The swine flu drug 'Tamiflu' is formulated using the ancient anti-viral herb 'Star Anise' - it has been used for centuries by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, but now that it has been modified slightly and had some additives blended with it, it can be patented by pharmacuetical companies to make a very large profit.
Don't buy into the hype - just start adding a touch of star anise to your cooking - you can buy it at the supermarket! Taking a probiotic ('friendly bacteria') supplement and eating optimum nutrition are always great ways to strengthen your defences naturally. Probiotics are available for infants too in powder form (from the fridge at health food stores & selected pharmacies)- you can just add a half a teaspoon to expressed breastmilk or formula.
Swine flu (due to media hype) has been made out to be much worse than it is (I'm not saying it's not bad, it is but for people with other serious health concerns - but so is any other flu). I work in health care and they are actually recommending that healthy adults be exposed to it so that when the second strain hits, we have all built up immunity.
I hate how the media does that and doesn't give the actual facts.
yeah thats what i had been thinking too sue, but now there are heaps of ppl dying from it, i think the figure is in the 30's. i'm not so worried about myself getting it (though it would be crappy) i worry about my young girls.
if it gives you peace of mind then wear one. The 19 year old woman who's baby died because of swine flu was a Palm Islander. Aboriginal people are more prone to respiratory illnesses causing problems (hence ATSI having free TB vaccinations). Do be careful and make sure you do what gives you the peace of mind you need. You don't need to be stressing more than necessary
I am on immunosuppressant drugs and also pregnant...do what I do...send hubby with a list!!!
he has been doing all the grocery shopping the past few weeks as I have to be so careful not to be around crowds till I get off these damn drugs...i just do a big list and he goes one night a week after work.
The number of people who have died from swine flu is minimal compared to the amount of people who die from regular flu strains every year. You are most vulnerable from any type of flu strain if your immune system is already compromised - ie with HIV, Cancer etc. For most healthy people the swine flu just needs to run its course.
The media are simply hyping it up to make a story and the scaremongering will continue until the vaccination is officially released so big pharma can make a big buck. After then it will disappear from headlines no doubt....
My DS has had swine flu and as you can see from my ticker I"m UTD. I was covered in his snot and spew for over a week and co-slept with him for that entire time. I've been tested and I'm clear. The thing I'm saying is that if you are out at the shops I'd just be exercising general precautions. Wash your hands after touching things in public places, avoid close contact with people who are sneezing/coughing and if you feel sick at all, seek medical attention rather than trying to ride it out.
The normal seasonal Influenza A can be just as serious and it's been around forever.
I agree that this seems to be a bit of a media hype.
ETA: I was offerred Tamiflu but declined. The Doctor told me there have been no long term studies on it's effect during pregnancy so I just left my immune system do the work. Saying that, if I was diagnosed with Swine, I think I'd be taking it.
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