I’ve been following the influenza outbreak of 2018 and I’m almost to the point of paranoia as far as safety measures are concerned. I invite the readers to study up on influenza strain H3N2 and decide for yourself just how high your risk is.

my personal “wellness kit” for humans

I’ve spent the weekend watching documentaries of the 1918 influenza outbreak that killed at least 50 million worldwide and infected 500 million. Some sources estimate as many as 100 million may have died since many didn’t have time or money to seek treatment. The influenza outbreak of 1918 hit hard and it hit fast. Part of the reason it spread was WWI. Whether it was troops being dispatched or rallies held in support of the troops, the current state of the United States is eerily similar. People gathering to support political issues in the U.S., and the 2018 Winter Olympics set for February.

What makes this especially deadly is the new announcement that you can get the “Aussie flu” by simply breathing the same air as an infected person. The H3N2 virus is mutating (viruses LOVE to do that), leaving the flu vaccine between 10 percent to 33 percent effective. Doctors stress the vaccine should be taken regardless. Having lost my father only four days after he took the Swine flu vaccine in 1976 and my mother four days after she was given the regular vaccine in 2001, I plan to use herbs rather than the vaccine.

So what does the flu season have to do with pets? Think of how many adoption events are held each weekend. Of how many families attend the events and pet the available dogs and cats. I’ve been reading up on dog influenza and that cats can become exposed by anyone who cares for the cat in a shelter or home setting, which makes me even more paranoid.

Anyone who pets a cat or dog who is infected but hasn’t shown symptoms can leave remnants of the virus behind for the next person who pets the animal. Be extra careful to wash your hands when dealing with your pets. I won’t go into any percentages of how likely you are to get sick from touching a cat or dog. I would be very careful when visiting a shelter or even a veterinary clinic since being out in public for any reason for the foreseeable future may put you at risk.

Thoughts, anyone? How are you protecting your family during the 2018 flu season? Whether or not you have pets at home, everyone is invited to comment. Especially on what products are safe to use around pets and which are potentially fatal.

Are any of you afraid or is this just another flu season for you?