Symptoms of Swine Flu – Know the Difference Between H1N1 Flu and Regular Flu
Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada and Mexico before H1N1 flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of four months, the disease has spread to almost all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a big epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.
Risk factors of Swine Flu
Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for H1N1 flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions and lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk.
Symptoms of Swine Flu
In children, the symptoms of H1N1 virus include:
1. Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration
4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever
In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever
The symptoms of H1N1 is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu and so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat and fatigue are common. Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of this flu, also known as Influenza A.
How do I catch swine flu?
H1N1 is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it and then bringing to their nose or mouth.
How can someone with swine flu infect it to someone else?
Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there are also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.
How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against H1N1virus?
There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Flu. You can only maintain hygiene and take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against the flu:
1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze into it.
2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, especially after you cough or sneeze.
3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.
4. Avoid contact with people who are infected. This is sad but then the disease is highly infective.
5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.
6. Do not venture into crowded spaces.
7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.
8. Sleep well, eat nutritious food and practise healthy habits so that you are physically active and immune to the flu.
How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs and furniture?
According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces and infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of H1N1 can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people and then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or desk of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, and touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract the virus.
What are the medicines and treatment options?
Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat H1N1 but they should be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune system strong and keep the flu viruses at bay and stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you should start taking antiviral drugs within two days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.
How do I prevent getting H1N1 in high risk areas?
If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you should stay home and avoid contact with these people. If you develop flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance and take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is required.
Does WHO recommend using a MASK?
If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not required to wear a mask. If a near and dear one is sick with H1N1, you need to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact and wash and clean your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.
How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu?
You cannot tell the difference without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories.
Home remedies for swine flu:
There are no home remedies, especially when you have to figure out if it is H1N1 or season flu. The H1N1 requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu and strengthen your immune system by doing the following:
1. Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water.
2. Wear face mask before going outside. If someone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose and mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets into the body through the mouth and nose.
3. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties.
4. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well.
5. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms.
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h1n1,h1n1 symtoms,influenza symptomsSwine Flu (H1N1) – Got Flu? Get Rid of it
Swine Flu (H1N1) Buster and Preventative. Influenza also known as La Grippe is caused by 3 types of Influenza Virus known as types A, B, and C. Type A causes the most severe disease as we see today in the 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic.
Swine Flu (H1N1) Beginning Stages:
If Influenza treatment is started at the onset, it may be overcome in 24 hours. Stop eating and go to bed right away, do not eat for 24 hours, you wont die from not eating, you may cause yourself to get sicker if you continue to eat. Drink a Tea by steeping a teaspoon of each herb together in a pint of boiling water for 20 minutes. Yarrow – Pleurisy Root – 1/4 tsp. of Cayenne.
o Do not boil these herbs; boiling can cause some herbs to become poisonous. To steep herbs means to bring distilled water to a boil. Stop boiling the water and put the herbs into the water and let sit for a specific amount of time, usually 20 minutes.
o Drink the Tea as hot as you can stand it. Do not microwave the water or tea at any time and do not bring the Tea to a boil. Sip one cup every hour. This will cause profuse perspiration. If your jammas and bed sheets become wet, they need to be changed.
o Drink the Tea and then 20 minutes later drink a cup of sugarless fruit juice such as freshly squeezed orange juice. Drink another cup of juice 20 minutes later such a grapefruit juice unless you are on certain kinds of blood pressure medications. 20 minutes later drink another cup of hot Tea, 20 minutes later drink another cup of juice, cranberry juice is very good at this time. Lemon juice is also very good, put a teaspoonful in the other juices. Don’t drink the juices cold, drink them closer to a warm temperature as can be tolerated. So it will be Tea, Juice, Juice, Tea every hour. Alternate juices if no herbs are available.
Swine Flu (H1N1) Buster – Herbal Formula
This Formula is designed to sweat and flush viruses out of the system when one has the full Fledged Flu. It is also good for colds and other signs of influenza and respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, croup, emphysema and bronchitis.
