ANDREW WEIL: No. Just don't handle dead birds.

Dr. Weil, So many of my friends and family aren't thinking about preparing for avian flu which has me very worried. They think because I have put aside two months of food and water that I am over reacting. What do you think about being prepared for this in the event that it may happen?
Jean Skolnik
Doylestown, PA

ANDREW WEIL: It's not a bad idea to do that in any case as preparation for disasters of all kinds.

Dear Dr. Weil, Do you think stockpiling tamiflu by governments, private corporations, and individual families is an appropriate action to take at this time?
Sheri
Vashon, WA

ANDREW WEIL: I don't know. There are indications that the bird flu virus is already developing resistance to tamiflu. But it's the best drug we've got for now.

I will like to know if the H5N1 strain of the avian flu can infect Black people judging from the fact that there can be racial and genetic factors contributing to some viral infections. Also can avian flu getting into Africa? Thanks.
Agboola Kehinde 'L
London, UK

ANDREW WEIL: There is no reason to think that black people are any more or less susceptible to avian flu infection than others or that the virus will not penetrate Africa.

Dr. Weil, thank you for this reasurring article. I cannot help but think that with today's technology, we surely will not lose millions of people as in the 1918 flu epidemic. My question is Doctor, if a deadly flu does become transferable between people, will stocking up your house with food, and staying home for about 3 weeks, with no outside contact, be enough to avoid becoming infected with the flu? I have read it would take about 6 to 12 months for governments to produce the appropriate vaccine for the particular strain of flu that is the cause of the pandemic, a rather late response I should think. Thank you.
Lisa Sherif
Melbourne, Australia

ANDREW WEIL: It certainly will help. The only sure way to avoid infection during a flu pandemic is to avoid contact with people who might be infected.

Why do you think that your article will help humanity? The only way that this is going to be controlled or stopped is to increase awareness. Your "overhyped" theory will only kill more people due to complacency! You should know better.
Chris Parkin
Wellington, New Zealand

ANDREW WEIL: I wrote that we should keep an eye on the H5NI avian flu virus. There will be plenty of time to worry if it acquires the ability to pass easily from person to person.

Why haven't there been cases of ordinary pigeons getting avian-flu? They're in the path of infected wild birds, are ubquitous and, like chickens, gather in large numbers. Do they have some sort of natural immunity?
Gil Colgate
New York, NY

ANDREW WEIL: I don't know. That would be a good subject of research.

BACK TO TOP

Previous:
How Do You Keep Your Mind Sharp?