We Asked They Answered

As we were writing this we received a yet unpublished report from Maryland "“Sadly we must report Maryland’s ninth death – the second of a child under the age of 18 – related to the H1N1 (Swine) Flu virus and we wish to express our sympathies to the family and friends,” said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers. “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tells us that Maryland experiences about 1,000 flu-related deaths each year and therefore such deaths are unfortunately."

Still we say with all seriousness - Do be afraid! Listen when Toyota recalled their floor mats yesterday the news reports hyped the biggest recall in automotive history. Instead of saying take out your floor mats Toyota owners they might make it difficult to apply your breaks. Fear is more important than facts. The next biggest recall of in automotive history will be for a light bulb that will accidentally not go out in the case of an accident. It was much ado about nothing. Was the accident and the officers death nothing - NO? That was something but that wasn't the sound bite. The hype was nothing.

We asked all the experts we could find who were quotes or whose research seemed to contradict the current wisdom. We asked them if they intended to get the shot or have their family immunized and their answers were consistent. The best answer we "have in years past and likely will this year as well."
The same can be said about whether or not you should take a flu shot. Depending on your health and that of your child - you should get the shot. Even the mother who lost her child still believes that parents should get their child immunized. Tammy Osborne told CBS News and wants you to know: "(W)hat we think is most important for people to know, even in our time of pain, is that I knew Chloe [her daughter] was sick, and even thought the doctor said she was gonna be OK, and they didn't give her the medicine (Tamiflu, which the Osbornes say wasn't administered until Chloe had taken a severe turn for the worse), I knew she was really sick. And I would have been more demanding in her treatment, and been more of an advocate for her than I was."

Don't be afraid. The following information was obtained from the Huffington Post. Again do not be afraid. "The flu virus can make you sick all on its own. But it can also set up your body for a more serious, bacterial infection like pneumonia or meningitis in the following days. In fact, historically, these bacterial pneumonias account for a large fraction of the serious illness and deaths that occurred during an influenza pandemic. A bacteria called pneumococcus that accounts for about 1.5 million worldwide deaths each year on its own, is one of the most common bacterial causes of these pneumonia cases. Knowing that there is a likely bacterial pneumonia surge that will follow pandemic influenza may seem scary but it is actually helpful. Because in addition to the vaccines that can prevent influenza, we have vaccines that prevent the pneumococcal pneumonias that follow flu illnesses and antibiotics to treat those that get through the vaccinations."

News may seem scary but it is actually helpful. This information may seem scary but it is meant to be and is actually meant to be helpful. Be more demanding in your treatment and be more of an advocate for your loved ones. It's not just a cold after ten (10) days but you have eleven (11) more days to get the treatment you'll need when it gets worse. We can't do this alone but parents can do it for their children, husbands for their wives. We can do this. We can survive. Don't be afraid!