Has anyone been in contact with swine flu? Please help!

[number1kitty]

It has arrived in my town.
I am very concerned.
First because I work with the public so A) odds higher of catching it, B) odds are high I'd infect others without knowing if I had it.
Secondly, my sister has a newborn baby which I see OFTEN, just over a week old.
Thirdly, because I am presently on Prednisone (a steroid) which weakens the immune system WHICH was not so great to begin with... so I'm nervous. In my house, when 'we' catch something, I'm usually the one that suffers that worst.. Ex: my hubby's 1wk cold last's 1.5mths for me.

I do NOT think it's foolish to be 'nervous' or 'concerned'. Frankly, I think if you're not nervous, THEN you are foolish. Odds are, you get over it no problem. But what of those that don't? Health is not a laughing matter, and one never knows which way it's going to go.

Take smart precautions as best you can, and think positive. That's about all anyone can do, that hasn't contracted it. Consult local health authorities and do as they suggest. No sense worrying overmuch, because that will just stress you out and gain you nothing. Be proactive.

:hug:

Oh I don't wish anyone to die from this hun. And I feel for people that are already poorly and could end up with severe problems. Its just the only info seems to be scaremongering rather than saying if your in such a such a catergory i.e. already have health issues then be concerned but everyone else should try not to panick.

Think I will warn people but what started as one or two cases in the news a few months back its now rife.

It just feels like that everyone thinks that if they contract it they automatically have a death sentance. Regular flu we get every year has killed far more people than the swin flu so far but no one talks about that.

I do take heed that this is a big thing for some people, its just the average joe out there is in a mass panick. I rang NHS direct and they said call 999 immediatly thats after it took me an hour to get through as people were calling for advice about seeing some friend that had a friend whos husband hd the flu what should they do sort of calls.

I only rang up to ask them why the doc didnt prescribe us the tamiflu to the rest of us and just b/f. GP had closed and we can never ever get through to them!

Kate

 

[Natural]

A few facts that may help to calm any worries. Up to 500,000 people a year die from ordinary 'seasonal flu' (or complications arising from it), where-as around 200 people world wide have died from Swine flu (all British deaths have had underlying health problems to begin with). It's been blown out of proportion by the media - which would be kind of acceptable if it was the first every outbreak, but it's not - it's been around since 1976. If you contract swine flu and are of reasonable health then you have around a 99% chance of surviving.

 

[min11]

A few facts that may help to calm any worries. Up to 500,000 people a year die from ordinary 'seasonal flu' (or complications arising from it), where-as around 200 people world wide have died from Swine flu (all British deaths have had underlying health problems to begin with). It's been blown out of proportion by the media - which would be kind of acceptable if it was the first every outbreak, but it's not - it's been around since 1976. If you contract swine flu and are of reasonable health then you have around a 99% chance of surviving.

Exactly. In a nationwide epidemic of 'normal' flu a few years ago our city hospital had temp morgues set up to cope with the number of people who died, mostly very elderly and people who were already ill with other issues.

I have only had real flu once, it was in 1995, i can pinpoint the year because of how utterly awful it was and because of the weeks it took to recover. Up until then I had referred to a very heavy cold as flu but once I actually really had it I soon realised the difference! I couldn't sit up to eat, I was weak, I had a headache the likes of which I never had before, I was physically sick and had the runs. Both very hard to manage when your so weak getting to the loo is a problem. It took over a week for those symptoms to start to ebb and even once they did I was still weak and off my food 3 weeks later at Christmas. The doctor could do nothing but keep an eye on me and have me rest, as if I could have even tried to do anthing else :lol:

I'm not trying to make light of swine flu but I do wish the press would also make clear just how terrible ordinary flu is, it kills as swine flu does and in the same way affects the elderly and very weak more severely. Its almost like give a varient a name and its a major threat unlike no other. The difference this time is we are seeing it in the summer where normally flu is more common in the winter. Does make me wonder though if it would have gotten the same attention and fear had it happened 4 or 5 months later when every one expects flu to be about. Of course they are hoping to have a vacine out there soon which will also help.

 

[number1kitty]

Exactly. In a nationwide epidemic of 'normal' flu a few years ago our city hospital had temp morgues set up to cope with the number of people who died, mostly very elderly and people who were already ill with other issues.

