I survived the H1N1 Virus

Ha-chooo!…gesundheit! This feels like a cold. Just before international news broke, around late March 2009 the weather was hot and I wasn’t feeling well. At the time, I just chocked it up to the cumulative effects of heat and work exhaustion and just tried to take care of myself. After a few days I realized I wasn’t improving. I had all the symptoms that we now know as the Swine Flu. Yep, I had a slight fever, cough, runny nose, my throat was dry…I mean really dry like cracked, parched earth. My head and body ached and I was thoroughly exhausted. A good friend dropped by to say hello and said I didn’t look so good, and then promptly suggested I visit a Doctor. I agreed.

To me this was a perfect opportunity to experience medical care first-hand in Mexico. Sooner or later I seem to ‘get to’ experience the medical system in the host country I’m in. Currently in the ranks are the USA since that is where I am from, then France, Italy, Greece, the Philippians, and now Mexico. I must say, at least in Merida I’m very impressed with my experience in ‘Mexico’. Like a well used slogan from a popular eyeglasses company, I was ‘done in a little more than an hour’. From the time I left my front door to the time I got back home, that’s what it took. In Merida there is a newly constructed, state-of-the-art hospital named Star Medica about a 15 minute drive from Casa La Barenda. In my short but pleasant experience there, I found hospital staff to be competent, efficient, and professional with a good bedside manor. Within minutes of my arrival, I was signed in, assigned a room and had my vitals checked. The Doctor came in, thoroughly evaluated me, ran a test and prescribed treatment. I was released and directed to the pharmicia to pick up my meds just steps away outside the hospital, and then home I went. The cost of all this you might ask? About $38.00usd. But that’s another story.

The point I would like to make is that the Swine Flu, in spite of the international news media hype is no more harmful than a low-grade flu. Of course as with any flu, the risks are greatest to the young, elderly and pregnant.

Looking back on it all, Mexico and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) should be hailed for being proactive in carrying out their very effective disease prevention program instead of punished as they have been—at least economically that is. Tourism, as you likely know—is a large component of the Mexican economy and has been affected dramatically as result of overzealous US and world news media coverage.

Interestingly enough…savvy investor’s world-wide seem to be using the Swine Flu “pandemic” as the “blood in the streets” opportunity they’re looking for to invest.

*Also read :“Blood in the Streets” Investment Opportunity in Mexico”?

Read more on Medical Tourism here: http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/medical-tourism-star-medica-prepared