Sitting in class today I felt my throat get dry and in turn coughed two times. Sure it wasn’t the normal little cough but the reaction I got was out of control. Has our world become so paranoid that if the person next to you coughs we automatically assume they have the swine flu? Oh, it sure has!
Like hundreds of others I am plagued with seasonal allergies. The drastic change in weather from 70 degree days to the recent 45 degree nights has got me a congested mess. As if sniffling, coughing and blowing my nose aren’t embarrassing enough, how about someone yelling “Oh my God you have swine flu,” when you cough and everyone turning around to look at you.
Attention, attention! I do not have swine flu! I am just allergic to the rotting leaves outside and maybe even a little bit to your stupidity!
Ok so now that I’ve had my little rant lets get down to business. Swine flu has been in the media since last flu season but in recent weeks we cannot seem to hear anything but headlines of H1N1.
The nasal spray form of the H1N1 vaccine will be sent out to Washington, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles late this week and later to 21 other states. By tomorrow morning 600,000 doses will arrive in these locations. This first round contains live virus and will be given to people anywhere from 2 to 49 as long as they don’t have any kind of health problems.
The liquid dose, Tamiflu, is being sent out in 300,000 doses and will end up in Texas and Colorado on Thursday. The FDA has said that many of these doses have expired but should be ignored because after careful testing have been deemed still ok to take.
Since August 28 pregnant women have died of H1N1 and another 100 have been hospitalized and for this reason I do think that the swine flu is very serious but at the same time is the media sensationalizing it to the extent that anyone who coughs around us we immediately self diagnose with swine flu?
Yes, I definitely believe that prevention is key and I am a firm believer in always covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. We all have to play this game correctly and do what is necessary to keep each other health. Cover your mouth when you cough, use a tissue or cover your nose when you sneeze and especially wash your hands!
Happy Flu Season! :)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/01/flu.vaccine/index.html
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I remember when I was coughing in class before and heard someone whispering, "swine." I know one person personally that had swine and he only had it for a few days. Everyone has swine, cold and the flu all mixed up. Honestly, who knows the difference? lol. I HATE WHEN PEOPLE COUGH AND DON'T COVER THEIR MOUTHS. So hopefully everyone learns to do that.... and carry around hand sanitizer! :)
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