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Original poster

Do not underestimate this

60 replies

Ghekogiddy · 02/01/2011 13:28

After reading many posts claiming we are not in an epidemic i feel this is not true.

Daughter aged 9 - had swine flu jab - on day ten of flu - not getting better.

Me aged 32 - had swine flu jab - on day six of flu - not going away.

Mum - had swine flu jab - on day seven.

Partners mum - had swine flu jab - oh and has flu.

I would certainly say epidemic status here - only 15 of entire country's paedatric intensive care beds are vacant. Rest all occupied with swine flu.

I would have to say that this swine flu has probably mutated or that the vaccine is totally useless so whats the point in having it. And they should shut the schools for the next few weeks until this godforsaken illness has calmed down.

OP posts:
IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 02/01/2011 15:21

I had confirmed swine flu in Nov 2009 and TBH it wasn't any worse than any other flu I have had.
I was pretty ill for a few days and slept almost non stop for about 3 days but that and the other symptoms I had were no worse than 2 other bouts of flu I have had in my life.
DS1 also got it and to him it was just like a heavy cold, he was a bit poorly but not as ill as I had been.

Agree with SGM it is flu with a fancy name but it is still just flu and I think giving it a different name is adding to the panic and hype which isn't really helpful.

IAmReallyFabNow · 02/01/2011 16:34

Is there any point seeing a GP? I am not getting any better, could barely keep awake earlier and now feel wheezy and breathless. It has been a week. Have I got another week of this?

smbrookes · 02/01/2011 17:35

I totally agree. My son KS2 is in an at risk group. GP says there are not enough vaccines to vaccinate all at risk, and currently only pregnant women get the vaccine. Hospital beds are running out, and with schools going back in a few days, the hospitals will not be able to cope. schools can be kept shut for 2 inches of snow, why not to protect the children from this flu, which clearly is getting out of control. Mexico did it, with a lot of success. I suppose our governemnt is only happy to make tough decisions when it comes to the economy, not actually trying to save people's lives.

expatinscotland · 02/01/2011 17:38

They won't close schools because most people who get swine flu, or any other type of flu, recover just fine with no long-lasting effects. It's not polio or bubonic plague.

If a person is in a vulnerable group then by all means, keep them home till you can get vaccine and it has a chance to take effect.

But by and large, the vast majority of people who contract influenza don't die or even develop complications.

ajandjjmum · 02/01/2011 17:47

Fab
Get checked out - breathlessness is one of the things to watch out for.
Hope you're feeling better soon. Smile

corblimeymadam · 02/01/2011 17:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhYouSnowySnowyKitten · 02/01/2011 17:49

There is some speculation that the h1n1 (pandemic) has shifted a little particulalry in the UK where speculation has it that there is 'vaccine breakthrough'

one discussion (I have no idea whether this chaps science is sound or not)

And just so you know the <a class="break-all" href="http://informe.com/go/?domain=singtomeohmuse.com&url=singtomeohmuse.com&keyword=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pandemic flu preppers have noticed our response.

I guess what people can do practically, is to get a jab if they are eligible - it should at least protect people against severe forms. Also, if you are asthmatic then I would be making sure that you aren't about to run out on your inhalers. Ditto for other chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

FanjoForTheMincePies · 02/01/2011 17:59

Knowing lots of people with it doesn't make it a national epidemic. For example,i don't know anyone with it.

pinkstarlight · 02/01/2011 18:43

i would advice to get the jab if you can,my daughter is just recovering after having swine flu for 3 weeks she was swabbed so it was definately swine flu. i have never known her to be so poorly she scared the life out of me especially in the first few days didnt help that her b/f was also very ill in hospital at the same time with swine flu.

IAmReallyFabNow · 02/01/2011 19:00

ajandjjmum - it isn't all the time. I have periods of times of feeling okayish and then bam I feel ill again.

FanjoForTheMincePies · 02/01/2011 19:02

I have total sympathy for anyone suffering this flu, by the way.

But that pandemic flu forum is just a collection of tabloid scare stories designed to whip up a panic.

StewieGriffinsMom · 02/01/2011 19:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhYouSnowySnowyKitten · 02/01/2011 19:23

fanjo - its more than that - it is people who live their lives in a constant state of readiness waiting for the Big One. Kind of a sad way to live really.

In between there is a happy medium - not dismissing something entirely and utterly in a 'its all utter hype' sort of way and not living your life in a constant state of near panic. But instead just taking sensible personal precautions and hoping that politics, budgets and soundbites don't get in the way of sensible governing of public health bodies.

FanjoForTheMincePies · 02/01/2011 19:24

Yes,it is people whipped up into a panic by the scare stories.

It is sad to live in a state of worry if that worry doesn't actually achieve anything. Sad

OhYouSnowySnowyKitten · 02/01/2011 19:25

Flu epidemics tend to be more at a local level with particular areas going through a pattern of sharp rise and then decline. So, it is perfectly reasonable for it to be at epidemic levels in one place and not at another.

FanjoForTheMincePies · 02/01/2011 19:29

Yes, i agree.

My actual words were that know g lots of people with it doesn't make it a national epidemic. Smile

OhYouSnowySnowyKitten · 02/01/2011 19:31

Very accurate :)

OhYouSnowySnowyKitten · 02/01/2011 19:32

(and I should read more carefully!!)

IAmReallyFabNow · 02/01/2011 19:35

Stewie - I am a bit scared tbh. Just doing my inhaler in the hope it helps.

StewieGriffinsMom · 02/01/2011 19:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaptainNancy · 02/01/2011 19:47

It's not an epidemic just because you know four people with it Hmm and as you don't say where you are it isn't particularly helpful to anyone else either.

I would say watch out for your dd though - dh had SF in the first wave, 18mo ago. He had asthma as a child, but never as an adult... however since SF (which attacked his lungs and chest very badly) he has suffered with asthma, and has to take preventer every day, has had numerous serious chest infections, and has just had a 10 day bout of flu (normal type) which has left him severely weakened and exhausted.

Sorry you're all ill.

IAmReallyFabNow · 02/01/2011 19:48

Inhaler hasn't really helped. I am finding it really hard to concentrate as well. I just need some sleep but the kids are home so tomorrow will start earlier than today. I feel like I have cotton wool in my head too.

StewieGriffinsMom · 02/01/2011 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elibean · 02/01/2011 22:06

I had flu after being vaccinated back in 1997. DH had it first (no vaccine) and had temps of 40+, a very sore throat, and was ill for over a week. I felt pretty rough, but had lower temps than DH and was only ill for about 3 or 4 days.

I definitely caught it from him (was nursing him, he hardly moved the first two days), and it was definitely flu.

So I know the flu jab doesn't mean we're not going to get swine or any other flu. But hopefully it does mean its likely to be milder if we do.

OP, so sorry to hear about all the illness - must feel really frustrating/scary/disappointing after having been vaccinated - and hope you're all better soon. Who knows, maybe without the vaccines, it could have been even worse??

bubbleymummy · 02/01/2011 23:05

I really don't think there's any way of knowing whether your flu would be milder without the vaccine. You may have had a mild case anyway - no one knows how serious it would be for any one particular person.

OP, sorry you're all feeling so ill. Hope you feel better soon. I think there have been a few studies showing that Vitamin D supplements are very good at helping people recover from/prevent flu so maybe that's worth a try. Vaccines aren't 100% effective and I think seasonal flu vaccines were in at around 70% so they can't guarantee you won't get flu - which is a shame if you are putting your trust in them.

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