Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Alarmist Alarm! Kids and the Flu
This morning, el WaPo had a frightening story to tell. No, it's not the thousands dead and thousands more injured and homeless in earthquakes and floods. No, it's not the fact that the US health system is entirely unprepared to deal with a looming flu epidemic. It's a study suggesting that kids show flu symptoms earlier than adults do. The title? Your Tots Are Making You Sick.
I won't disagree that getting more kids immunized might be a good idea, and that kids with the flu probably shouldn't go visit granny in the nursing home. The thing is, the study's data only seem to suggest that kids present earlier - the comments on spreading disease seem to be editorial. As usual, the fantastic and sensational takes lead in health reportage.
Not that kids don't make you sick. I feel ill after about 5 minutes with one.
I won't disagree that getting more kids immunized might be a good idea, and that kids with the flu probably shouldn't go visit granny in the nursing home. The thing is, the study's data only seem to suggest that kids present earlier - the comments on spreading disease seem to be editorial. As usual, the fantastic and sensational takes lead in health reportage.
Not that kids don't make you sick. I feel ill after about 5 minutes with one.
