This year’s flu season has been exceptional in many ways. It started in the spring and quickly spread across the globe. There has been much controversy over the seriousness of the outbreak despite the fact that the worse cases have been in previously healthy young people.
There have been widespread school closings in Michigan and many institutions restricted visitation in an attempt to curtail the spread of this virus. Several hospitals and clinics stopped testing for the H1N1 assuming that, if you have the symptoms, you have the flu.
Though there has been a large-scale attempt to protect the public against the H1N1 flu, there is much concern over whether or not the vaccine can really help. The safety of the vaccine has been the topic of much debate – health authorities say it is safe even for young children; others remind us of problems from a previous vaccination program that caused serious neurological side effects. Manufacturers began working last spring to produce a vaccine specific to this virus. In the fall they blamed delivery delays on a slow incubation process, and problems with assembly line production and packaging. Some Michigan hospitals have tried to make vaccinations mandatory for all health care workers.
This flu season is certainly one to be remembered. Whether or not you have been one of the victims of the H1N1 strain, there are some important points you should take away from our exposure to this virus.
- You can’t believe everything you hear. Some newscasts have made people overly concerned over symptoms of a common cold; while another respected source states that all the hype is just a way of encouraging pharmaceutical sales. What you choose to believe is a very personal decision; don’t forget the mind-body connection will have an impact on how you fight off any disease.
- In these times of economical struggle in Michigan many people have cut their grocery budgets by purchasing less healthy foods and fewer supplements - the result has been decreased physical stamina. You need to realize that if you eat nutritionallydense foods, you actually need less food to become satisfied, therefore decreasing the cost of feeding a family. The “filler foods” provide very little nutritional benefit; and sugary foods actually encourage disease processes.
- Will the “regular” flu turn into something more serious? Most of the deaths from the H1N1 flu have been caused by secondary bacterial infections resulting from the patient’s decreased physical resistance. The secret is to put your energy into staying healthy instead of just fighting off disease.
- Many experts believe young people have been more vulnerable this season because they have not had an opportunity to develop a resilient immune system. More often than not they have been given multiple medications to curtail symptoms early in previous disease processes. Unfortunately, these same interventions are not effective against the flu. |
- Treatment of the H1N1 flu is no different from any other flu and most patients are
advised to stay home to rest and take in plenty of healthy fluids. If being exhausted from a crazy schedule is what has allowed you to get sick, keeping up with that same crazy schedule will not allow you to get healthy.
- Past experience is the best authority for whether or not to get the flu shot. If you’ve had disturbing symptoms after getting vaccinated in the past, you may want to rely on more natural means of fighting off the viruses.
- The H1N1 vaccine wasn’t distributed in Michigan until long after the flu outbreak
became widespread, leaving most people on their own for an initial defense. Sadly there are no magic pills to defeat these viruses and one cannot suddenly develop immunity to the multiple illnesses to which we are exposed. Each of us must take the time to evaluate our diets and lifestyles – what can we do keep our bodies stronger on a routine basis.
We need to become comfortable relying on our own knowledge and resources as we attend to our health needs. However you’ve managed to navigate the H1N1 flu season, make sure you glean something to make your next health challenge more successful.
Keli MacIntosh has over 40 years of experience in the medical field as a Registered Nurse. She is also a Certified Nutritional Consultant and manager of Natural Health Specialists. For a health consultation, call Keli at 231.946.3872.
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