•Swine Flu Vaccine: NOT YET AVAILABLE

People, people!  The long-sought-after-and-deeply-desired swine flu is NOT AVAILABLE YET.   Although the CDC website indicates the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available this fall (and it is fall already!), the recent NY Times article revealed that it’s not yet ready… at least not in New York.  So hold your horses~!  In the mean time, be cautious of your symptoms—cold vs. flu vs. swine flu!

Other Swine Flu related posts:

• Swine Flu Veering Its Ugly Head: 3 updates
• “Swine” Flu Sheds Light on Role of Public Health
• “Swine” Flu Reaching Pandemic Levels: 3 things to watch out for

•Swine Flu Veering Its Ugly Head: 3 updates

Updates on A/H1N1 (Swine Flu):

1. The first NYC swine flu-related death occurred Sunday night. Mitchell Wiener, 55, assistant principal at a New York City public school died in Queens Hospital after 5 days of hospitalization.  “Mr. Wiener had a history of medical problems that may have put him at greater risk, the officials said.”  Although there is a rise of the flu in different parts of New York, Dr. Frieden, NYC’s health commissioner states “‘Nothing we’ve seen so far suggests that it’s more dangerous to someone who gets it than the flu that comes every year. We should not forget that the flu that comes every year kills about 1,000 New Yorkers.’”

2. W.H.O. might raise pandemic alert level to 6 (highest level). The Japanese government has ordered closures of more than 1,000 schools and kindergartens in and near Kobe and Osaka.  Before this weekend, Japan believed it had contained the virus.  “It quarantined them and 50 other passengers, began sending medical workers to meet each flight arriving from North America to take temperatures of those on board and told visitors they would need to have their temperatures recorded daily.”  However, on Sunday, a Kobe 17-year-old who had not been overseas, was confirmed to have the virus.  “If the World Health Organization finds sustained community transmission — that is, infections between people with no connections to travel from North America — it will presumably raise its pandemic alert level to 6, because Japan is outside the W.H.O. Americas region.”

3. For constant updates, go to CDC’s Swine Flu website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Other Swine Flu related posts:

• “Swine” Flu Sheds Light on Role of Public Health
• “Swine” Flu Reaching Pandemic Levels: 3 things to watch out for

•Swine Flu Sheds Light on Role of Public Health

Today, the Economix blog on New York Times published “Swine Flu vs. Financial Panics”, which notes 5 key advantages public health has over economics:

1. The public takes these officials more seriously.
2. Public health officials know how to communicate effectively.
3. They, with the help of doctors, provide us warnings and indications of vulnerability as often as possible.
4. Practice makes perfect.  They practice how to handle situations like this (not just model them out in spreadsheets).
5. The public being worried equals potential gains for the public health sector.

PEOPLE, the last point is the KEY difference between public health and economics!  Of course, the public health officials will want to communicate effectively, warn constantly, and practice even when unnecessary.  They generate profit for industries like big pharma, consumer products, and media every time they open their mouths.  Just think of how much government funding is given to pharma companies to create vaccines, how many times you’ve gone into Duane Reade/CVS/Walgreen’s etc to get abundant supplies of anti-bacterial soap, hand sanitizers, etc, and how often you’ve read or watched the news recently!

However, for economics, it needs stability.  One little peep of a possible recession turns the economy into a wobbling mess.  And, trust me, you don’t want the economists to “practice” doomsday scenarios.  Heck, I don’t even want to think about the possibility of global financial failure (oh wait…).

Plus, the government is an aid to public health but interference for economics.  In public health, the big G actually wants to help and usually steps aside and let the public health officials lead the stage.  In economics, the big G wants to be the centerfold and is sometimes willing to destroy or at least hurt companies in their way.

The take-away?  The health industry is where the $$$ lies.  People will always be willing to pay to maintain their health.

•Swine Flu Reaching Pandemic Levels: 3 things to watch out for

PANIC is NOT the solution!  I’m sure everyone is at the edge of their seats (especially New Yorkers) awaiting more ghastly news regarding the imminent threat of a pandemic caused by the A/H1N1 virus, better known as the “swine” flu.  This afternoon, the W.H.O.’s director general, Margaret Chan, raised the threat level to 5 (out of 6). However, mass hysteria will do nothing.  Instead, protect yourself and be aware.

Here are 3 things to watch out for:

1.  The originator of the virus might not be Mexico. This morning, CNBC reported that one Mexican health official noted that the villages around the “epicenter” are migrant areas.  Many people travel to and from Mexico and San Diego, CA.  There is a chance that one of the first victims was infected in San Diego and spread it in Mexico after returning from a trip.

2. A weaker immune system might actually be good for you! This virus attacks the strongest.  It uses the host’s immune system to attack itself (process known as a Cytokine Storm).  This means that the stronger your immune system, the stronger the attack.

3. “Swine” flu cannot be transmitted via consumption of pork. The spread of infection is due to person-to-person contact.  Thus, practice cleanliness: wash hands frequently, avoid crowded public areas, drink lots of fluids, and get lots of rest.

Final note: Know the difference between allergy, cold, and flu-like symptoms. Unfortunately for us, right now is not only the tail end of flu season but also the beginning of allergy season.  Symptoms for allergies, cold and the flu can overlap.  Note: If you have a fever, it is definitely not allergies.  If you’ve never had the flu, let me tell you, it sucks.  Worse than any cold you’ve ever had.  Symptoms include:  fever, inability to sleep, extreme tiredness, hot and cold flashes, numbing pain all over the body, pain/discomfort when touched.  Go see a doctor if you’re having any of these symptoms!