H1N1 Flu and Winter Wellness

By now you've all heard about the Swine Flu, otherwise known as the H1N1 virus.
This virus has been compared to the seasonal flu. So what's the big worry? Like with any virus, it can be hard to control. Antibiotics don't work. If you are already immune compromised, the virus can be more deleterious. So where is this newsletter taking you? It's about prevention and education.  As with many of our communicable diseases, a vaccine has been created against the H1N1 virus. Great! So where do I get it? If you've been reading the newspaper or checking Yahoo, you can get the vaccine almost anywhere. However, before you get in line for your shot, consider the following:  1. The Swine Flu is a strain of H1N1 viruses, like Influenza A 2. The symptoms of Swine Flu are relatively mild--fever, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat--and limited, unless you are immune compromised 3. Among the known cases of Swine Flu worldwide, fatalities are 1% 4. Viruses constantly mutate 5. Natural immunity to viruses, i.e. chicken pox, mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), measles is considerably more potent at preventing outbreak a second time 6. There is no evidence to suggest that vaccination protects 100% from contracting the flu virus--many cases of flu symptoms are reported following vaccination 7. The best remedies for preventing flu: see chart above.  Dr. Jay Gordon, a medical doctor and pediatritian, has posted information on his website about why he isn't offering the Swine Flu or Seasonal Flu shots.

Monday, November 2, 2009

the golgi clinic
you’re gonna feel better