Swine Flu Mania

Health Alert: Swine Flu

I'm sure you've heard- there is something called the swine flu going around. The scientific name is now H1N1. And H1N1 is not the only thing "going around." A lot of hysteria is traveling with it.

When they first reported on this flu several months ago, some news programs hyped it up to the point you thought the human race was going to be wiped off the face of the Earth!

Well, as it turn out that's not even close to the reality.

H1N1, so far, hasn't been the death sentence the media prophesied. Most people with H1N1 get flu-like symptoms and are perfectly fine in no time.

Why is that?

It's because most people who contract H1N1 have normal and healthy immune systems. And when you have a normal and healthy immune system, you can fight off just about anything known to man (or woman).  Just like the "regular" flu- people with compromised immune systems are the ones at risk and that is why it is important to keep your immune system functioning at its highest genetic potential.

This includes: eating right, exercising, reducing stress and visiting your doctor for routine check-ups. This includes Chiropractic care to keep your spine working properly and alleviating any unnecessary stress and strain on your system.

Here's something you should know about taking anti-viral medications like Tamiflu and Relenza.

On Saturday, August 22, 2009, Reuters reported that a new study published in the Lancet Infectious Disease suggests treating H1N1 in normal healthy adults may not be worthwhile.

"Recommending the use of anti-viral drugs for the treatment of people presenting with symptoms is unlikely to be the most appropriate course of action," wrote Jane Burch of the University of York and colleagues.

According to the Reuters' article, the results of this study also support an already existent advisory from the World Health Organization (WHO): "healthy patients who get H1N1 swine flu without suffering complications do not need to be treated with anti-viral's."

The 'WHO', however, strongly recommends both drugs for pregnant woman and children under 5 because these two groups are at risk for greater illness.