Ask Me Help Desk - Swine flu.

Swine flu.

Is anybody aware of this latest flu going around.

Apparently it began in mexico but there are cases around the world now.
There has been confirmed cases in Canada, United States where there is now one death. About 150 mexicans died from this already.

How do we stop these things? So much travel now, and so many ways of spreading it.

The president of the united states is calling it h1 whatever because many people and countries are fearing that it is because of pigs. Some countries are slaughtering pigs. Apparently though this virus is being spread human to human.

What are your thoughts on this developing story?

Joe

H1N1 is the genome (remember Bird Flu H5N1 ?) and if left untreated can cause issues, but it seems that it's only fatal to Mexicans.

So far there has been 1 confirmed death.
Small boy from mexico and his family traveled to Texas. At this point family still healthy.

1 confirmed and 1 possibly case of swine flu in my town, visalia, California. Both cases are kids from same school... the school is closed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curlyben

H1N1 is the genome (remember Bird Flu H5N1 ?) and if left untreated can cause issues, but it seems that it's only fatal to Mexicans.

How can it only be fatal to Mexicans?? :confused:

That is very strange. Is it only mexicans being worse hit by this? Is it because the government is slow to react? A baby in Texas 23 month old baby died of this same flu.

So curlyben, Yes I remember the bird flu, at the same time they are thinking this virus is changing.
So you think it is just fear mongering as far as publicity goes. Do not push the panic button but tell people it will be a pandemics threat?

Your thoughts.

There is 3 confirmed cases in ontario, some in alberta and some in halifax. That is canada alone but apparently they have been mild compared to in mexico. Most people here who have it, has traveled to mexico.

EDIT:: Well There was a scare years ago with SARS IN TORONTO, but they say they are better prepared now.

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Swine Flu website last updated April 29, 11:00 AM ET

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 29, 2009, 11:00 AM ET) States # of laboratory confirmed cases Deaths
Arizona 1
California 14
Indiana 1
Kansas 2
Massachusetts 2
Michigan 2
Nevada 1
New York 51
Ohio 1
Texas 16 1
TOTAL COUNTS 91 cases 1 death
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation's first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency's goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC's Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

I will take any excuse to get out of work...

Can we still eat pork? Don't laugh that I am clueless.

They are saying that eating pork will not spread the virus. I would think that since cooking pork kills most viruses.. That is what some people fear, they hear swine flu and think that it effects what they eat as well. According to the government it has nothing to do with eating pork.

The safety is the same as eating beef, chicken and other stuff.

I would think actual mexicans working on a farm with pigs. Would be more suspectable because they are handling them and around whatever conditions caused this jump to humans.

Ok... just scary to think.

Glad I don't work for the airport.

No kidding, there are some countries banning flights completely to mexico and out of mexico.

Others is more of a precautionary measurement.

I think I like the idea of closing the border and flights but that is just opinion.

CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu)

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

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 hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Amid flu fears, USDA says pork is safe to eat

Fear of swine flu is a good reason to wash your hands, but not to take pork off the menu.

Federal health officials say the virus that has triggered fears of a flu pandemic is not transmitted by food, and that all food-borne germs are killed when pork is cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 160 F.

There also is no evidence so far that American pigs are infected with the virus, or that people can become infected by touching uncooked pork, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday.

Swine flu can be spread the same way seasonal viruses are, mainly through sneezing, coughing and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, as well as through contact with infected pigs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When cooking pork, internal temperature is a better indicator than color to determine whether the meat is safely cooked. Cooked pork sometimes will still be pink at the center depending on cooking method and other ingredients.

Thomas Griffiths, an associate dean at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. says smaller cuts of pork, such as chops or medallions, should be cooked until they hit 160 F.

But large cuts, such as a loin, can be removed from the heat at about 152 F or 153 F, then allowed to rest. Larger cuts of all meats continue cooking off the heat and will reach 160 F.

Hello Krazi,

I think it is good to have information at your fingertips and good links here. I think it is good to have a discussion of what is happening. Not to panic people but to inform people.

Thanks Krazi for taking the time to respond on this thread.
Really do appreciate it.

Joe

Your welcome... I been toe to toe w/ my wife about pulling our kids from their school since the closure of mountin view school closed today.

Oh wow, I think it is better to be safe then sorry myself.
How close is that school to your kids school?
I heard some schools are closing up to a week.

Take care of your kids.

Joe

approx. 7 miles away from my kids school.
Since its in my town I don't want my kids anywhere.

Channel 30 news broadcast

Visalia School Closed due to Swine Flu Concerns - 4/29/09 - Fresno News - abc30.com

It's hitting close to home now.

I hate watching the news for this very reason, I'm prone to panic when it comes to things like this.

