Lily’s New Strange World Today

I read on Perez Hilton’s site that production on the television series “Bones” has been halted because co-producer and star David Boreanaz has been sidelined by the flu. People were afraid that it was the swine flu, but it has proven to be the regular variety. I like David and hope he feels better soon. However I wanted to point out that the swine flu is actually proving to be far less deadly than people feared. Approximately 350 people have died and 5000 have been hospitalized from it during the past six months in the U.S. This is nothing to sneeze at, so to speak. But approximately 30,000 die from the regular flu and approximately 250,000 are hospitalized in the U.S. EVERY YEAR! As well, the swine flu does not seem to be mutating, while the common flu that we all love and know so well mutates several times as it makes its rounds each year.

Those most vulnerable to serious complications from the flu are the very young, very old, and persons whose immune systems are compromised, or those who have chronic lung problems. If folks are in good health and get an antiviral at the first sign of any type of flu, they will probably recover with no undue complications.
You’ve heard it before, but signs of the flu include high fever (over 101 degrees Fahrenheit,) weakness, cough, respiratory distress, and muscle aches. One might also experience nausea and vomiting and, in the case of the swine flu, diarrhea.

If you experience these symptoms, go to your doctor or urgent care clinic immediately and ask for antiviral medication. These medications have proven to be very effective and do not tend to have serious side effects in most people. But they need to be prescribed as quickly as possible, because by the time you feel the symptoms of the disease, it has already been in your body for several days, multiplying.

To be honest, I don’t usually get the flu shot, and the last time I had the flu was in 2004. But I probably will this year because I’m under so much additional stress that I’m already trying to fight off a nasty cold as it is. I’ve probably got little microscopic signs surrounding my nose and mouth that say “Viruses! Come on in and join the party!”

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