Swine Flu

[cybermeez]

Now that the WHO has raised the Pandemic Threat Level to 5 (pandemic imminent) is anybody else starting to get a little freaked out by this swine flu thing? I mean NY is second only to Mexico in confirmed cases and it's spreading fast (official NY cases doubled today).

As an asthmatic (ironically caused by the last case of flu I had 17 years ago complete with with a 103.5 fever) I really can't afford to get this. I'm tempted to get some of those N95 masks to at least wear while on the subway or bus.

 

[Kaz289]

I am a little freaked out considering my job forces me to deal with a lot of people. But I heard from a hospital worker today that those masks dont do anything because the flu is not airborne. I was told the best way to protect yourself is keeping your hands clean washing them as often as possible with warm soapy water or if not available use Anti-bacterial soap like Purell. They say the biggest risk is to the elderly, infants or people with pre existing medical issues that lower there immune system. I was told otherwise if u get it, it's just like having a bad flu but u will live.

 

[Mr. Softy]

I'm taking night classes at one of the local schools and have been dreading sitting on or touching anything there. The first thing i did tonight was find the janitors cart and take the antibacterial spray and hit everything within an arms reach of me.

 

[masterswimmer]

I'm a bit on the nervous side too. I NEVER touch the handrail on escalators. They are like the most disgusting 'public' aids ever invented......next to cold hard cash. That's why the Queen of England never touches her money. It's for the commonfolk.
Unfortunately, I'm a commoner :sad2:

swimmer

 

[DrCooper]

Luckily I am OCD and wash my hands ALL THE TIME. However, if someone coughs or sneezes near me I will probably freak out!

Keep washing your hands everyone!

 

[Pinkheine]

On the CDC website updated as of the 29th it says there are 51 reported cases in NY. So far the only death reported is one in Texas.

I am not so much fearful for myself. More fearful for my son, who is anti hand washing and puts Lord only knows what in his mouth. (he's a nail biter). We did go on the sites and read about the swine flu though so that he has some idea on how to try and prevent getting it.


Stay healthy everyone!

 

[Tangs Rule]

I am not so much fearful for myself. More fearful for my son

Same here, I am fearful for my daughter who is in school touching toys and books that so many other kids are touching. And has to touch everything, including the escalator handrail, when we are in the mall. I already clean her hands about 10 minutes when we are out with anti bacterial soap, I guess it'll be every 5 minutes now.

 

[skene]

Yes, well I am going to have to say that the media overwhelms the public to an enourmous proportions with certain things.
It's just another bacteria.
Remember the whole Taco Bell incident. No one wanted to eat at Taco Bell because of it.
Mad Cow Disease.... Does not affect humans in any way shape or form.

But we all seem to be more mesmerized by the scares that are told to us by the media, and everyone seems to be more paranoid by it.
Is some of the BS that they give us going to make us more informed? Or is it some simple plot to make us so paranoid that we avoid going out to do certain things and can no longer live a normal life, as they are creating a life for us.

Dammit its a conspriacy I tell you.....

:p

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Unless you're old or very young,you have nothing to worry about.I'm sick right now and know I don't have it.It's a sinus infection.I'm prone to those unfortunately.So many strains of flu viruses,could be any one of those and not Swine but the Media eats this stuff up and blows it up.I agree with Skene.

 

[boozeman]

kids put the darndest things in their mouth :splitspin

 

[boozeman]

Seriously, as a parent of two toddlers I feel it is paramount to keep informed...heres a good linkie to clear up misinformation about the disease and its mode of transmission.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

 

[russianmd]

I am a shrink (though did go to medical school FWIW), and recently (like yesterday) talked to several colleagues who are real doctors (emergency medicine, pediatricians).

So far, the consensus is that this is being really over-hyped, but, just in case, NYC is supposed to be 'way ahead of the curve' in case of a pandemic.

Not sure if it makes anybody feel any easier, but the hospitals in the area are prepared.

And yeah, wash your hands - by putting them in your tanks :tub:

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

i'm constantly washing my hands(kiwi as well) and we use purell like a million times a day!

I heard some schools closed till monday. My daughter is not going to school until monday juuuuust incase(even though her school is open).

 

[skene]

Unfortunately, the Purell and other hand sanitizers do not work properly.

Here's a thought to the germ freaks out there.

Germs and bacteria are both in the air and on surfaces. Not one person can deny that... Hand sanitizers are supposedly sterile inside the container, however the pump and line are consistantly exposed to air and is a surface for germs and bacteria to reside.
So here's the catch 22..... You're cleaning your hands with germs and bacteria when you pump out the sanitizer.

Yay for bright ideas.
:cheers:

 

[masterswimmer]

Unfortunately, the Purell and other hand sanitizers do not work properly.

Here's a thought to the germ freaks out there.

Germs and bacteria are both in the air and on surfaces. Not one person can deny that... Hand sanitizers are supposedly sterile inside the container, however the pump and line are consistantly exposed to air and is a surface for germs and bacteria to reside.
So here's the catch 22..... You're cleaning your hands with germs and bacteria when you pump out the sanitizer.

Yay for bright ideas.
:cheers:

Many hospitals have these hand sanitizers in every single patients room, by the door, in hallways, bathrooms, conference rooms, etc. All medical personel use it when they enter/leave the room. Patients and visitors use them too. I doubt they would spend the money on this preventative measure if it were worthless. I'm going to continue using it.

swimmer

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Simple soap and water will do.Sanitizers wash away the good bacteria.Hey I saw it on the news.

 

[cybermeez]

And yeah, wash your hands - by putting them in your tanks :tub:

Hey, my cleaner shrimp can take care of it! Then it can be bird-swine-human-shrimp flu.

 

[cybermeez]

BTW...the flu is a virus (a brand new mutated one) not a bacterium.

 

[greggnyce]

You know what is pissing me off is that there are people at work who think they are sick. Stay your stupid A%# home if you are sick. People are more worreid about using there time for being sick than getting all of there coworkers ill.

 

[cb747]

This is being way over hyped by the media. Its a new strain and how many people die in a year from the normal flu that we have. I forget the number but its thousands. Im not the least bit worried nor have i changed anything in my normal routines of day to day.