Thought H1N1 was long gone? Not yet...at least that is what the WHO (World Health Organization) is afraid of and is taking precautionary measures before athletes, coaches, staff and spectators decend upon Vancouver for the Winter Olympic Games in a little over a month.
An article sent out today on the Universal Sports website (via AP) shares the proactive stance that the U.S. Olympic Team doctors are taking in making sure vaccinations are received.
There is nothing worse than competing while ill. As an athlete, one is extremely limited as to what relief you can give your body, which, let me tell you is not much according to the USADA list of banned substances. The list of items is enough to make anyone's head spin, flu or no flu. If your favorite athlete does come down with something, there is a good chance that they will show up to their event with a half-hearted smile and after sucking it up and doing the best that they possibly can under the circumstances, will have a puke bucket readily handy for when the event is complete. Better yet, I bet the USADA rep will be standing right there with clipboard and bag, ready to escort them to the testing area just to make sure that only the thing in their body is the flu virus.
If you are traveling to the Olympic Games this year, be sure to pack your hand sanitizer and don't be surprised if you see fist bumps as the new handshake amongst athletes.
There's no reason NOT to get the H1N1 vax, unless you have an allergy to eggs, or you have Guillan Barre' syndrome. There's plenty of vax available now, and, contrary to what many people believe, it's very safe. If you have had the regular flu vax in the past, you will do fine with the H1N1 vax. We saw how quickly this virus spreads at the Rochester, NY meet. It's very tough on younger kids, better safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteClose quarters on planes, trains, autos, dorms, spectator stands, eateries, etc...
ReplyDeleteare all good reasons to be prepared!
I have a friend who was sick during one of his competitions - all that training and then he couldn't compete at his level. So tragic! But I love the image of athlete fist bumps.
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