According the recent numbers released by the CDC, about 47 million people had the swine (H1N1) flu and about 9,820 people died from it.  My math suggests that the chance of dying from this terrible disease stands at about 1 in 4786, or 0.002% chance of dying if you caught the flu.  Keep in mind that they stopped testing for the H1N1 in the summer, so these stats are unreliable guesses, but based on the official numbers I would call this a mild disease.  So much for the panic.  Also …

A 14 year old boy develops Guillain-Barre syndrome after receiving the swine flu shot MSNBC reported.   Jordan McFarland, 14, of Alexandria, Va experienced severe headaches, muscle spasms and leg weakness soon after getting the swine flu vaccine.  His parents reported his condition to MSNBC.  Increased cases of GBS were found in patients who received a 1976 swine flu vaccine, but the CDC and US government is denying any connection to the vaccine.  This is not the first case of a person getting Guillain-Barre from the vaccine, but when the CDC, …

Hoping to keep the flu at bay? A strong immune system helps. Enjoying the bounty of colorful fruits and vegetables available right now can be an important step toward supporting your family’s immune system this cold/flu season.
In addition to vitamins, minerals and fiber, fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, believed to come from the com-pounds that give these foods their vibrant colors. These phytonutrients provide a wide range of health benefits, including supporting a healthy immune system.
A new study, America’s Phytonutrient Report, found eight in 10 Americans are missing out on …

“Does the Vaccine Matter?” 
This is the headline of a recent article from the Atlantic.  The article is well written and has many good points about the controversy surrounding the swine flu vaccine.  I won’t try to summarize the whole thing because I think everyone should read it in its entirety.  However I do want to highlight a point or two here.
The article calls into question the assertions about the effectiveness if the seasonal flu vaccine.  There are estimates of 50 percent mortality reduction based on “cohort studies,” which compare death rates in large groups, …

From http://wcbstv.com/topstories/swine.flu.h1n1.2.1216352.html
Sep 30, 2009 6:09 am US/Eastern
N.Y. Health Care Workers Revolt Over H1N1 Vaccine
Saying They Should Be Given A Choice, Employees Rally In Albany, Around State, Chant “No Forced Shots!”
Protesters Hold Signs That Read: “The State Doesn’t Own My Body’”
They’re upset over an ultimatum from the health department.
Workers are being told to either get the swine flu vaccine or lose their jobs.
New York is the first state in the country to mandate flu vaccinations for its health care workers. The first doses of swine flu vaccine will be available beginning …

Many parents will not force their children to have the swine flu shot.  A study conducted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, in which 1678 parents were surveyed, revealed that only 40% of parents thought they would probably or definitely force their children to have the swine flu vaccine.  Of the parents who fell into the other 60% the following were given as reasons for not having the shot:
 

• 56% Worried about side effects of the H1N1 vaccine
• 46% Not worried about children getting H1N1 …

A recent survey of 1500 British front-line nurses in Nursing Times has shown that 1/3 will not take the swine flu vaccine because they are worried about the possible side-effects, and another 1/3 answered the survey as unsure whether or not they will have the shot.  One nurse was quoted by the magazine as saying “I would not be willing to put myself at risk of unknown long-term effects to facilitate a short-term solution.”  Another of the respondents said “I have yet to be convinced there is a genuine health …