Lets not panic!

The swine flu frenzy has hit the US, hasnt it? Everywhere I look someone is talking about swine flu and quoting statistics and talking about the CDC.

Here is a brief synopsis of what we (as medical professionals) have been told directly from the CDC:

1. The Swine flu is in epidemic proportions in MEXICO and only 105 cases reported in the entire world.

2. The cases of flu that have been transported to the US are all minor cases, because of a number of things. We have better overall healthcare here, we are immunized from a young age therefore beefing up our immune systems, and we deal with flu on a yearly basis.

3. The treatment for swine flu? Tylenol. You can take an anti-viral medication, but its just like Flu-A and Flu-B, it just treats symptoms.

4. NO ONE dies from the flu. People have died in the past from secondary infections related to an exposure and breakdown in their immune system from having the flu.

5. The paper masks are worthless. Dont buy them, dont use them. They make you look funny.

6. Best way to prevent outbreaks of the flu: METICULOUS HAND WASHING, AND COVERING YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH AND SNEEZE.

7. Last but not least, it is much better that we are getting cases of the swine flu in May instead of in January and February. On the average, world-wide there are over 250,000 cases of seasonal flu each year. This is minor.

I remember when the swine flu broke out in 1976. People were less "excitable" about health problems then than they are now, and eventually we just eliminated the cases.

I beg of you, everyone, just wash your hands. It an prevent many many viruses from spreading!

And now, back to your previously scheduled program. ;-)