SWINE FLU INFO

[iJenny]

Hey gals. I saw the other thread about swine flu and thought I'd share a few things with you. First, all of my information is as of today, April 28th 2009 and straight from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). As a school nurse, I recieve twice-daily updates on this situation straight from the CDC. Here's information from the final update this afternoon.






First, here are the states in the U.S. that have confirmed cases of swine flu... California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio, and New York.

Second, everyone should know that there have been no U.S. deaths related to swine flu. Of all the U.S. cases, only one has resulted in hospitalization and ALL of them have recovered.

Third, as it stands as of today, 4/28/09, swine flu in the U.S. acts just like seasonal influenza (fever, body aches, etc.) with symptom onset within seven days of exposure. It is treated and cured with the same medications (TamiFlu, etc.) as seasonal influenza.

Fourth, swine flu is transmitted through DIRECT contact with an infected person. Anyone who has travelled to Mexico (namely, Mexico City) within seven days prior to onset of symptoms should contact their healthcare professional.









So, there ya go, ladies. I hate to say it, but the media is sensationalizing this into a bigger deal than it is at this time. Yes, it may become more of a problem. The situation changes every day. But panic is not going to fix anything and I wish the media would stop using words like "pandemic" and "the big one" when describing swine flu.

Just be smart, ladies. Wash hands, limit exposure, and stay safe.

[lauren grier]

Have I Told you lately that I love you :]

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

Have I Told you lately that I love you :]

no, but thats ok. In my heart, I already know it.

[nesser1981]

Thanks Jenny. That's good to know.

[newfiemountiewife]

Jenny rocks.

[LeeAndra]

They just confirmed a case in Indiana. A student at Notre Dame hac it last week and has since recovered, but they have not yet figured out how he got it.

[Leah]

They're making a pretty big deal about it here in Canada too.

[flattsgurl]

That is some GREAT info Jenny! Thank you!

[AmyM]

Thanks Jenny!

[AnnieBananie]

I'm very happy that you all find peace in this. Truly. I do hope that people will be as wary of statements by the CDC as they are of the media, mistakes happen (for instance, that CDC report falsely attributes antivirals as a "cure" for the flu) and it may not be the first or last time a gov't facility withholds information. Make your own assertions and be safe. I love you girls.

[ajf9597]

Thanks for the info Jenny!

[Sharon Kay]

Thanks Jenny!! Even though there has been 2 cases in KS...I'm not worried about it...jeesh in our CITY alone there is over 50,000 people! No idea how many people live in KS...so it's just a teensy teensy percentage.

[rachaelsscraps]

I just wanted to add that there has been a confirmed death in the US due to the swine flu....

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by rachaelsscraps

I just wanted to add that there has been a confirmed death in the US due to the swine flu....

yeah, saw this this morning. A 23-month old. Very sad.

But I keep telling myself.... people die every year of seasonal influenza too.

Just tryin' to stay positive.

[ColleenSwerb]

Right Jenny, people die from the flu all the time. People with weaker and compromised immune systems are more suseptible to any type of illness and will have a harder time fighting it.

I'm sick with flu-like symptoms right now. After 3 weeks of incredible stress, I flew out to TX this past weekend and was stuck in 2 airplanes for 8 hours. Not surprised I got sick at all, and I'm already back on the mend.

[rachaelsscraps]

Right, that's what I was thinking, that the very young and very old may end up dying if they contract it because their immune system isn't as strong. It's so sad!

[nikkiARNGwife]

They just said on foxnews that the 23 mo old just came here from Mexico - or that's what they're saying..not sure if it's confirmed...so so sad though.

[SamaraGugler]

Originally Posted by rachaelsscraps

Right, that's what I was thinking, that the very young and very old may end up dying if they contract it because their immune system isn't as strong. It's so sad!

That's not what they are saying. It's going to hit the adult population worse.

http://www.wpxi.com/video/19313969/index.html

[ColleenSwerb]

That makes no sense to me. That 25-40 and healthy, are more suseptible than the young and old with weaker immune systems.

[nanienamou]

Yes, it's what's alarming: this flu is killing people in the 25-45 bracket the most, it seems. That's because those with the strongest immune system react the most to the virus. It's your immune system that ends up killing you, not the flu. Those with weaker immune system seem to have more chances of getting through this.

