It seems the airwaves of radio and television have contracted the swine flu. No matter where you turn, the media is infected with swine flu-related talk and hype. In order to be politically correct and not offend any pigs, we should call the swine flu the H1N1 virus. Am I concerned about swine flu? Yes, but only to the same degree I am concerned about any flu. Later in the column, I will discuss steps you can take to prevent the spread of swine flu and other airborne person to person diseases.
However, first I would like to address influenza from a historical perspective. To better understand our obsession with the H1N1 virus and the current media frenzy on swine flu, we must review how the government and the media have dealt with health issues of the past.
In 1918, the influenza epidemic killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide- over three times the number of people killed in World War I. The flu afflicted more than 25% of the U. S. population and decreased the life expectancy by 12 years. The flu did not discriminate based on age, race, sex or location. It ran rampant in urban, rural and even the remotest parts of Alaska.
In 1976, two recruits at Fort Dix, New Jersey came down with flu like illness which was thought to be very similar to the 1918 pandemic known as “swine flu”. Only 24 hours after reporting symptoms, on February 5th 1976 19-year old Pvt. David Lewis was dead from influenza. Once again the President, the CDC, and the media jumped to the fear of a great plague.
In 1981, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) was diagnosed in at least 8 young men in California. It is thought the current AIDS pandemic actually started in the late 1970s and that this period of silence to 1981 is in part responsible for some 100 to 300 thousand people becoming infected with HIV. As we can see, it is important to report early and get the word out to as many people as possible so we are able to protect ourselves as much as possible.
In 2005, the World Health Organization warned us of the H5N1 virus (bird flu) and, more recently, of the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic scare. I guess I would rather be bombarded with information so I can make informed decisions about my health. My only fear is we will become callous to an overzealous media calling wolf too many times.
Influenza is a serious health issue with a significant impact to the economy. So, let’s look at ways to protect ourselves everyday from the flu. Your best protection is to get the “flu-shot” every year. The flu usually spreads from person to person via respiratory droplets. It is important to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to then throw the tissue away. Wash your hands with soap and water after you cough or sneeze, or use alcohol-based cleaners. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as they are excellent routes of transmission.
Keep your eyes and ears open to stay informed about national and world health issues. Use a little common sense, protect your health, and most importantly- WASH YOUR HANDS!
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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