I have only had real flu once, it was in 1995, i can pinpoint the year because of how utterly awful it was and because of the weeks it took to recover. Up until then I had referred to a very heavy cold as flu but once I actually really had it I soon realised the difference! I couldn't sit up to eat, I was weak, I had a headache the likes of which I never had before, I was physically sick and had the runs. Both very hard to manage when your so weak getting to the loo is a problem. It took over a week for those symptoms to start to ebb and even once they did I was still weak and off my food 3 weeks later at Christmas. The doctor could do nothing but keep an eye on me and have me rest, as if I could have even tried to do anthing else :lol:

I'm not trying to make light of swine flu but I do wish the press would also make clear just how terrible ordinary flu is, it kills as swine flu does and in the same way affects the elderly and very weak more severely. Its almost like give a varient a name and its a major threat unlike no other. The difference this time is we are seeing it in the summer where normally flu is more common in the winter. Does make me wonder though if it would have gotten the same attention and fear had it happened 4 or 5 months later when every one expects flu to be about. Of course they are hoping to have a vacine out there soon which will also help.

Wasnt that the chinese flu that was going around!?! that was sheer evil, I contracted it and was actually a 1 degree off dying the hospital told me! Scary stuff ~ forgot all about that though. It was boxing day 1995 and I was sent to hospital, the lights killed my eyes I felt like I was freezing cold but burning up quick.

I remember being sat in withington hospital in a room stripped to my undies with about 5 fans on me! Poor mother was freaking out! Although shes been put through worse since lol!

Maybe I should have more sympathy for b/f ....... Thanks for reminding me off that!

 

[min11]

It might have been another variant, but mine wasn't, mine was the ordinary flu. The year we had temp morgues predated bird flu I thought but it was a horendous year.

All I'm saying is for different people any strain of flu can be terrible, or deadly even. There's an awful lot of fear about and its press induced in my eyes. The so called flu parties are apparently a real headache for the medical people as while people are happily infecting themselves they could be putting others at risk. Any other time we'd stay miles from anone who had flu!

 

[sarahpoppy24]

This is what me and my friends were saying- no one wants ANY time of flu-horrible! I have had flu once in 2005 and I actualy felt like I was dying i had all the above symptoms it messed me up for weeks. So even if there was no swine in front of the flu then I can see how no one would want it because the true flu virus is realy horrible in any form and can kill the the people who are alrealy seriously ill. My mum also contracted the asian/hongkong flu in the 60's and her school was shut down but the infected had to stay there because they were too ill to be moved(it was a boarding school).xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[busybee32]

I have just been diagnosed with it and have to take Tamiflu tabs. I have to be isolated for as long as the tablets last and hopefully it will clear up.
Apart from the sickness and trots it is just like normal flu where you feel like you have been run over by bus.
I have had to cancel all my clients and inform people who I have been with to be vigilant about symptoms.
Jeni x

 

[Kittensgotclaws]

Blimey, hope you feel better soon hun.Xx:hug:

 

[sarahpoppy24]

Hope that u feel better soon- a couple of my friends have it too-not nice get well soon anyone who has it xxxx

 

[graysuze]

I love this site!! not only can we get fab info on beauty ect, we are also more informed than NHS direct!! Hehe, hope everyone feels better who has got swine flu xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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[dingbat]

I work in a pharmacy and a member of staff got the swine flu. It could have come from anyone (bug filled customers!!) only joking. Anyway I take drugs which weaken my immunity to things. I was informed by a nurse that I would Be ok. So far so good. I don't worry about it. The company I work for had no broblems with it so had no reason to close the pharmacy.We are on level 4 however and when reaches 5 they will take procautions to protect staff and customers.
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[pure]

I have to say I am a little concerned, not panicking! Because those who have died in this country the medical pro's have said that they have all had underlying medical conditions but they haven't said what they are. Now if it were something like cancer surely they would have said so, but they aren't. So what if those underlying conditions were something as common as asthma! That is what worries me, and the lack of information about it.

Funny how in the last week everyone in the media has started asking this question and yes one of the main 'conditions' is asthma!!:irked:

We have now got it here. Last day of school and we have all been handed a letter advising that there is one pupil with it (one of my daughters closest friends!:Scared and that we're not to panick.

Well I won't panick, I will be vigilant, but I'll also hope to God that my son and I don't get it because we both have asthma.

