Swine flu hysteria is back

Last spring, I told you not to worry about the "pandemic" and compared the science with the hysteria. Now, it's back, and you're probably feeling the pressure from talking heads about the coming pandemic. In fact, people are asking me, "Should I take the vaccine or give it to my kids?"

My answer: No way.

We could see even more disabilities from the vaccine than the flu itself. How do I know? That's what happened the last time we became this hysterical about the swine flu. Check this 33-year-old quote from the then-secretary of health education and welfare (HEW).

There is evidence there will be a major flu epidemic this coming fall. The indication is that we will see a return of the 1918 flu virus that is the most virulent form of the flu. In 1918 a half million Americans died. The projections are that this virus will kill one million Americans.

Sound familiar? Here's the story: In early 1976, one soldier at the army base Fort Dix died on a 50-mile hike in the snow. He had the signs and symptoms of the flu, but went out with his unit anyway. In response to the death and the HEW's "analysis," the U.S. government marshaled an unprecedented effort to vaccinate millions of people against an imagined epidemic (although evidence showed about 150 soldiers were exposed to the virus, there is no evidence it made it off the base).

But of course, there was a catch. The drug companies said they couldn't whip up that much of the vaccine on such short notice and still ensure its safety. So Congress actually indemnified drug companies against lawsuits related to the production of the vaccines.

Voila, problem solved and we started vaccinating 40 million people.

Unfortunately, strange side effects began cropping up. Notably, the disease Guillain-Barré syndrome appeared at an eight times higher rate in those vaccinated. Soon 25 people died from the syndrome. Hundreds more were debilitated, some paralyzed and on breathing machines for life. The program shutdown as people became outraged. Ironically, the 1976-1977 flu season was among the mildest in recorded history - if you don't count the vaccine-related deaths.

Now, here's the scary part: Drug companies today retain that legal protection from vaccine-related lawsuits. That's right, drug companies have every incentive to crank out as much swine flu vaccine as possible, and none to ensure our safety. That's why I won't touch this H1N1 vaccine.

It's the same old philosophy running rampant in D.C. right now. The motivation for these drug companies and their political bedfellows is money. Lots of money for their buddies, but no risks involved in the ventures.

And the current vaccine is dangerous, too. The H1N1 vaccine has two molecules, squalene and gp120, that are irritants to the human immune system by design. No one knows what these do over the long term in humans. Worse, squalene is the same chemical associated with Gulf War Syndrome. Thousands of troops forced to get an anthrax vaccine were killed and maimed by that vaccine. And, this vaccine has the preservative formaldehyde in the mix too. This is the same stuff used to preserve corpses. I'll pass on this one.

Regardless, the two best ways to protect yourself and keep your immune system competent is by walking daily and getting eight hours of sleep every night. If you get exposed to the flu, you might get a sniffle or cough, maybe run a fever. But your body will fight it off, which protects you the next time you're exposed.

Next Time

I hope you enjoyed this month's issue - and I hope you take advantage of some of the ideas I've shared this month in Retirement Millionaire. Whether it's protecting your assets or your health, I'll keep searching for ways to improve your lot in life. That's my promise to you.

By the way, I promised a story about debt in this issue, but I'll give it to you in the next update instead. We felt the story about what to do to protect your wealth was more important than anything else this month. For those wondering about simple, legal ways to improve your credit, I think I've uncovered a few ideas for you. However, if you're looking for magic bullets, I don't have any. The best way to wealth is by saving and investing, not borrowing to consume. We've had a full generation of Americans believing borrowing to consume will make you wealthy. It won't, and it never will.

Also, next Monday, I'm sending loyal readers three sample issues from other publications written here at Stansberry Research. I'm doing this because I think you might want to sample a newsletter or two. In this case, I've picked three financial editors I really like and will be sending one of their best issues from the past six months. This is an easy way to "sample our wares."

Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement.

Dr. David Eifrig Jr., M.D.