Swine Flu Over-reaction?

[penniless 0]

Quote

Quote

I don't think it's an over-reaction. I think we're lucky, though, that this one isn't hitting us so hard. It could have been much worse, and I do think it's a good idea to have our heads out of our asses where influenza is concerned. There have been several similar scares-of-sorts since the 1924 (was it 24?) pandemic. That was the bad one. When another virus DOES spread amongst us that we have little immunity against, I'd much rather be prepared for it (best we can be) than not.

1918 Spanish flu was the bad one..

This one is just getting going.. BUT.... I fear this is a case of the little boy calling WOLF. When the Bird flu does mutate or some other strain comes along that we are ill prepared for... it WILL be far worse

The 1957 Asian flu pandemic caused an EXTRA 70,000 deaths in the US (over and above the seasonal flu), and 2,000,000 worldwide. The 1968 "Hong Kong" flu caused an EXTRA 28,000 US deaths.

We WILL have another killer pandemic sometime. We do not yet know if this will be it.

This flu is still an unknown in its very early stages. IMO the risk of doing too little is far greater than the risk of over-reacting.

[lawrocket 3]

I think my problem is that assuming this was (or will be) the killer pandemic (we'll likely find out next winter), what good would have been done by the news coverage?

What can family doctors, etc., do about viral infection short of hospitalization, quarantine and anti-viral meds? Not much, I'm afraid.

Perhaps public information should be a bit more than "stay home." Maybe, "keep hydrated." If something like aspirin in contraindicated (I.e. Reyes syndrome) then get word to use acetaminephin for control of fever and as analgesic.

Very little came out in this regard. Want to save lives? Then put out the information that will help those who are or will be infected. A message such as, "flu is a fact of life, folks. This is the flu. Here is how to manage your risk of infection. If infected, do x, y and z. If fever is 104 or above after acetamen, then seek treatment with your primary care physician." Etc...

Anyone with flu symptoms in ER is gonna be triaged. This will, of course create crowding and iatrogenic vectoring will be primed.

Maybe the government can set up flu centers - triages for people who suspect flu and open up the care centers to handling 99.99999% of other issues.

The word is providing something useful and practical to aid survival. We aren't seeing anything other than "young healthy adults" are mosyt at risk of death.

Thanks, folks.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[jerryzflies 0]

Quote

I think my problem is that assuming this was (or will be) the killer pandemic (we'll likely find out next winter), what good would have been done by the news coverage?

What can family doctors, etc., do about viral infection short of hospitalization, quarantine and anti-viral meds? Not much, I'm afraid.

Perhaps public information should be a bit more than "stay home." Maybe, "keep hydrated." If something like aspirin in contraindicated (I.e. Reyes syndrome) then get word to use acetaminephin for control of fever and as analgesic.

Very little came out in this regard. Want to save lives? Then put out the information that will help those who are or will be infected. A message such as, "flu is a fact of life, folks. This is the flu. Here is how to manage your risk of infection. If infected, do x, y and z. If fever is 104 or above after acetamen, then seek treatment with your primary care physician." Etc...

Anyone with flu symptoms in ER is gonna be triaged. This will, of course create crowding and iatrogenic vectoring will be primed.

Maybe the government can set up flu centers - triages for people who suspect flu and open up the care centers to handling 99.99999% of other issues.

The word is providing something useful and practical to aid survival. We aren't seeing anything other than "young healthy adults" are mosyt at risk of death.

Thanks, folks.

Maybe you should apply to be surgeon general, then you could make sure that everything is done exactly to your liking.

As it is, I'd rather like to know how to reduce my risk of getting it. Knowing that the virus is transmitted by touch so hand washing is important, knowing that commercial air travel is a primary way by which bacterial and viral infections get spread from state to state and country to country, are very helpful things for the public to know.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, the problem's electrical.

[airtwardo 7]

knowing that commercial air travel is a primary way by which bacterial and viral infections get spread from state to state and country to country, are very helpful things for the public to know.

[lawrocket 3]

I see your point. You'd like to see how to avoid it or reduce your chances of getting it. To avoid it, avoid any and all human contact. If this is a persistent strain, that means forever.

