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

[TXmom]

I'm a pretty laid back, relaxed person... but on the other hand, a little part of me wants to panic right now. I live in SE Texas, between Houston and San Antonio (there are confirmed cases in San Antonio). There is a significant Mexican population here, and I don't know how many of them travel back and forth to Mexico. To make matters worse...my mom went on a cruise last week that included Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and yes, Cozumel, Mexico. I was the one who drove her back and forth to the boat. When she left last Sunday, I had never even heard of the Swine Flu, but when she got back yesterday I threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at her as soon as she got in the car!!! When she was out on the boat, they didn't get the news at all, so she had no idea. I told her as much as I knew, and told her if she gets ANY flu symptoms at all, she better get on Tamiflu ASAP. She has several health issues and a weak immune system, so I will be worrying about her for the next couple weeks at least.

 

[chook pen jen]

There are 5 suspected cases in New South Wales, Australia, and 10 in New Zealand, all have been in Mexico, USA, or Canada, and just returned in the last few days. I hope this blows over soon, before it really takes of.

 

[citalk2much]

I am not prone to panic but I am worried now they are telling us to be prepared to have a plan of what to do with our kids if they close schools and they are now reporting a case here in Michigan.

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Worry will solve nothing. Life is good, go out and enjoy it while you can. We can not live in a bubble, otherwise it wouldn't be worth living.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I remember the avian flu thing a while back. They came and conviscated bird and gave people checks to replenish their stock.

I hope it doesn't spread to the birds, because they WILL come take them here in CA.

 

[Whispering Winds]

I just checked out a website that gave the truths and myths of the swine flu, and it was really good. It was on the Yahoo home page. If you have just a cold and runny nose, you are probably o.k., but the doctor on the Today show this morning said if you do have an upper respiratory thing going on with fever and chills, get to the doctor, because this might be something more significant. WASH HANDS and always cover your mouth and nose, and don't wipe your mouth and nose with your hands. . . common sense stuff really. I wash my hands 100 times a day, worked in a school cafeteria for years and then had five kids of my own, so it just comes natural. It also said to throw away tissues, i.e. don't hang onto them and use them over and over . . .I worry about kids, although they don't seem to be the ones affected, its the young adult age people. . .all we can do is stay clean, pray and keep an eye on everyone.

 

[jeaucamom]

My friend got back from Mexico two weeks ago and she is the first case in Northern California..... You heard it here first, it's not even in the news yet.

But I am not panicking. She's been sick two weeks and we haven't been around her much. If her hubby and kids haven't gotten it, I don't think the 10 minutes I was with her will be a big deal.

The one thing I haven't read is what the incubation time is??? Anyone know?

 

[Jena]

It is contagious in the first 5 days.

Hope your friend feels better soon.

It seems that the only deaths have been in Mexico, so maybe there is something else going on down there. All other cases are suffering only mild symptoms and are being watched very carefully.

Seems we have 2 cases in the UK now. But just general precautions are being dealt with. these are students that have been in Mexico. they are responding well to treatment.

Watching brief.

 

[Ec_Prokta]

Thank you, recent posters. I feel a lot more better now.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I just heard some interesting definitions

outbreeak: localized areas of infection, not generalized, few cases
epidemic: larger areas of infection, generalized, many cases
pandemic: world wide, millions of cases, lotts of infection

This is still at outbreak levels, even in Mexico. But it could easily hit epidemic levels there. It is unlikely to become pandemic.