Just Answer the Fr!gg@ng Question!

We've tried to investigate every conspiracy theory we could find, all except the most outlandish of claims. We looked for hidden reports, other suggestions, etc and for the most part we report daily what we find. Again, we love conspiracy theories and "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya."

However, its hard to hold on to a thread. Dental floss is fairly strong and the more you weave it the stronger it gets but most of the theories are made out of "old" cloth instead of whole cloth.

If you think that the government is out to get ya. Yeah, you're pretty much on your own. To quote Ron White: "You can't fix stupid!" Not that we're calling you stupid. We wouldn't dare! We're just quoting someone who makes money being funny. We would never say such a thing.

Which brings us to the following. In this age of lawsuits (and we've had our share) and counter-suits every organization and government entity is more than cautious. They're down right evasive. It's that evasiveness that causes people, including us, to travel the conspiracy highway. Most of the new voices in this new administration haven't quite mastered the art of evasion. So they're more likely to speak the truth than post the truth to their official sites as the agency's official word. Case in point remember last week when we said we'd VERIFY VERIFY VERIFY.

We thought regular flu treatments are similar to the swine flu and would help protect us. We thought because the swine flu started earlier than the regular flu and has killed so many people so soon that this flu is worst than the seasonal flu. Are they right and We wrong we asked the CDC Info Email Address the official information request line of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

"The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization web pages found at non-Federal organization web links. You may want to contact the Chicago Sun-Times regarding the accuracy of their material.

However, with seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.

When the 2009 H1N1 outbreak was first detected in mid-April 2009, CDC began working with states to collect, compile and analyze information regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, including the numbers of confirmed and probable cases and the ages of these people. The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy."

"For treatment or prevention of influenza (flu), CDC recommends the antiviral medicines (drugs that fight viruses):

• Oseltamivir, brand name Tamiflu; and
• Zanamivir, brand name Relenza

Tamiflu is available as a pill or liquid and Relenza is a powder that is inhaled.

The 2009 H1N1 flu virus is resistant (does not respond) to treatment with the other 2 antivirals used to treat other flu illness:

• Amantadine (Symmetrel); and
• Rimantadine (Flumadine)

Three 2009 H1N1 viruses have been detected that are resistant to oseltamivir, but these are isolated findings. At this time, CDC continues to recommend the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with H1N1 viruses.

Flu antiviral drugs are prescription drugs (pills, liquid, or inhaler) that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. Getting a flu vaccine each year is the first and most important step in protecting against flu. But, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense in the prevention and treatment of flu."

The question we asked was based on the Chicago SunTimes column on Flu Facts and Fiction by Health Reporter Monifa Thomas. Yes, we know this isn't Chicago but theirs was the most comprehensive article on the web that made really bold statements. We thought we'd verify those statements with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The October 29th article said:

"Misinformation about swine flu seems to be spreading almost as fast as the virus. Here are a few things you should know about the H1N1 virus:"

Here are the things we had a problem with based on past CDC information.

Regular flu treatments won't help swine flu.
Fiction. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza can help speed recovery, no matter which strain of flu you get. They're most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, though -- which means you need to see a doctor right away...

...Swine flu is worse than seasonal flu.
Fiction. Swine flu has resulted in 1,000 deaths nationwide since it
first appeared in April, the CDC says. In a typical year, seasonal flu
kills 36,000 Americans.

We were wrong about the first statement but again it was based on what the CDC originally reported when they said that the seasonal flu vaccine would be available prior to the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. We felt certain we were right. But we weren't. We were right because of what the CDC said but the information was outdated - just that quickly.

The second statement, as of the information we have now, is incorrect - just as quickly.

The problem is the same question was answered and is now published online as part of the CDC's Frequent Questions. They could have pointed to the answer as part of their answer to our questions. They could also instead of having a search box with no easy way to ask a question do the ole standby of frequently asked questions (FAQs). But NOOOOOOOOO!

Just answer the D?!*&#$@ Question! Pardon our French! That would eliminate all but the most die hard conspiracy "fearists" and their crackpot theories. Then we could get on with the business of taking care of each other.