Worrying about a Pandemic of the Flu?
"Worrying about a Pandemic of the Flu?" by Susan Dunn, MA. The
EQ Coach
Q: Could there by a pandemic? A: My physician says we're overdue
for one.
Q: Should you panic? A: Panicking doesn't help anything.
Q: What IS a flu pandemic? A: A new influenza virus that adapts
to humans and since it's new, we have no immunity built up to
it.
There are some things we can count on when there's something
that could effect a lot of people in a bad way. One is that
there will be panic. Emotions can overtake thinking clearly,
gathering facts, considering the source of rumors, coping
intelligently with the risk, and making good decisions.
Another is that opportunists will capitalize on the panic to get
you to buy something that will "cure" it which they will
"guarantee" will keep you safe. Remember all the hype at the
millennium?
Lastly, politicians and activists will capitalize on the
situation as well, leveraging fear and hatred to attack
opponents, polarize groups, and agitate to influence people to
support or vote for them. We need only consider the recent
flooding in New Orleans to get a look at this.
As if the flu weren't enough to worry about.
How does this work? I heard not long ago, via blog, friends, and
TV, that flu vaccine would be in short supply, in one case that
the government was stockpiling it, and in another case that
"they" were hoarding it so only "[one group] could have it or so
that [another group] couldn't have it.
Imagine my surprise when I wandered into a neighborhood clinic
on Christmas Eve (with a sick relative) and saw a huge sign on
the door: FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE HERE - $25.
Not only was it "in supply," so much so they were advertising,
but it was affordable to most pocket books
This flu thing is an excellent example of how Emotional
Intelligence can benefit you: it's a good time to THINK about a
very EMOTIONAL issue. People who want to sell us something, get
elected, or get us to support a cause will prey on our emotions
any way they can. It's Marketing 101 that you can get someone to
buy something by scaring them about what will happen if they
don't buy it, and/or making it scarce. It's "hype" - - from
"hyperbole," an extravagant exaggeration. We can also get
carried away by our own fears, when what is needed is
information - - facts, not rumors.
To deal with "the flu" intelligently you need to unemotionally
gather information from reliable sources, and then analyze it.
Someone's blog, what your neighbor says, or information garnered
from someone who has something to gain are not necessarily
reliable. Panicking never helps anything, except people who use
your panic against you.
Here's some information for you to consider, but don't take my
word for it, do your own research. Talk to your doctor. Check
out resources. Verify. THINK.
THIS IS NOT LIKE THE BLACK DEATH OR THE PLAGUE
"The Plague" or "Black Death" that swept Europe in the 1300s was
bacterial, carried by rodents, and spread to humans via infected
fleas. In 5 years it killed 25 million people, 1/3rd of the
people in Europe. Why? The conditions of the times made it
unstoppable - - poor nutrition, poor sanitation, ignorance,
superstition, and rudimentary medicine. The germ theory had not
yet been conceptualized and cause-and-effect were not
understood, i.e., the Plague would subside in the winter and
return again in the spring, but nobody knew why. The reason was
that fleas are dormant in the winter.
All 3 types of plague - Bubonic, which effects the lymph glands;
Septicemia, which effects the blood; and pneumonic, which
infects the lungs - can be treated with antibiotics if caught in
time and supplies are ample.
The flu ("influenza") is viral. There is no known cure for a
virus, Vaccinations help because they raise our immunity, but we
can only fight it off with our immune system. Therefore,
whatever bolsters your immune system can help you fight off a
virus, or recover from one. Consider a product such as Arbonne's
Defense Builder ( http://susandunn.myarbonne.com ). Look for
products with pure safe ingredients that have the scientific
research backing their claims. See resources for evaluation
below.
Flu pandemics are rare, but recurring. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), there have been 3 in the previous
century: "Spanish influenza" in 1918, "Asian influenza" in 1957,
and "Hong Kong influenza" in 1968. The 1918 pandemic was by far
the worst, killing 40-50 million people worldwide.
Previous pandemics circled the globe in 6-9 months, when global
travel was by ship. Today, with air travel, this could probably
happen in less than 3 months.
As to pandemic preparedness planning, WHO currently classifies
H5N1 as phase 3, i.e., "a virus new to humans is causing
infections, but does not spread easily from one person to
another." If H5N1 evolves to a form as contagious as normal
influenza, a pandemic could begin.
Influenzas are transmitted the same way as the common cold, a
virus - - by coughing, sneezing (airborne droplets), or by
contact with an infected person's saliva.
Therefore take ordinary precautions.
1. Get your immune system up-to-speed. Eat right, exercise, get
enough sleep, manage stress, and use a nutraceutical that
nutritionally supports your immune system
(http://susandunn.myarbonne.com) . 2. If you get sick, take care
of yourself. See a doctor, take the medication prescribed until
the dose is complete, rest, and stay home so you don't infect
others. 3. Practice common cleanliness, washing your hands after
you use the restroom, not drinking from a public water fountain,
avoiding people who are sneezing, coughing, or obviously
infected, and checking the sanitation in public restrooms and
restaurants. (Is there a sneeze shield at the salad bar? Is the
server wearing plastic gloves and a hairnet?) One item I noticed
on a recent cruise was a packet of papers attached by the door
to the restroom so you could use one to open the door handle,
assuming that not everyone washes their hands. Good idea whose
time has come! 4. Educate those around you. For example, a study
that came out last year revealed that the telephone in an
average office has more germs per square inch than the office
toilet. Use an antiseptic cleaner, starting with your own desk,
telephone and keyboard. 5. Practice good emotional intelligence,
good EQ hygiene, as it were. Our emotions effect our immune
system. Programs such as The EQ Alive! Program can teach you
about this. Don't panic, use your head. Don't pass on rumors.
Verify what you hear with reliable, educated sources like your
personal physician. See a doctor if you're ill.
In other words use your head!
Resources:
10 Things You Need to Know about Pandemic Influenza from WHO:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic10things/en/inde
x.html
National Academy of Science Information on functions and
potential benefits of vitamins and minerals, as well as upper
safe limits for nutrients:
http://www.iom.edu/iom/iomhome.nsf/Pages/FNB+Reports.
FDA, Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed
Decisions And Evaluating Information. How to evaluate medical
and nutritional information and resources on the web.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-savvy.html#basic
MedWatch, FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting
Program. www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety.htm