Swine Flu

I asked my doctor this question yesterday when I was there anyway for my shot. She told me that at present, the cases identified in North America have been mild and the normal precautions you take to avoid infection with contagious diseases should suffice. However, she also mentioned that the picture will develop more clearly over the next few weeks and recommendations may change depending on what happens.

Personally, I am staying informed about the developments in swine flu, but I try to avoid the 24-hour a day news stations, as they tend to follow the theory of "let's whip the public into a frenzy of paranoia" (keeps the eyeballs tuned into that particular station). As well, I choose media known for its objectivity and low sensationalism to get a clearer picture (in other words, avoid Fox News). I have just read the most recent article posted on the website of my local paper (the Toronto Star), which says there are 50 identified cases of swine flu in the US - considering that there are about 350 million people in the US, I don't know if I would say that it is "running through the country" quite yet. During times like this, it is essential to remain calm and develop a healthy sense of perspective through reading relatively objective sources (as most news media these days aren't exactly known for being calm and having perspective).

If things get worse, consult your rheumatologist for guidance.