This remedy is best used in a tea form.
Herb Combination:
o Bayberry
o Cayenne
o Cloves
o Ginger
o White Pine Bark
o It is recommended that you drink 1 cup of hot tea at least 1 hour after you have eaten, if you can eat. It is considered one dose. Drink at least three times a day (or more) for a total of at least 3 cups a day for no more than 10 days.
o Bring to a boil 8 oz of distilled or filtered water. Turn off the stove and wait till the boiling subsides. Drop one Teabag of herbs into the boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. The time will also allow the water to cool off before drinking. It is necessary to drink this tea as hot as possible although it is really yucky tasting. Drink it anyway and don’t cry about it.
o Take a hot bath at least once per day for three days. Put a teabag full of Yarrow in a tub of hottest water and let it steep for about 20 minutes. The time will also allow the water to cool off before immersing the person. Do not use soap or any chemicals, just lay back and relax for no more than 30 minutes. Use a wash cloth to keep fresh water on the face and neck if needed, no need to get hair or scalp wet.
o When lying down, strap or tape crushed Garlic cloves to the bottom of the feet so the Garlic does not move.
o During sickness, Flush the Nasal Passages and Gargle with a Saline Solution.
o Clear the Lungs of Phlegm by using Herbal Chest Packs.
o Do not eat Mucous Forming Foods.
o Do not use with any other Formulas.
o You may bust your condition within three days and it is ok to stop your Regimen and continue with an Immunity Builder.
Swine Flu Preventative – Herbal Formula:
An Herbal formula proven effective when used as an Herbal Preventative. This formula supplies needed vitamins and minerals necessary to fight off viral infections. It also provides relief of the symptoms of colds and various types of influenza and mutations thereof.
Herb Combination:
o Garlic
o Rose Hips
o Parsley
o Watercress
o Rosemary
Suggested Use: Take three gel capsules with a large glass of water each morning and evening. It doesn’t matter if you take these supplements before, during or after a meal. Take for 10 days 4 times a year (once every 3 months). These Herbs are very High in Vitamin C.
See other Formulas by Shepherds Purse Naturals
Anti Plague Blood Purifying Immunity Builder.
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how do you get rid of the h1n1 swine flu?Preventive Medicine For Swine Flu
As the threat of Swine Flu dominates the news, many people are becoming concerned about how they would protect themselves against infection and how they might treat such an infection should one occur. This outbreak of Swine Flu offers a unique opportunity for people to consider how healthy they really are and what changes they could make to improve their overall health and immune function. The fact is that people generally survive pandemic illnesses when they have good health practices already in place.
The most important place to start is the health of your cells. On the most basic level, our bodies are cells, put together to form organs and blood and skin. If our cells are sickly, full of inflammation, depleted of essential nutrients or dehydrated, they will be far more susceptible to disease. Viruses depend on the ability to get into and disrupt cell function in order to take hold in the body. In fact studies demonstrate that even a simple deficiency of glutathione increases the ability of viruses to take hold in the body.
There are only a few reliable ways to increase glutathione in the body. One formula Max GXL offers one of the only proven reliable ways to increase cellular glutathione. It is a patented combination of nutrients that support glutathione production and contains a particular compound that helps deliver glutathione into the cell. Since Swine Flu is a virus, it also will exploit the population wide deficiency of glutathione in order to produce magnified infections. However, taking necessary steps to increase glutathione may offer increased protection.
Nutrient depletion is also an extremely important factor in predicting disease outcomes. If basic vitamins and minerals are in short supply, the body will not have necessary cofactors needed to supply immune response, inhibit virus transcription and increase defenses. Many of my patients have demonstrable nutrient deficiencies. Often this occurs even when they have been taking what are considered to be high quality vitamins. This can be due to reduced digestive absorption, insufficient dosage or gut inflammation. One way to bypass that is to use a nanotech liquid multi such as Max N fuze. Vitamins like this have used technology to make the particles small enough to begin to be absorbed in the mouth. This ensures absorption, and thus utilization of the nutrients, improving immune function.
