Serious question - Are you HONESTLY scared/concerned by the swine flu outbreak?

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Right now there are no reported cases in Turkey but keeping an eye... more worried for my daughter than myself.

 

[bright1064]

We are one of the best prepared countries in the world. i.e stocks of tamiflu etc. This flu is not like that of our usual winter flu. We as yet do not know how virulent it is. Good news is so far it seems to be mild. The deaths in Mexico could be due to local factors i.e an additional local level infection. Or due to less medical care i.e people are waiting longer to see Drs etc or not all.

I’ve seen the leaflets that will be sent out to every household very shortly.

Key messages, the flu virus cannot be contained. But its spread can be slowed if we all follow good hygiene practices.

Symptoms are sudden onset of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, tiredness etc

see DH home : Department of Health
If you have the symptoms stay at home………don’t be a twat and struggle in. Yes, you might fight it off, but spreading it to someone whose immune system is weaker might kill them

Look out for your friends, neighbours and the elderley. Esp singletons. They tend to fall ill and cannot get out to see GP/A&E etc and obtain drugs. (My friend died this way)

Make flu friends. So that you can obtain drugs for them if they are too ill.

The swine flu information line 0800 1 513 513 will provide updated information on swine flu and at a suitable time inform on how to obtain antiviral drugs etc

Remember tamiflu needs to be taken within 48 hours of symptoms first showing for it to be effective

That post has literally scared the SHIT out of me now.

I read on the BBC news website earlier that the government and health experts are in ongoing talks today about the possibility of suspending public events, concerts, sporting events etc...In THIS country!

 

[Skint Gull]

That post has literally scared the SHIT out of me now.

You are clearly about to die, best say bye to everyone NOW!

 

[adrian29uk]

Do you think WHO, the Goverment no more than we do?

Ok god forbid anyone gets this, but they keep banging on this is only a mild form and most people recover. So what happens if you get it, and you try to get better, stay at home without tamiflu will this develop in to something a lot worse like we are seeing in Mexico?

I need to ask the questions to get some perspective on this.

 

[clapham_gull]

It pisses me off that no sooner than this shit emerges in the news, it already spreads to other countries. If a country like Mexico was completely shut down as soon as they were found to have the problem, then wankers traipsing back to their respective homes wouldn't be carrying the shit all over the World.
Humans are supposed to be smart but they still allow this to happen. Stupid, stupid human ****s.

Well, not quite.

The computer models they have show that if 99.99% of the worlds transport systems were shut down, it would only hold a pandemic back by a few weeks.

Rather like the story of the man who invented the chess board, who gave this little scenario when asked how he wanted to be paid.

He wanted a penny on the first square, that doubled on the next square and so on.

The value of the money on the last sqaure ?

 

[black & white seagull]

Apparently the fact that we're heading into summer puts us at an advantage, as flu spreads less than during the winter. So Australia's screwed, but hey ho.

 

[bright1064]

Apparently the fact that we're heading into summer puts us at an advantage, as flu spreads less than during the winter. So Australia's screwed, but hey ho.

I heard that too.

But with the fact that our flu season is just coming to an end, there is the potential the virus could come back in a much more aggressive form during our next flu season. But they may have come up with a vaccine in that time?

Who knows? All I know is that at the moment it's obviously still spreading in the UK.

 

[Stoo82]

stock up on tinned food and water. Clean your hands alot. And if the shit does hit the fan, stay indors with your food and water and dont see anyone!

 

[Silent Bob]

I am a bit worried since that tramp sneezed in my mouth.

 

[bright1064]

An M&S check-out girl coughed RIGHT in my face the other day, without covering her mouth...I only wanted a banoffee pie!

If I come down with the lurgy, I may sue.

 

[Stoo82]

I am a bit worried since that tramp sneezed in my mouth.

nice!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Not only is Tamiflu no good unless you take it within 48 hours it’s now being linked with neuropsychiatric problems in adolescents - not that you’d notice where I live. Oh well, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

[Stoo82]

plus donald rumsfeld IS Tamiflu.

But, he is trustworthy.....isnt he?

 

[siclean]

nothing wrong with this greedy pig!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

The fear of this disease is completely out of proportion to (a) your risk of catching it and (b) your risk of dying from it.

People are seemingly worried about being infected, yet still driving their cars to work each day (far greater risk of being involved in an accident), smoking cigarettes (statistically greater risk of long term health problems) and drinking alcohol at levels above what officials suggest is safe.

Normal flu kills plenty of people every year, yet I don't see a panic about that.

 

[Stoo82]

The fear of this disease is completely out of proportion to (a) your risk of catching it and (b) your risk of dying from it.

People are seemingly worried about being infected, yet still driving their cars to work each day (far greater risk of being involved in an accident), smoking cigarettes (statistically greater risk of long term health problems) and drinking alcohol at levels above what officials suggest is safe.

Normal flu kills plenty of people every year, yet I don't see a panic about that.

Is see your point. And more than likey the flu will die off. But, it is important to remember, i think, that Spainsh flu killed 50-100 million people world wide. That was 'only' 2% of the poeple that cought Spanish flu. IF it this new flu spreads to, say, everyone, there is a good chance that it could kill 2% again. Current death rate is about 7% i beleave. That is why the WHO and governments are worried about this.

 

[clapham_gull]

Is see your point. And more than likey the flu will die off. But, it is important to remember, i think, that Spainsh flu killed 50-100 million people world wide. That was 'only' 2% of the poeple that cought Spanish flu. IF it this new flu spreads to, say, everyone, there is a good chance that it could kill 2% again. Current death rate is about 7% i beleave. That is why the WHO and governments are worried about this.

Yep - I was talking to someone tonight (in the know) who was saying something similiar.

Something to get paranoid about ? not yet, something that could be something to worry about - in the worst case scenario yes.

It's not the flu I'm worried about, it's the panic that will result from it

Apparently surgical masks are a complete waste of time.

I've had quit a flu related evening tonight. First I saw the some tourists wearing surgical masks in central London. They were South/Central American looking , but I'd have thought they'd be safer over here at the moment. Can't say that was the reason they were wearing masks, but wearing masks they were and it ain't something you see every day.

Secondly someone has been tested for it at my doctors, but it's far from confirmed. It made the news today.

Leaving the best till last, here is a photo I took in central London earlier.

 

[portlock seagull]

Is see your point. And more than likey the flu will die off. But, it is important to remember, i think, that Spainsh flu killed 50-100 million people world wide. That was 'only' 2% of the poeple that cought Spanish flu. IF it this new flu spreads to, say, everyone, there is a good chance that it could kill 2% again. Current death rate is about 7% i beleave. That is why the WHO and governments are worried about this.

Should help get the population down then shouldn't it?! By the way, that's a pretty wild range you've entered e.g. it's either 50million or 100 million, not between 50 and 100 million!! (you'll find it's nearer 50million wordlwide; 250,000 in GB apparently). And that high figure has to be taken in context of the age and WW1.

Anyway, was talking to them last night - both my parents caught the strain during the last epidemic (1968) in this country and said they just had heavy cold-like symptoms. They certainly never ended up in hospital, just a week or so in bed feeling unwell e.g. like most of us do each year! There was no hype, no leafleting, people just got on with things.

My advise - stop worrying everyone! Or if you do, worry about something proper like us getting relegated. Now that's real stress!!

 

[burrish-gull]

No. Hyped up media nonsense.

Hmmm... My partner who is a nurse manager in the NHS does'nt think so, do not under-estimate the impact this could have. Directives have been sent out at a very high level, we are OVER DUE a flu pandemic.

By the way face masks are useless make sure you wash your hands, regularly.