FLU HYPE

Has the flu been overly hyped this year? The raw numbers seem to suggest so. In an average year's flu season kills 36,000 Americans and the flu hospitalizes 114,000. In fact the flu normally affects up to 20% of all Americans.

The CDC states: "We are referring to this as an epidemic of the flu like we see every year...we are experiencing here is a typical pattern of influenza with an early onset."

The warnings are as follows: "If a fever goes away and comes back, or if it stays high for more than 4 days, parents should take their children to see a doctor or clinic. Difficulty breathing, a blue tinge to the skin, rapid breathing, unusual lethargy or irritability also are reasons to seek medical care."

So, as Mark Twain said: BE CAREFUL ABOUT READING HEALTH BOOKS. YOU MAY DIE OF A MISPRINT.