Is Swine Flu Being Exaggerated? What We Can Learn From History … Including the 1918 Flu Pandemic
by www.SixWise.com
The United States now leads the world in swine flu cases, which are numbering in the thousands and have struck in at least 44 states.
New viruses like H1N1 can quickly develop into pandemics because no one has been exposed before, and therefore no one has immunity. However, although the virus transmits very easily from person-to-person, so far the severity of the virus appears to be waning. Yet, flu strains mutate rapidly, which means no one knows for sure what the future may hold.
Read on to find out what types of serious side effects occurred with the 1976 swine flu vaccine. |
The first thought on many people’s minds as this new flu strain stubbornly persists and continues to spread around the world? The 1918 flu pandemic, which killed between 50 million and 100 million people in a span of just 18 months.
Or did it?
What Was the Real Killer During the 1918 Flu Pandemic?
Strep infections, not the flu virus, may have been responsible for the majority of deaths during the 1918 flu outbreak, according to Keith Klugman of Emory University and colleagues. They found that on average it took a week to 11 days for people to die, which is a pattern associated more with a bacterial infection rather than a viral infection.
Secondary bacterial infections, including strep, pneumonia and meningitis, are common among people with the flu -- however antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs were not available in 1918.
Nowadays, since antibiotics are widely available, the researchers projected a new flu pandemic would likely cause much less mortality, assuming the bacterial infections remained susceptible to the antibiotics.
In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention often estimates that 36,000 people die from the flu in the United States every year. In reality, this figure includes people who die from complications of the flu. For these people flu infection was likely a contributor to the cause of death, but not necessarily the primary cause of death.
According to CDC data, during some years there were only 1,812 deaths from the actual flu virus … leaving about 34,000 deaths caused by pneumonia or cardiovascular causes.
The drugs like Tamiflu, which are being widely promoted as the treatment for swine flu, are antiviral drugs, and will do nothing to treat a secondary infection. Further a 2006 study published in The Lancet found antiviral drugs to be largely ineffective in treating influenza, making their use highly questionable.
Will You be Pre-Sold Vaccines via Scare
Tactics Like 1976 Advertisements?
In 1976, this propaganda-like ad ran, urging people to rush out and get vaccinated against swine flu. The motivation? Fear! |
Should Vaccines be Mandated?
Now more than two decades later, the U.S. government must decide whether to begin mass producing a swine-flu vaccine … a move that would generate major profits for vaccine manufacturers.
Are Vaccines the Answer? Are There Other Considerations?
But whatever happened in 1976? Did Americans get vaccinated?
Well, many did, despite the fact that the swine flu epidemic never materialized. Of those who decided to get the swine flu vaccine, several hundred people developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis. At least 30 people also died … not from the swine flu, but from the vaccine.
This incident from the past raises major questions and concerns about launching a similar vaccine program today.
Tips for Minimizing Your and Your Loved Ones’ Risks of All Types of Flu
Since flu viruses are transmitted the way many germs are ... from person to person or via infected object that you touch, then transfer the germs from your hand to your nose, mouth, eyes or ears ... common sense approaches work well:
Keeping a Hospital-Grade PerfectClean Hand Wipe in your pocket or purse to wipe your hands on discreetly throughout the day any time you touch a common surface others have touched can help minimize your risk of contagious illnesses of all kinds. |
- Washing your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds often. There has been no proof found that we are aware of that antibacterial soap is any more effective than regular soap.
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throwing away the tissue.
- Not touching your eyes, mouth, nose or ears unless you've washed your hands just prior, especially if you've been out in public areas.
- Wearing a surgical mask has been said by many doctors to not be effective unless you are the one that is sick, which then is VERY IMPORTANT. What most people in Mexico are now wearing are not hospital-grade surgical masks, which again might be adding to the flu cases..
- Reducing, where possible, being in contact with masses of people in public places but when you are carry PrefectClean Microfiber hand wipes to wipe hands frequently to remove possible bacteria and viruses as much as possible.
- Avoiding close contact with sick people.
- If sick stay home from work or school, limiting close contact with others and wearing a surgical mask especially in public places when you feel sick so you don't pass along the flu to others.
Finally, if you suspect you have symptoms of the flu ranging from fever to body aches and fatigue, see a health care professional to see if you should be tested for swine flu. The CDC is currently working with a Colorado company that has developed a new test, dubbed the “flu chip,” that is able to identify the flu more quickly than normal, so ask your doctor if the flu chip is available.
Recommended Reading
Stay Calm: Here's How to Prevent Swine Flu ... and ANY Flu, Anytime!
Swine Flu Do’s and Don’ts: Is a New Pandemic Coming?
Sources
The New York Times May 9, 2009
Emerging Infectious Diseases 2008 Aug;14(8):1193-9
Reuters.com February 5, 2009
CDC.gov FastStats Influenza
CDC: Influenza