[AnnieBananie]

Cytokine storm

[ColleenSwerb]

Ah, thank you Annie, that makes more sense.
Looks like I'm in the clear, lol. No vomiting or nausea, no fever, no extreme fatigue.

[~ashleigh]

thanks for the update, Jenny. And I am with you, I am staying positive. I already have reiterated the importance of covering your mouth, washing your hands, etc. with my girls.

And with any big news story, there are "experts" at all ends of the doom spectrum. I try to stay informed, but not get caught up in the fear (admittedly, a difficult thing to do right now). I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle. There is a line between being informative and creating mass hysteria, and I think many news outlets have crossed that line.

[Stacey42]

I think it s a difficult road to walk, releasing info. Things move so quickly & there are so many unknowns, especially with a new disease. They want to prepare people but not alarm them & there are always those who will over react and they tend to get the most attention because they are louder than people who under react, so people who are taking a moderate approach can get freaked out & then you get every person with the sniffles inundating doctors offices with 'possible swine flu'

I currently have chest congestion and I was on a plane last week with people who may have been to Mexico and while I tend to be in the moderate/under side of reactions I am thinking in the back of my mind "am I feverish, am I nauseus? It's wednesday, should I get an appointment for Friday in case I get worse? Are the kids feverish?" and meanwhile DH is pointing out that it is allergy season. I have had my face pressed against car windows covered in pollen (which I am allergic too) trying to see how much back row space they have. And have been lax on my allergy meds. Buut even with that I still can't help wondering.

So I feel for the media right now. They have no control over people's reactions & info does have to be released

[~ashleigh]

I agree, Stacy that information has to be released, and that people will overreact to that information.

However, I have seen reports claiming that the swine flu has a 5-7% mortality rate (when, statistically speaking, there haven't been enough people infected to accurately determine that), and estimating that it could affect 30% of our population, killing about 2 million Americans. How can this not scare the crap out of everyone? Yet, I haven't been able to find proof that these claims are accurate. And why compare this flu to the outbreak in 1918 without taking into account our advances in health and medicine? That is a serious omission, imo.

That said, I am not suggesting that this isn't a serious threat. However, we need to expect our news to treat it as a serious threat, and not as something that can be sensationalized to fill time & sell advertising.

Releasing information is one thing, presenting opinion as fact is quite another.

JMHO


BTW,Hope you feel better, Stacy!

[Stacey42]

Oh I agree Ashleigh, the need to give info does seem to be out pacing the accuracy of the info, which is not a good thing, that 7% number is a good example. They don't know the real number of people with swine flu in Mexico so that can't be accurate.

I think they compared SARS during it's early part to the 1918 pandemic as well. Its a nice big memorable reference point, like comparing the economy to the Depression, when it's running more like the 70's recession. The media leaping to the worst case scenario does drive me nuts.

[lizzyfizzy]

finally, my sensible bff steps in to save the day. i almost lost it.

[lizzyfizzy]

k, real quick. if your going to panic over a flu visit the other thread. i cannot take it. i'm getting chest pain.

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by lizzyfizzy

finally, my sensible bff steps in to save the day. i almost lost it.

((curtseying gracefully))


your welcome.

[AnnieBananie]

I have yet to read a panicky post. Concerned, yes but that's it.

[ColleenSwerb]

Lizzy, what is going on? Why are you getting chest pain? No one is panicking, people are just voicing concern.

[lizzyfizzy]

it's the same 'concern' over and over. it's annoying me. my current personal concern is my chest pain related to annoyance in the pig flu threads. we're about to have a lizzy pandemic in a sec.

[ColleenSwerb]

Then you should probably stop reading the threads. Considering the conflicting information that's out there, and even the lack of information that's out there, anyone kind of concern is certainly valid.

Clearly, you don't have any concerns, so just stop reading the threads if it's gonna throw you into a tizzy.

[lizzyfizzy]

col. i read the thread cause jenny posted some positive information and it was twisted (with repeated negative information) that's when i got annoyed.

[kscwgirl]

Originally Posted by lizzyfizzy

col. i read the thread cause jenny posted some positive information and it was twisted (with repeated negative information) that's when i got annoyed.

people are posting news links and confirmed information. No one is twisting what Jenny said, at all. Factual doesn't always equal negative.

[iJenny]

I guess I don't know what the difference is between everyone else posting their opinions on the flu issue and Lizzy posting hers?

