by Peter L. Holleran, DC

   (adapted from a report by Ted Koren)

   MYTH: The flu causes over 36,000 American deaths every year.
   FACT: The flu causes relatively few deaths.

   Flu and pneumonia deaths have long been lumped together giving the impression that thousands die of the flu. However, according to US government statistics:

     * In 2002 the total number of CDC reported flu and pneumonia deaths
     were 65,984.
     * Out of those 65,984 deaths only 753 were from the flu, or 1.1% of
     the total.

     * In 2001 the total number of flu and pneumonia deaths were reported as 62,123.
     * Out of those 62,123 deaths only 267 were from the flu or 0.4% of the total.

   MYTH: If I have flu symptoms I have the flu.
   FACT: Most people with flu-like symptoms do not have the "flu".

     * Most of the people suffering from fever, fatigue, cough and aching muscles may thlnk they have the flu, but
     instead have an "I.L.I.", or "influenza-like illness". I.L.l. are assocated with over a hundred non-flu germs,
     such as rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], adenoviruses, Chlamydia
     pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and many others - but not the flu virus.

     * In one study the CDC found that only 13.4% of people who had flu symptoms actually had the flu. The remaining
     86.6% had an I.L.l. - for which a flu vaccine was useless.

   MYTH: The flu shot protects against the flu.
   FACT: There is no proof that flu shots protect against the flu.

     * Anthony Morris, PhD, former Chief Vaccine Control Officer, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said,

       "There is no evidence that any influenza vaccine is effective in preventing or mitigating any attack of influenza.
        The producers of these vaccines know that they are worthless, but they go on selling them anyway."

      * Even the major medical journal, The Lancet, says that flu vaccines will only prevent 1.5 cases of flu for
     every 100 people who get the vaccine. This is hardly worth the potential dangerous side effects from its
     many toxic ingredients. In one study, a reduction in incidence of the flu from 1.95% to 1.44% was sold
     as a 25% improvement, when in reality it is only 0.5% !

       How crazy is this? Such a form of statistical jugglery is common practice in drug marketing.