Swine flu and the media

Total Health | May 26th, 2009

Interesting blog post by Kajsa Wilhelmsson on the potentially devastating impact media's making in its reporting of the swine flu pandemicAn outbreak of infection that affects numerous people in different countries.. Includes a link to a video by the always facinating Hans Rolsing at Gapminder who contrasts the way in which the media have swarmed to the swine flu story whilst universally ignoring a genuine global catastrophe in the form of deaths from TBtuberculosis. He ends by warning us all against the dangers of media hype.

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Expert articles

Winter colds, flu, and chest infections - differentiating between the wintry ailments

By Dr Lieske Kuitert, Consultant Respiratory PhysicianContact
Barts and the London NHS Trust, The Lister Hospital

The beginning of each winter sees an increase in the number of respiratory ailments – a spectrum that ranges from the common cold through to severe pneumoniaInflammation of one or both lungs. secondary to viral influenzaA viral infection affecting the respiratory system.. Despite the media attention over the last two winters due to the swine flu pandemics, most respiratory ailments are mild and self- limiting. It is important however to recognise when you should contact your healthcare professional and seek further assessment and treatment. This article summarises the main features that differentiateThe specialisation of cells or tissues for a specific function. between simple respiratory viral infections, chest infections and pneumonia, and more serious forms of influenza including swine flu.

A big flap about a bit of flu

By Professor David Mabey, Professor of Communicable Diseases

Avian influenzaA viral infection affecting the respiratory system. is one of the hottest topics on news editors’ lips at the momentIn physics it is the tendency of a force to twist or rotate another object. The current media frenzy will certainly send people to their doctors, wanting to know the latest inside information and how they can ‘save themselves’ from the bug. Should your patient still eat chicken? Should they receive a flu jab? Should they be stocking up on Tamiflu? Should they cancel their trip to Vietnam?

Recent news

Give flu the cold shoulder: prevent flu through jabs and healthy eating

Published February 10th, 2012 | Last updated February 10th, 2012

There certainly was a chill in the air this morning and the early commute was full of the usual suspects: sleepy, sneezy, coughy… At this time of year, leading medical experts advise us that influenzaA viral infection affecting the respiratory system. does not have to be a fundamental part of the winter season.

Professor Kimberlin of the University of Birmingham, Alabama, USA writes that “Each year, an average of 24,000 people in the United States start the flu season alive and by the end of it have been killed by it…” He believes that this number could be greatly declined by getting an annual flu shot – available at most times of the year.

Tamiflu leaves the UK in the cold

Total Health | January 20th, 2012

Despite promises by the makers of Tamiflu that they would release important data regarding its safety and efficiency this promise has not been fulfilled two years on. As the drug remains the main treatment for influenzaA viral infection affecting the respiratory system. in the UK an investigation in the British Medical Journal has questioned the manufacturer and investigated existing data.

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