Surviving Swine Flu

Over at The Conspiratologist I posted about the swine flu and power politics. (The Conspiratologist is an "invitation only" blog. If you'd like to be on the list, email me at gravelbelly@gmail.com.) Here, however, I'd like to address the swine flu in terms of preparedness.

First, in a pandemic situation, your stockpile of survival food & water may enable you to avoid contact with the contagion. John E. Peterson suggests,

When grocery shopping, try to do so on “off hours,” when fewer people are likely to be shopping. And while there, think long term and stock up on necessities that can get you by for a few weeks if need be. Remember, you may never need to actually use your “survival stock,” but if you do, you will need it desperately.

A physician I knew when I worked in a hospital once said that the great majority of contagious disease could be avoided by hand-washing. That's why Peterson's following comment stood out to me:

Practice good hygiene. Don’t go crazy on this, but at the same time take reasonable precautions. For example, keep a bottle of Purell or a similar hand sanitizer nearby and use it at logical times. What do I mean by that? For instance, if you go to a gas station, consider how many people in the last 24 hours have wiped their nose, etc. and then picked up the same gas pump handle that you just picked up. Don’t get me wrong. We all have to operate in the real world. But with the example I just gave, wouldn’t that be a good time to wash your hands with Purell if standard soap and water are not an option? I think so.

Michelle Cagan of the Health Sciences Institute put out a swine flu information letter several days ago. Some of the statistics are already out of date, but her conclusion is right on the money:

Your best defense – your only real defense in any flu season – is a bulletproof immune system.

Recent research has shown that Vitamin D is a vital key to resisting viral infection.

I am reproducing the body of Ms. Cagan's letter below:

With all the sensationalized news about the so-called swine flu flying around, I figured we'd better set all the facts straight.

1. So far, only 82 cases of so-called swine flu have been definitively identified worldwide, mostly in Mexico (26 confirmed, 7 deaths) and the U.S.(with 40 confirmed, no deaths). (Though about 1600 suspected cases, including 159 deaths, are reported in Mexico.) That does not add up to a pandemic swine flu outbreak.
2. This virus has nothing to do with swine. In fact, it hasn't been seen in a single animal. And you can't possibly get it from eating pork.
3. No existing vaccines can prevent this new flu strain. So no matter what you hear – even if it comes from your doctor – don't get a regular flu shot. They rarely work against seasonal flu…and certainly can't offer protection from a never-before- seen strain.
4. Speaking of this strain, it doesn't seem to have come on naturally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this particular strain has never before been seen in pigs or people. And according to Reuters, the strain is a 'genetic mix' of swine, avian and human flu. Was it created in a lab? We don't know yet.
5. The drug companies are getting excited…and that's never a good thing. According to the Associated Press at least one financial analyst estimates up to $388 million worth of Tamiflu sales in the near future – and that's without a pandemic outbreak.
6. Let's not forget that Tamiflu comes with its own problems, including side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough…the very symptoms you're trying to avoid. And let's not forget that Japan banned this drug for children back in 2007, after links to suicidal behavior.
7. Vaccines for this flu strain probably won't have to jump through all those annoying hurdles like clinical trials for safety and effectiveness. That won't, however, stop the government from mandating the vaccine for all of us – a very likely scenario. And if the vaccines are actually harmful…killing people, for example…the vaccine makers will be immune from lawsuits.

Your best defense – your only real defense in any flu season – is a bulletproof immune system. You can learn about the best ways to strengthen yourself in the HSI archives.