Can I Offer You a Shot?

As a society we tend to send out mixed signals. Are we as a society; afraid, startled, concerned or indifferent over the H1N1 pandemic that has been slowly crawling across North America?  The reason I say this is that in light of the arrival of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine, many people I personally polled say that they have no intention of getting inoculated. “If you don't have a compromised immune system, then your O.K.,” Yvonne said to me.  And, “I'm not getting it!  It will only make you sick.” said Christina.  These types of responses are not out-of-step with many others in Alberta.

I really can't say that I blame them for taking this position.  Over the past decade we have seen the pharmaceutical industry treat the sick like a open marketplace, and the perception for many is that doctors dispense a broad range of chemical treatments too frequently rather than just treating the illness. The increase in homeopathic treatments and people self diagnosing themselves using the internet is at an all-time high.

But we are a very fickle bunch.  In the face of what has become a true health threat we snub what can actually be a treatment for the prevention of contracting H1N1.  This is rather ironic when one thinks that when the biggest “Prank” on society was running amok before the turn of the century.  That being another type of pandemic foisted on the masses, the Y2K computer virus.  People in that so-called-threat were all abuzz.  Prevention was not just a quick shot in the arm, it was an elaborate system of transferring money and sticking it in a can.  Many frantically developed corporate crisis policy to be implemented on New Years Eve, which in many cases included filling your bath tubs full of fresh water just in case it was last time the water would flow.  Everywhere you turned people either had an opinion or had heard of somebody who had prematurely come down with it and lost all their lifetime data!  It was pandemonium!
 

But in a recent survey in the U.S., clearly 40% of parents said that they would not have their children inoculated, and here in Canada the reception is not any different.   One headline in the U.S. stated, “Military People Will Soon Be Forced to Take Poisonous H1N1 Shot.”  With this jaded perception of the pharmaceutical industry and  media hype, it is no wonder why people are shying away from taking the H1N1 vaccine.
 

But let us at least step back and look at this without the jaded eyeglasses.  Alberta has now reported it's   ninth H1N1 death, and as of late August we had over 180 people in the hospital with the disease.  It is speculated that many have the virus at some level but have not needed hospitalization. 
 

Alberta is now in what has become the ‘flu season’ and we expect a higher level of flu cases. As an indicator of what is 'acceptable' for Alberta, the schools are normally required to report any absentee rate over 10% on any given day,  which when you look at that number is extremely liberal.  If, for instance, a school had a student population of 450, then if 45 students reported in sick or failed to come to school, it is considered serious enough to require the Principal to report that incident.  Would those numbers indicate that a school may have an influenza problem?
 

Well, last week in St. Albert, the Ecole Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville with a student population of 450 reported a one day absentee rate of  33%. That represented 148 students home sick.  In light of these numbers and what we are now seeing reported in Edmonton,  is it fair to say that perhaps the odds are better that you and I will get a serious flu or even H1N1, than winning the lottery?  And yet, in hopes of winning more people will buy lottery tickets than get in line to take a shot in the arm.
 

At some point we need to put aside our preconceptions caused by a particular mindset long enough to see if we may be wrong.  At least in that instance.  My skepticism is still in tact, but if it looks like poop, smells like poop, and feels like poop, then perhaps its not a Hershey’s bar.
 

So aside from the fact that it may be a good idea to get the H1N1 Influenza Shot, we are told that we  can practice four simple common-sense steps to stave off the virus. They are: frequent hand-washing, keep your  "Hands-off-the-face" and out of your nose, gargle twice a day,  and boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C.   The H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat and nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
 

So should we be taking the H1N1 vaccination?  In light of of how the disease is spreading, unless you  have a medical precondition preventing you, it would probably be a good idea.  And, before you say that you had the previous Swine Flu Vaccination and you are immune,  think again, that previous shot will not prevent you from getting H1N1. You see my reasons for discussing this here is purely selfish.  I just don't like losing readership.