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Topic: Facing Flu without Fear
Location: Clementines Basement Lounge
Convened: 11:45 am
Attendees and Affiliations:
Five women, including 2 nurses who work in public health, 1 social worker in a non-profit, and 2 who work in alternative health and wellness.
Notes:
Worry, anxiety, fear and over-reaction are not going to help. Fear is not good for the immune system! In addition to our own concerns, some are also dealing with the fear and anxieties of co-workers and clients. Education is key–can help people make better choices and not over-react.
There is a lot of misinformation or just plain lack of information. The media did not report that H1N1 was actually widespread in VA this summer, but that for most people it is just a mild illness, no worse than the seasonal flu.
The so-called “rapid tests” are only 10-70% effective. There can be a high rate of false negatives. At this point testing for H1N1 is not being done unless there are very unusual symptoms or there is a cluster of illnesses.
A vaccine for H1N1 is currently being tested and expected to be available by early October. There were sharply contrasting opinions about vaccines expressed in the group. On the one hand, several felt it was a good and useful thing and something they will get when available. Two others expressed doubt about the benefits of vaccine vs. the risks, especially when the vaccine contains the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal.
Regardless of whether or not one chooses to get the vaccine, there was a consensus that one can help support the immune system by getting adequate rest, good nutrition, exercise, and taking vitamin C.
Medicinal mushrooms was mentioned to help support the immunse system, and idea that was new to most of the group.
Contacts for More Information:
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/lhd/CentralShenandoah/index.htm
(can also be accessed by typing “www.thehealthdepartment.org“ )
VA Health Dept toll-free hotline (M-F 8:30-4:30):
877-275-8343
