Virologist says virulence of new flu 'around same as normal flu'

Thursday 07th May, 06:20 AM JST

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teleprompter at 12:43 PM JST - 7th May

I don't know why people are talking about Canada. As with SARS the Canadian solution will be to beg the US to do something.
Ultradude at 01:40 PM JST - 7th May

Learn some facts, the annual flu shot does not prevent all types of flu, nor is that the claim by the makers or care givers dispensing it. It is a hedge against the most likely form to hit where you live. I have 2 small kids, so I've been getting it for the past few years, why not spend 3,000 yen or whatever to lessen the likelyhood that you'll get the flu. This year I was never sick but last year I did get the flu, perhaps one less time than I would have. Since I commute on crowded trains daily, in a city that is one of the global centers of commerce, I would bet that I have a high likleyhood of contracting a myriad of flus and colds every winter. Obviously, keeping your immune system up is the best defense but a flu shot certainly can't hurt.
nigelboy at 02:08 PM JST - 7th May

Sorry Smith. you don't have a point. Using your argument, one could argue that it's Japan who has developed more of the "natural" immune system since at this point, no one has been confirmed to be infected.

"Flu vaccines: In 2005, 66.5% of Canadians aged 65 or over were 2 vaccinated for influenza. This is higher than the OECD average of 55.3%. "

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cwpage=media16nov2007_e

Compare to that, roughly 43% for the same criteria for Japanese.

http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/honkawa/1960.html
taiko666 at 02:22 PM JST - 7th May

I agree that the Japanese rely far too much on drugs for mild ailments. Been here over 5 years, commuting on the packed Yamanote, ducking Japanese commuters' flying snot. Never had a flu jab, and I've never had flu here. However, I did once contract a mild cold. I was promptly advised- nay, beseeched by my Japanese colleagues to go to a clinic. "What? For a cold????" Rather embarrassed, I told the doctor that I had a slight chest cold, so could I have an expectorant? Instead, he prescribed me a 2-week course of antibiotics! I binned the prescription, wrapped up warm and was fine within 2 days.
smithinjapan at 05:52 PM JST - 7th May

Ultradude: "Learn some facts, the annual flu shot does not prevent all types of flu, nor is that the claim by the makers or care givers dispensing it."

I am well aware of that fact, my friend. But the fact still remains that regardless of being warned that the type of flu shot people are getting is not the type of flu predicted to hit (depending on the clinic), many people still get it just the same. In the case of children and the elderly, there is slightly more reason for getting it, although again I think a healthy immune system is the best prevention. A healthy adult does not need a flu shot.

"It is a hedge against the most likely form to hit where you live. I have 2 small kids, so I've been getting it for the past few years, why not spend 3,000 yen or whatever to lessen the likelyhood that you'll get the flu."

One reason why not -- when it's not necessary -- is because as said all of the medicine being taken and abused is resulting in super-strains. THIS is not a Japanese-only phenomenon, and I never said it was. The current flu epidemic has been triggered, some say, by poor sanitary conditions for swine and the factory farms where antibiotics are pushed and pushed and pushed on the poor unhealthy animals (then people handling said creatures).
smithinjapan at 06:33 PM JST - 7th May

nigelboy: I'm sorry you're so blinded by patriotic zeal that you fail to miss the facts of the matter.

My point first and foremost is that the WORLD (that's right, Japan is PART of the world, but not the whole thing!) is abusing medicines like antibiotics resulting in super-strains and more virulent/contagious existing strains. In particular, conditions on farms, as I mentioned, are resulting in conditions in which resistant strains can run rampant.

Where I talked about the Japanese, and where others have agreed, is that they take WAY too much medicine for illnesses in which it is unnecessary. Yes, you gave me stats for Canadians over 66 who get flu shots... but how about total populations, and in particular adults (not seniors)? I can tell you that I don't know a SINGLE adult Canadian who goes to the HOSPITAL when they have a runny nose and a bit of a cough.

And yes, the result of so much overmedicating is a lowered immune system. Look again at breathing difficulties and allergies and what not, as well as skin rashes like eczema and things like atopy. I'm more than happy the swine flu has not hit Japan yet, but if/when it does you're going to see it sweep through the country like wildfire.