 

[lelaah]

I live in a very small town and we have had some cases in the local primary school today according to the news.... Im trying not to worry about it, just hope my 2 babies dont get it, I hate seeing them ill

 

[angel fingers]

i'm rather worried that my father will get it.
he has asbestos related lung damage and it could be very dangerous to him.
are people such as him going to be offered a vacine ?

 

[cirrusbeauty]

my dad to is poorly he has ms my mum said ill people and there carers will be offerd the vacine first! xx

 

[sian1979]

I am sure they will both be fine. Best thing to do is to follow the advice on the world health organisation website
i do not think there is a vaccine available for this at the moment as it is a fairly new virus....there are not many people who are immune to it as yet so it is difficult to grow the vaccine if you know what i mean. They are working on it and obviously those more at risk i would expect to receive it first. From what i have read they are only giving out the anti viral drugs at the moment which easethe symtoms and help speed recovery up.
Have a look on the website....there are helplines on there as well.....if you have any questions you are probably best to ask them as they will know more about it.

WHO | Vaccines for pandemic influenza A (H1N1)

 

[marie111]

I have it at the minute, I got the tamiflu tablets yesterday but I haven't taken any as the side effects can be worse than the flu. I will just ride it out and hopefully will be fine.
Its just a flu, Yes I feel a bit awful and can't keep my eyes open as I'm so tired but I will be fine.
Every winter when we get flus going around people die from it as they are weak anyway as far as I can see its similar.
My daughters been down looking after me, bless her.
My son wnet to get the tamiflu tablets for me and said there was in excess of 30+
people waiting also so it looks like its hitting a lot of people.

 

[Anna Lee]

I would probably got shot down for this but what I don't understand is why did the goverment not even TRY to contain it when it first hit the UK...?

Are they really that naive to think it is only a very small problem and after a few people catching it, it will then go away quietly..? Did the goverment not watch the news and see that Mexico was affected so badly that they had to shut down the whole country for a few days...? Did they not watch and remember what happened with the SARS virus back in 2003..?

Many people around the world was shock, laughing or confused when Hong Kong took the big precaution of shuting down a hotel for 7 days after only finding ONE people with swine flu. Everybody thought the health workers and men walking in and out of that hotel in those 7 days with masks and head-to-toe protective clothing was exagerated and a big joke.

But why should one country's government being concerned about the general public's health be a joke to anyone...?? Why should anyone be shocked that they cared enough to act as quickly and as accordingly as they did..?

The normal flu does happen every year, and it does indeed kill a lot of people too. But this swine flu is something which is a little different, it is highly contagious and spread much faster and more lethal than the normal flu virus. Once it breaks out, it can not be contained.

This country is already suffering enough because of the financial problems, having to deal with a highly contagious virus like swine flu is just adding fuel to the fire.

I wish that anyone here who is unlucky enough to have the swine flu or know anyone who has caught it to recover quickly and get well soon. :hug:

 

[Kittensgotclaws]

I would probably got shot down for this but what I don't understand is why did the goverment not even TRY to contain it when it first hit the UK...?

Are they really that naive to think it is only a very small problem and after a few people catching it, it will then go away quietly..? Did the goverment not watch the news and see that Mexico was affected so badly that they had to shut down the whole country for a few days...? Did they not watch and remember what happened with the SARS virus back in 2003..?

Many people around the world was shock, laughing or confused when Hong Kong took the big precaution of shuting down a hotel for 7 days after only finding ONE people with swine flu. Everybody thought the health workers and men walking in and out of that hotel in those 7 days with masks and head-to-toe protective clothing was exagerated and a big joke.

But why should one country's government being concerned about the general public's health be a joke to anyone...?? Why should anyone be shocked that they cared enough to act as quickly and as accordingly as they did..?

The normal flu does happen every year, and it does indeed kill a lot of people too. But this swine flu is something which is a little different, it is highly contagious and spread much faster and more lethal than the normal flu virus. Once it breaks out, it can not be contained.

I wish that anyone here who is unlucky enough to have the swine flu or know anyone who has caught it to recover quickly and get well soon. :hug:

I totally agree with you hun, i also think that the UK is being very blase about this whole swine flu, people are still coming into the country and people are still leaving, lord knows what they might be carrying.

I wish everyone with swine flu a speady recovery :hug:
Jo.Xx