Swine Flu, to Vaccinate or Not

Swine Flu, To Vaccinate or Not

            With everything that is going in this world, just what we need another virus to worry about, swine flu that is or H1N1 flu, of 2009. This is a flu that is striking people all over the world and looks like it will be around for the entire flu 2009-2010 season.

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            Where did it come from, and why was it called the Swine flu, well very simply put, it came from pigs and it was once believed that the virus was limited to the pig; over time it mutated and it began to surface in birds and in humans. It is with technology and the scientist all over the world that we became familiar with this virus, as they started noticing unexplained deaths in the US as well as other countries.

            We know that this virus was first seen in pigs, and through a series of mutating the flu has the ability to change, but this is a new strain, a new virus never before seen in humans. Even though this particular virus is seen throughout the world it has not appeared to mutated in any way, but scientist are watching very carefully and closely; hoping it does not change, and will eventually die out.

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            The news and the world is calling it a pandemic, while the virus H1N1 is by definition a pandemic; it is not as severe as small pox or polio, was back before the vaccinations. The definition of a pandemic is a worldwide virus that affects many people in countries all over the world, which can and may get out of control. Most recently a little over one thousand people have died from the N1H1 flu, it has not become catastrophic, but there is the fear that it may as the flu season approaches its peak. We must bear in mind though that this particular flu strain, spreads any time during the year, it is not limited to just the winter months.

            Many people have no idea what are the differences between the Flu and H1N1 Flu, and the answer is there really is not too much of a difference except for some they may have diarrhea and vomiting. The seasonal influenza symptoms are the usual fever, chills, headache, cough and sore throat, the only true way to determine if you have H1N1 flu is with laboratory testing.

            Since the H1N1 came from pigs, many fear that eating pork with transfer the virus, and while that is not true many people are avoiding this particular meat. The best way to “attempt” avoiding this flu, is keeping hands clean and away from ones face. The nose and month is the entry point for any cold or virus, touching door knobs, counter tops, hand rails that are touched by many people daily is the most common way this virus is spread. SO KEEP YOU HANDS AWAY FROM YOU FACE!  & WASH YOUR HANDS CONSTANTLY!

            In the early part of 2009, we were all concerned about this becoming a pandemic, and it still can; we now have a vaccination that can be given to prevent H1N1, or swine flu. This is a vaccination, in addition to your yearly flu shot and should be thought about, researched and discussed with your doctor, since many feel that this was a quickly invent vaccination, which has not been tested thoroughly. This is totally a decision one must make on their own, with the help of family, friends and their doctor or health care providers.        

            While there is no quick fix for a person with the flu or N1H1, there are things you can do if you should get sick, and that is rest and stay home; if the symptoms do get worse contact you doctor as there is suppose to be antiviral drugs that can be used to treat H1N1 or Influenza.