Outside of nutrient levels and antioxidant levels, there are a few necessary health practices everyone should do. Drinking water at an average volume of 1/2 body weight in ounces helps cells retain membrane fluidity. Essential fatty acids like those found in fish, krill, and plant oils should be used to supplement omega 3 levels. Everyone should engage in exercise that is supportive of health such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong, walking, jogging, and moderate aerobic activity.
Pandemic illnesses demonstrate that we live in a global world, where nothing can be contained. The only and best protection that we have is prevention using appropriate nutrient support and lifestyle habits.
Making a Case Against Flu Shot Vaccinations
For those who want to make a case against flu shot vaccinations, the first item to start with is the “flu shot autism link”. This year (2006) New York state passed a law banning vaccines and flu shots containing thimerosal (a mercury based preservative). But, the ban only applies to flu shots for children and pregnant women. Those who try to make a case against flu shot vaccinations wonder if thimerosal presence is safe for anyone.
The flu shot autism link is related to the presence of abnormally high and unsafe levels of mercury in blood and tissue samples of children with autism. It is believed that while most children may be unaffected by mercury present in flu shots and other vaccines, other children do not have the ability to “shed” the mercury from their systems, so it builds up and damages nerve and brain cells. Having no way to tell which children can and which cannot “shed” the mercury, researchers and others have been making a case against flu shot vaccinations and other childhood vaccinations that contain thimerosal as a preservative.
Even though many public health groups maintain that thimerosal as a preservative is safe, several pharmaceutical companies now have thimerosal free or preservative free flu shots, but you may need to request them specifically. In addition to the flu shot autism link, some researchers and medical doctors believe that there is also a link between Alzheimer’s and flu shots, again because of mercury build up.
Those who are trying to make a case against flu shot vaccinations containing mercury for anyone, not just children and pregnant women, quote a prominent medical doctor. This doctor states that, according to his research, individuals who had five consecutive flu shots between the years 1970 and 1980 were ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than individuals who had none, one or two. And, in fact, the number of deaths caused by Alzheimer’s rose from less than one percent of all deaths in 1980 to 2.6% of all deaths in 2003. As a point of comparison, 2.7% of all deaths in 2003 were attributed to influenza and pneumonia. Both the flu shot autism link and the Alzheimer’s connection are related to the presence of mercury or other metals in flu shots. It is harder to make a case against flu shots that are preservative free. For some people the benefits of the flu shot may out weigh the possible risks.
Most deaths related to influenza occur when people with weaker immune systems contract the virus, cannot fight it off and develop complications like viral or bacterial pneumonia. Most of the deaths occur in the elderly (those over 70) and babies (under 1 year of age). Those who would make a case against flu shot vaccinations say that a person with a healthy immune system can easily fight off a case of the flu, and that the risks including the flu shot autism and Alzheimer’s connections, outweigh the possible benefits of an annual flu shot. Naturalists and others who make the case against flu shot vaccinations recommend herbs, botanicals and vitamins that are known to boost the immune system. To learn more about immune system boosters and for more information about the common cold, influenza and other viruses, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.
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are there any other metals in thimerosal free flu shots?,doctors against flu shotsThere Are Alternatives to the Flu Vaccine
Fall has arrived and, according the past events, the flu is not far behind. According to the pharmaceutical industry, the only way to prevent the flu is by taking a flu vaccine. If they were truly interested in the health of the people they would be developing public service announcements on how to boost your immune system without drugs.
Last Year’s Flu Statistics
Do you remember the hype of the “deadly” flu virus last year? There were indeed some tragic deaths, some children. As heart-rending as these deaths are, it turns out last years flu season was light with H1N1 not being severe at all almost everyone but those few tragic deaths.
