The Threat of Bird Flu, Swine Flu or Other Flu Strains

        As depicted in the TV movie "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America", the bird flu could very well mutate into a form that humans can pass to each other. So far the only humans to catch bird flu have been in contact with sick birds. There have  been a few birds infected with bird flu in North America. But many birds migrate back and forth from here to Asia where bird flu is being found. Swine flu has also been found in Mexico, and several cases have been found in humans in the USA.

        But keep in mind that flu can be a deadly disease, especially in the elderly. People with weak immune systems are much more susceptible to pneumonia when they get the flu virus. Thousands of Americans die every year from regular old human flu. Most people who die from the flu, actually die from pneumonia (caused by pneumococcus germs). This is why we stress that all children and all elderly people get their pneumococcal vaccine. This is the vaccine that REALLY protects you from dying from flu, whether it's swine flu or from any other animal. Getting your annual flu vaccine also protects you from getting the flu virus in the first place. But since new strains of flu pop up every year, many strains are not covered by the flu vaccine.

                The goal is to have bird flu, swine flu or other new strains included in the next flu vaccine that we give each fall (about October).  Children under 9 get two shots (a month apart) if they have never had a flu vaccine before. If you have had any type of flu vaccine in the past, you only need one dose. At 9 years or older, you only need one dose, even if it is your first flu shot.

      Anti-viral meds such as Tamiflu can help shorten the symptoms of influenza, but these medicines may have minimal effect on some strains. Anti-viral medication can only work if you start on the first day or two of symptoms. So you need to call the doctor right away if you have flu symptoms of high fever, cough, runny nose and body aches.