Swine Flu

[KiraIMustBeInvisible]

Doh, I hate this stupid flu >.< It's caused nothing but freak outs at my school. Even though there has been no reported cases in Colorado, everyone is starting to yell at people because they're not washing their hands after they cough, and not running to get a tissue to sneeze in, but use a tissue to wipe their hands and then throw it away. I know these are just precautions, but I think it's really being blown out of porportion here. I haven't heard of any deaths in the U.S, and people in Mexico are most likely dying because it's very crowded, and they dont have as good of health care as the U.S does. I know it's very scary, but still, there's no need to freak out about it. Just take the simple precautions, and don't yell at people when they sneeze and don't use a stinkin' tissue Dx Ugghhh.

[Rocketship_]

My mom bought my sister and I little bottles of Germ-X to carry around with us, and she told us to be careful of anyone who acts like they might sneeze. XD

The news said that the flu seems to have a lesser affect on Americans, and the people that have contracted the virus sometimes don't even need antibiotics. They say that's why there have been over 40 cases in the US, and only two deaths.

All in all, I'm not scared of it, persay. Just... wary. XD

[Silent_Wolf]

There haven't been any deaths in the US so far, but honestly it's bugging me. I know it could take the CDC ages to come up with a way to beat it, but still.

[Silver_Wolf_Kitty]

Update this morning, the first US death has ocurred in Texas. It was an infant, so its immune system wouldn't have been able to handle it as well.

[Miranda_]

There's a couple who were honeymooning in Mexico who brought it into Britain. -.- They live in Scotland.

Scottish swine flu couple recovering | World news | guardian.co.uk

[Silver_Wolf_Kitty]

WHO raises swine flu pandemic alert to phase 5 - Swine flu- msnbc.com

The alert level has now been pushed into phase 5, which mean a global outbreak of the disease being consider imminent.

Now, I must emphasize to everyone that they do not panic. Many symptoms that people believe they are feeling are actually a result of HYSTERIA! You can imagine yourself a stomach ache(which I did this morning when we discussed it in class, despite knowing that I was having a hysterical reaction), along with other minor symptoms and you symtoms may still be something else entirely. If you really do have the symptoms, which can be found on major health sites, call your DOCTOR and speak with them. They will determine if you are well enough to go out or will tell you to stay in to prevent the spreading of the disease. It is not suggested to go to the hospital(without the doctor telling you) unless symptoms are severe because you have a higher risk of exposing yourself to worse contagions.

[Miranda_]

Not to mention the fact that ordinary flu has much the same symptoms.

I used to work in a pet store around birds and went down with flu once; I went to the doctor right away and told him I was around birds, but it wasn't bird flu... it was flu flu. So if you go down with flu symptoms and are at all worried, visit a doctor right away who can put your mind at rest.

[Silent_Wolf]

If you go to a doctor and suspect it's a flu, now they swab your mouth to test for it. Think they do it in hospitals, too. Honestly, I think I just got over a regular flu and I don't need another and I'm tempted to stay out of school for awhile to keep myself safe. O_o

[Rocketship_]

Do any of you think this virus may mutate into something more deadly?

[Silver_Wolf_Kitty]

I doubt it will become more deadly. The main source of flu deaths is usually because of comprised immune systems, which can be found in the very young, elderly, and people whose immune system is repressed(by disease or drugs). I can't say why Mexico is having a harder time since they aren't recording the demographics of deaths, but that is what usually is the case with these things.

The best thing people can do is take the proper precautions and not panic. It will probably not become "more deadly", but it can lead to pneumonia when far enough along in severe cases(which is frequent in the Mexico deaths from my understanding). Many countries are well equipped to battle the symptoms and any results from the swine flu, just like with the regular flu, so no one has any real reason to panic as long as they take the precautions and do what their doctor says if they fall ill.

Just a tidbit, most of the non-Mexican cases are mild and the people are recovering quickly. The problem in Mexico is they aren't as well-equipped as many other countries to handle these health emergencies, which is why they actually closed down many public places. If you can, I'd suggest avoiding places where you will be cramped in close with strangers or where the conditions are less than satisfactory with cleanliness(graduations, church, restaurants, etc) who could've been exposed. These are the major spreading zones for the swine flu when its spread person to person.