Boost Your Immune System
Years ago I worked with a man who married a dietitian. He would laughingly say that one of the side effects of his marriage was that he began to eat right. His wife was insistent that he had a healthy balanced diet. The result, he hadn’t had been sick since his marriage two years before.
You become ill because your immune system is depleted. There are a few things you can do to strengthen your immune system. When your immune system is strong you can fight off the flu and colds. (I’m not a medical doctor, but you can find the same information I’m going to give you by using your favorite search engine. As is said, this information is not meant to treat, diagnose or prevent any illness.) You’ll note that the simple steps to improve your body’s ability to fight disease will address many of your health concerns.
Get a good night’s sleep. Your body needs to replenish itself and good sleep for 7-9 hours is crucial.
Move! Your body was made to move. Appropriate exercise strengthens your body and boosts your immune system.
Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating healthy meals and laying off the sugar, manufactured trans-fats, artificial sweeteners, insulin resistant sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup and agave sweetener. You’ll also want to eat more protein and green veggies and fewer carbohydrates.
Breathe! Stress depletes the natural chemicals in your body which fights off disease. One way to reduce stress is to stop a few times during the day and breathe slowly and deeply. Try this now: Inhale slowly and deeply to a count of six, hold for a count of six, now exhale slowly and completely for a count of six.
Spend quality time with someone you love. This goes under the stress busting heading. A loving emotional connection strengthens your immune system.
Vitamin D This is one of Dr. Mercola’s favorite suggestions. He contends that the levels of Vitamin D of most people is low, especially in the winter, and we all need to take a supplement of Vitamin D3 which will protect us from colds and flu.
As you’ll notice, these immune boosting tips are easily within your power to do.
Swine Flu Immunization Schedule – New Update and Prediction
Although the H1N1 panic is at a fever pitch at this time, it’s a safe bet that by summer 2010 the swine flu issue will have faded off into the boneyard of vaccine memorabilia. Policymakers have well discerned that this particular type of illusion has a finite shelf life, due in no small part to the ever-shortening attention span of the collective American mentality.
We must recall that the commotion in recent years over smallpox, anthrax, SARS, and Avian flu lasted only as long as necessary for the drug and vaccine funds to be allocated. Once that happens, there is no longer any motive to continue to fan the flames of pandemic hysteria – a media campaign like that requires so much effort, and costs so much money to maintain, especially for a disease that never existed in the first place.
Anyone paying even moderate attention to the parade of emergencies that have been making their appearance lately with almost routine regularity, might begin to be desensitized to the urgency of these situations, vaguely remembering that since they survived the last one, well they’ll probably survive this one as well.
LICENSED AND UNTESTED. This is exactly wherein lies the clear and present danger of the current swine flu vaccine program. This swine flu vaccine is actually being brought into existence for dissemination among the general public, starting with children. With 5 manufacturers having begun clinical trials only in August 2009, none scheduled for completion until next April, it is an astounding lesson in vaccine politics that the FDA approved the untested H1N1 vaccine on 15 Sep 09, just one month after the testing began! [ http://www.sanofipasteur.com ] Licensed and untested.
We see precisely the same sequence of events that led to the last swine flu fiasco in 1976 – 50 million were vaccinated with that untested vaccine. 21 deaths, 565 paralyzed, withdrawn in 10 weeks. And never replaced. Never replaced – that’s the point. Why not? If the threat was so urgent that we had to start vaccinating before the vaccine was even tested, then where did that threat go? Why didn’t we just withdraw the toxic vaccine and then continue with researching and testing to develop one that worked?
It is becoming increasingly clear that natural selection will favor the lines of those parents who take these extra precautions to protect and safeguard the inner immunity of their children. Who else is going to come forward? The FDA, who does no testing of their own before making a decision, but relies entirely on the research submitted to them from the companies who stand to make billions in profits if the vaccine is approved?