Stop being so uber-patriotic and getting defensive when people point out facts. It's a FACT that Japan imports the highest amount of tamiflu, etc. That's not bashing the Japanese any more than saying North America has the world's highest obesity rate is bashing North Americans. Relax, and take your cold meds.
LFRAgain at 07:50 PM JST - 7th May

Nigelboy,

Smith is right: You're looking for a fight where there is none. I'm not saying that you did, but it seems you're heading full-steam into building some sort of argument that the Japanese, a people that can do no wrong in your eyes, don't over-medicate. And I can tell you that they do for the mildest of aches, pains, or illnesses.

One peek right now in the medicine cabinet that my wife primarily uses reaffirms this point when I notice the dozens of little white envelopes carrying a gamut of different drugs that she never needed and never used.

Is it only the Japanese that over-medicate? Probably not. Americans are pretty notorious for their over-the-counter drug consumption. But I can say from overservation and personal experience that Japanese doctors do tend to prescribe drugs rather willy-nilly for reasons that I can't begin fathom. And it's not a good practice, any way you look at it.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs194/en/
WMD at 08:00 PM JST - 7th May

Ｆｏｒｇｅｔ　ｍａｓｋｓ　ａｎｄ　ｇａｒｇｌｉｎｇ、ｊｕｓｔ　ｄｒｉｎｋ　ｏｏｄｌｅｓ　ｏｆ　ｇｒｅｅｎ　ｔｅａ．　Ｇｒｅｅｎ　ｔｅａ　ｉｓ　ｅｆｆｅｃｔｉｖｅ　ａｇａｉｎｓｔ　ｍａｎｙ　ｖｉｒｕｓｅｓ．
Disillusioned at 10:25 PM JST - 7th May

a flu shot certainly can't hurt.

It does bloody hurt and it does nothing! - It's such a stupid thing. - "Gee, I didn't get the flu this season, it must be the injection, yet my partner, who had the same injection has had the flu 3 times this season." - It's just a role of the dice!
nigelboy at 08:24 AM JST - 8th May

nigelboy: I'm sorry you're so blinded by patriotic zeal that you fail to miss the facts of the matter.

O' Canada ♪ I'm all ears.

My point first and foremost is that the WORLD (that's right, Japan is PART of the world, but not the whole thing!) is abusing medicines like antibiotics resulting in super-strains and more virulent/contagious existing strains. In particular, conditions on farms, as I mentioned, are resulting in conditions in which resistant strains can run rampant.

Is that after you read my post where 3 hours later you qualified your statement with "THIS is not a Japanese-only phenomenon"??

Let's dispense the BS shall we? All the previous post from you regarding this article as well as those related to are "Japan this, Japan that". In other words, I AIN'T BUYING IT.

Where I talked about the Japanese, and where others have agreed, is that they take WAY too much medicine for illnesses in which it is unnecessary.

Yes. the "others". No stats nor a single concrete evidence to claim such a thing. Typical of JT posters who give their daiy dose of their "personal" encounters/experiences as if this is concrete proof.

Yes, you gave me stats for Canadians over 66 who get flu shots... but how about total populations, and in particular adults (not seniors)? I can tell you that I don't know a SINGLE adult Canadian who goes to the HOSPITAL when they have a runny nose and a bit of a cough.

Seriously smith. Your "you're so blinded by patriotic zeal" is best applied to you. Whatever happened to "My point first and foremost is that the WORLD (that's right, Japan is PART of the world, but not the whole thing!)" that you were preaching? How far you want to drag this?

"Nationally(Canada), rates nearly doubled from 1997 to 2001 increasing from 15% to 27%; stabilizing between 2001 and 2003, the rates increased to 34% in 2005 "

http://www.ices.on.ca/webpage.cfm?siteid=1&orgid=117&morgid=0&gsecid=3086&itemid=4377&utilitylink_id=3086

Conversely, 26.5% for Japan.

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/shingi/2008/06/dl/s0618-9f.pdf

Stop being so uber-patriotic and getting defensive when people point out facts.

