swine flu

cameragirl21 wrote: Here are the facts, don't panic!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090427/hl_time/08599189402900
Idk why but this doesn't concern me in the least...it may be simple, blissful ignorance on my part but I have zero worries about this at this time.
Increase your intake of vitamin C so you have stronger immunity if you live in areas close to Mexico or if you are simply concerned.
I see this as yet another mass panic. Idk, sometime back when bird flu was the big thing, I tried to save an injured dove (that died in my car on my way to try to save it ) and when I told my mom she completely freaked out about bird flu, and btw, tending to a clearly sick bird was probably not a smart move on my part so I can't blame my mom for her reaction but I am still here and did not get bird flu.
I have gotten West Nile before due to the mosquitoes we get around here, especially because I like to hike in the Everglades, which is a mosquito breeding ground and I survived that also, it's no big deal.
My best friend from college lives in Taipei where they had a huge SARS scare and she had two babies at the time and they are all fine too.
Obviously, people die of these things so it's not to say that just because my friend and I got through all this that there is no scare at all but seriously, no need to panic yet.
Just be prepared.

DVFlyer replied:

Ya, I don't get the hype either. Hopefully, no one I know gets it, but from the news stories, some people got sick and are now better. ??

mummy2girls replied: i guess they have to do this to warn everyone to watch for it.. I dont know. But it does make me feel a bit better to know the cases out of mexico( usa, canada) are just mild cases and no deaths.

DVFlyer replied:
I heard this morning, there were 100 deaths attributed to the Swine Flu- in Mexico, I think.

Some times I think the hype is made just so vaccine companies can find something else to bill our medical insurance for.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yes, you are right, there have been quite a few deaths, but I think all the deaths are from Mexico too. They don't have the healthcare we have though, so it's not surprising to me.

I'm not worried about it, yet at least. I hate getting all worked up over something like this. If someone I know gets it, then I'll worry. Until then, I'll go about my normal every day life.

Cece00 replied: yeah im pretty sure there were deaths in mexico

someone i know had their kids school close down for a week as a precaution in tx...

hopefully no cases pop up here bc i live next to tx and we have a lot of mexican immigrants who do construction...

but im not too worried about it at this point...

luvbug00 replied:

what does that have to do with anything? costruction dudes are not transporting the meat.

I'm not scared but cautious even though we are in VA. i started buying my german meat from the german gormet until pork in the usa gets the clear bill that it's ok again.

Calimama replied:
My understanding is that it's not passed from eating meat. It's passed like a normal cold and flu. That's why washing your hands is important.. and why you see people wearing masks.

Oh and I think she meant that they are coming in and out of Mexico.. and possibly bringing the germs with them.

PrairieMom replied:
its not the meat they are getting it from, its spread from face to face contact. i'm kinda worried about the migrant workers too.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yes, that is right, it is called a "flu" for a reason. You get it like you would any other flu. The flu is passed from the pigs through snot, mucus, etc. onto humans, then passed onto others the same way. It has nothing to do with eating the pork. In fact, if you go to a fair and pet the pigs, chances are you may be carrying some swine flu home with you. It's not a new thing, it's just that the number of cases as of recently are more than what is considered normal.

luvbug00 replied: I did not realize it was a flu,. what i heard (from my sitter was obviously inacurite information) but still every construction worker is not mexican and not every mexican is new here. Also if it's a flu any tom, dick or harry could be carrrying it not just "mexicans". Just because it started there doesn't make an entire race a carrier.

PrairieMom replied:
Its not necessarily Mexicans, its the migrant workers from Mexico that I am worried about. The worst, most, and severe cases, where people are dying are IN mexico. So, anyone coming out of mexico would have a greater chance of having it.
We get a lot of migrant workers up here this time of year to help with construction and farming, and there is a chance of those people carrying the strain up here. Its not just them tho, If I had a friend that went on vacation there, I wouldn't be running over to their house for a visit either.

