Organizations and the flu

According to flu.gov,
H1N1 flu (also referred to as "pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus" or “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something (such as a surface or object) with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose (extracted Nov, 10, 2009).
It has been interesting to see how organizations have gotten involved in the prevention of the H1N1 breakout. Many employers have been sending out emails about how to take care of your self if you get the flu and are planning on providing resources for their employees to get the vaccine. Some schools are even mandating the vaccine.
I’ve always thought immunization debates are interesting especially since a large group of Americans still feel as if health care should be private, and the government should not intervene in individuals' medical decisons, but what about when it interferes with other people’s health? Should organizations step up and enforce what the powers at be deem to be the most healthy? According to Hardcastle and Powers, “The whole point of establishing an organization such as a social work agency or a private business is to do what an individual or a group of people cannot do as efficiently and effectively” (p 249). Thus, for those who are in support of the swine flu vaccine, having the schools vaccinate the children is good news. For those who decide not to get their child vaccinated, they face the risk of getting harassed, shamed, and having their child die of H1N1. It is a difficult decision for a parent to make, especially when there is so much fear mongering out there on both sides of this argument. On the organizational side of things, organizations face the risk of their employees getting infected and not being able to do their job. However, Hardcastle and Powers state, “For any given organization, not only its task environment but also the structure and dynamics of the larger environment surrounding the task environment may affect organizational functioning.” Therefore, if people get sick it will not only affect that individual, their family, and their job, but also other organizations they are indirectly apart of.



The following are suggestions as to what to do to avoid getting H1N1:
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.