When I was much younger, I saw a movie called, “Outbreak”. You know – the one with Renee Russo and Dustin Hoffman. Monkeys. Virus. Panic. That’s the one.
I LOVED this movie. This movie made me want to be on the front lines of infectious disease control. And, consequently, as an adult, I decided to bravely enter into the field of public health – though much less on the infectious disease side of public health. But my life-long fascination with microscopic organisms has hardly diminished.
Yes, the physiology and adaptability of microbes is something to ogle in amazement. But what really fascinates me is the human reaction to infectious diseases. And I don’t mean immuno-response. Think about it. When people hear any word ending in “demic” (e.g. epidemic, endemic, pandemic), they panic.
So now life is imitating art. Except instead of monkeys the culprits are pigs, and there’s no Renee Russo or Dustin Hoffman to save us. Yes, I’m talking about the Swine Flu. People are panicking worldwide. And why? Because that’s what people do – react before understanding the facts. So here are some facts about Swine Flu that might dispel any myths you may have heard:
1. The swine flu is not a “new” virus. In fact, the CDC estimates about 75% of swine farmers and exhibitors carry antibodies for the swine flu. This means, they were infected with the swine flu at some point in their life.
2. This is not the first swine flu outbreak. In 1976, there was an outbreak of the swine flu among soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
3. You cannot get the swine flu from eating pork. Swine flu spreads just like any other form of the flu or common cold. So go ahead and eat your BLTs!
4. Your doctor cannot diagnose you with swine flu on the spot. If your doctor suspects swine flu, a blood sample must be sent off to a CDC lab for confirmation.
5. Swine flu is treatable. There are 2 antiviral medications that can treat the current strain of swine flu.
*Source: www.cdc.gov
The CDC gives the following tips for avoiding contracting the swine flu:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue away immediately.
· Thoroughly and frequently wash your hands with soap and water
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
· Avoid close contact with sick people
· If you get sick, stay home from work or school to avoid contact with other people
These are not ground-breaking tips. They are the same tips given to avoid the common cold. It’s common sense, not rocket science.
In addition to the CDC’s tips, I’d like to offer my own:
1. Avoid over-washing your hands with antibacterial gels and soaps. Viruses can easily adapt and quickly become resistant to antibacterial products if these products are overused.
2. Thorough hand-washing includes making lots of friction and soap suds. I tell kindergartners to sing the alphabet song while they wash their hands so they know they’ve lathered them enough. A simple squirt-and-rinse will not do.
3. Do simple things to boost your immune system. Exercise regularly, eat lots of fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of sleep.
4. Finally, DON’T PANIC. Learn the facts, and trust that there are professionals trained in infectious disease control doing their job to protect you and your family.
So don’t pack your bags and move to Antarctica. Do what you can to protect yourself and trust that others are doing what they can to protect you too.
It sure seems as though our lives are filled with things to panic about; bank failures, mortgage failures, war, religious zealots, global warming, disease, unemployment, etc. So much of this is overblown due to the speed of the media and the exagerations of the talking heads. It sure seems like a good idea to consider your advice to first get the facts, next to do what we each can do and then let go of what we cannot control.
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