What Can We Do To Really Stop Swine Flu?

Singapore
November 23, 2009 10:52am CST
It is just sad to read how 2 children have lost their lives in both separate countries and frustrated that this pandemic is still spreading at alarming rate with no foreseeable stop in sight. So, should we advocate the vaccine? Is there still no grounds and validity to consider the vaccine? Should we still want to leave it to chance and fate? Ref: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112002734.html?sid%3DST2009112002845&sub=AR This 2 heartbreaking news is just not the kind of news that you would want to start the day and week. Is our indifference till today be a bane here? Ref: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8371539.stm
4 people like this
6 responses
@bucketkid (237)
• Australia
24 Nov 09
quaratine, safe health measures and vaccination are the way to stem the disease. to control it developed countries may need to help developing nations as this is a global issue. in my country, you dont even hear of cases anymore although there are still some about. here in australia, the government has provided free vaccines for anyone who wants one.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
24 Nov 09
bucketkid, I believe your country's strict health and quarantine rules have indeed paid dividends here. Like you, I am all for safe health measures and that there should be a strictness in the enforcement of it too. I felt that the spread and further mutation of the strain is really caused by our indifference and the lack of attention where it matters most. Take a look at some of the frivolous perceptions here and it will speak volumes how things can get worse here. Take care and have a nice day.
• Australia
24 Nov 09
you're right tthough, it is the mutation of the strain that is the big issue. i mean, we know that the disease isnt that dangerous as such. it only really harms people that are at risk eg aged, young, diseased. but the mutation is the issue as it spreads so rapidly and each time it moves to a new host, their is the potential for a genetic change. a change which in the end may be more deadly or resistant to our modern medicine.
1 person likes this
@samawati (140)
24 Nov 09
All we can do to stop it is adapt our immune systems to it. A flu virus mutates quite rapidly and forms strains which can evade any cure if any that has been developed for a previous strain ... luckily our immune system is not as stupid as modern medicine and can detect this change and also adapt to fighting this new strain provided you were also immune to the first one. Human evolution also plays a great deal in respect to immunity to viral infections , perhaps swine flu will be unheard of in a few hundred years to come or be as common as "the common cold" .... this all depends on whether the world ends in December 21st 2012 or not ..lol
• Singapore
25 Nov 09
samawati, I see that you are another 2012 fan here. But, I do not think that there is much we can do to adapt as this pandemic is mutating with each hosting. I am for sound and safe health measures like avoiding or immunize at all cost. I hate to see this turn into a full blown uncontrollable epidemic. The fact that the majority is treating this ever so casually is just unthinkable and who knows the end may even be brought on earlier than 2012...2010? It is not impossible, you know? What goes round, does comes around (eventually). I just hope we don't have to experience it.
@youless (112561)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Nov 09
I am concerned about the H1N1 news because it seems it is becoming much more serious. But I don't consider to have the vaccine yet. As H1N1 virus has changed slightly. I don't think the vaccine can protect me completely. I have heard that the garlic and vinegar is helpful in this case. But I am not quite sure, it may be a rumor. But no matter what, a good rest and plenty of water will be helpful for us. I love China
1 person likes this
• Singapore
24 Nov 09
youless, Like you I am very concern at how this pandemic is playing out and it is just sad that the majority is taking and treating this as some normal flu. I do not think that this is the right time to second guess if we are stricken with the swine flu once we have some flu symptoms. However, I do feel that we all should be examined by the health experts and let them determine if we do or do not have the swine flu. As timing and early discovery is essential for the recovery, I just do not advise treating flu symptoms lightly without first having a cross examination from a medical doctor. As for the garlic and vinegar, I just would not place a full bet on them as they have not been backed by any known medical studies or have enough studies to prove their sound use here. I really hope that the situation will get better and the spread be contained soon. Take care.
@mylosha (286)
• India
24 Nov 09
before considering vaccine it is important to keep our self hygenic prevention is better than cure and there are so many self help group which spreading alarming newses about the this pandemic diseas. Important thing is should know the symptoms and general view of the disease, is common to all people if feel fever and sour throut and continous head ach immediatly meet the doctor and get his prescription so nothing we get out of us.
• Singapore
24 Nov 09
mylosha, IMO, I feel that it is better that we be prudent and not leave everything to the last minute where even the strongest anti biotic will be useless for the situation. All these deaths were really unnecessary had the parents been more alert and not leave things to chance. It is evident from most of these deaths that the virus could overcome our body's immunity system and kill. So, I feel that all flu symptoms should never be looked upon or treated lightly.
@rjvb26 (2518)
• Philippines
24 Nov 09
O that was really alarming, and condolences to the family who lost the children. Anyway, swine flu vaccines are made for swine flu. It is the purpose of the vaccine in this planet that is why it has been discovered. I think it is our responsibility as people to take care of ourselves, others and the planet. At first, why is there a swine flu? Why is this flu just came out? What is the reason and what is it's origin? It all happens because of the global warming, in global warming, everything are affected. Animals, nature, people and even tiny organisms. Who do you think are responsible for this global warming? We people of course, because of our abuse. So i think, it is better for us to think of a way on how to stop this global warming thing. Second, this is our body, it is our responsibility to keep it safe and healthy at all times so we can help other people, so for me, it is better to have a shot of the vaccine. People should nut just leave everything to luck and prayers. Just like the poor man said, God can help us with our wishes and needs, but as a human we need to work for it. We cannot gain something if we will not exert effort on to it, God are here to guide us not to spoon feed us, and he gave us intelligence and freewill to do the right things right.
• Singapore
25 Nov 09
rjvb26, The least we "abusers" can do now, will be to remedy the current situation by not exploiting the nature further and adopt safe healthy and quarantine measures. I feel that continuing our ignorant and blissful ways will be a bane for all of us and we really have a need to evolve here. Let's hope that these incidents will open eyes and minds as well.
@madie8008 (209)
• Malaysia
24 Nov 09
I heard that there are vaccines to prevent swine flu fro infecting us, at least to the teenagers. I hope it went well. Swine flu is very dangerous to people who have other kind of illness such as heart diseases, asthma etc. For the people who do not have other issue, they should be quarantine and listen to doctor's advice. About a week, they should be okay.
• Singapore
24 Nov 09
madie8008, Just to add a point to clarify your response. As you can see from these 2 articles, the pandemic is also dangerous to people who are healthy and does not have any preexisting health conditions. It just could infect and overcome a person's immune system to an extent of irrecoverable. So, I just feel that we should not be treating this condition as lightly to that of a normal seasonal flu anymore. I really hope that these incidents will open eyes today and not carry on with our indifferent ways. Take care and have a nice day.