Just Assume It's the Swine Flu

Sunday July 12, 2009

WHO, The World Health Organization, has advised health officials around the world to give up testing patients for H1N1 swine flu, and just assume that any form of upper respiratory sickness is just that. It seems they are wasting their time and money on proving something that may not matter anyway.

There are a few other pieces of interesting news about swine flu, too:

In total, almost 98,000 cases of swine flu have been confirmed around the world; but officials estimate the actual number of cases is 10 to 100 times that.

Several cases of drug-resistant flu have been reported. That means that patients were given Tamiflu, but it didn't help them. WHO officials aren't too worried about it because the drug-resistant strains aren't spreading.

In the meantime, US health officials haven't decided yet whether there should be a swine flu vaccine developed before fall. They would need to develop 600 million doses. The questions revolve around how they could find enough healthcare workers to actually administer the shots, and how they would measure side-effects, since seasonal flu shots would be given at the same time.

For now it's still best to continue with your hygiene practices (wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!) or start them if you haven't already. If you get the flu, take care of yourself, and stay home from work.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions About H1N1 Swine Flu
Should You Fear the Swine Flu
Swine Flu Myths: Facts, Fiction or Fraud?

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