Fear Not the Flu!

Fear concerning swine flu, which is linked to H1N1 viruses, has been rampant. Many parents, in particular, are worried about their own children’s safety. H1N1 swine-flu virus vaccines have been developed, but there are still safety concerns. As is the case with other types of vaccines, chills, fever, nausea, headaches, fatigue, itchiness, redness, soreness, localized lumps, muscle/ joint aches, or serious allergic reactions can result from the use of swine-flu virus vaccines. There is evidence that certain vaccines can cause harm, such as sterility, birth defects, long-term health problems (e.g., autism), or even death (though the risk of this happening is small). No matter how minor the side effects, they should not be regarded lightly because they are real, and can therefore pose a danger to health.

You hear of schools closing down just because of one or more students who had been infected with the H1N1 bug—for fear of the bug spreading to the rest of the kids. You see people wearing protective masks in trains, buses or public places. Whether they are told by doctors to do so in order to prevent the virus from spreading, or whether they do that simply out of fear of contracting the flu, the fact remains: people dread falling ill or dying because of the bug, to which very young or sick or elderly people are most vulnerable.

You probably heard about Tamiflu (certainly a household word by now because of all the attentions by the media) being used, and how the drug has brought on numerous side effects, such as those given in the list below:

Diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal behavior; confusion; hallucinations; mood or mental changes; reddened, blistered, peeling, or swollen skin; seizures; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; symptoms of infection (fever, chills, or persistent sore throat); difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest

The Associated Press (AP) reported on Friday that according to World Health Organization (WHO), the flu “has killed almost 1,800 people worldwide through last week.” ¹ The danger of even more people being infected and/or killed is very real.

In fact, WHO predicted an “explosion” of swine flu cases in the months to come. It warned governments to make preparations for the pandemic that “may see swine flu cases double every three to four days for several months until peak transmission is reached,” ² AP quoted WHO's Western Pacific director, Shin Young-soo as saying.

“The last pandemic—the Hong Kong flu of 1968—killed about 1 million people. Ordinary flu kills about 250,000 to 500,000 people each year,” it was reported. ³

“WHO earlier estimated that as many as 2 billion people could become infected over the next two years — nearly one-third of the world's population.” ⁴ This is staggering! No wonder the alarm!

For those who are well prepared with the right strategy to fight flu, including bird flu (H5N1 virus), which is more virulent than the swine flu, flu is not an issue. Come what may, fear does not even exist!

Knowledge is power. But we must act on what we know in order for us to experience the benefits of our knowledge. Early preparation and readiness are keys to success, if flu or what not were to break out. Wearing a mask may be a preventative measure, but that is not enough!

You have seen the list above. You have seen and heard people dying in many countries as a result of H1N1. Why risk having nasty side effects or death? It’s understandable when you have no choice. But it would be pure folly if you have the option to use safer methods, but you fail to take time to find out about them.

On many a construction site in certain advanced countries, you’d often find the slogan, “Safety First!” This is often conscientiously put into action through a combination of right strategic approaches—including the appointment of a site safety officer who is responsible to check on site safety aspects, a proper reporting system, and so on. But you seldom find it applied to normal daily life, including when a more severe flu than ordinary flu is involved. For example, you may find some Panadol or paracetamol tablets in many homes. But how many families carry a simple first aid kit in their homes? Let alone being well equipped to combat something by far more deadly than the common influenza! (Yet a fast-spreading plague of H1N1 viruses has been threatening and killing lives!) It’s as though their own children are not as important as other peoples’ “kids” (I mean full-grown construction workers and staff)!

The good news is: We have an effective system to overcome any flu without any fear of side effects. Believe it or not, many people including myself have used it to defeat the common flu and other more serious symptoms.

You don’t have to do it, but if you want to know about this system or strategy, and be ready for any flu, do feel free to contact the writer. We are here to help. My advice is: Just do it!









^{1, 2, 3, 4} Taken from AP’s article titled, “WHO predicts 'explosion' of swine flu cases” (Friday August 21, 2009) -- Source: Press here