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168348 tn?1379357075

Do you think the Swine Flu Phase 5 Alert is being "media hyped" or it's really "serious"?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the Swine Flu Pandemic Alert to 5

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090429/en/index.html

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Do you think the Swine Flu Phase 5 Alert is being "media hyped" or is it "serious" & being reported properly?
14 Responses
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599170 tn?1300973893
I think its very serious, since the confirmed case in Mi yesterday ,,at college today we have chloros wipes supplied to wipe our desks before and after use and hand sanitiser supplied,,,my kids school has been closed by the CDC
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Avatar universal

I can relate... since I have immune dysfunction, I think I freaked out a little bit more than the average person when I first heard about this new flu virus. This is what some MedHelp members are doing to help boost their immune system (especially for those of us who have a chronic illness):

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Complementary-Medicine/Swine-Flu-discussion/show/934720
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Avatar universal
I just talked to my daughter in Ohio, a kid is being tested from her 6 year olds school right down the street. So far tho they have not closed that school. This thing changes by the minute doesnt it?
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210400 tn?1325380570
They don't change alert levels based on the media they have a scale they use to figure out what to put the level at. I'm sure as soon as more ppl get this and we see more deaths (which will happen) it will be a level 6. Then we will level off.

Not trying to sound negative so I'm sorry if it came off that way.
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184674 tn?1360860493
I thought it was mostly hype until two probable cases were confirmed in my city yesterday evening; two children from an elementary school. By 7 pm last night, it was all over the local news, and by 7:15, all the city schools/daycares and sports activities have been cancelled until Monday. Except the school with the cases; that school is shut down for a week.
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Avatar universal
They are warning that there will be deaths. They said that it is not uncommon for this thing to start mild, disappear, go underground and then re-surface a stronger mutated strain months later.  I think one positive thing in all this is that we are in the end of our yearly flu season.  I wonder if that pneumonia shot I got is any good with this thing? They said closing the borders would cause major collateral damage because we get things like ventilators and other stuff that we need to survive on a daily basis and that closing the border is like closing the barn door after the animals get out.  I know it would impact us financially but still feel like when human life is at steak, it needs to be done. Of course they do not pay me to think either. lol
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535822 tn?1443976780
I think here we are trying not to panic however we are fairly near the border and the sick folks in Mexico have been coming over for medical care which they can now get free for their children so we are more at risk,I am taking more supplements and vit C and using the sanitizers on my hands the stores have wet wpipes out side for us to use also.  I dont think the media are hyping it up,anyway best to be safe than sorry.Am glad at least the strain in the US seems to be milder if it stays that way...
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168348 tn?1379357075
I am concerned because two of children have asthma.  The flu is always a concern for me because of those with asthma and those who are immunocompromised.   As another poster mentioned, we always have the flu to contend with every season, but this is different ... there is no choice to vaccinate to help protect.

On the way home from the mall last night, I asked my teen to buy some Purell for the house and take-along bottles.  After 3 unsuccessful stops @ chain pharmacies (all out) she finally found some at Walgreen's and got 2 big bottles of generic Purell.  

We'll all take along the small bottles and get dry hands sanitizing vs. getting sick.

Especially with this being high allergy season, and immune systems of those who are allergic is being highly challenged right now, getting sick isn't an option cause it'll go right into asthma.

C~
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377493 tn?1356502149
I have really mixed feelings on the matter.  First off, I always keep in mind that influenza kills thousands every year and we really don't hear much about it.  The fear behind this one is that it is spreading so quickly and there is no vaccine for it yet.  That combined with the fact that it is young to middle aged (20,30 and 40 year olds) that seem to be dying from it does make if a bit frightening.  I try to keep in mind that every year new flu's show up, and we don't seem to get in such a panic about it.  I live in Alberta, Canada.  My husband works in an extremely large office tower downtown, and today they put out an announcement that someone in the building had a child diagnosed. They have sent the man home, and he is not even sick.  I work with the homeless, so tend to be exposed to things quickly as the people we serve tend to be the most vulnarable.  We are taking what I consider somewhat extreme measures. All of a sudden hand sanitizing gel dispensers are up all over the building.  I have heard we start having to wear masks and gloves at work.  One of the women I work with is at a resort in Cabo San something....a resort in Mexico anyway.  She returns Sunday, and is not allowed to come back to work for an extra week. They are trying to contact her to inform her of this.  So I guess I would say I am nervous about it, but I do think the media is scaring people perhaps more then necessary.  Today Canada also upgraded to a 5.  I wasn't worried, now I am getting a bit nervous.
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Avatar universal

I'm really not sure because only months ago, reports came out that the Spanish flu deaths were due to bacteria and not the influenza virus ! But I am concerned about this virus mutating and whether or not in the future (if it is still around, that is)... antiviral medications will be effective.


source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14458-bacteria-were-the-real-killers-in-1918-flu-pandemic.html
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494640 tn?1262737989
yes i agree and i dont think we need to go that far they had no medical support or knowladge then so i dont lame them lol x
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611067 tn?1458591483
My grandfather told me that the town his family was from in England was burned down during a influenza outbreak in the 1800s.  He said it was so bad that they were fearful if they didn't burn it.  So, they lost all the family records, birth certificates and everything.  So, I believe that these things can happen again.  But, I don't think we should panic.  We need to be informed and take proper precautions.  
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791286 tn?1239614513
I feel as though many aren't treating it as seriously as they should. It's spreading pretty fast and will just gain speed in metropolitan areas. People forget that at one time a flu virus moved through the US killing thousands upon thousands of people. My Great Grandparents lost 3 children within days of each other and they lived in what would have been considered a fairly remote area. Fifty miles away a military base had become a central location to house the sick and it was said that a steady stream of dead were carried away around the clock. I'm not saying it will happen, I'm just saying it's something that shouldn't be taken lightly.  
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494640 tn?1262737989
all i no is i am scared but glad it is milder to us and also if i am right it hasnt been passed to anyone yet it is only peple who have came back from mexico who has it but they are trating ppl who have been in direct contavt with them it will go to a full panademic as soon as it starts passing this way i have just done my shopping online and am not using public transport also staying away from people with colds and washing my hands all the time i am scared!!!!

btw i am in uk england xxxx
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