Cold & Flu News This Week (October 16, 2009)
A look at the Swine Flu Vaccination
A Look Inside the CDC’s Battle Against the Swine Flu – October 8, 2009 – In the emergency operations center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, it is a race against time as news spreads of 66 more deaths from the swine flu and 71 new school closures this week, raising the total to 410 such closings since the school year started.
H1N1 Simulation Modeling Shows Rapid Vaccine Rollout Effective In Reducing Infection Rates – October 13, 2009 – Early action, especially rapid rollout of vaccines, is extremely effective in reducing the attack rate of the H1N1 influenza virus, according to a simulation model of a pandemic outbreak reported in a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
ASHP Survey Reveals Hospital Workers Concerned About Flu Vaccines – October 14, 2009 – Hospital workers are asking the same questions about the safety and necessity of flu vaccines as the general public, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Swine Flu Vaccination: Risks and Benefits
Every year, thousands of people get vaccinated for the seasonal influenza virus. While viruses are not curable yet, vaccines are one way to deal with the massive problem of the spread of influenza. With the threat of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, looming over this year’s flu season, it’s important to know what to expect when receiving a swine flu vaccination. There is a lot of controversy around the use of vaccinations for the Swine Flu, especially when rushed to market. Here are some pros and cons, how do you weigh-in?”
Benefits of the Swine Flu Vaccine
Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot of illness, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations and deaths. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly severe 2009-2010 flu season. Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza. The CDC hopes that people will start to go out and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctor’s offices and in their communities. (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm)
Risks of the Swine Flu Vaccine
CDC expects that any side effects following vaccination with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine would be rare. If side effects occur, they will likely be similar to those experienced following seasonal influenza vaccine. Mild problems that may be experienced include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot is given.
Vaccines are the medical solution to our fear of disease. The downside to the fear of becoming sick is that sometimes being vaccinated is the cause of illness when it might have been avoided altogether with proper prevention. Vaccines have helped to nearly eradicate many diseases and afflictions, and with the appropriate care and medical attention can still be a great way to prevent severe illness.
Don’t Kiss Pigs! – A Look at Swine Flu Prevention
Swine flu, the H1N1 influenza virus, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. This has caused many people to worry that the virus is unavoidable, that everyone is bound to catch it, and that there will be a high death toll. While many people are sure to be infected with the swine flu, it is not inevitable. In fact, with the right precautionary measures, H1N1 is almost completely avoidable.
The first step in swine flu prevention, which shouldn’t be a big issue for most of us, is don’t kiss pigs! The virus began as a strain of pig flu that somehow developed into a virus that could infect humans. While kissing pigs isn’t exactly the first step in prevention on most of our lists, it’s something that is probably good to keep in mind.
Here are some other important parts of swine flu prevention:
- Steer clear of crowded, high-traffic areas where viruses can run rampant
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose with unclean hands
- Wash hands often with antibacterial soap and hot water
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill germs on hands
- Get plenty of rest (yes, sleep!)
- Eat a healthy diet, especially fruits and vegetables
It is surprising how simple swine flu prevention can be. By avoiding crowded, high-traffic places when possible, the chance is lowered that a virus will be transmitted. Viruses can’t just sink in through your skin, they have to get in through an opening. Cuts and scrapes can be openings for viruses, but typically disease will enter via the mouth, nose or eyes, and is often placed in a position for infiltration by a person’s own hands. This is another reason to keep your hands very clean and to use a hand sanitizer.
People don’t often realize how important sleep is in the avoidance of disease. When your body is tired, all systems don’t function at their best, including the immune system. Defensive cells aren’t produced as quickly, they don’t reach points of attack as quickly, and your body’s defenses as a whole are lower when deprived of sleep. Diet is also very important, as the toxins you might eat in unhealthy food can contribute to the workload of the immune system. Healthy foods enhance the performance of the immune system and create an environment in your body where the immune system can run smoothly.
Swine flu prevention is really not as big an issue as most people think. By taking precautions that most of us should be taking anyway, it is simple so avoid infection. While we may still become infected, keeping up with good preventative measures will also keep us from spreading the disease, as well as helping us to get over the illness.
