.jpg)
The national emergency declaration:There are reasons why last spring's declared national public-health emergency (declared on Apr 26) was less a panic situation and more of a precautionary one:
- This is standard operating procedure that allows authorities to free up federal, state and local agencies and their resources.
- Procrastination is never a good idea. Pro-active is the watch word. That's just good medical practice. (As in the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.")
- Identifying swine flu is difficult since its symptoms are virtually indistinguishable from regular influenza. The only sure identification is through a laboratory test, which takes time. Better to assume the worst and be sure than wait until it truly does become epidemic.
- Because the virus has popped up in so many locations, a larger outbreak is likely if the virus proves to be highly transmissible --something that has not been demonstrated yet. Again, taking steps to reduce the chances of transmission --addressing the symptoms, seeing a doctor, taking medication, staying out of work or school-- is the smartest tactic.
- Human beings have no natural immunity to this virus, though plenty of anti-viral medications can prevent, cut short, or lessen your suffering from the flu, such as "Tamiflu" or "Relenza."
Comments