It does sound like they're trying to contain it, but all it takes is one person that has the virus and before we know it it will be a pandemic. Scary thought.

Joe, you said that there have been cases in Alberta. Do you know where in Alberta? Now I'm worried. :(

Quick search...

Seven new cases were confirmed Tuesday — two in Alberta, four in Ontario and one in British Columbia — adding to six announced Sunday. All have links with travel to Mexico, where the illness is suspected of killing more than 150 people and of sickening more than 1,600.

London humor...

http://www.talesofbalboa.com/backiss...wine%20Flu.jpg

Scary! I feel like going out and buying masks. Yes, I'm that much of a germaphobe! ;)

Wow. I thought they had this under control and contained. I guess not. :(

Quote:

Comments on this post
Altenweg agrees: LMAO! Is that anything like "when pigs fly"?

Yes, but the difference is the "swine flu" can kill and "pigs fly" has craptacular targeting abilities.

I think if Canada, USA and Mexico all have swine flu. Then it shouldn't matter if we cross borders because we are all infected.

We are infected because of the american tourism in mexico. Close the borders stop all flights into infected areas and if people want to tour elsewhere they better have a dr. note to show clean bill of health.

Two cases in my town of Syracuse and they had to shut down the school.Kind of scary.
I worry about my mother who has dementia and is in a nursing home.They seem to get hit with everything.

Locally,where we have cases, they are saying if you are sick with the flu,do not go to a hospital.That is a little daunting!
Encouraging people to buy bottled water and masks.. I don't like it!

We have 2 confirmed cases in Tennessee, as of right now, one of them just a few miles from me. Here at the hospital there are people walking around in the ER with masks and gowns on. Luckily I am stuck in the nursery tonight where everything is spic and span.

A girl was sent to the doctor's from my daughter's high school today. We'll see what comes of that.

OMG you guys. I can't believe that it's in places where I know people. I really honestly thought this was contained.

J9, is it 100% fatal if caught or is it a touch ang go kind of thing? Are they working on a vaccine? Are they doing anything?

I'm sorry if my questions are silly, but I really don't know much about this kind of thing. How scared should we all be?

Stop worrying about it. Yull either get it or you won't

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshdta

Stop worrying about it. Yull either get it or you won't

That's reassuring. NOT! :eek:

I've read a little about it and it's a little confusing. Most people have been treated and it wasn't so severe. That's what I read, don't know if Im right. The article said it's pretty much mexico is getting it severe... I wonder why.. There's only one dead in america as of now

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzball_Kara

I've read a little about it and it's a little confusing. Most people have been treated and it wasn't so severe. That's what I read, dunno if Im right. The article said it's pretty much mexico is getting it severe... I wonder why.. Theres only one dead in america as of now

Now that IS reassuring. :)

Still upsetting though. :(

Heck nawl i stay in tyler &nd a kid up in lufkin just g0t it they 0ut 0f sch00ll f0r s0me weeks.. that thing needs t0 be stopped..

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRSMiLLS

HECK NAWL i STAY iN TYLER &ND A KiD UP iN LUFKiN JUST G0T iT THEY 0UT 0F SCH00LL F0R S0ME WEEKS..THAT THiNG NEEDS T0 BE STOPED..

Mrs Mills. Welcome to AMHD. Please note that typing in all caps is considered yelling and therefore rude and frowned on.

Also, there is a spell check available, we request that you type in the best english that you are capable of so that we can understand you better and post accurate responses to your posts.

Thanks. :)

I'm starting to worry. I was told face masks are hard to find now better luck finding painting masks at the hardware store.

This is a very good and recent article.
The Associated Press: More schools close, swine flu cases pass 100

"So far U.S. cases are fairly mild for the most part, with one death, a Mexican toddler who visited Texas with his family — unlike in Mexico where more than 160 suspected deaths have been reported. In fact, Schuchat said most of the U.S. cases so far didn't need a doctor's care."
Quote taken from The Associated Press: More schools close, swine flu cases pass 100

Hope that helps you a bit more Alty. :)

I think this may help Alty too,she was next on my list. Can't forget our Canadian Friends!
AFP: Canada swine flu cases rise to 34

It'd be cool if there was a person on her to talk about their personal experience with the swine flu... Is it something you can get a second time? I know that's probably a dumb question. But I have to ask anyway.

I honestly think that the media's blown this up WAYYY too far.

It's apparently the "next pandemic,"... and not to mention, pork sales have bombed...

Is anyone aware how many people die annually by the regular flu?

Well, I know flus have been deadly, but people are so ill informed that they are like babies.

When a kid gets hurt, most of the time the first thing they do is look at you to see your reation... If you freak out, so will the kid..