Desiree Jones--

The Centers for Disease Control announced last week that it had received reports of 60 deaths of children related to the H1N1 flu since April of this year; and 11 of these deaths have occurred within the last week.  Further, between the period from August 30 to September 27, CDC reports that there have been 16,174 hospitalizations nationwide, and 1,379 deaths associated with the H1N1 infection. 

At the present time, the states that are reporting the most widespread flu activity are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

Worldwide, more than 340,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 and more than 4,100 deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization.

Given the unexpected and significant toll the Swine Flu has taken, efforts are well underway to make the H1N1 vaccine available to all.  In spite of the significant controversy associated with this vaccine, it was estimated (by a CNN opinion poll in late August) that about two-thirds of Americans are planning to take the vaccine.  The campaign to inoculate millions of Americans against the H1N1 Influenza began yesterday, October 5, with health-care workers in Indiana and Tennessee being the first recipients in queue for the vaccine.   Nevertheless, in spite of the assurance of vaccine availability, it appears that widespread pandemonium remains around the nation due to the toll that H1N1 has already taken thus far.

My Comments – I believe that in spite of the significant and legitimate concern about the Swine Flu, common sense principles must apply and that they should not be overlooked with respect to prevention efforts.  The evidence of previous pandemics suggests that there are those who appear to be able not to get sick in spite of widespread disease.  What then, is the secret (if there is one), to avoid contracting a widespread virus  or other infectious disease? 

The above question is complex, and contrary to common opinion, I do not believe that simplistic answers can suffice.  For example – It is well known that certain groups of people (such as pregnant women, children, young adults, and those with certain serious chronic conditions such as lung disease or diabetes) are often more susceptible to infectious diseases such as the Flu.  This fact alone tells us that our ability to resist disease is highly individual; that it may depend on our unique biochemical individuality; and further, that it may be contingent upon numerous additional factors such as individual nutrient levels, rest/stress levels, and the state of our overall immunity.  In addition, the level of exposure to disease is a critical factor as well.  It is of course well known that those who spend the majority of time in public places or crowded areas are much more likely to succumb to the possibility of contracting an infection.

Notwithstanding the above, it behooves us (as it does in the case of all things we cannot control fully) that we do ALL we can to make every reasonable effort to prevent sickness.  In spite of the alarm and concern surrounding the H1N1 virus, I find that too many people I meet appear to be unduly concerned about missing a week of school or work - and this, even after they have experienced the first symptoms of the Flu!   Now, while I agree that missing work/school may be undesirable, perhaps this perceived loss needs to be viewed in terms of a much larger perspective.  Through this post, I would like to remind as many readers as it reaches to seriously consider some of the statistics presented above.  Upon reflection, would you not agree that the cost of work/school missed for a week, or even more time,  is inconsequential relative to the cost and threat of the possible loss of life, or conceivably, even the permanent loss of health? 

We all tend to think that the worst cannot or will not ever happen to us.  But, the reality is that it can.  With that reminder, please refer again to a previous post on some simple, but potent steps you can take to protect yourself (to the extent it is possible to do so) from the H1N1 virus – including staying home if necessary for a week or more in order to protect both yourself, and others.  Certainly, the H1N1 virus is a formidable enemy, but even mere elementary observation suggests that oftentimes, we humans can be our own worst – and even more formidable – enemies relative to any virus or other external agent.  Let this post be a reminder to us all to first be our own best friends!

Resources:

H1N1 Vaccination Information and Resources

CDC – Flu Update

Desiree Jones, PhD is a Doctor of Epidemiology, who speaks and writes on cutting-edge issues pertaining to chronic disease prevention in the Western, and the newly Westernizing nations. She has worked collaboratively with researchers at The University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine, and Harvard University. Her first book is expected to arrive on the market by Spring 2010, and is entitled, HALTING THE DEATH MARCH– Why America and The Westernized World are Dying from Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, and Other Chronic Diseases, And How to Stop It. Dr. Jones is the Founder of the blog site, The Prevention Revolution. This site brings medical/nutritional research and informed opinion on critical health-care issues to individuals and physicians, as well as to corporations facing high health-care costs. Dr. Jones focuses on translating evidence-based research into real-life choices pertaining to food and lifestyle that can help prevent deadly chronic diseases, and create lasting health.

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