With all the talk these days surrounding the overall effectiveness - and potential side effects - of the H1N1 vaccine, Defending Champions Editorial is siding with Health Canada and suggesting Canadians get themselves vaccinated for swine flu. Our very own Marc Losier contracted the virus last week, and although he survived it and is now back up on his feet, it did keep him in bed for an entire 7 days before he could attend his own gallery opening for his artwork Foucault en valise.
On Wednesday November 11th, Losier woke with a fever, migraine, and body aches. His symptoms would worsen over the course of the week as he developed severe dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea. Because he was not aware that he contracted the virus until the following Saturday, it was too late to administer anti-virals, forcing Losier to fend off the flu at home with healthy doses of chicken soup, Advil, Gravol, and Gatorade.
Though this post falls outside the usual boundaries of a Defending Champions post, the editorial staff here felt compelled to stress the importance of the H1N1 vaccine, not only as a means for staying healthy, but also as way of containing any further spread of the swine flu. It is only November and the real flu season does not begin until after Christmas, at which time it is expected that over 30% percent of Canadians will contract the virus.
While Losier was advised by Telehealth Canada that he contracted a non-threatening case of H1N1, it did knock him out for a whole week, caused him to lose 6 pounds, and pushed the deadline for Defending Champions' surprise incarnation at semester's end. Suddenly, it makes one understand why severe cases of H1N1 have been so perilous, and reinforces the necessity for an effective vaccination protocol and responsible decision making on behalf of the general public. Please, choose wisely.
With files from Marc Losier and editorial staff
Defender Telegraph, page 2, No. 001
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