Thread: Swine flu pandemic

The US has just declared a health emergency for Swine flu. Apparently this is a new strain. Here is an article:U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency in Wake of Swine Flu - First 100 Days of Presidency - Politics FOXNews.com
I have heard others call this a pandemic which is why I titled this thread as such.

I was wondering if there were any doctors in the house who could explain whats going on and how to best protect ones family, or, is this no more serious than the common flu that goes around yearly?

Thanks,
Mark

EDIT: I am hoping this thread will help to allay fears that anyone may have

well just to add to the interest if seems that the a private high school in NYC has 70+ students with the disease (AP story), and that it is in Canada as well. but the illness seems to be milder in the US and Canadian cases... might have more to do with overall better general health, hygiene and access to medical treatment for those folks though.

I'm far from an expert on this, but your link and the associated CDC link paint a far less cataclysmic picture than some of the TV images seen over here. Watching the news, seeing crowds of people wearing masks, you'd think this is an end of the world scenario. The reality seems far different.

I think this is an example of how the safer our lives become, the more we focus on smaller and smaller risks as if they are a major threat. And don't the media make the most of it?

I hope I'm right.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I'm far from an expert on this, but your link and the associated CDC link paint a far less cataclysmic picture than some of the TV images seen over here. Watching the news, seeing crowds of people wearing masks, you'd think this is an end of the world scenario. The reality seems far different.

I think this is an example of how the safer our lives become, the more we focus on smaller and smaller risks as if they are a major threat. And don't the media make the most of it?

I hope I'm right.

Ray, there are over 1000 cases in Mexico city. 86 have already died in Mexico from the flu, but here in the US and Canada this flu appears to be very mild.

It could be a pandemic. I would not call it that yet. We are not into numbers that are exponential. Having an emergency is a good excuse to practice all the stuff we've tried to prepare for just such an occasion. Waiting, like during Katrina, to get things ready wasn't very helpful. Maybe we'll waste some resources getting up to speed on this one, but realistically, if this does turn south on everyone, the public health folks appear to be ahead of the curve this time. Better to be ahead than behind.

There are a lot (1,000) of people in Mexico with "flu like" symptoms. Only 20 of those who have died have been confirmed as the flu. Out of 20 million living in or around Mexico City. The death rate is slowing too.

The New York school story is only 8 kids confirmed with flu despite the media hyping 75-100 being ill.

Generally, it appears that of those falling ill with flu like symptoms around the world, diverse places, there is an associated link to recent travel to Mexico.

This virus is a mosaic, meaning it contains elements of RNA from avian strains, human strains and pig strains. It's like a hand of cards, some are good ones, some are not so good. Our program to vaccinate people for the flu, picks strains that are from each group, so even if you get exposed to this virus, you may have some partial immunity to the segments of RNA contributing to the whole virus. I suspect that is why the cases in the US are mild so far.

The media love a good sky is falling story. I wish they'd just stick to the facts and not propagate hysteria. Panic is a more infectious disease than those caused by bugs.

If you are ill, there are two medicines that work well if taken early in the disease. See your doctor if you need to. Wash your hands, don't cough on people, stay away from crowded bunches of other sick people, things that are common sense.

I wouldn't worry about what ifs. There are enough things to worry about in this world. There is really nothing at this point that we can do anyway.

If things get worse and substantial numbers start falling ill in your city then you may want to think about getting some masks and avoiding public events and areas and get your kids out of public school and maybe taking some time off work but that's only if this thing starts really killing people.

OK am I the only one wondering WTF Mother nature was thinking, when she combined Swine,Avian,and Human flu together...

Hmmmmmm maybe she didn't make that combination

I am not a doctor, but I am a fourth year medical student. Here is what I know so far. Most of the cases of this flu are NOT deadly. The people who are in a dangerous situation are the elderly, or people who are otherwise "immunocompromised", meaning severe diabetes, very young children, HIV, cancer, or other known disorders of immunity. THank God, most of us are not in these situations. Here is the best way to protect your self. First wash your hands. If you know someone has the flu, stay away from them and use Lysol sprays to disinfect where they have been. If you get the flu, drink plenty of fluids and if you are immunocompromised or unsure, then go to a hospital for antivirals. There are two subsets of these, one set works only on Influenza type A (viral uncoating inhibitors) and the other set are called Neuraminidase inhibitors (tamiflu etc) adn WOrk on Types A and B.
Whatever the case, do not panic. If you are sick, go to the doctor or emergency room. Most people will handle this in developed countries where hydration and nutrition are well developed. SOmetimes it takes 1-2 weeks to get over it, but the good news is you will only get it once. This will pass, and as for the cases in the US, every nationality and their cousins, brothers etc. live in NY so pandemics will hit here hardest and first usually. The people in the more civilized areas of the US with substantially fewer immigrants and travelers will be fine and will most likely not see any cases.
All I know is this, the Bible says the when Jesus comes back the world will end and be forever changed. So if you are really concerned this is the end of the world, I suggest going to church and getting you affairs settled. Mine are already in order. Fortunately, I don't see Jesus coming back as a Flu virus, so I think we are all safe.
Here is a link by a great Emergency physician who analyzes medical news, and writes articles backed by peer-reviewed high powered medical evidence. This is not a New York Times or otherwise BS analysis, this is analysis backed by REAL EVIDENCE based medicine which is what all responsible physicians use to guide their clinical practice.
MedPie | Top Health Stories.

Regards

I sugggest grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf tinctures and colloidal silver. Not too many viruses can withstand those three.

Originally Posted by treydampier

The people who are in a dangerous situation are the elderly, or people who are otherwise "immunocompromised", meaning severe diabetes, very young children, HIV, cancer, or other known disorders of immunity.

So the rumors that this one is killing via cytokine storm the way the 1918 flu did are false? The 1918 pandemic killed mostly 20-40yr olds IIRC.