Theo,
So, it is true that if you go to the hospital, you will undoubtedly be exposed to a larger concentration of potent microbes that you wouldn't normally be exposed to, (That's where the people who ARE sick go) but, realize that it's not the hospital's fault all the time.
The hospital IS the fault. It's a basically flawed concept. Sick people are typically infected with all manner of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and who-knows-what-all. What could be more ill-conceived than the notion of putting large numbers of them together in an enclosed space ... so they can infect each other!!! ... not to mention the worst-off depressing the rest of the patients with their moaning and groaning, or just plain grim psychic emanations.
For instance, in 1994, I read in the Chicago Sun-Times that in 1992, the most recent year for which there was complete data, 30-some percent of hospital patients in the state of Illinois contracted infections unrelated to their original disorders. Of that percentage, about 600 died from these infections. (Assuming a somewhat even distribution, that would amount to about 30,000 annually nationwide.)
This article stuck in my mind because, curiously enough, my own Mother died a few months later, in a hospital, of a heart attack brought on by a massive infection, which the doctors couldn't bring under control. (She was in the hospital for cancer treatment and was especially susceptible to infection since her immune system was compromised by the chemotherapy. (Well, you might say she was going to die of cancer anyway, but that may not be a sure bet. A study at the San Francisco area Tumor Registry revealed that a surprising number of "incurable" cancer victims were alive and well after being sent home by their doctors to die, from as far back as 15 years.))
Funny thing, Mom always used to say, "Hospitals will treat you to death." She didn't know how right she was. (And she got this attitude from her own (late) doctor who himself was totally paranoid about hospitals!)
So, um, ... Stay Healthy and GO DNAP!!! |
