Six in Ten Americans Believe Influenza Outbreak Likely
September 11th, 2009
Approximately six in ten Americans (59 percent) believe it is likely that there will be widespread cases of influenza A (H1N1) this coming fall or winter, according to a recent Harvard survey.
“These results suggest Americans are likely to support public health officials in prioritizing preparations for the possibility of a serious H1N1 outbreak in the fall or winter,” said Robert J. Blendon, Professor of Health Policy and Political Analysis.
Despite a majority believing that a serious outbreak is likely, more than half of Americans (61 percent) are not concerned about their personal risk that they or their family members will get sick from influenza A (H1N1) in the next year.
The recent survey indicates that the World Health Organization (WHO)’s decision to raise the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 did not dramatically impact Americans’ level of concern about their personal risk.
Only 22 percent of Americans knew that the WHO had raised the level, and only 8 percent of Americans said it made them more concerned that they or their family would get influenza A (H1N1) in the next 12 months.
At the time of the survey, 27 percent of Americans reported that there had been cases of influenza A (H1N1) among people in their community, and 18 percent reported that schools in their community had closed due to influenza A (H1N1). The survey included 1,823 participants 18 and over.
Recently public health officials made a decision to introduce the term “H1N1 virus.” More than four in ten (43 percent) of Americans now say that they have heard the term and know it means the same thing as “swine flu.”
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can effectively treat the flu and can aid in prevention of worsening of flu symptoms if treated in its early stages.
For individuals who already have the flu and have not received acupuncture earlier, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can aid in strengthening the immune system.
Acupuncture strengthens the immune system functioning by increasing humoral and cellular immunity. Chinese herbal formulas can aid in combating the viral infection. Insufficient rest, poor diet or high stress can contribute to developing the flu. Acupuncture can improve the immune system’s defenses and repel pathogens.
Regular acupuncture treatments at the changing of the seasons and especially during the flu season can aid in maintaining optimal health.
For information on acupuncture for the treatment of flu call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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