Natural Way Health Blog

UK Government Warned About Swine Flu

The controversy surrounding swine flu will not go away and just a couple of weeks back the UK Health Protection Agency issued a written warning to the UK Government. This warning is very interesting because it draws on scientific evidence from a vaccination programme from 1976 in the USA.

The letter from the Health Protection Agency, the official body that oversees public health, was leaked to The Daily Mail, leading to demands to know why the information has not been given to the public before the vaccination of millions of people, including children, begins.

It tells the neurologists that they must be alert for an increase in a brain disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), which could be triggered by the vaccine. GBS attacks the lining of the nerves, causing paralysis and inability to breathe, and can be fatal.

The letter refers to the use of a similar swine flu vaccine in the United States in 1976 when:

• More people died from the vaccination than from swine flu
• The vaccine may have increased the risk of contracting GBS by eight times
• The vaccine was withdrawn after just ten weeks when the link with GBS became clear
• The U.S. Government was forced to pay out millions of dollars to those affected

Concerns have already been raised that the new vaccine has not been sufficiently tested and that the effects, especially on children, are unknown.
Sources:
The Daily Mail August 15, 2009

Swine Flu – helpful tips

The sad truth is that on a crowded island any contagious virus will spread more rapidly than in a rural community. That’s why London, Manchester and Birmingham have experienced the highest number of swine flu numbers so far. It will spread further afield but it will take time. For example last winter’s flu started in London and didn’t reach the west of Cornwall in any numbers until April – we must anticipate the same effect with swine flu. So what can you do to avoid catching it? Here are a few simple ideas:

• avoid crowded places – cinemas, trains, busses, big conferences, hotels (outside areas like camping are very much lower risk)
• avoid prolonged contact with anyone you don’t know – you have to be in close proximity to someone who has swine flu to catch it unless the virus is on a hard surface
• avoid touching doors, tables, any hard surface in public places where people may have inadvertently left the virus. Some people are wearing gloves when out – sensible and simple
• WASH YOUR HANDS frequently with warm/hot water and dry thoroughly – don’t use washable towels in public areas – use disposable towels or air dryer. Personal hygiene is vital.
• use natural disinfectants in the home and wash door handles and hard surfaces thoroughly
• think about using natural remedies proven over time:
  • organic Garlic capsules and organic Elderberry
  • Bee Propolis liquid spray
  • serraEzyme Quad Strength

Remember that for most people Swine Flu is relatively mild and short lived and your best defence is a properly functioning and regulated immune system – anti-viral drugs are a last resort and in many cases are of questionable benefit in any case. If you want to find out how to provide the immune system with the best possible chance of fighting off the virus then please call Natural Way Health Complimentary Health Centre or e mail.