That being said, its STILL a mild form up here, people are not dying.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Here is another scenerio. Troy use to work at a restaurant a long time ago back in college as a cook. A good 75% of the employees he worked with in the kitchen were from Mexico...some were illegal and some there on a work visa. Many of them on a regular basis would have to visit back home. Now...imagine, they go back home to Mexico, someone they know is "ill" and are around them, now they come back here and they are cooking your food and carrying this virus unknowingly. This is how illness is spread, usually through being a carrier and not even knowing it. It's not stereotyping a race...it's reality in the way things are spread and this particular illness just happens to come from Mexico.

DVFlyer replied: I'm going to go out on a limb here and hypothesize (that doesn't look like it's spelled right?)...

The Swine Flu strain is no different (generally speaking) than any other flu we've had. The reasons there are 100 + deaths in Mexico is because they lack the hygiene and medical standards we have in the US.

The way to avoid "this" flu is no different than any other flu or cold. Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, avoid being in close quarters with people who are sick etc.

The elderly, very young and people with compromised immune systems should take extra precautions as they could be more severely affected by this flu.

This strain is spread like any other flu or cold.... i.e. one sick person comes in contact with another person.

Heard any of this before? Like EVERY time a new strain of flu comes around.....?

*knocking on wood I don't get sick*

Cece00 replied:
Uhhh, because its an AIRBORNE disease. Why on earth do you think people are wearing masks???

So we have a lot of immigrants passing from Mexico to here and back, could possibly be picking up the disease and bringing it here when they work.

We have a lot of immigrants who work here to do reconstruction from the hurricanes, esp after Katrina and Rita.

Cece00 replied:
Yup, you got it. I thought what I was saying was pretty evident too...

Cece00 replied:
*sigh*

The issues they are having right now are worst in Mexico.

We have a lot of mexican migrant workers here who are doing construction, especially in New Orleans but even in the city where I live, because of the damage from the hurricanes.

If they are travelling back and forth to Mexico, and pick it up, they can bring it here.

We have plenty of them come here newly from Mexico ALL THE TIME because the need for construction work is so abundant in a lot of areas due to the massive damage of the hurricanes and they can easily find jobs, and you dont have to travel all that far to get where I live (Louisiana) from Mexico.

I dont think the entire race (and really, their race is hispanic, I'm actually just talking about people in mexico, so its not a race thing, and its sort of rude to suggest I was saying so) are carriers. But right now its prevalent in Mexico and we have a lot of people coming in from there.

This is not a hard concept, right??

Cece00 replied:
Right.

If this was happening in, say, France, and we suddenly had a bunch of french people in my area who might be carrying something like this, I'd be worried too.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I should reword this a little now that I reread what I wrote. It's not that the illness is "coming from Mexico" (I didn't even realize how that sounded until I just reread it). If you go to a fair and pet the pigs, chances are you might run into a farmer who has the virus on him/her. It's just that the deaths are in Mexico, I believe, and stemming from what DVFlyer has said...Mexico's cleanliness and healthcare system doesn't compare to what we have here. The thing that I believe CeCe is trying to point out is that because of Mexico's uncleaniness and poor healthcare system, the flu is spreading more like wildfire down there. So, given the scenerio that I pointed out, and others as well...if people were to go back and visit their families, etc. then come back to work, it's really making the virus spread even quicker because many could be carriers and not even know it. The virus is becoming even "stronger" because of the rapid spreading as well. Not to mention, usually someone is even more contagious before their symptoms even begin to show...which is a whole other thread.

I'm not sure if I make sense or not.

Either way...the chances of you getting the virus from a pig at the fair or zoo if you were to pet it and not wash your hands is just as much. This is not a new virus. Reports of swine virus in human's date back decades ago. However, if a person regularly doesn't take the precautions they are suppose to, just like any virus or bacterial infection...your chances rise no matter what.

