Guest guest Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 " HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch Panic! Don't Panic! Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:39:27 -0400 Panic! Don't Panic! Health Sciences Institute e-Alert October 26, 2004 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, " Relax! " That was the official advice last week from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson (no relation, of course). Thompson was addressing seniors in response to reports that many elderly people have been standing in long lines to wait for flu shots that are not always available. Thompson told The Associated Press that supplies of the vaccine are still being distributed, so there's no need for seniors to " get sick while they're waiting in line. " I think I know what kind of sickness seniors get when they wait for hours in long lines: They get sick and tired of being manipulated by government agencies that scare them into thinking they'll die without a flu shot, and then tell them to relax when vaccines aren't available. --------------------------- Mixing signals --------------------------- I noticed that when Thompson urged seniors to be patient last week, he didn't mention any fears about an influenza pandemic that could wipe out millions. Probably because there wouldn't be anything relaxing about that! Every year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) launches an urgent campaign designed to send as many people as possible running to the doctor for a flu shot. And that campaign was in full swing until the CDC was blindsided earlier this month with the news that nearly half of the expected U.S. vaccine supply would not be available. In the e-Alert " Fear Factor " (9/8/04), I told you how the National Immunization Program (NIP) planned to feed vaguely scary flu information to the public to motivate people to get vaccinated. For instance, in late August, The Associated Press ran a story (based on NIP info) speculating that the U.S. might have to close schools, restrict travel and ration scarce medications in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. Dr. Julie Gerberding – the head of the CDC – gave the report a dire touch with this quote: " We're all holding our breath. " Ah, but that was then and this is now. And now that we're faced with serious vaccine shortages, you don't hear Dr. Gerberding or Secretary Thompson speculating about a pandemic. No way. Now the message has changed to this: " Relax! " --------------------------- Tweaking the numbers --------------------------- Seniors, of course, are one of the core target groups for the flu vaccine program. So every year we're told how older people are particularly vulnerable to the flu. We're told that government officials are holding their breath over their fear of a devastating flu pandemic. We're told that about 36,000 people die of flu related complications each year, and most of those deaths are elderly people. Want to know how many people died of the flu last year? Less than 175 (according to Sherri J. Tenpenny, D.O.; an internationally known leader in vaccine research). And yet, nearly every report about the flu that you read or see on TV casually tosses out the prediction that many thousands of people are expected to die. So it's no wonder that seniors are lining up around the block. They've heard the reports from previous years. Relax? I don't think so. They're not there just to get a vaccine – they're in line because they've been led to believe it's the only way to save their lives. And you've got to imagine that when Secretary Thompson says, " there is a good possibility you will get a vaccine, " they don't feel very reassured. Thompson also offered this advice: If your doctor or a clinic can't provide a vaccine, then contact the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Right. I guess the idea there is that you can't catch the flu if you're sitting at home for hours, trying to work your way through the maze of the CDC automated phone system. Of course, the one real solution that Thompson can't endorse is the Canadian Road Trip. If you're willing to take a drive across our northern border, Canadian clinics have plenty of vaccines available – no waiting. Canada: America's favorite drug store! --------------------------- But if you don't live near Canada... --------------------------- The good news: So far there are no reported shortages of chicken soup. And vitamin C is apparently still in good supply. And no reports yet of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) flying off the shelves. In several e-Alerts I've told you about NAC – an amino acid that naturally stimulates the body to produce glutathione, a powerful antioxidant enzyme. Studies have shown that patients with ailments associated with a breakdown in the immune system are often deficient in their levels of glutathione. NAC has been used for many years to treat chronic respiratory ailments. Just a few years ago, an Italian study found that NAC supplements significantly increased immunity to flu infection. Over a six-month trial, only 29 percent of those taking NAC developed flu symptoms, versus 51 percent of those taking a placebo. About three-quarters of the 262 subjects were over the age of 65. A daily NAC dose of 300 mg is probably both effective and safe for most people. But as always, be sure to talk to your doctor or health care professional before adding a supplement such as NAC to your regimen. ************************************************************** ....and another thing While it may not be the most effective treatment for the flu, Tommy Thompson's advice to " relax " is not bad health advice – especially for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Earlier this month, at the annual meeting of the American Neurological Association, researchers from the University of Minnesota presented the results of a study that examined fatigue in MS patients. Nearly 170 subjects with MS participated in a six-week energy conservation course. For two hours each week, occupational therapists coached small groups of subjects in energy-saving tactics that addressed habits at work, chores around the house, and even leisure activities. During the coaching period, subjects generally reported significant improvement in overcoming fatigue. Follow up interviews showed that fatigue management skills continued to improve after the coaching period. Dr. Virgil Mathiowetz – the lead researcher – told Reuters Health that these positive results were similar to two previous studies. But Dr. Mathiowetz stressed that because the changes made are behavior modifications, it takes time to effectively apply them. But the reward is a marked improvement in quality of life. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/hsi/freecopya Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** Sources: " Seniors Urged to Relax Over Flu Vaccine " The Associated Press, 10/18/04, abcnews.go.com " Health Secretary: No Flu Vaccine Crisis " CNN, 10/18/04, cnn.com " Teaching MS Patients to Save Energy Curbs Fatigue " Megan Rauscher, Reuters Health, 10/6/04, reutershealth.com Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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