Is the Swine Flu Scare Nothing But Hype?

Swine flu season is coming and the world is ducking for cover. Media coverage of this phenomenon (also known as the H1N1 Virus) has me shaking at the sight of a pig or a pork chop. People are dying and there is now talk of a potential pandemic of epic proportions. In response to my own panic, as well as that of the rest of America, drug manufacturers are pushing hard to get the latest vaccines on the market. People are going to be afraid regardless, so why not make a profit in the process, right?

But is all the hype necessary or is the media playing with our heads? If you decide to get the swine flu vaccine, are there questions you should ask your doctor first?

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Swine Flu 411

Ruth Gomez holds a photo of her son, Max, 5, in her Nashville, Tenn. home Oct. 8, 2009. The picture was signed by his kindergarten classmates after he died of swine flu Aug. 31. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Swine Flu 411

This Aug. 2009 photo provided by Ruth Gomez shows her son Max Gomez, 5. Max died of swine flu Aug. 31, 2009. (AP Photo)

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TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY IGOR GEDILAGHINE --- Denis Coulombier, who heads the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's preparedness and response unit, participes in a daily meeting on October 9, 2009 in Stockholm. Coulombier warned that a second wave of swine flu, officially known as A(H1N1), infections could be expected within weeks. Swine flu is killing fewer people than seasonal flu but is causing greater alarm due to its impact on children and higher healthcare costs, according to Coulombier. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

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TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY IGOR GEDILAGHINE Denis Coulombier (R), who heads the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control's preparedness and response unit, takes part in a daily meeting on October 9, 2009 in Stockholm. Swine flu is killing fewer people than seasonal flu but is causing greater alarm due to its impact on children and higher healthcare costs, according to Coulombier. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY IGOR GEDILAGHINE Denis Coulombier (L) who heads the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control's preparedness and response unit, takes part in a daily meeting on October 9, 2009 in Stockholm. Swine flu is killing fewer people than seasonal flu but is causing greater alarm due to its impact on children and higher healthcare costs, according to Coulombier. He also warned that a second wave of swine flu infections could be expected within weeks. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

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Brian LaVane, owner of Huntington Stamp and Coin in Huntington, New York, has avoided seasonal flu shots for decades, but now he�s weighing whether to be immunized against H1N1, the swine flu. LaVane poses for a photo in his shop on October 9, 2009. (Daniel Goodrich/Newsday/MCT)

MCT

An employee of Japan's electronics giant Sanyo displays the new air purifier for office use, the Virus Washer, which has a unit with electrolyzed water to disinfect the air of bacteria, viruses and allergens such as pollen in Tokyo on October 13, 2009. Sanyo and the Gunma Prefecture Institute of Public Health and environment research announced that the Virus Washer technology is highly effective for suppressing the H1N1 influenza virus (swine flu). Sanyo will put it on the market on November 1. AFP PHOTO/Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)

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This Aug. 2009 photo provided by Ruth Gomez shows her son Max Gomez, 5. Max died of swine flu Aug. 31, 2009. (AP Photo)

I spoke with my favorite physician, Dr. Elaina George out of Atlanta. In a recent article about the Swine flu, Dr. George says that you shouldn't just automatically assume that the Swine flu vaccine is for you. There may be complications you are not aware of, and you may not be in the right category for use of the vaccine. Here is what Dr. George says that every patient should ask their doctor:

1. Does the Vaccine contain additives such as mercury or squalene?
Dr. George says that these additives are placed in the vaccine to cut down on bacterial contamination. However, mercury has been found to cause autism and squalene is know to cause neurological damage.

2. How can I avoid getting a vaccine that contains Mercury?
By getting your vaccine from a single dose vial, rather than multiple doses containing thiamerisol, you might be a bit safer from the additive.

3. Will getting the vaccine completely protect me from getting the swine flu?
Dr. George states that: "The vaccine comes in two forms -- a nasal form and an injectable form. The nasal form contains live virus that has been altered (attenuated) to be less infectious. The injectable form is made from a killed form of the virus. Because there is an increased risk of actual infection, the live (attenuated) virus should not be given to individuals with compromised immune systems such as pregnant women, HIV patients, those on chemotherapy or children."

4. Is the swine flu more dangerous than the seasonal flu?
Dr. George cites statistics arguing that the H1N1 virus may be far less deadly than the standard flu virus.
The swine flu has had approximately 345,000 cases world-wide with 4,100 deaths. However, there are approximately 40,000 deaths due to the seasonal flu each year in the US. "To date it has been a relatively mild and self-limited infection in both adults ans children," says Dr. George.

5. What are the risks and benefits of taking the vaccine?
Dr. George says that much of the mortality rate from swine flu is largely associated with pneumonia caused by secondary bacterial infections. She goes on to argue that not everyone needs the swine flu vaccine and has been quite vocal in her arguments. She is not saying that everyone is immune from the need for the vaccine, but she is certainly saying that we should not believe the hype. You can hear more from Dr. George in a recent radio interview she did on the swine flu as part of her online podcast, Medicine on Call.

Editor's Note: Please check with your health insurance provider about coverage for swine flu shots.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University. Dr. Elaina George is an Otolaryngologist out of Atlanta, GA. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.