The vaccine manufacturers, who have been granted 100% immunity from liability for any deaths or injuries? The other regulatory agencies – NIH, CDC, HHS – whose political connections to the vaccine companies are a matter of public record?
But that’s exactly what all the hurry, all the hyperbole, all the outright misdirection is about. They know that they don’t have time to come up with a fully tested vaccine – that would take a year. But by that time the imaginary disease will be gone, with no hope of raising it from the dead. The market is here and now. And everyone – the clinics, the manufacturers, the regulators, and the media – all want their share of the rewards.
Swine Flu – How to Protect Yourself and How to Prepare For Hard Times
Wow! What is going on in the world these days? It seems that every time I turn around there is some sort of bad news about the economy or real estate market and now the infamous Swine Flu which has reached epidemic proportions! News and Panic of the Swine Flu is spreading like wild fire, but there are things you can do to prepare and protect yourself as well as clever ways to use this opportunity to make smarter decisions for your financial future!
What is the Swine Flu?
The Swine flu is caused by a strain of flu that is native to pigs. Symptoms of swine flu appear to be similar to other general strains of the flu. Most cases appear to exhibit only mild symptoms, however there are some which have become worse and even fatal.
3 Simple Ways to Prepare and Protect Yourself:
There are some very simple ways to protect yourself from catching Swine Flu:
1-Masks: If you live in an area where there are larger outbreaks and the sickness is spreading quickly, it would be smart to wear a surgical mask to protect yourself from the spread of airborne pathogens. Also cover your mouth whenever you have to sneeze or cough, using a tissue that you can throw away.
2- Hand Sanitizer: This is a simple and inexpensive way to kill germs on your hands to both protect yourself and limit spread of any germs from person to person or commonly touched items such as door handles or stair railings.
3- Wash your Hands!: This is the most obvious but sometimes most missed method of protecting yourself from the spread of any illness. Don’t forget to wash your hands!
Swine Flu’s Effect on Business and E-commerce:
It seems that nothing drives people to the media and the news like the breakout of a pandemic. The Swine flu has people listening to news updates daily and even hourly for any new facts about what is going on with this worldwide illness. The swine flu may even stir up increased business for some online business people. The fear of getting sick may cause some to want to stay home and avoid contact with large groups, increasing the likelihood of people who will choose to stay home and do their shopping and business online.
The more I hear about recent scares on the news such as swine flu and the recession, the more relieved I am to have chosen an online career instead of a traditional 9-5 job or bricks-and-mortar style business. E-commerce and Online Marketing is just so much more resistant to the effects of the recession or the negative impacts of an epidemic like the swine flu. Plus, by working online and at home, I definitely don’t have to worry as much about the chances of infection from constant person to person contact.
While the Swine flu is definitely nothing to be excited about, it is a very real threat and everyone should do what they can to be aware and protect themselves. I also think that a savvy, forward-thinking person can take this opportunity and make the most of it by making smart health and business decisions for their future!
Does the Flu Shot for 2010 – 2011 Contain the Swine Flu Vaccine? Do I Need a Flu Shot?
It’s that time of year again. Children back at school. Football season is underway and baseball playoffs to start soon. The television networks are rolling out their new shows.
And it is also time to think about getting flu shots. Just got mine today as I have done annually since going to medical school.
Compared to last year, there isn’t as much news about the flu or the flu vaccine.
This year the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives clear guidelines that everyone aged 6 months and older should get the influenza vaccine.
This month the American Academy of Pediatric recommends that all healthcare providers should be required to get the influenza vaccine.
And one fact that hasn’t gotten much attention is whether the 2009 H1N1 virus is included in the 2010 – 2011 vaccine?
Yes it is. This year’s vaccine will be as safe as vaccines in past years as the production process is unchanged. Inclusion of the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be a problem.
