Swine Flu epidemic in Mexico (and possibly US)

[Anonymous]

p.s. I think this was funny up to about 48 hours ago, but the swine flu is spreading more quickly than any other disease seen by the CDC. If it stays mild, then no big deal. But if people in the U.S. get as sick as the 1300 confirmed hospitalized cased in Mexico City alone, I will be worried about my toddlers. Also, I'm pregnant.

Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:p.s. I think this was funny up to about 48 hours ago, but the swine flu is spreading more quickly than any other disease seen by the CDC. If it stays mild, then no big deal. But if people in the U.S. get as sick as the 1300 confirmed hospitalized cased in Mexico City alone, I will be worried about my toddlers. Also, I'm pregnant.

Just my two cents.

I suppose if it hits my DC's day care, I'll start being a little concerned, but only because he's got asthma. With prompt medical attention, everyone should be just fine. Those who will suffer, of course, will be those without easy access to medical care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster here. See breaking news on CNN.com.

I'm upset at myself because I didn't give my kids flu shots this year. One of the theories about why it's so much milder in the U.S. and not killing people like in Mexico is because so many of us have had flu shots. Even if it's not the same strain, the shot seems to be protecting people from the worst of the disease.

It's the first year I didn't get them flu shots. Anyone else?

No, they are saying the flu shot will NOT help against swine flu, so don't beat yourself up. It is probably milder here because we have better health care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:p.s. I think this was funny up to about 48 hours ago, but the swine flu is spreading more quickly than any other disease seen by the CDC. If it stays mild, then no big deal. But if people in the U.S. get as sick as the 1300 confirmed hospitalized cased in Mexico City alone, I will be worried about my toddlers. Also, I'm pregnant.

Just my two cents.

I suppose if it hits my DC's day care, I'll start being a little concerned, but only because he's got asthma. With prompt medical attention, everyone should be just fine. Those who will suffer, of course, will be those without easy access to medical care.

I know you're not a doctor, but my toddler has asthma too. Will a nebulizer help with the flu?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:p.s. I think this was funny up to about 48 hours ago, but the swine flu is spreading more quickly than any other disease seen by the CDC. If it stays mild, then no big deal. But if people in the U.S. get as sick as the 1300 confirmed hospitalized cased in Mexico City alone, I will be worried about my toddlers. Also, I'm pregnant.

Just my two cents.

I suppose if it hits my DC's day care, I'll start being a little concerned, but only because he's got asthma. With prompt medical attention, everyone should be just fine. Those who will suffer, of course, will be those without easy access to medical care.

I know you're not a doctor, but my toddler has asthma too. Will a nebulizer help with the flu?

I'm so not a doctor.

My understanding is that it's not flu that kills people, it's associated complications like pneumonia. And with asthma, my DC is more likely to get the pneumonia.

I don't know if the neb helps or not. I give it to my DC as a preventative, at the doc's advice, when he gets a cold, and that helps stop him from wheezing. But I don't know if it would help make flu more mild or at least keep it from getting significantly worse. I make sure he gets the flu shot, though, because of his higher risk of complications.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP.

[Anonymous]

How long does the swine flu virus live on surfaces? I'm thinking peapod delivery....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long does the swine flu virus live on surfaces? I'm thinking peapod delivery....

Up to 48 hours on nonporous surfaces like doorknobs. Not very long on stuff like clothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What am I doing this Beautiful Weekend? Boarding up my home, stock piling food, getting a huge generator, and preparing for the apocalypse.

Between this and the Measles, I just have to sing out:

This is the end, beautiful friend
This is the end, my only friend
The end

It's not funny.

yes it is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long does the swine flu virus live on surfaces? I'm thinking peapod delivery....

You're thinking Peapod delivery because you're afraid to go out? You might end up with the last laugh, here, but I'm not taking such drastic precautions just yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess nobody remembers 1976. I do, everyone was FREAKING out about swine flu and they started a mass vaccination program. A significant number of people contracted Guillain Barre syndrome from the vaccination, not the flu, and some died.

I say practice common sense and chill.

The difference is, in 1976, Swine Flu was confined just to Fort Dix. I think one man died, and some 500 people had antibodies to it, but no symptoms. It never spread to any other location, and caused no further deaths at FOrt Dix.

Experts feared it WOULD spread. And they had a vaccine, so they used it as a preventative measure.

In this case, the virus is already widespread in Mexico, causing a lot of problems, and some deaths. And it has spread widely here in the US. We do not at the moment have a vaccine.

http://www.scottmcpherson.net/journal/2009/4/24/comparisons-between-1976-2009-swine-flu-not-appropriate.html

Personally, I think there is a big difference between the Swine Flu of 1976 and now. The cases are completely different. No, there' is no cause to panic! But I believe in staying informed, and passing on accurate information.

No jabs or flaming here but true curiousity-what makes you so obsessed with this particular story that you feel the need to post and repost about it? I really want to know and I don't think it's just a matter of "passing along information". Why is this preying on your mind so much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does the swine flu virus live on surfaces? I'm thinking peapod delivery....

You're thinking Peapod delivery because you're afraid to go out? You might end up with the last laugh, here, but I'm not taking such drastic precautions just yet.

Different poster here. I think she just meant IF the swine flu spreads to DC. I don't think that anyone is afraid to go out right now. Though I just read on Reuters that U.S. officials are preparing to close schools IF it continues to spread...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do we do? I don't mean sarcastic comments (e.g. wait for the rapture), I mean really, what do we do about this as moms? Does anything kill the germs?

I am watching and waiting. The virus appears to have spread to several places the US but it may yet "fizzle out" and stop spreading. If it is a mild virus, there's probably not much point in trying to avoid it.

I am being sure to lay in enough supplies to see me and my family through at least 2 weeks of serious illness with the flu, assuming that everyone else in town also has it and the hospitals are full, etc. Tylenol, ibuprufen, gingerale, pedialyte, etc. And we are preparing for the possibility of school and daycare closure.

Bleach will kill flu virus on surfaces, but the real problem is it is spread through the air. You need a face mask or respirator to avoid inhaling the virus. But if you are going to use one, be sure you know how to use it correctly, otherwise there really isn't much point. I saw one poor man in Mexico wearing a mask but just over his mouth, not his mouth and nose. Best anyhow to avoid sick people during the outbreak if you can, and just stay home as much as possible.

Do you by chance have an anxiety disorder?

Not the pp you quoted, but our family has also set aside emergency supplies as recommended by the gov't.
No, we're not militia types. Nope, not a sign of anxiety disorder at all--to the contrary, storing adequate food/water/medicine/basic supplies was a small and easy step that has helped us feel prepared to the extent we can be for emergencies. We've done our part to be prepared, which allows us to let go and NOT stress or feel anxious about events outside our control.
Background: spouse works on terrorism/first response and part of that has included work with epidemiologists.

[Anonymous]

Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:p.s. I think this was funny up to about 48 hours ago, but the swine flu is spreading more quickly than any other disease seen by the CDC. If it stays mild, then no big deal. But if people in the U.S. get as sick as the 1300 confirmed hospitalized cased in Mexico City alone, I will be worried about my toddlers. Also, I'm pregnant.

Just my two cents.

I suppose if it hits my DC's day care, I'll start being a little concerned, but only because he's got asthma. With prompt medical attention, everyone should be just fine. Those who will suffer, of course, will be those without easy access to medical care.

I know you're not a doctor, but my toddler has asthma too. Will a nebulizer help with the flu?

Ugh, are you serious? A nebulizer helps someone to breath. Does not help with asthma.