Like previously mentioned...wash your hands, take the normal precautions like you would with anything else. You don't have to live in a bubble though. And believe me...with the amount of time our family has gotten ill this year, sometimes I'm tempted.

cameragirl21 replied: geesh, it would be really nice if when someone here doesn't understand something or wasn't given the right information that it could be explained to her without sighs, eye rolls and condescending speech, especially when the topic is a potentially fatal illness and the goal here is to make sure everyone remains safe and healthy.
I would think that a group of mothers would be the most likely to patient with those who may not have all the answers or may not understand some things, regardless of the reason.
We all have strong opinions about things and often those differ with the strong opinions of others but wouldn't it be nice if we could all just be nice, especially if someone truly didn't understand something as opposed to trying to goad someone on purpose?
Happy Tuesday, everyone, it's a beautiful, sunny day here and I hope as spring continues to spring that you are all having a beautiful sunny day wherever you live. Here's to spreading the sunshine instead of gouging into other people's potentially hurt feelings.

Cece00 replied:
Well, since it was sort of being said with an undertone that I was being racist, it should be understood that someone wouldnt appreciate that.

But you have a good day yourself!

jcc64 replied: Living in NY, one of the hardest hit states, where I don't believe any of the cases involved "mexicans," I admit I know very little about the travel patterns of migrant workers. Having said that, if as some here have suggested, that many mexican workers are here illegally, is it likely that they make a habit of hopping back and forth between the borders on a regular basis? It was my understanding that once they made it here safely, they count their blessings and try to keep as low a profile as possible. The growing season in the states is happening now, why would they be in Mexico? Traveling long distances to visit family involves more cash than the typical migrant worker has at his/her disposal.
Furthermore, I believe all the cases in the US and beyond Mexico proper involve non-Mexicans who had traveled to Mexico for business or pleasure. That's the thing about germs--they don't discriminate. So, though the initial outbreak started in Mexico, let's not confuse that with what we're now dealing with. Anyone can be a carrier, and as I said, unless the migrant workers are jumping in and out of Mexico on a weekly basis, which I highly doubt, I believe fears around them are unfounded.
We had a nasty flu up here around the holidays. I'm wondering if it wasn't here long before they started testing for it.

MommyToAshley replied:
I agree -- Rod and I had the worst flu we had ever had about a month ago. It started with fever and chills. It came on fast and for the first three to four days, neither of us could move an inch... we were so weak we just stayed in bed. It took us a good two weeks to recover. Ashley had it for about 2 days and didn't nearly have it as badly as we did. But, I think that this may have been the same flu. If not, it was still the worst flu that I have ever had. So, I think it is more wide-spread than reported and may or may not have originated in Mexico.

With that said, I don't think there is a reason to panic, but it should be taken seriously. And, people should take precautions. If a small child, elderly, or even someone who is pg had gotten the same flu that we had, it could have been more serious. So, I don't think the concern is unfounded. It's easy to say don't worry about it, it's all sensationalized by the media when it's not your neighbor, your family, or the kids in your school who have it.

PrairieMom replied: I don't really want anyone to think that I am being racist or racial profiling or what ever.

My issue with the migrant workers is that they are going to be traveling up here soon, presumably from Mexico. They don't hang around here in the winter time. Its not Mexicans I am concerned with, its ANYONE coming from Mexico. The only reason the flu in Mexico is concerning to me is because that is where the people are dying from it. When they can figure why that is out, I will feel a bit better about it.
really, its just a mild flu now, I'm not to worried about it, the worry is IF it mutates and IF it starts killing and IF it comes here, there are a lot of if's.
I have to wonder tho, how long this has been floating around, its not like the Dr's have been testing for it, it could have been here for months already, shoot, I could have even had it. Maybe its just now starting to seem bad because we are actually looking for it and testing for it now.

jcc64 replied:

That's the God's honest truth, Dee Dee.

jcc64 replied: I think it HAS been around longer--b/c the flu we all had did have a nausea/diarrhea component, which I thought was weird at the time. Usually you have the respiratory thing or the intestinal thing, but not BOTH at the same time. That's why this flu was notable for me. Corey and I were sick during Christmas break, and then Steve had it just a few weeks ago, and he was DOWN for the count for a good two weeks. It was nasty, but then again, he's got asthma on top of it. I wonder if it's the same thing????