You don't point out the "facts". In this case, you take the assumption that Japan imports a lot of tamiflu and then you let your imagination take over to make your outlandish conclusion that Japan over medicates, not knowing at that time the Canadians are way over the top on this.
smithinjapan at 08:31 PM JST - 8th May

nigelboy: "Yes. the "others". No stats nor a single concrete evidence to claim such a thing. Typical of JT posters who give their daiy dose of their "personal" encounters/experiences as if this is concrete proof."

Where are your stats, bud? In fact, can you point me to a SINGLE post in ALL of your JT posts, and I mean since you started posting, that's actually on topic and not simply attacking other posters? Just one?

Anyway, some facts:

"Japan imports about 60 percent of the world's supply of Tamiflu"

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/283501/1/.html

Damn! I was WAY off! I thought it was about 25%!!

"...and then you let your imagination take over to make your outlandish conclusion that Japan over medicates..."

That's a fact, dude, not imagination. Go to the doctor in Japan for a common cold and instead of simply telling you to rest and relax and MAYBE giving you an IV drip while you're there (in worse cases), you'll get a shopping bag full of powders and capsules.

"Seriously smith. Your "you're so blinded by patriotic zeal" is best applied to you."

Not at all. Go ahead and diss Canada all you want; the truth is I couldn't care less. But you come on to posts like this and simply attack people for rightfully criticizing points in Japanese culture/society, or government. It's not only uber-nationalistic, but it smacks of the complete lack of confidence that often produces said feelings of nationalism and the insistence on foolishness and ultimately 'you are simply a Japan-basher!' comments.

But go ahead and comment on all the people that agree with me -- as well as the most recent thread in which people knock Japan for overmedicating.

"Nigelboy, Smith is right: You're looking for a fight where there is none. I'm not saying that you did, but it seems you're heading full-steam into building some sort of argument that the Japanese, a people that can do no wrong in your eyes, don't over-medicate. And I can tell you that they do for the mildest of aches, pains, or illnesses."

LFRAgain can see the truth. Too bad you are too blinded to do the same.

Moderator: Readers, please stop sniping at each other.
smithinjapan at 08:35 PM JST - 8th May

nigelboy: http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/hokkaido-boy-tested-for-new-flu-japanese-boy-in-us-infected

better start telling everyone how wrong they are about Japanese taking too much medicine! haha.
smithinjapan at 09:42 PM JST - 8th May

nigelboy: "Is that after you read my post where 3 hours later you qualified your statement with "THIS is not a Japanese-only phenomenon"??"

Just a couple more points. Dude, I have been saying this for YEARS (since SARS, in fact) in regard to world-wide abuse of antibiotics in particular. I have gone on to point out that overmedicating for things like colds and the flu is ENTIRELY unnecessary. I have no limited this to Japan, but often in posts ON Japan or the spread of flu in Japan, etc., of COURSE I have said, 'Japan this' and 'Japan that'. My first comment, well before yours, states: "...I've said it dozens and dozens of times on this site, and the people above mostly mirror it, and that's that there is no 'medication' that is ideal for dealing with viruses. Being healthy and having a good immune system IS."

Moderator: Readers, we won't ask you again to cut out the sniping. Focus your comments on the story, not at each other.
roomtemperature at 05:07 PM JST - 9th May

Smith, can YOU skip the CAPITALS in all YOUR posts!! It's REALLY getting annoying, you know. We already understand that YOU think YOU know everything better. No need to EMPHASIZE that.
nigelboy at 03:09 AM JST - 12th May

Mods:

I will respond in a civil manner to smith's post.

"Anyway, some facts:

"Japan imports about 60 percent of the world's supply of Tamiflu"

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/283501/1/.html

Damn! I was WAY off! I thought it was about 25%!!"

I've already given the stats indicating the Japan is the lowest among OECD nations in terms of % of population vaccinated/immunized. As for the imports of Tamiflu, I believe many other governments are stockpiling their own countries "reserve" with other drugs like that of Tamiflu "just in case of a mass pandanemic".

Not at all. Go ahead and diss Canada all you want; the truth is I couldn't care less

I don't think I was dissing Canada at all. I'm simply using your logic that if indeed the amount of vaccine/immunization among populations decreases the body's own natural development of immunization, then it explains why there are so many Canadians already infected as opposed to few numbers in Japan since Canadians as a whole, vaccines/immunize more than Japan as the stats indicate.