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Swine Flu
Hello all Alien is here lol... Anyway who is hearing about this flu thing anyone worried or is the CDC trying to scare us all? Me for one I am not going to sit around and worry about it if I get a sniffle oh well I cant assume its the Swine Flu.. Anyone else want to give there input?
I have missed all of you....
I have missed all of you....
The thing that makes this virus scary is that it is made up of human, bird and swine flus. I was listening to an expert who works on this type of stuff on a radio show and he said that this is definitely going to become a panademic. The reason is that we have NEVER had this type before. And, if it peters out, it will most likely come back with a vengence within the next 6 months or so. This is not just a simple case of the flu - it's much worse. I will admit that I'm not freaked out, but I am watching things very carefully and listening closely to what the experts have to say.
Also, a friend here said her son works in a pharmacy and the government has taken 25% of their tamaflu supply. That's just one (large pharmacy company) and wonder how many others are also asked to give up that much of their supply. And, the government already had a reserve of 5 million tamaflu available in stockpiles. So, obviously, they are expecting much more and worse than we have now.
Also, a friend here said her son works in a pharmacy and the government has taken 25% of their tamaflu supply. That's just one (large pharmacy company) and wonder how many others are also asked to give up that much of their supply. And, the government already had a reserve of 5 million tamaflu available in stockpiles. So, obviously, they are expecting much more and worse than we have now.
God bless that baby's soul and give that family the strength, comfort and peace....what a terrible tragedy...and what a scary world.
I heard about the death today too......how sad
I did not mean the swine flu was anything to laugh about not by a long shot,,just got a gigle outta swampys converting coment. Its scary real scary I am 4 sure joining the conference today, already signed up..anything could happen this could become a panademic. and I have come to understand its human to human transferable via droplets ie. cough sneeze etc..much like the common cold..so being a vegitarian offers no help. heard on news yesterday there is treatment that could drastically reduce death risks but the ill, young and old are still at very high risk...and OMG I pray this is not bio-terrorism..
heard about the baby boy dying this am...poor sweet baby. I also feel terrible for all the Mexicans ..they already got so many problems with corrupt government etc..how heartbreaking
heard about the baby boy dying this am...poor sweet baby. I also feel terrible for all the Mexicans ..they already got so many problems with corrupt government etc..how heartbreaking
I heard on the news this morning there has been 1 confirmed death in the USA (Texas). A 23 month old baby died of suspected Swine Flu. They have reason to believe a young boy in Mexico who lives with his family in which they have a pig farm is the culprit of this. The boy became ill about 1 month ago and I beleive he is better now (I was watching on the news this morning).
This flu is just another Flu.......
It does sound frightening -- those words -- "Public Health Emergency." And calling swine flu a public health emergency most definitely gets our attention.
Behind those words, though, is the fact that the actual declaration is really a vehicle for making money available and suggesting that local governments begin using their predetermined plans for managing public health problems. It doesn't mean there is a crisis.
Let those words remind you to take precautions yourself. But don't be afraid of them.
Flu is Flu
Swine flu is one more strain of flu. It sounds really scary because it originally came from pigs, and that creates some mystery around it. It also sounds scary because we don't have any vaccine to protect those who are most vulnerable.
But it behaves like other flus. We catch it the same way, and we can protect ourselves the same ways. We can make choices to protect ourselves and our families.
Do you fear the seasonal flu? Probably not. And this flu is really no more frightening than seasonal flu. In fact, to date, no deaths have occurred outside Mexico, whereas thousands die each year from seasonal flu.
Pandemic Describes Geography Only
We hear the word "pandemic" used by the media and that reminds us of history class in high school. It sounds like it means millions of people might die. But that's not what it means at all!
Pandemic simply means it is found large groups of people in many countries around the world. Pan comes from Latin and Greek meaning across or around. Demos means populations or people. Pan-demic. Geography and demographics. Not deaths.
Learn more about the definition of pandemic and how it could affect you in the 21st Century.
What About Those Face Masks?
When I see those masks on the people on TV, it reminds me of SARS and bird flu in China a few years ago. Again, that was scary because so many of the people who contracted those diseases did die.
