Night Hawks Tapes

H1N1 has come onto the scene fast and furious. Though it can be a very scary situation, it doesn’t mean that arming yourself with the right information can’t help. Here we help to dispel the myths and speak to the truths surrounding this virus.

Myths:

1. It kills all the time: Many people fear that contraction of the H1N1 vaccine means automatic death, and this is far from the truth. Rather than fear the worst, know that there is help and it doesn’t kill everyone. We hear the stories in the news about the exceptions and not the masses.

2. It can’t be controlled: Many people fear that this particular virus can’t be contained or controlled at all. This isn’t true because with proper vaccination and the right steps, this like any other flu can be controlled and is being contained.

3. It’s unlike any other flu strain: The reality is that the H1N1 does happen to be quite similar in nature to other strains of the flu. Many people think that it’s so different because it’s new, but it really is like many other strains in its nature and make up.

4. It will go away after this season: Though H1N1 has received a great deal of attention this particular flu season, many people think that it will just go away after this year. This stain is here to stay and measures will be taken to ensure that it doesn’t become a problem in the future.

5. A vaccination can’t help to protect you: Many people avoid the vaccine because they are sure that nothing can protect them. Actually a vaccine is one of the most important steps in avoiding H1N1 and can provide excellent protection in the long run.

Truths:

1. It can be avoided: Though you may hear otherwise in the news, H1N1 can be avoided. If you get the vaccination and take the proper steps to take care of yourself, then you can stay healthy and well. This is a common misconception that needs to be dispelled.

2. You can protect yourself with the right steps: You can not only avoid getting H1N1, but you can protect yourself from it as well. As with any other virus or illness for that matter, leading a healthy lifestyle is an excellent way to stay well.

3. It hits all demographics the same way: The stories we hear about in the news tend to be focused on small children with other health problems or the elderly. Therefore it is safe to say as with any other illness that H1N1 does hit different groups of people in different ways. If you already have a health problem, then you have a better likelihood for getting the virus.

4. It is likely to be added into the overall flu vaccine: As the flu vaccine is put together for next year’s season, the H1N1 virus will likely be included in that. It would have been this year if time permitted, but it can be expected to be a part of the general flu vaccine next year.

5. It is going down in its occurrences: You are hearing less and less about H1N1 in the news because it is occurring less. More people are getting the vaccine and therefore there are less cases of it breaking out. This is good for everybody in the long run.

If you want to stay well, then it pays to be an educated patient. Knowing all the facts and the myths about H1N1 can help to protect us from it ever occurring.

Mary Frederick writes about how to enroll in online CNA courses.