From an American doctor, and I think Roosevelt summed it up perfectly
Swine Flu - The Journalistic Scaredemic
April 28, 2009
Swine Flu is a new strain of influenza that has yet to cause a death in the USA. That being the case, why are Americans in a state of panic over the Swine flu?
The answer is that the media (CNN, ABC, NBC, USA Today, along with other publications) have stirred the public into a virtual frenzy. They are bombarding us with hysteria. They love it. Nothing turns them on more than to sensationalize mountains out of molehills. In the case of the Swine Flu, the media is guilty of causing an epidemic of panic. They are guilty because they relentlessly hype this dubious threat into a certain deadly pandemic.
Let's look at the facts:
Seasonal influenza causes thousands of deaths every week during flu season in the USA. The CDC estimates that seasonal flu causes over 36,000 deaths per year (200,000 hospital admissions) and over 500,000 deaths per year in the world. Does the media discuss these statistics? No. Why? Because these are boring facts - not sensational news that bolsters their ratings and increases their revenue.
How is Swine Flu different than regular seasonal flu?
It has become the "boogie man", used by the media to terrorize the public. And they are getting away with it. Yes, the Swine Flu will eventually kill people in the US, but the chance of it becoming more dangerous than seasonal flu is unlikely. Unfortunately, the media is even scaring medical and public officials into irrational behavior. Why are they closing schools for Swine flu (that has yet to kill anyone) but not for seasonal flu (that kills thousands every week)?
What other biological threats do we encounter every day?
Tuberculosis, Streptococcus (flesh eating bacteria), AIDS, Hepatitis, Pneumonia, Influenza, Staphylococcus, E Coli, Salmonella, Shegella, and the list goes on and on. Thousands die every week from these infections; some are incurable and untreatable. I would much rather be infected with Swine Flu which is susceptible to several antiviral agents, than to have MRSA that often cannot be cured.
As EMS leaders what should we do?
We already have protocols that address exposure to dangerous biological threats. As long as we practice our usual and customary universal precautions we will not contract Swine Flu or any of the far more dangerous biologics we encounter every day. We do not have to change any policy, protocol or procedure. We do have to use common sense and notify supervisors or medical control if we are concerned about a particular incident.
We live in an environment of danger from infectious diseases. Swine Flu is only one of them. How do we stay healthy? Most folks have a strong immune system that protects them. In medicine we work in the midst of such infections, but rarely contract them because we use universal precautions (gloves, masks, and gowns) to keep us safe.
What we in the medical field need to do, more than anything else is to remain calm and reassure our patients that the sky is not falling in. Be understanding and prepared, but do not get caught up in the hype and hysteria. We need to be a voice of sanity in an insane world.
During the last great war, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." That has not changed.
As a rational scientific community, we should reprimand the media for their irresponsible behavior. Force them to develop a balanced approach to a potential problem. As it stands today, they have inadvertently become the problem. They are the Epidemic (Scaredemic).
Larry J Miller MD
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Comments: 14
I think we need to stay calm and pay attention. But saying this is no more serious than a usual flu season is not accurate.
Georgiana, there is an article on Dr. Mercola's site regarding Prilosec that you may want to see
Acid Reflux
I have a hiatial hernia, ten with the arthritis meds, those NSAID's I acquired an ulcer and it bled and bled, so the Prilosec keeps it under control.
There is cause for concern, though panicing will not do anyone much good. Prevention is always a good thing, but thinking that it's nothing and finding out the hard way, aren't the ways to go either.
The Level Five that this has been raised to, and there are only six levels, ought to make one think. It's not raised much at all, but still, we're at the second highest level and we didn't get there -- without some cold hard facts. There are people sick and hospitalized in many, many states, not to mention countries all over the place - think, if this thing continues to spread and mutate itself oeer and over again, what's to stop people from catching it all over again?
Ouch, a hernia, bleeding? Those hurt, I hope you feel better! :)
To the Swine flu though: there is no real comparrison with the horrible pandemic of 1918. In 1918 there were no ways other than newspapers and letters to inform the public about it and the precautions that should be taken. No phone, Internet, tV, Radio even.
In 1918 there were no drugs available. No penicillan, no anti-virals, no aspirin really!
In 1918 the people hit hardest were the poor in the unclean slums of the time and in factories where hoards of people congregated and sent teeming clouds of germs between each other.
in 1918, there was no organisation to oversee the health of millions of people, and remember, the First World war had just ended, many people had been displaced by the heads of families being lost or killed in that war. Women didn't even have the vote to get things done!
All in all, you can't really compare the Spanish Flu pandemic with todays strains of flu that come along and there is no vaccine for yet.
Yes, viruses mutate, and with the technology available today, and with concerted testing, they will come up with a vaccine sooner than later.
The areas that the flu spread the fastest and hit the hardest is in Mexico, where there is still much overcrowding and slum conditions, now though, these people are still sometimes able to mingle with healthy people in different stratas of siciety and with travel and split second information around the world it is sprad to different areas more quickly.
It is not really any different to the flu that comes around every year. If you get it, and have no underlying causes of immunity problems, are too young or too old, you will probably pull througyh with going to bed, drinking fluids,and all that, Same as with the regular flu.
"Prescription Drugs the People's Voice" But we are looking for prescription drug testamonies. Have a great day!