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Original poster

Swine flu partys??

9 replies

PinkPrincess123 · 07/05/2009 21:51

Am I the only one that is worried about swine flu?

Can't believe its in London already!! My DD goes to nursery school near one of the schools with swine flu and I'm really worried. My friend told me in the US they are talking about swine flu partys, like chickenpox parties, to give your child the virus before it gets worse so they have immunity

what do u all think???? are they mad????

OP posts:

Tortoise · 07/05/2009 21:53

I would think it might be better to catch it now while it is mild rather than get in in the autumn when it may be a stronger strain.

thisisyesterday · 07/05/2009 21:54

well, it apparently is true that it's best to get it in the first "wave"

i am not worried about it. it appears to be getting milder as it is passed from person to person, either that or the anti-virals are just working really well.
either way it's positive.
a lot of the initial death reports from it have been found not to actually have been swine flu, so it isn't as bad as has been made out IMO.

OhYouBadBadPig · 07/05/2009 21:54

While the HPA are trying to contain the outbreak its probably not very sensible to try and catch it (and therefore spread it)

nickytwotimes · 07/05/2009 21:55

Problem is, when it mutates, you will get it again.
It is not like chicken pox.

And it can be fatal.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 07/05/2009 22:11

the reason they are trying to contain the spread is that the more it spreads the more likely it is to mutate into a dangerous form. Do people really think people are being quarantined etc just to avoid getting a mild illness?
And also you could have it more than once if it mutates. The idea of swine flu parties is scary, i hope people in the US (and clearly here) become better educated about this soon.

cory · 08/05/2009 08:12

Swine flu parties seem totally irresponsible and stupid. This is not measles or chickenpox which stays relatively stable, so if you've had it once you probably won't get it again.

That's the whole point of flu: it mutates. That's why we keep getting it again; that's why new forms move between species. It's incredibly adaptable.

And people who think it's a good idea to hold swine flu parties are incredibly stupid.

There is a reason why the authorities are trying to contain it.

Elibean · 08/05/2009 09:45

Ditto to what cory said.

Microbiologist/virologist relative says the same thing.

Swine flu parties, whatever next...

Musukebba · 08/05/2009 22:21

Agree with cory and Elibean. We know a lot about influenza A and that's enough to indicate that deliberate exposure is a very bad idea.

LupusinaLlamasuit · 08/05/2009 22:32

I will be following official advice if more schools end up closed and hoping a suitable vaccine is developed in time which can cope with mutated versions of the virus.

God knows how we will cope if schools are closed en masse though. I'm assuming my employer has planned for this but I don't know.

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