Crystalina replied: I'm not worried.

From what I heard from the AP is that school's in NY were shut down (some anyway) d/t students going to Mexico during Spring Break (no big surprise there) and brining it back.


And...call me racist if you want I guess (even though I'm hispanic myself ) but Mexican migrant workers rarely come up here to work and stay without going home. They are always coming and going. Some go and never come back (probably because they were "caught"). I know this because I know many Mexicans and I've come to realize they come and go and come and go.

With that said, it's a fact that Mexican's are dying left and right d/t this and I can guarantee that it's d/t their healthcare, water and all that other stuff a society needs to stay healthy. It's also a fact that in the "groups" of people who are getting this one or some of them have recently been to Mexico. 1 + 1 = 2.

I doubt it will amount to much here. I'm sure if you take an average winter flu from up here and sent it down there they'd have pretty much the same reaction. Where it started from? Who knows.

DVFlyer replied: Not sure anyone is saying "don't worry".... the flu is not fun.

But the hype this "Swine" flu is getting has got me perplexed.

So far, I've read about 164 people have died from this flu... While, of course, it's sad that people have died, here is a quote from the CDC's website concerning the "flu" in general and the deaths related:

Link: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm



36,000!!!!! Every year!

So can someone tell me what is so new, odd, tragic, strange, different about this strain of flu that is making it so much more media worthy... errr... dangerous than the other strains?

jcc64 replied: I'm thinking a large chunk of that 36K had some other mitigating health condition that was exacerbated by the flu. I think people become alarmed when otherwise healthy people are taken down by a virus, as appears to be the case with this one. If it continues to be non-lethal in the US, people will calm down. But a lot of people died in Mexico, and health officials haven't yet ascertained why that is, despite the speculations about sanitary conditions discussed upthread. If people start dropping dead here, believe me, I don't think everyone is going to be quite so casual.

DVFlyer replied: And if health officials determine that the people who died in Mexico and the US did so because of some other mitigating health condition that was exacerbated by this flu, people may not be so alarmed.

I don't think the "flu" can kill someone. It's ALWAYS something associated with the flu. i.e. pneumonia, dramatic dehydration etc.

DVFlyer replied: Just saw this on another forum:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...AI5O.DTL&tsp=1

(04-28) 12:21 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area's first confirmed cases of swine flu have been identified in Marin County, health officials there said today.

An unidentified woman, 60, and her 20-month-old granddaughter tested positive for swine flu and were notified Monday night, Marin County officials said in a press release. Both victims had recently traveled to Mexico with family members.

The woman and child were described as having had a "moderate" flu illness after their return from Mexico; the child has already recovered and her grandmother is now experiencing only mild symptoms, according to the Marin County officials. Other family members were tested and were receiving medication as a precaution.

Marin County has activated an operations center along with the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services and is coordinating with federal, state and regional health officials. A press briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m. today.

As of Monday night, 13 cases of swine flu had been confirmed in California - five each in San Diego and Imperial counties, and three in Sacramento County. The CDC has advised against unnecessary travel to Mexico, where nearly 2,000 people have been sickened by swine flu, with 149 dying.

More information on the swine flu in Marin County is available at www.marinflu.org.

Crystalina replied:
Here it is...the word "swine". Oink, Oink
Then add Mexico into it and people think it's some sort of new, bizzarr, "tropical" illness.

Then add the fact that people are getting tired of political talk and Casey Anthony and there you have it.

DVFlyer replied: Funny... we're thinking along the same lines.

I had written "what if they called it the "fuzzy bunny" flu" but then deleted it....

msoulz replied:

And according to the CDC here are the leading causes of death in the US:

Number of deaths for leading causes of death
Heart disease: 652,091
Cancer: 559,312
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 117,809
Diabetes: 75,119

WAY more than 36,000 per year. Why aren't we being scared about these every day?

PrairieMom replied:
We should be.

the thing is, you can't breath on someone and give them a fatal heart attack.

Kentuckychick replied:
Exactly!

Anytime something comes from an animal/bird/bug, everyone starts to freak out.

