Swine 'flu

[raggatwin]

It's a diversion..... 150 people in Mexico? 1000s die in India every year from dysentry. Now what did happen to the Scotsman with the big pension, what was his name.....?

[Fugitive1979]

Now what did happen to the Scotsman with the big pension, what was his name.....?

Buried under some tactical bad news.

[billiejo]

It could affect concerts being postponed

If it gets to that stage, then you should be more worried about your life than a cancelled concert.

But what is life without a good concert

[Fugitive1979]

But what is life without a good concert

Swine! (Pardon the pun) You've got me there.

[Your Funny Uncle]

It's a diversion..... 150 people in Mexico? 1000s die in India every year from dysentry. Now what did happen to the Scotsman with the big pension, what was his name.....?

I'm inclined to agree. The more the facts of the situation emerge, the less of a threat it appears, especially when the actually confirmed number of deaths from swine flu seems to be lower than that, and considering that Mexico City has a population of 20 million. Still, when you have freinds and family living there, it's a little worrying...

[gregf]

I think we have dodged another (deadly virus) bullet.

But the bullets are coming faster and more often.

[Lleonard Pler]

It's a diversion..... 150 people in Mexico? 1000s die in India every year from dysentry. Now what did happen to the Scotsman with the big pension, what was his name.....?

I'm inclined to agree. The more the facts of the situation emerge, the less of a threat it appears, especially when the actually confirmed number of deaths from swine flu seems to be lower than that, and considering that Mexico City has a population of 20 million. Still, when you have freinds and family living there, it's a little worrying...

The first wave of a new disease scares people.

The second wave is more powerful and kills.

[Your Funny Uncle]

The first wave of a new disease scares people.

The second wave is more powerful and kills.

As I understand it it's all about how deadly this particular strain is, which is still unclear. Let's hope it's not comparable to the "Spanish Flu" of 1920...

[glennjridge]

here where I live people are getting it,going to the hospital.....and then just sort of riding it out like the regular flu.
I dont know why mexicans are dying in such great numbers.

[Your Funny Uncle]

here where I live people are getting it,going to the hospital.....and then just sort of riding it out like the regular flu.
I dont know why mexicans are dying in such great numbers.

The thing is we don't really know how many Mexicans have caught it. I can tell you right now that two of my wife's family recently had nasty flu-like symptoms but came though it without dying. Was it swine flu? I don't know but what's for sure is they won't be part of the official statistics for confirmed cases. It's seems likely that many people in Mexico have survived it without ever knowing that they had worse than a nasty cold.

We won't know how deadly it is until a statistically significant number of people have verifiably caught the disease and survived or died. I do think though that it's better to take as many precautions as are useful to minimise whatever effects the disease may have.

[glennjridge]

[gregf]

My understanding is this.

Over time (days) of any outbreak, the virus mutates.
Some become more dangerous, some become more benign.

And it looks like this swine flu is the latter.
That is why deaths were at the epicentre, but not as it spread out.

Apparently face masks help reduce risk of inhaling aerosols by a factor of 4.
So if you use the right face mask, you have 1/4 the chance of catching it.
Just as important is, when out in public dont touch your eyes, nose, mouth,
and wash your hands.

And the difference to normal flu is a higher temperature than normal flu.
That is what the doctors check for first.

-Greg.
(Not a medical expert, just careful because of low immune system).

[Your Funny Uncle]

Interesting about the higher temperature, as one of the symptoms that Sam's aunt had was indeed a really high temperature.

In other news France is expected to call for a ban on all flights to Mexico from the EU. This could totally wreck our summer, as my in-laws are supposed to be flying over for a month and a half in mid-june.

[Marie loves PSB]

How on earth do you know if you have Swine Flu from "Normal" Flu? Can't we just all be given the tablets?

[Danny C]

It's seems likely that many people in Mexico have survived it without ever knowing that they had worse than a nasty cold.

Uh, proper flu (Swine or otherwise) is not going to bear much resemblance to a common cold, nasty or otherwise.

Anyone who has actually had flu will know that when you are afflicted, you can barely function.