A couple of weeks ago at an Aragon PTSO meeting, there was a doctor who gave a little spiel about how Swine Flu a.k.a H1N1 flu is on the rise again. She also said that it was targeting the young [We teenagers being "the young"]. She stressed that vaccines are now available, and I recall something about a limited supply, which is why she encouraged parents to get their kids vaccinated if possible.
Then I found this article today illustrating how difficult and challenging it is to get the vaccines out to the people. This frantic rush to get people vaccinated makes it seem more dangerous just because there is a frantic rush to get vaccinated.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-10-01-swine-flu-vaccine_N.htm?csp=34
"State health departments have to organize thousands of workers at 90,000 sites nationwide to administer as many as 250 million doses in three to four months, making sure the people at greatest risk from swine flu — such as pregnant women, young children and health care workers — are first in line"
Swine flu actually doesn't seem as bad as everyone makes it out to be, only "one in 100 healthy people with swine flu will end up in an intensive care unit on a respirator." That's a 99% that if you're healthy you won't die from it.
...knock on wood
9 comments:
I find that a lot of the hype of it is that even though the chances are slim, it still happens. Are you willing to risk that 1% simply because you were too lazy to wait in line and not get vaccinated? The point being, even though the chance is small, it's still not worth taking.
"Swine flu" isn't all the much worse than the regular flu. I think I read somewhere that the actual death rate for the regular flu is higher than that of swine flu. The only reason swine flu is more dangerous is the fact that our bodies have not built up an immune defense against it yet.
So in other words, you have a greater chance of getting swine flu than the regular flu, but you most likely wont die.
Or I may be completely wrong...lol.
The swine flu hype is really unsupported evidence wise. I've heard the same facts as you, Victor. It seems that there are higher death rates for illnesses such as pneumonia and regular flu. I think the fear is all because of the lack of immunity an a sure-fire vaccination.
Actually, my cousin and one of my good friends both had swine flu, and they said it really wasn't all that bad.
So while I think taking caution is great, I feel like its time to put all this swine flu drama to rest.
-Katie Jensen
One of my favorite topics is swine flu considering this: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090623/news/906231025?Title=Camp-hit-by-swine-flu-to-reopen
That's right, my summer camp was hit by the Swine. I was in the 53 person group of CIT's (Counselors in Training) that was actually on camp property while swine flu was going around. About 12 out of my group actually got swine flu and we were all worried that camp would indeed close. However, the doctors told us extensively that all would be well which it was. I learned some various swine facts throughout my first week at camp including that the virus is actually no more deadly than the regular flu. I also learned that Swine has not killed any U.S. residents besides a very young child that was actually from Mexico to begin with and an old man who had immune deficiency problems. This statistics could and are probably outdated now but I'm sure that the numbers are still very low in terms of fatalities. From my friends who actually contracted swine flu, they told me that the first day was terrible but after that they were pretty much fine with the exception of their declining fevers. There was one point where I actually tried to get swine flu because I thought that it was just a mental thing and I actually never got it! Swine flu will probably come back, but America is ready.
-Seth Klebe
I agree with Franklin. Because of this ignorance--the idea that it isn't as bad as we think it is, is coming and stabbing us in the back. People are getting illnesses such as pneumonia because of the swine flu. I know someone at Aragon who was in the hospital because she had the swine flu and because of her weak immune system, she got pneumonia. Katie, I understand that swine flu isn't as bad as other flus but it is still bad because if someone gets it, then they are quarantined (can't go to school, work,). As winter is approaching, the swine flu epidemic is likely to increase because as we all know, flus are more likely to spread in the winter season. One of my knowledgeable teachers at Aragon said that it might get so bad that Aragon will have to shut down for a while. Yes, vaccines are offered but they will be given to the elderly first; FDA won't let the drug be tested on children or teenagers. So yes, the vaccine will be offered soon, but it will take a while for everyone (teenagers) to become vaccinated. And until then, cover your mouth when you cough, wash your hands, and make hand-sanitizer your best friend!
~Amreet Aujla
I agree that Franklin and Amreet. The Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 that killed many people spread so quickly , because of the carelessness of its handling. Many of the articles I've read compare the two and even say that the swine flu could be worse. Now, for all I know, that could be all false, but it's better to have a vaccine out and quell some panic, rather than have scared people act irrationally or have an actual epidemic with no immediate solution. All I can say is "better safe than sorry".
-Henry Zhang
I agree with you all that the whole swine flu drama needs to be put to rest. Hmmm.. i find it interesting on how some schools in San Jose closed down for a few days because of swine flu, but schools usually go on when students get the flu in general.
It is great that a vaccine is available. Unfortunately, there is a limited supply. With what Seth had to say about his "camp [that] was hit by the Swine", my camp was also hit by the Swine Flu. Although the people that had Swine Flu were sent home, some camp members continued to play soda pong. Haha. But, others continued to play it safe.
Anyways, Swine Flu continues to spread around the world due to how easy it is for people to travel from place to place nowadays. Even though there is a vaccine, a new, stronger strain of Swine Flu may possibly form from this. So, with that said, I hope we will have a safe flu season.
Just saying, i dont like getting sick. Even if the swine flu is the same as the flu or worse than the flu or not as bad as the flu, i dont want to get the flue.
I don't get people that say that swine flu is just the same as the flu. So what if it is?
I think the vaccine is good and everyone should try and get it as soon as possible. Its better having a lot of people not sick then having a lot of people sick. Being sick is no fun.
And also, the more people that get the flue, then the more that die right?
Post a Comment