These facts are far calmer than the news in the spring of 2009 when the appearance of a novel influenza virus had the world extremely anxious. Unlike other flu viruses, the swine flu or H1N1 virus was more easily contracted by young and healthy adults as well as infants, children, and pregnant women. Older adults seemed to be spared. A flu virus attacking young and healthy resulting in deaths raised concerns that perhaps this was the beginning of a pandemic much like the 1918 influenza pandemic which killed millions worldwide. Influenza or flu is not simply a bad cold. It’s a viral illness that nationally causes tens of thousands of deaths.
When first signs of this new virus appeared in April 2009, scientists worked feverishly not only to identify it but also figure out how to create a vaccine to protect the public. The potential for millions of deaths worldwide was a significant possibility. By the fall, a new vaccine was available. Because of the time it took to determine the viral DNA sequence, it was not included in the 2009 – 2010 flu vaccine combination batch. Patients would need to get a separate flu shot in addition to the traditional one.
That is when the firestorm of controversy occurred. Instead of being grateful that scientists that a new vaccine was produced in record time, concerns of about safety appeared. In addition on the initial rollout, there was inadequate or uneven supply of vaccine which resulted in lines of people waiting for a limited supply of vaccine. People were being turned away. To add to the uncertainty, the optimum dosage of vaccine to be given to children wasn’t initially clear. All of this didn’t help allay fears. “Deadly virus about to kill millions. Untested vaccine rushed to production.”
None of these stories panned out. Fortunately the H1N1 pandemic wasn’t as deadly as initially feared.
Nevertheless many of these unconfirmed concerns spread quickly and were repeated resulting in many unnecessarily scared patients. People are increasingly skeptical of large institutions and organizations, even if they are working in the public’s best interest. As people become more irrational about making important decisions of significant consequence, it is vital that people can trust a group of individuals who put the well-being of others first. It is vital that doctors step up and lead by example.
Doing the right thing means that if controversy appears, whether regarding vaccinations or healthcare reform and policy changes, doctors must step up and be heard. Too much misinformation exists. The public is increasingly confused. Speaking up means sometime you have to disagree with fellow doctors.
Doing the right thing sometimes is the hardest thing to do. Getting a flu vaccine certainly isn’t one of them. Do the right thing, roll-up your sleeves, and get the flu vaccine. It’s what I’ll be doing for my family. Demonstrate to your staff and your patients it is the right thing to do.
Doctor, get vaccinated. Remind them to get the flu vaccine.
The Flu Shot Or Not
The flu shot is always a hot topic of discussion this time of year. There is always such a sense of panic and fear that sends people running to get their flu shot. I’m always the “odd man out”, for I go running in the opposite direction. The toxins in the vaccines create side effects for some that are as bad as or worse than the flu such as muscle aches, sore throat, fever, chills, congestion, sneezing and headache. There are many undesirable ingredients in the flu vaccine that we don’t hear much about such as Triton X-100 (a detergent); Polysorbate 80 (a potential carcinogen); formaldehyde (a known carcinogen); Aluminum (linked to Alzheimer’s disease) and Thimerosal, (a mercury based preservative) which is being investigated for its link to brain injury, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases. Hugh Fundenberg, MD an immuno- geneticist and biologist with nearly 850 papers published in peer review journals, has reported that if an individual had 5 consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his or her chances of getting Alzheimer’s Disease is 10 times higher than if they had 1 or 2 flu shots due to the mercury content. Autism is also being linked to vaccinations due to the mercury. Many doctors of natural medicine believe that and vaccines are “quick fixes” that suppress and or destroy our own immunity leaving humanity as sitting ducks for new strains of pathogens which mutate faster than the vaccines are produced. By the time one gets the flu shot, there will be newly mutated strains that will not be covered with the current shot. It will be covered in next years shot, but the same cycle will occur.