I don't necessarily think that the number of deaths in Mexico is that high. It sounds like a lot, but I'd like to know... is this 100 deaths out of tens of thousands of cases? Because that sounds to me like any other flu. And are those dying individuals the very old, very young or immunocompromised... because again... that makes a HUGE difference.

You also have to consider the fact that many, many, MANY families in Mexico live altogether in big groups. Which, unlike single family homes allows for quicker spread of the illness.

And to those talking about Mexican migrants... every case diagnosed in the US at this point has been someone FROM the US traveling to Mexico. Not Mexicans bringing it in.

I'm not saying that mexican imigrants/migrants can't bring the disease in at all, but there are SOOOOO many US travelers to Mexico every single day (especially at this time of the year). So that scenerio is really no more likely than your neighbor going to Cancun for vacation and coming back sick.

redchief replied: Wow, there's a lot of bad information here. I'm not at liberty to disclose all I know, but I can put to bed some of the misinformation about this particular strain of influenza.

First, this is being called "swine flu." That's not completely accurate. This particular virus is an A/H1N1 strain (meaning it's the first in this group identified that propagates human to human that is not completely human in origin). It is actually an amalgam of a human, a swine and an avian strain. That is the reason for all of the hype and media attention. It's not necessarily that this flu strain is deadly; it's that it is a new strain with no vaccine (so much for the vaccine manufacturers wanting to sell vaccine). The larger fear isn't so much that this strain is deadly, but that it hasn't yet completed its life cycle, and therefore may further mutate into a more virulent and mortal strain. The human race's bodies are accustomed to human influenza viruses and our DNA are imprinted with the genetic tools to fight them. Animal influenza crosses may overwhelm the bodies' ability to build antibodies, especially in the cases of the immune suppressed, elderly and children.

This strain of influenza is resistant to two of the four general anti-virals. This is also unusual. The good news is that the other two anti-virals seem to be at least somewhat effective.

There have only been seven confirmed deaths attributed to the virus in Mexico as of today. Mexico has confirmed 26 cases of this strain. It is widely believed that the Mexican health system is poorly equipped to realize just how widespread this flu virus is. All of the confirmed cases in Mexico were identified in Mexico City. The initial 28 cases in New York City were found in one class who had just returned from a class trip... to Cancun, more than 1,000 miles from Mexico City. So the accuracy and accountability of the Mexican health system must be suspect.

The United States had 64 confirmed cases as of today, with 45 being in New York. All of the confirmed cases have been identified in people who have either recently been to Mexico or California, or had contact with other confirmed cases. One immune suppressed individual has been hospitalized in the U.S.. All cases here are recovering with little complication.

For the record, the following countries have confirmed cases of this strain: Canada (6), New Zealand (3), The United Kingdom (2), Istrael (2), and Spain (2).

New Jersey will probably be added to the U.S. list tomorrow.

One theme that has been constant and is good is that there isn't any reason to panic right now. This strain of influenza that has come out of Mexico does not appear to be especially nasty. Symptoms are similar to other influenza bugs - fever, sore throat, cough, and intestinal irregularity for about seven days. There is no proof that vitamin regimens will help stop the spread of any flu virus. The best way to protect yourself from the flu (and colds and other viruses for that matter) is frequent hand washing and social separation (in other words, if someone appears sick, stay away from them). Spread of the virus appears to be typical - through contact with sick individuals either directly or indirectly (touching areas where sick people have recently sneezed or coughed). Frequent hand washing and avoiding touching mucus membrane areas with the hands (eyes, nose, mouth) are best preventatives.

Health officials are taking this flu strain seriously and are preparing for an outbreak. Currently the feeling is that this flu strain is losing some punch as it is passed, but because this is a new strain, world health officials are watching it closely. It is not believed that quarantining Mexico or areas of Mexico will be helpful because the virus has already gotten beyond their borders. People of Hispanic origin do not appear to be any more susceptible to the virus than any other population.

