What do you think about the Swine Flu?

[shootingstar]

A few days ago in one of the major Canadian newspapers there was an article about preparing for a pandemic.

I don't know if the author made the comment as a semi-joke, but it was suggested one should ride a bicycle..as a form of protective measure...I guess assuming cycling is a form of isolation from public transit, offering car rides to other people who may touch your car, etc.

I have several siblings who worked (and still do) in various hospitals in Toronto when the SARS occurred (and there was some SARS infected patients in suburban Toronto hospital), where they did become hyper-alert about hygiene.

[ZenSojourner]

It's hype, but it's not WHO hype, it's MEDIA hype.

Remember when Mad Cow disease was going to kill millions? And it actually killed about 26 people in Britain?

We have new strains of flu viruses all the time. It seems only the cold virus mutates faster. So we monitor for new strains of flu viruses, because we can't know when they're going to be relatively benign or when they're going to be more serious.

The CDC is just telling people to wash their hands and cover their coughs, it's the media who are using scare tactics to generate fear and ratings.

The REAL epidemic in the US is obesity! BRING ON THE SUPER-SIZE FRIES!

[ASammy1]

Interesting to see everyone's opinions.

I'm of the persuasion that it's media hype (not WHO hype), but I'm nervous too...

[Running Mommy]

Slow new cycle. I swear it feels like it was invented by the media.

Here in AZ they closed a school because a kid HAD the flu a week ago- since recovered and fine. But the powers that be are re-testing every sample they can get, so they tested the kids sample and it came out positive. It's almost like here in AZ they are on a manhunt for cases, and won't be happy until they find some cases. So now the school is closed until May 7th! Seems ridiculous to me.

What will it be for the media next week?? Maybe we need another "miracle on the hudson" to get their minds off the "pandemic of 09".... ugh

[badgercat]

I'm a graduate student in Arizona and our department does monthly outreach clinics that serve a lot of folks who come up from Mexico. Someone from our program fell ill on Sunday after working the clinic on Friday, and had to go to the ER the other night... we won't know for sure until this person's test results come back, but this made it quite real for me. I'm just trying to be more aware of hand washing, even more so than usual when seeing patients.

but, to perhaps lighten the mood a bit, here's a TERRIBLE joke I heard yesterday:
"Some people used to think the US would have an African-American president when pigs fly. Sure enough, 100 days into Obama's presidency: swine flu."
(groan.)

[Crankin]

I think it's real, but there is media hype. One TV station here is particularly notorious for whipping up a frenzy over stuff by repeating it over and over and over.
I thought about it on the subway Tuesday, but not much I can do, since I have to take it. Only 3 more times, though until the semester is over. I am not much of a crazy hand washer and think that we over use anti bacterial soap, etc. If I was still teaching, I might be using it, but not now.

[Eden]

I am not much of a crazy hand washer and think that we over use anti bacterial soap, etc. If I was still teaching, I might be using it, but not now.

This is very true. I've read that antibacterial soap is not only pretty ineffective (studies found plain water works better as long as it is clean....) it contributes to problems with resistant bugs. Alcohol based hand gels on the other hand, work by a different mechanism and are not only effective, but don't create resistance either and have been found to be less harsh on your skin than repeated washing.

[SheFly]

I am weary of all the swine flu hype. It's THE FLU. Over 30,000 people in the US die from THE FLU (regular type) every year, and we don't get this type of attention. The media is feeding people's fears, and elevating the panic levels.

If we are healthy (which most of us here are), our likelihood of getting the swine flu is equivalent to getting any other type of flu throughout the year. It is NO MORE FATAL than the regular flu.

The media should be ashamed. I am carrying on life as normal.

SheFly

[Jolt]

I think it has the potential to turn into a problem, but I'm not that worried yet (and I am a health professional). The cases in the US have been pretty mild so far, as opposed to in Mexico where it has been a lot worse for whatever reason. Overall, I think it's something to keep an eye on but no need to panic at this point--just take sensible precautions like washing your hands (it's smart to carry a little bottle of alcohol gel in your purse), keeping away from people who are coughing or sneezing if possible, eating well/exercising/getting enough sleep, and staying home if you're sick. Things we should all be doing anyway. As for antibacterial soap, forget it! Regular soap is just fine and doesn't have the issue of possibly contributing to resistant bugs. I think we have gone overboard with disinfecting everything (that said, it is still a good idea to do so when somebody has been sick!).