Whether one chooses the flu shot or not, there are safe and effective ways to build immunity and ward off the flu as well as other respiratory problems. The obvious is to eat a healthy diet eliminating or greatly reducing; soda’s, refined flour, sugar and artificial sweeteners (including sucralose), alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Exercise regularly, obtain adequate sleep and drink plenty of purified water. The Center of Disease Control states that dirty hands are the leading cause of spreading disease and advises that all adults and children wash their hands with soap and water many times throughout the day.
There are nutritional supplements that specifically support the immune system. There are popular homeopathic flu remedies such as Oscillococcinum by Boiron that can be taken as a preventative; just a few pellets under the tongue 3 times a week. Silver water in the form of colloidal or ionized silver has been used for centuries and has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. A teaspoon a day may be used as prevention during flu season. My favorite brand is Silver Biotics Concentrated oil of Mediterranean wild oregano has been proven to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and may be consumed at 5-10 drops a few times a day with food. Elderberry is a popular anti-viral herb that is sometimes traded under the name of Sambucol. There are many effective immune enhancing formulas which contain many vitamins, minerals, herbs and homeopathics that target immune system support. Some of these nutrients include; colostrum, goldenseal, echinacea, elderberry, zinc, astragalus, garlic, olive leaf, silver, vitamins A,B,C, E, and so on.
Nourishing the immune system is like building a second line of defense. It’s simple… If you are healthy…you won’t get sick.
This Article provided by Mike Comeau, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always consult your doctor when seeking medical advice.
Please feel free to read more of this article by visiting my link in the resource box below. I always enjoy getting emails pertaining to my articles or my site. Your feedback is important to me.
Flu Vaccination, Yes Or No?
Why get the flu vaccination? Well it’s obvious stupid. It prevents the flu, and even if you get the flu it’ll keep you from dying from it. And a lot of people die from the flu every winter. Right? Well, no. Let me explain. But before I do (for the people who aren’t going to take the time to read all this) consider the following facts before you get your vaccination.
Only 39% of health providers get the flu vaccination. According to the Center For Disease Control, there are only 200-400 influenza related deaths each year (in the entire United States). “It’s time to be more open about the flu vaccine and its lack of protection for the elderly”, according to Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at a national conference in April, 2010. Osterholm went on to say that he “Supports attempts to create a new, effective vaccine.” About 90 percent of flu deaths during flu season from 1976 to 2007 occurred in people over age 65.
So let me think this through clearly. According to the Center For Disease Control (the government agency in charge of reporting disease statistics) only 200-400 influenza related deaths occur each year in the United States. Then Michael Osterholm, a nationally recognized epidemiologist, says its time to admit (be more open) about the fact that the flu vaccine doesn’t protect the elderly. And in addition most of the 200-400 flu death’s each year occur in the elderly. What is going on? And besides, why aren’t more than 39% of health care workers getting the flu vaccine each year?
Why the hysteria over the flu each winter when there are so few deaths from the flu each year? I have only pieced together bits of the story, but it reads as well as a detective novel.
The media commonly reports that there are about 36,000 deaths each year due to the flu. Yet the CDC estimates that actual deaths from the flu are about 200-400 yearly. The CDC also says that it’s somewhat meaningless to give a yearly average. That’s because the numbers can change dramatically year to year. Where does the 36,000 deaths figure come from? In reporting the cause of death doctors have a variety of choices. One choice is “influenza AND pneumonia”. That is patients who die from influenza are lumped in with patients who die from pneumonia. While influenza may result in pneumonia, there are many deaths due to pneumonia that have nothing to do with the flu. And you guessed it, the total number of deaths reported from “influenza and pneumonia” is about 36,000 per year. This distinction would take too much air time in our world of fast news and sound bites, so the media errantly reports 36,000 flu deaths each year. That would be far scarier than the 200-400 annual deaths estimated by the CDC.
The population of the United States in 2009 was estimated at 307,006,550 according to the US Census. In 2007 there were 2,423,712 reported deaths in the United States. If the number of flu deaths that year were at the high end of the CDC’s estimate or 400 flu deaths that year, that would made 0.0165% of the death’s that year due to the flu.