Fearing Hispanic migrant workers is illogical because of the contagion. Infected people appear to be contagious for only about one day before the onset of symptoms, and about a week after onset. Odds are that any migrant worker who may carry the virus will be quite obviously sick.

I'll update as I get more information I can share.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Went to work tonight and guess what I saw??? I work in the lab now mind you. Yep...swabs testing for swine flu...two of them! We send them out to another lab so I'm not sure on results. It was interesting though...when the nurse came down to deliver them she was freaked out. She looked all squeemish as I just took the bag from her and said thank you.

redchief replied:
As of right now, only the CDC is confirming cases of this strain of influenza. Any cultures that pass the H1N1 test in their respective state are immediately sent to Atlanta for confirmation. So that's most likely where your swabs will end up.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
This is pretty much the same info we got at work tonight, along with some added info healthcare professionals need to know.

Put it this way guys...I work in a LAB where we get these specs to send out, and I'm not worried.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yes, it has to go to our state lab first (I think ours is in Madison???) then sent there.

jcc64 replied: Fwiw, the US reported its first fatality attributed to the swine flu this morning--a 23 month old in Texas.
Ed, if you are liberty to discuss--why are the numbers of deaths in Mexico being reported so much higher than your stats?

Cece00 replied:
Yup, I was going to post this too

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/29/swine...ref=mpstoryview

So sad, a 2 yr old

boyohboyohboy replied: I for one am starting to get worried, not really nervous, because its something that if you are exposed, then there isnt much you can do but take care of yourself and be respectful enough of others not to spread it.
I have stocked up on hand santatizer, and am washing the kids hands constantly,,we have also stopped taking the kids out to the grocery store and restraunts..cutting down on the number of people we are exposed to right now. I hate that caleb is in school.
we are also in a town full of migrant workers, who do come and go all the time, they dont live here all year round. they pack many generations of families into one small home..there are many illegal children in the school..
I am very concerned over the water fountain in the school...but they refused to allow the kids to bring in water bottles..

I think just being smart and taking precautions is the best idea...

coasterqueen replied:
Same here.

boyohboyohboy replied: we have two cases now about one hour from us, they were taken off an airplane..so how long before all the people on that plane spread it???

wcs40110 replied: I am not so scared, as cautious. I also work at a very high volume gas station and sooooo many people come in I am exposed to just about anything you can get from people. I am in Michigan, we have had one case so far but that little boy dying in Texas really makes me nervous. What can you do though? Wash your hands, make the little ones wash their hands, and try to get everyone to eat good so they stay healthy...

I also agree it's more hype than anything... When MRSA was out I was going to school to clean surgical equiptment and the teacher spelled out the truth about how it's been out for awhile... and then D got it. She's fine...

Nina J replied: I'm not concerned.

The way I see it, it is not a death sentence. If you're unlucky enough to contract swine flu, your not headed straight for the grave.

It is extremely sad about the people who have died, included the confirmed death of the poor baby in the US. Very sad, and I am not in any way trying to seem cruel, but that was a little child. I have always been told influenza of any type affects the young and the very old the worst, because their immune systems are not as strong. It is extremely tragic when a child dies, but I hope people understand what I am saying.

It is important to be aware. But to totally freak out and change your routine because of this is, IMO, uncalled for. Maintain proper hygeine(as you always should), avoid sick people. If you suspect you have it, go to the doctor or the hospital. And if you do, chances are you'll make a full recovery.

DVFlyer replied: Good info, Ed.

lovemy2 replied: Well considering my husband has been sick for coming onto a month now with on and off flu like symptoms - granted his fault for being sick so long for not going to the MD until Monday - MD said he had bronchitis - gave him the zpak - pretty strong antibiotic that did nothing for him - he is as sick if not sicker - Dylan too is on an antibiotic for a chest cold - DH is a sheriff - works in the jail and on the weekend jail program where people who are assigned to weekends in jail come and go - god knows where they have been, who they know, where they vacation, etc. nothing to do with their race - but for all I know they came from kissing their girlfriend or boyfriend goodbye who just got back from Spring Break in Mexico

needless to say I am a bit concerned.......

eta - Thanks Ed for the info - keep it coming - its nice to have someone who can sort through the crap on the media for us

Boo&BugsMom replied: Well, 4 schools in Milwaukee are being shut down due to potential positive confirmation (I think 2 cases). Just waiting for final details, but they are certain they are positive.