To reduce your chances of ever getting it, continue to acoid people. To avoid ever getting it in the next couple of weeks, avoid all human contact for two weeks.

To reduce your chances, avoid all places where humans gather in enclosed spaces, such as airplanes, buses, trains, offices, schools, stores, or other such locations. If anyone sneezes or coughs who may have it, go home and avoid all contact with others.

In the event that such contact is necessary, avoid physical contact. Wash your hands in the event of any actual human contact. Get home and shower immediately and exfoliate. wash all clothing in a 10% bleach solution.

Now, of course these suggestions are exactly the same as to avoid the flu. Indeed, it is how we minimize our risks of contracting MRSA, strep, fungus, etc.

We are told to avoid places where disease vectors may be present. Thanks for the advice. We are told to wash our hands and don't pick our noses. Hmm - good hygienic will help reduce the risk.

If good hyguenic practices refuce the risk, then there is no need to worry, in which case I think that the WHO, government and the press overreacted.

On the other hand, if this thing is something where there is simply nothing that can be done (short of personal quarantine) to ensure that you don't get it, then we are into the realm of management of the illness itself.

First: "these are the symptoms."
Second: "if these symptoms match but are mild (explain mild) here are recommendations for 'dos' and 'donts'."
Third: "if these symptoms are severe (I.e. Shortness of breath), we recommend these steps..."

Which is what hasn't been put out there.

Does this make more sense?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

I happen to know a pilot flying international routes, if ANY passengers on an incoming flight (to Spain) show any symptoms at all, the plane and passengers are to be immediately quarantined, re-fueled and sent away.

Good thing those people aren't doctors. After 10 hours (probably overnight) on a flight (plus an hour on the tarmac at Heathrow like I had), breathing the same dry recirculated air, half the plane has some symptoms.

The price to hysterical overreactions is that people has limited patience and will tune it out. And they won't go to places like HK where entire hotels get quarantined. Not unless a lot more than 20 people die. m

[jerryzflies 0]

Quote

I see your point. You'd like to see how to avoid it or reduce your chances of getting it. To avoid it, avoid any and all human contact. If this is a persistent strain, that means forever.

Nonsense - we aren't worrying any more about '57 Asian Flu or '68 Hong Kong Flu.

Epidemiology isn't your thing, is it?

If you can't fix it with a hammer, the problem's electrical.

[lawrocket 3]

Not really. I was explicit in use of the term "persistent.". There are viruses out there that can persist longer than a year or so.

Of course, I save just heard (unconfirmed) that the CDC stated that this is no worse than seasonal flu.

And I do know a bit about epidemiology - which is why I know that steps can be taken to slow the spread of certain viral agents - but not eliminate them.

Think of the common cold. A virus. No vaccine. Persistent. Steps can be taken to lower your risk of getting a cold in amy particular year but with any degree of human interaction you will get it at some point.

Am I wrong?

If so, please explain my errors.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[airdvr 210]

I just got back from Cancun last night. It was sad really.

The airport was deserted. Our resort closed down yesterday and moved everyone to a bigger resort in the chain. All of those people out of work because of this.

When you leave Cancun you are required to have an intern take your temperature and have a short visit.

General concensus from the few guest we spoke with is this is BS.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

When you leave Cancun you are required to have an intern take your temperature and have a short visit.

given the 7-10 incubation period, this would mostly catch people who brought flu to Mexico.

[Conundrum 1]

Quote

Quote

When you leave Cancun you are required to have an intern take your temperature and have a short visit.

given the 7-10 incubation period, this would mostly catch people who brought flu to Mexico.

I have heard it has a 48 hour incu period. Where are you getting your info? I'd like to know which is accurate?

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Quote

given the 7-10 incubation period, this would mostly catch people who brought flu to Mexico.

I have heard it has a 48 hour incu period. Where are you getting your info? I'd like to know which is accurate?

Directives from my office for when to stay home and for how long. Perhaps they're erring on the long side, but 48 hours seems extremely short for a cold or flu.