Masks just keep the wearers from inhaling the water droplets that might be breathed out by someone who has the flu bug. Or when worn by someone who has any upper respiratory disease, they may contain some of the spread of that illness. They aren't a bad idea, but they don't indicate that the flu is any more dangerous than any normal flu. Thousands of people die of seasonal flu each year, but we don't all wear masks.
Why Does It Seem Like We are Unprepared?
Another reason some fear the swine flu is because, unlike seasonal flu, we don't have vaccines available, people are still traveling, and we seem unprepared to stop it.
Again, this fear is unwarranted. Thousands of strains of viruses could potentially cause flu. We have no way of creating vaccines for all of them, nor would anyone ever be willing to be vaccinated against them all.
We do have two drugs available to help with symptoms, which the CDC tells us is in plentiful supply. Relenza and Tamiflu, both of which are used during seasonal flu seasons each year, are also useful for helping swine flu patients, too.
Put Your Fear Efforts Into Protection Efforts Instead
Fear takes a lot of energy. It makes much more sense to put our efforts into protecting ourselves and our loved ones, and protection is not difficult.
There are travel considerations, and prevention steps like hand washing -- listed in Swine Flu FAQs.
If you have upper-respiratory symptoms like coughing or congestion, stay home from work or school so you won't pass the germs to someone else. They may not even be flu! But there is no sense in taking chances, plus rest is an important way to fight those germs.
It does sound frightening -- those words -- "Public Health Emergency." And calling swine flu a public health emergency most definitely gets our attention.
Behind those words, though, is the fact that the actual declaration is really a vehicle for making money available and suggesting that local governments begin using their predetermined plans for managing public health problems. It doesn't mean there is a crisis.
Let those words remind you to take precautions yourself. But don't be afraid of them.
Flu is Flu
Swine flu is one more strain of flu. It sounds really scary because it originally came from pigs, and that creates some mystery around it. It also sounds scary because we don't have any vaccine to protect those who are most vulnerable.
But it behaves like other flus. We catch it the same way, and we can protect ourselves the same ways. We can make choices to protect ourselves and our families.
Do you fear the seasonal flu? Probably not. And this flu is really no more frightening than seasonal flu. In fact, to date, no deaths have occurred outside Mexico, whereas thousands die each year from seasonal flu.
Pandemic Describes Geography Only
We hear the word "pandemic" used by the media and that reminds us of history class in high school. It sounds like it means millions of people might die. But that's not what it means at all!
Pandemic simply means it is found large groups of people in many countries around the world. Pan comes from Latin and Greek meaning across or around. Demos means populations or people. Pan-demic. Geography and demographics. Not deaths.
Learn more about the definition of pandemic and how it could affect you in the 21st Century.
What About Those Face Masks?
When I see those masks on the people on TV, it reminds me of SARS and bird flu in China a few years ago. Again, that was scary because so many of the people who contracted those diseases did die.
Masks just keep the wearers from inhaling the water droplets that might be breathed out by someone who has the flu bug. Or when worn by someone who has any upper respiratory disease, they may contain some of the spread of that illness. They aren't a bad idea, but they don't indicate that the flu is any more dangerous than any normal flu. Thousands of people die of seasonal flu each year, but we don't all wear masks.
Why Does It Seem Like We are Unprepared?
Another reason some fear the swine flu is because, unlike seasonal flu, we don't have vaccines available, people are still traveling, and we seem unprepared to stop it.
Again, this fear is unwarranted. Thousands of strains of viruses could potentially cause flu. We have no way of creating vaccines for all of them, nor would anyone ever be willing to be vaccinated against them all.
We do have two drugs available to help with symptoms, which the CDC tells us is in plentiful supply. Relenza and Tamiflu, both of which are used during seasonal flu seasons each year, are also useful for helping swine flu patients, too.
Put Your Fear Efforts Into Protection Efforts Instead
Fear takes a lot of energy. It makes much more sense to put our efforts into protecting ourselves and our loved ones, and protection is not difficult.
There are travel considerations, and prevention steps like hand washing -- listed in Swine Flu FAQs.
If you have upper-respiratory symptoms like coughing or congestion, stay home from work or school so you won't pass the germs to someone else. They may not even be flu! But there is no sense in taking chances, plus rest is an important way to fight those germs.
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