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-090429-sw...0,5572976.story

Kentuckychick replied:
I would think the only way they would be pretty certain it's swine flu would be if one of the individuals had been to Mexico recently. It seems that up to now every single case can be linked to an individual's travel to Mexico. I did notice they mentioned they believe they 2 individuals (and possibly two others) are likely related... so again... travel sounds likely.

Frankly I think they should just start quarantining indivduals who've been to Mexico in the last two weeks or so. Tell 'em they have to stay in their homes for two weeks. I bet that'd cure it pretty quick.

Also, are any of these places who are SO sure it's swine flu considering that the regular old flu is still in season. Heck the kid I babysit for just got over a bad bout of Influenza (i think B ) two weeks ago.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I believe in the article it says they were either around people who were in Mexico or were recently there.

However, after awhile, pretty much anyone and their mother will be able to say they've been around someone who was exposed considering how easily germs are spread.

lovemy2 replied: Yeah if this is airborne then I would suspect that after awhile it will be spread in homes where maybe one person went to Mexico or they went to the neighbors to see their pics from their trip to Cancun I worry about my DH because he is around people who are doing weekends in jail meaning they come Saturday am and leave Saturday afternoon and come back on Sunday am and leave Sunday pm - he is on a bus with them and in a room with them when they check in so who knows where these people have been and who they live or hang out with, etc. it can very easily be spread - so.........

While I don't feel we need to stay in our house I do still think it is something to be vigiliant about and pay attention to your kids health and your own.....

jcc64 replied: I think everyone needs to realize that the Mexico connection is going to fade into the background as the disease can now spread from person to person here. One person may have gone to Mexico, returned, gone grocery shopping, the bank, work, school, ridden on the subway, gone to the movies, etc...and not even known he/she was sick yet. Think of all the people whose paths he/she crossed in the course of one day, and how many they cross, and on and on.
Just wash your hands well and often, and cross your fingers. That's all you can really do at this point.

Kentuckychick replied:
Just to be clear.... I do realize that... but at this point, when you still have sporadic cases in various states the link to Mexico is still pretty clear. In other words at this exact point it should still be relatively easy to say whether or not there's a suspected case.

coasterqueen replied: We've heard of confirmed cases here in IL, but up north so far. I just sat the kids down last night and explained to them to be extra cautious because we don't need ANYMORE sickies in our house FOREVER. I don't care if it's the swine flu, stomach flu, cold, whatever....I don't want it in my house anymore. I've had enough!

DVFlyer replied: On the news this morning they interviewed a young boy (maybe 12 or 13 y/o) who had the swine flu. Here was his statement about his experience:

"Well, I woke up really hot. I was sweating a lot and I felt really bad".

He's fine now.

I still don't get the hype about this flu v.s. the flu from years past.

coasterqueen replied:
I don't either. I, personally, like I stated above just don't want any sickness in my house now. I hate that schools will be closed down - I mean we are in the last month of school (May) and ours has already been extended past the Memorial day holiday due to a snow day. I hate to go into June.

boyohboyohboy replied: I was under the impression that they are just waiting to see if the virus itself mutates here in the USA.
I thought that was the reason behind waiting the next two weeks then seeing what is going on, that was the statement from the CDC.
Right now its just a virus like any of the flu virus's, but it does have some different properties and the potential to mutate into something that we cant handle.

I also heard that they are saying it isnt the swine flu anymore, that the characteristics are not matching up so that was also part of the idea for renaming it h1n1.

so its possible they just dont know for sure what they are dealing with.
I agree with Karen regardless of what it is, I just dont want anymore sickness in my house either..and I dont want my kids to be sick..

Kentuckychick replied:
I think they renamed it the H1N1 virus because the pork industries were suffering and they wanted to stop associating the disease with "swine".