment in time.

Now that you have all the warnings, you should remember to use your common sense. Proper protection is really the best means of preventing the seasonal flu or swine flu.

More About the Swine Flu

The swine flu (H1N1) virus is frightening and most of us do not know how to combat this sickness. There have already been confirmed cases of the swine flu in Houston locally so it is coming. In October the first of the swine flu vaccinations will become available and there is some controversy about the safety and efficacy of these vaccinations. I am including a link to my article Pros and Cons About Getting Swine Flu Shot.

Avoiding crowded places is the best way to protect yourself, but that is not possible for most of us. Here are some other ways to protect yourself.

If you are sick stay home. I know there is significant pressure to show up regularly to work, but if you are truly sick with a temperature you should not go in to work. You will delay your recovery and spread your sickness to others around you. Stay home.

There are ways you can protect yourself that are just plain common sense and you should already be practicing these methods. Good handwashing is the first line of defense against these seasonal sicknesses. If you are in a public rest room wash your hands and use the paper towel to open the door when you leave. Be careful about touching doors in public places.

Keep liquid hand cleaner with you at all times. Use it regularly. There will be times when you must touch things or shake hands with people. Do not be afraid, just keep your hand cleaner available and use it regularly.

Sneezing is a problem. If you have a tissue, sneeze into the tissue. If you do not have a tissue sneeze into your arm. This is the best way to keep germs from spreading to those around you. Sneezing into your hand is not sanitary because you will spread germs to everything and everyone you touch.

This flu season is going to be difficult but if everyone makes an effort to control the spread of germs it will be better for everyone.

Update On Swine Flu Outbreak

World Health Organization Image Credit: Ben Heine Flickr

WHO to Member Countries: Flu Pandemic Has Begun

Today the World Health Organization is expected to issue an update to their previous alerts informing member countries that the flu pandemic has begun. This means that WHO has scientific verification that the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) is circling the globe. While WHO believes that this is a moderate outbreak and does not advocate that countries close their borders, they do state that 74 countries have reported 27, 737 cases that include 141 deaths. Agents of WHO have made it clear that most cases are actually mild and no treatment is required other than the standard flu medications. The scientific community is being urged to create a vaccine as early as possible but the greatest threat remains to poorer countries without access to adequate healthcare facilities.
Follow this link to get the latest numbers and figures from around the world at the World Health Organization.

We do not need to panic but use common sense and take precautions. Use good hand washing techniques and cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Also avoid close spaces and large crowded areas.