Reuters reports that cases of H1N1 flu virus – a.k.a. the 'swine' or 'Mexican' flu – have been on the rise, albeit a mild variety of the illness. Despite the mass public concern regarding the potential pandemic this recent influenza outbreak has caused, news of a weakened form of the flu could be good news for humanity. If this is true, then it is possible that those who are afflicted with the virus could form antibodies and an immunity that will protect them from future outbreaks, while also providing scientists with the building blocks for vaccinations and treatments.
Much like the SARS outbreak a few years back, this whole panic could prove to be much ado about nothing. Nonetheless, it is good that action has been taken to corral this virus – as the old adage goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Adam Dubbin, TheSequitur.com's assistant managing editor, is a second year graduate student in audiology at the University of South Florida.
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