What do you think about the Swine Flu?

[Veronica]

I had another kid convince his mom that he needed to stay home yesterday. That's after the superintendent called using our automated system saying our district has no cases of swine flu. The mom called in his absence and our clerk told her it would be unexcused. The mom realized then that her boy had played her. Yeah, this is one of my difficult kids.

I would understand parents keeping their kids home if there was someone anywhere in the district who had it.

The girl who stayed home on Wed. because of flu worries fell off her dad's motorcycle. She's got a lot of road rash, but no flu.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

The girl who stayed home on Wed. because of flu worries fell off her dad's motorcycle.

!@#%W#$%^#$%^&@#$%!@!~#$%^&$%&^*%^&(^&*(


(I really don't have anything more useful than the above to say about parents who allow their children to ride motorcycles [or bicycles!] without proper gear on, especially after they've expressed some kind of concern for their health.)

[maillotpois]

Yeah, seriously. DD hates the moto boots and gear but she has to wear them. Even so, her chances of being injured on the moto are higher than dying from swine flu I suspect.

[Fujichants]

I'm quite worried about swine flu. I sure as heck stay away from people who cough or sneeze without covering their mouth (seriously why on earth do you think it's OK to spread your nasty germs??)

[Eden]

I'm really glad I finally have allergy meds that work this year...... I'd have to wear a sign around my neck saying "its just allergies you can't catch it" otherwise...

[Crankin]

There's a case in the town next to me.

[crazycanuck]

Has it been confirmed or is everyone SUSPECTING it's the virus? I really hope people aren't barricading themselves in thier homes & blaming it on the sky falling.

I'm glad i'm not the only one who sees the disbelief in everyone in panicking...http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...g-1677640.html

I no longer believe mainstream media & am questioning everything that's reported about it.

Reminds me of "The Blob"

[tctrek]

Media hype... they love to scare us to death. Be reasonable, wash your hands, don't kiss any pigs and live your life.

[roadie gal]

I emailed the county health department doctor and asked him to explain to me why everyone was panicking over a virus that essentially gave bad cold symptoms. I understand that the CDC and WHO have to monitor the spread of new viruses. But WHY the panic and other extreme reactions. He basically answered that, yes, a more reasonable response was in order and agreed that it was mostly media hype.

[Crankin]

The case (actually there are 2) in Bedford, MA has been confirmed. Both are kids and they are recovering.
I don't panic easily, but this is getting to me a little. In fact, I am rather laissez-faire about germs, etc. Normally, I live a pretty quiet existence in a small town, but I do take the subway to grad school and I have 3 class days left. Generally, I agree with what CC said; media hype.

[snapdragen]

I heard a news report yesterday, more people have died in the United States from regular flu this season than from the H1N1 virus. Too bad it was buried in the middle of the newscast, after the PANIC FEAR reports.

Since I work at a hospital, we get regular updates. We also all been through a "Pandemic Flu" training. (In other words, office drones like me would be recruited for washing bed pans if it got really bad....) This is from the latest update:

INFECTION CONTROL FOR COUNTY STAFF
In an effort to keep you safe and to protect the public we serve would like to provide some guidance regarding the use of masks and other personal protective equipment. County staff encountering clients with signs and symptoms of influenza (including fever of 100º F or higher and head and body aches, cough, sore throat, chills, trouble breathing or vomiting and/or diarrhea) should follow the instructions below to limit the spread of infection and to protect them.
At this time, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department recommends the following precautions for County staff in contact with patients, clients and visitors with influenza like symptoms:
•Apply surgical mask to the individual. If you are in a non-clinical area, masks can be obtained through Product Management.
•Use good hand washing technique.
•Advise the individual to contact physician for further instructions. A medical provider will need to determine if the patient needs to come in for an appointment and/or a test for influenza. Likewise, a medical provider will determine the whether influenza antiviral treatment is needed.
Unless you are sick, routine use of masks is not necessary.
Please follow the below instructions to protect yourself and the community we serve.
1.Masks should be used only for those persons with symptoms to prevent the spread of disease.
2.If you are not sick, you do not need to see a physician or wear a mask.
3.Respiratory etiquette should be implemented to protect staff and patients alike.
4.We need to be sure that masks are available in adequate supply should the number of cases escalate.
5.If you have a patient with flu symptoms, please offer the patient a respiratory hygiene kit.
6.If you have any questions or concerns about these instructions, please contact your manager.

GENERAL FLU ADVICE FOR EMPLOYEES AND FAMILIES
What should I do if I think I am sick?
•If you have a fever of 100°F or higher and one of the symptoms listed above, call your doctor or medical provider. Your doctor may have you come in for an appointment and test you for influenza. Your physician will decide whether influenza antiviral treatment is needed.
•If you're sick - stay home from work or school. It is important to limit contact with other people, so you don’t spread germs to others.
•If you have flu symptoms and need to go to a medical appointment, use a surgical mask or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and throw the tissue in the trash afterward.
•If you are feeling sick and you don’t have a fever, its best to stay home from work or school, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. If your symptoms get worse, call your physician or medical provider.

What can I do to prevent getting sick?
•Wash your hands with soap and hot water to get rid of germs and prevent the spread of disease, especially after coughing and sneezing. If you do not have soap and water, use a waterless hand gel with an alcohol base of at least 60%.
•Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue whenever you sneeze and cough. Throw the tissue away in a waste basket. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into the fold of your elbow, without using your hands.
•Avoid kissing or shaking hands when greeting people, and do not share food, drinks or utensils.
•Keep common areas clean; places such as kitchen counters, bathrooms, door handles, toys, telephones and other household items.
•Allow fresh air to flow into your home or at work by opening screened windows and doors.
•Only those who are sick and experiencing flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, vomiting and diarrhea should call their doctor or seek medical care. Healthy people, with no flu symptoms and not in need of medical care, should stay away from medical offices, clinics and hospitals in order to limit exposure to those who may be ill. In very specific circumstances, Tamiflu or Relenza, may be prescribed to sick people with certain health conditions and healthcare workers who may have been exposed to the swine flu.

[maillotpois]

I had a little bit of sore throat, fever and nausea early in the week. we made the mistake of joking that I had Swine Flu to my super hypochondriac sister in law. So... she didn't let her kid to go a movie with my kid today. my kid is perfectly healthy and the reason it would have been nice for my kid to go to the movie w/the grandparents and her kid is because I was doing a 200k in the rain. in other word I mostly recovered from my SIMPLE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION. sheesh people. (last time we try to out hypochondriac a true hypochondriac).

[Blueberry]

I've had a sore throat and a drippy nose for a couple of weeks. Maybe I should run to the doc for an antiviral...or wait...maybe it's allergies

(In case it doesn't come across, that's a joke. I have allergies, not swine flu. And I'm not rushing to the doctor.)

Yes, it could be serious. It's not time to panic yet. They haven't even confirmed it in my state, and people are running around in face masks

[Tuckervill]

Maybe there are no confirmed cases in your state, but they're nearby! Check this map:

http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/

I don't think there's any need to panic, but there are good reasons to take precautions.

Karen

[sundial]

Here's my favorite map:

http://www.idemc.org/

While this flu strain my not be as devastating, I think it will bring in the next wave of a more dangerous virus.