Do you think that the news media has blown the Swine Flu out of proportion?

I personally would not take the vaccine unless I was in a high risk group. I don't feel that the CDC has been very forthcoming with their information on the vaccine or the number of cases (remember when they were giving weekly updates? Whatever happened to that). This is not the first time the swine flu has hit us as a people. This happened about forty years ago. There were news reports both then and now on the rare, but very serious neurological side effects that can come from taking the vaccine - you have to understand the risks you are taking before you take them... it is these risks that I think are not well advertised: link

The influenza virus that spread in 1918 is the primary reason for all of the hype and concern: link

I can't tell you precisely how the H1N1 vaccine is developed - I've still been working on my research on both H1N1 and it's vaccine.

However, I can tell you how the standard yearly vaccines are made. I received my information from a documentary on influenza that I watched in anatomy and physiology. Essentially, the vaccines that are made "for the standard flu" are different every year. It is why they tell you to receive one every year. They change it yearly based on predictions of how the flu virus will mutate. Original predictions were based off of the 1918 epidemic, and have evolved from there with the use of the Influenza Genome Sequencing Project. I am not saying that there isn't any science behind how they predict and prepare for the new flu strain; however, getting a flu shot may or may not protect you from the ACTUAL strain that is going around (the predicted strain is not always correct... it is why there are some years people get the flu virus despite receiving the flu shot... that particular flu shot protected against a different strain of the influenza virus). Based on this alone I do not EVER get flu shots. I'll get a pneumonia shot before I get a flu shot. Here is a link to an informative - but slanted - view on the flu virus: link

ALSO IMPORTANT - IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE SEASONAL SHOT OR THE H1N1 TELL YOUR DOCTOR - there is a standard wait period in between these vaccinations. Also, there are very specific questions that the medical team is responsible for asking patients (but don't always) before the patient receives the vaccine. One is "are you allergic to eggs?" since eggs are used in the vaccines development. It is best to tell your doctor of any allergies to medicines/foods before receiving vaccines.

America's government takes everything way out of proportion. Well lemme rephrase that. Our government takes the small issues way out of proportion and doesn't make a big enough issue out of the important things. Yes, I do believe that our government is taking the swine flu way out of proportion. The H1N1 has been around since the 70's, so it is nothing new, we just had a hard time creating immunizations for it. Has it become an epidemic? No, I don't think so. Years ago everyone was causing chaos over the avian influenza. Its just something new for the government to scare us about. Some people have a higher risk than others. But, if you take care of yourself, attempt to avoid sick people, wash your hands, and exercise and do other things to strengthen your immunity then you should be fine. If you do come up with symptoms of the swine flu or any type of flu, just see a doctor.

4 days ago, I would have said yes. However, then I know somebody who knows someone who was diagnosed with Swine Flu and died a week later.

i'm not gonna get one. but my cousin has the swine flu right now so idk, if I'm making a mistake lol.

yes I do

I just think that the government was extremely bored so they decided to scare the public, saying how deadly this flu is. Meanwhile its only really killed people in poor living conditions and who already have health problems...personal thought.

so yes. its been blown out of proportion... More people die of the flu than this.

yes.
the people who've died from it have already had underline health problems to begin with.
others die from influenza and colds all the time
but that's not being blown up on the news

Yeah it's definitely bean blown out of all proportion I have had it it's not that bad.

It still seems to be a major concern for us in Arizona. Were running out of all flut shots. So maybe it is a little out of proportion, but the shortage sure ain't.

If I had a half-assed immune system I probably wouldn't think so. I'm pretty happy that I can afford to look down on the whole thing.

Yes, The government is definitely bored...especially since they want to attack Fox News Channel too. Lets whine and complain...to get everyone's attention.

I think much of the media has just become a tool of the Government and it is pretty clear that their using this "new" strain of flu which isn't at all an epidemic or significantly deadly for that matter as a ploy to get support for their health care bill.