According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), during the 1990’s an average of 36,000 people died each year in the United States of influenza and its causes. At the time of this post, only one person here in the U.S. has died from the Swine Flu (H1N1) virus. This makes the common flu virus roughly 36,000 times more effective as a killer.
With firearm deaths on average totaling about 34,000 a year and vehicle related deaths , again on average, about 40,000, the common flu falls in the middle in terms of mortality rates. All of these pale in comparison to the number of cancer deaths , roughly half a million on average yearly here at home.
Those are the facts.
One of the greatest risk factors is fear because panic can do more to fuel a pandemic than pathogens. Ultimately I am concerned the hype is going to be as harmful as the H1N1 virus itself. Here’s why…
The word fear comes to us from an ancient word meaning “ambush” or “sudden attack.” Worrying about contracting the Swine Flu can attack you both mentally and physically. According to WebMD and the medical Doctors and Professionals I spoke with today, fear and worry can depress your body’s immune system to such a degree that you could very well be more susceptible to onslaughts of every type of illness.
Instead of petrifying yourself with worry, further ambushing your own immune system, be proactive.
- Go to the washroom and throw your hands under some hot soapy water.
- Go on a brisk walk daily.
- Go get a tall glass of cool water to stay hydrated.
- Go to the fresh produce section of your local grocery store for fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins.
- Go to bed early to get a restful night’s sleep.
- Go sit and meditate or say a prayer.
- Go to your doctor for regular check ups.
All of these contribute to a boost to your immune system naturally.
In the end, if you are going to worry, then perhaps you should worry about worrying.
For a more detailed discussion of the facts and fears surrounding Swine Flu, please visit BrianBrawdy.com
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