SWINE FLU PANDEMIC? Mx, NY, TX, KS...

[MichiganWoods]

I'm concerned.

DH does a lot of travel for work, and will in fact be in Ohio and Florida in the next two weeks.

 

[wilds of pa]

Cases are confirmed swine flue in NY..

Link to NY Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden video all the way down on left side of screen..appears the young children will be fine..

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/090425_Swine_Flu_Hotline_in_New_York

~Wilds~

What is Swine Flu?
Last Edited: Saturday, 25 Apr 2009, 5:56 PM EDT
Created On: Saturday, 25 Apr 2009, 5:39 PM EDT

MYFOXNY.COM - What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.


Watch a podcast from the CDC (video, left).

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

How do you catch swine flu?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:

* Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
* Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread
this way.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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[Sierra pachie bars]

well I am a little worried. My daughter and I both have auto-immune issues. I haven't heard if they can cover this strain with the shot. Which I get every year since I am at risk. So no bird flu this year , wonder if horse flu will be next years strain ?

 

[texaschickmama]

 

[Ec_Prokta]

Quote:
May I hide with you?

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
You are right! And take wipes with you to the grocery store... for the carts and every single frozen food or dairy case handle!

... and think about your checker... she touches EVERYTHING... that everyone else has touched!!

 

[MichiganWoods]

Just found out DH will be going to L.A. after Florida.

Now they are reporting the swine flu is in New Zealand too.

 

[Opa]

A combination of bird flu and swine flu? Maybe pigs can fly.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Quote:

You're. In. Mass.!!!

TOO close for comfort! Put a face mask on that pig!

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Seriously, I am worried. BUT OTOH, I am seeing above that this has been around for a long time now, this isn't some brand new thing that is spiraling out of control, yet.
I have Chronic Lyme disease so my immune system sucks, while I am in remission currently (have been for over a year, the longest time ever without a relapse, YAY!) I still catch everything that goes around and I get it alot worse than anyone else in my family.
This past winter I had some kind of flu that just completely wiped me out. I am 24 and I don't ever have any memories of ever having the real flu at any other point in my life. This thing was awful. My husband got it first, which makes sense because he works ALOT at two jobs where he comes in regular contact with people and things people have touched (A movie theater and USPS mail carrier). He was sick for nearly 48 hours and I came down with it out of nowhere. I remember I was literally outside building a brooder and I went from feeling perfectly well to being very sick in about an hours time.
24 hours after I fell ill, my oldest son was sick. 24 hours after him my toddler daughter was sick. 24 hours after her my oldest daughter was sick. I was still sick two weeks after everyone was better. I had nearly a 105 fever for about 4 days. Every inch of my body was in serious pain. Coughing till I was nearly passing out.
It was SCARY. I have never been that sick. And I don't ever want to be again. My kids got the most mild case of it, with my 3 year old toddler getting nothing more than a mild cough and a fever for 2 days. It took over a month for me to feel normal again.