She's not attacking anyone anymore than any of the others posters are.

So, whats with all the drama?

[kscwgirl]

Originally Posted by Lilcameronsmommy

I guess I don't know what the difference is between everyone else posting their opinions on the flu issue and Lizzy posting hers?

She's not attacking anyone anymore than any of the others posters are.

So, whats with all the drama?

I dont' think any of the other posters were attacking anyone. Lizzy is the one telling people to stop posting because their concerns are bothering her. I don't feel that anyone in this thread panicked or did anything remotely like attacking other posters except for trying to figure out why Lizzy was getting upset.

[AnnieBananie]

What's with all the drama, indeed.

[lizzyfizzy]

*waves white flag whilst singing dido*

jenny, they were just alarmed cause i put on my angry eyes. lmao. really, i'm not mad that people are concerned i just got annoyed cause it's becoming redundant...even when positive light is shed. in any case, i'm over it. i didn't mean to diminish any real concern out there.

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by kscwgirl

Lizzy is the one telling people to stop posting because their concerns are bothering her.

see? this is where ya lost me, girls. I just read back in the thread and NO WHERE did Lizzy say anything remotely like "stop posting cuz its bothering me".

I'm just sayin'.

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by lizzyfizzy

*waves white flag whilst singing dido*

jenny, they were just alarmed cause i put on my angry eyes. lmao. really, i'm not mad that people are concerned i just got annoyed cause it's becoming redundant...even when positive light is shed. in any case, i'm over it. i didn't mean to diminish any real concern out there.

yeah, your angry eyes are pretty scary. lol

[OrianaVianey]

Is a huge deal here in El Salvador too.
No cases here yet, but we are scared!

[sugarlips]

Here is some info I found yesterday for us Texans:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...RiwUwD97SAROO1



Swine flu forces Texas HS officials to halt sports

By JIM VERTUNO – 18 hours ago

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas officials on Wednesday postponed all public high school athletic and academic competitions until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak.

The move suspends the baseball and softball seasons and eliminates the regional track championships that were to start Friday, said Charles Breithaupt, executive director of the University Interscholastic League. He said league officials acted on the recommendation of public health officials.

"The health and safety of our student activity participants is of the utmost importance," Breithaupt said. "Taking every possible precaution to prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of our great state, and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants safe."

School officials say 53,000 students are out of school due to concern over the virus, and dozens of schools were closed to be sanitized.

The state golf and tennis championships are scheduled to begin May 11.

The state track meet, one of the largest high school track and field competitions in the country, has been extended from its normal two days to three and is scheduled for May 14-16.

All UIL academic competitions, including a state meet that was to begin May 7, were also postponed and will be rescheduled later.

With 16 confirmed cases of swine flue in Texas, Gov. Rick Perry announced a disaster declaration Wednesday for the entire state. The declaration will allow officials to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Ft Worth - a major school district here in North Texas - closed schools for EVERYONE - personnel included - until at least May 8 for 1 confirmed case and 3 probably cases.

[kscwgirl]

2 confirmed cases now in a county near me. The area I live in has a lot of people traveling back and forth to Mexico on a daily basis, so it's a little more concerning now than it was a week ago. We shall see.

[ZaCola3]

There are two big public HS's in Chicagoland closed today too!

[ColleenSwerb]

It's nice to see public officials taken appropriate actions at least.

[Angela Spangler]

Originally Posted by rachaelsscraps

I just wanted to add that there has been a confirmed death in the US due to the swine flu....

True, but this child is a Mexican citizen who traveled with his family to the US, and was likely already ill when he got here.

[rachaelsscraps]

Originally Posted by Angela Spangler

True, but this child is a Mexican citizen who traveled with his family to the US, and was likely already ill when he got here.

Yeah, I didn't realize that at first! I don't know why they wouldn't announce that right away when they first reported his death...

There are "3 possible cases" close to home for us, I'm waiting to find out if they're actually confirmed or not- there's 1 in Albany, 1 in Schnectady, & 1 in Washington County. We're about an hour away from Albany so I'm a little concerned about that one!

[maryinaz]

Originally Posted by Angela Spangler

True, but this child is a Mexican citizen who traveled with his family to the US, and was likely already ill when he got here.

Exactly. The government needs to close the borders so the disease can be contained and treated.