How To Avoid Swine Flu Hysteria

photo credit: hmerinomx

Now I’m not going to launch into a dissertation about how this recent outbreak of swine flu is like the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 or how it may spread and cause a similar calamity.  In fact, what I want to say instead is don’t panic.

I know that many anxiety sufferers are hypochondriacs and can be overwhelmed by irrational fears.  Over the weekend news reports by CNN, FOX, and other networks have really grabbed a hold of this story and starting Monday ran with it.

As of April 27, 2009 there have been about 149 deaths in Mexico and 40 cases of swine flu reported in the United States.  None of the cases in the U.S. have been fatal and very few Americans have needed hospitalization.  In others words, it has not reached crisis levels.

If you watch enough news coverage of this you might think that the end of the world was happening, but it’s not and let me tell you why.

1. Over 36,000 people die every year in the United States of human flu (“regular flu”).

2. Although potentially deadly, there have been no deaths related to swine flu outside of Mexico.

3. There are antiviral drugs that can be taken to combat this strain of flu.

4. Most deaths from any type of flu are related to people that have compromised immune systems or contract secondary infections like pneumonia.  In the case of pneumonia antibiotics can be administered.

Instead of round the clock viewing of repetitive and grim news broadcasts it would be better to focus on things you should be doing instead.  Here is a short list of more useful things to do with your time.

1.  For accurate up to date information regarding the swine flu outbreak visit the Center For Disease Control website at cdc.gov.  You can also find useful information at the World Health Organization’s website at who.int/en.

2.  Make sure that you are taking precautions to avoid the flu (of any kind) by washing your hands regularly, avoiding sick people, and staying home if you do become ill.

3.  Call your doctor if you develop flu like symptoms like cough, fever, chills, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, or trouble breathing.

If you want to learn more about the Spanish influenza click here or the swine flu scare of 1976 click here.

For now keeping yourself periodically updated via the CDC, WHO, and local news for any changes in your area is enough. There is no need for panic and there is no need to watch 24/7 news coverage about this developing story.

Taking the precautions I mentioned above and keeping a cool head is the best advice I can give you.  The concern that many feel is valid, and vigilance is obviously o.k., but you want to leave it at that for now.

I have read reports of people having panic attacks and feeling overwhelming anxiety about the swine flu outbreak.  I simply wanted to let those of you that are feeling anxiety to know that things are not out of control.  Try to not project your fears onto this flu outbreak and also don’t allow sensationalism to get the better of you either.  Use common sense and let’s wait to see how things develop.

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