Sensible, non-panicking Swine flu measures?

[bella29]

Just wondered.....

they (a doctor) said on my local BBC radio station this morning that it would be wise to set by a stock of paracetamol, calpol etc. just in case.

Anything else you are doing?

Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) refers to influenza caused by those strains of influenza virus that usually infect pigs and are called swine influenza virus (SIV).[1] Swine influenza is common in pigs in the midwestern United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.[1]

Transmission of SIV from pigs to humans is not common. When it results in human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People who work with pigs, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine flu. However, only about fifty such transmissions have been recorded since the mid-20th Century, when identification of influenza subtypes became possible. (Importantly, eating pork does not pose a risk of infection.) Rarely, these strains of swine flu can pass from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

The 2009 flu outbreak in humans that is widely known as "swine flu" is due to a new strain of "influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that was produced by reassortment from one strain of human influenza virus, one strain of avian influenza virus, and two separate strains of SIV. The origin of this new strain is unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that this strain has not been isolated in pigs.[2] It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation.[3] This 2009 H1N1 strain causes the normal symptoms of influenza, such as fever, coughing and headache.[4]*

Oh yes the 100% accurate wikipedia. I think that lacks sources TBH - and I think that some elements are slightly distorted/mis-represented.

The statement "It passes with apparent ease from human to human" - I think that the "apparent ease" is not necessarily substantiated at this time - I think there have been 2 (or is it 3?) countries which have comfirmed human - human transfer. When we upgrade to a level 6 panademic alert (which we could be on the verge of if it is 3 countries which have had human to human transfer - based on WHO criteria).

I am not trying to say it isn't transferring human to human....I guess I am just saying that compared to the potnetial we ain't seen nothing yet.

Oh yes i agree. was just stating 'facts' from the great wikipedia.

If they have only seen 50 cases since 1975, then i doubt 2009 will be much of a cause for concern. As long as no pig farmers are near me (oops i nanny for kids, who live on a farm!] then im sure i wont panick too much. Though i still didnt go to asda last night and have shit all in the house...let alone candles for a power cut, and some ham for sandwiches (actually think ill go chicken...ahh no actually dont want avian flu, think well stick to bread and butter )

Chellesgirl, this virus is not a 'pig' virus, not found in pigs nor in pork products. It has the DNA of pigs in it because pigs are where viruses often 'mix' and then transfer from them to humans, because the physiology is related. But since then it has mutated to become a human virus. And although I agree that there is not evidence of efficient human to human transmission, it seems VERY unlikely that the worldwide human cases caught it from pigs either, in Mexico. Most mexicans will not have caught it from pigs either.

It may have originated in pigs but lets not spread more misinformation than is already out there.

well it seems the death toll has now been revised to be comparible with that of normal flu

So, is it better to get it now before it mutates into a nasty form then - should I be licking any Mexicans I come into contact with to build up my immunity?

LupusinaLlamasuit: possibly you were typing too fast, but the current human-human transmission of swine H1N1 virus does NOT have "the DNA of pigs" in it. It has an RNA segment of a related swine influenza virus.

I live in the US and I haven't heard any of this "bottled water for two weeks" business. The first American swine flu death has thrown me into a panic, I'll admit. (And sorrow of course- the poor LO.) DS woke up this morning with a cough (we've had runny noses for a few days) and it's making me nervous. He doesn't have a fever, but...should I bring him in, d'you think?

oops: yes. I was talking bollocks oversimplifying too much.

Should add am NOT a medic but well versed in reading scientific papers and have done so quite a lot on flu and other related health scares.

whomovedmychocolate - great idea. Get it now while it's mild and there's plenty of tamiflu. There could be a swine flu party.

Storing an online shop is a god idea.
I might get some paracetamol and stick it in the cupboard as if I did get flu the whole house would come to a stop.

I see the shops are running out of hand spray.

I'm up for it. Will quarantine the entire family for a fortnight with choc/wine supplies happily in return for immunity!

I did my shop today and have pulses, tinned spam, tinned hot dogs, tinned corned beef, juice, rice, pasta, tinned fruit and veg including tomatoes, water, loads of onions and garlic, potatoes, UHT milk, soup, baked beans, bread flour, dried yeast, tinned fish (tuna, sardines, salmon), some of those long life potato and bacon things that you fry up and pasta sauces. It wouldn't be especially varied or delicious but we could easily live off it for a couple of weeks if necessary and it will all get used in the end. Oh yes, and I got six bottles of wine, a bottle of sherry and a big box of beers.

I thought we might as well be cheerful if we're going to be stuck in the house!

The WHO (or some other official body - I have lost track) are recommened that this be referred to as North Amercian Flu rather than Swine flu because it is doubtful that the origins were actually pigs (I think the link came about because there are lots of pig farms in Mexico ).

Just another demostration of the distortion caused by the various media agencies (worldwide).

That was my reasoning as well, Riven. We also have a bottle of whisky, lemons and honey so are fully prepared for any illness. Now must resist opening wine now. Mind you, a man was coughing at the supermarket this morning so it may be prophylactic.

Oh really? Damn.

Must kill a few bugs on the way down though?

Well I am going to buy my own island and retire there until it's over and I come out as the sole survivor and ruler of the world. I reckon thats sensible.

Im pretty sure dubai will sell you one of thiers Nighby due to recession you might even get this one: palm island