Pig flu

[echelon]

My colleague has just phoned to tell me that two of my colleagues have it - one of them is her son and we were working together yesterday. The other colleague is feeling quite poorly.

I'm terrified that my youngest falls ill. He's five in October.

[mrs butzi]

I think we're getting to a stage where we will all know soneone or will have been in the company of someone who has swine flu. I have a 7 and a 3 year old so I am concerned too but I'm really trying not to panic. I know that husband is GP but swine flu is no respector of this ( as recent deaths have proven ). However, I am very pleased that he is able to cut through the media hype to the evidence and help keep things in perspective. I figure that MY two kids are HIS two kids too and he has they're best interests at heart. I.E if he's not panicking then I'll try not to.

[Greengrass]

They never say what those underlying health problems are though, do they? I have asthma, does that come into that catagory? I wish they would be more specific.

Asthma is a high risk group so if you have a sniff ring the doctor right away and you will get treatment

[Greengrass]

My husband is a GP and favours the " let's not panic " approach. The evidence from all countries affected at the moment seems to suggest that swine flu ( whilst spreading rapidly ) is no more serious than other forms of flu and we should all be vigilant but not paranoid.

I'm shocked to hear this from a GP, not what the WHA have to say about it or the NHS
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831

[Bollybarb]

Look swine flu is not fun (i've just had it) but it is flu. Hundreds of people die annualy from flu (and complications of subsequent infections) but genrealy they are old. The news worth intrest in this is that prevoiusly fit people are dying from it. it's thought that the body overeations to the viral infection, but it is still unsure.

We need to be vigilant and wash hands not go out if we feel poorly or struggle into work, that is all.

But please do not over react. People who know i've been poorly have said that they will not socialise with friend of mine as i've had swine flu! There are hundreds of people with flu in the area......

[k66yla]

I'm dreading anyone at work getting it as our sick policy is really strict and people will come in with it and spread it around as they are scared of getting the sack. There are over 500 people at the Mail Centre/Delivery Office I work in.

[Greengrass]

Look swine flu is not fun (i've just had it) but it is flu. Hundreds of people die annualy from flu (and complications of subsequent infections) but genrealy they are old. The news worth intrest in this is that prevoiusly fit people are dying from it. it's thought that the body overeations to the viral infection, but it is still unsure.

We need to be vigilant and wash hands not go out if we feel poorly or struggle into work, that is all.

But please do not over react. People who know i've been poorly have said that they will not socialise with friend of mine as i've had swine flu! There are hundreds of people with flu in the area......

This is just the beginning, winter will see the brunt of this and it is a big deal. 29 deaths in the UK so far and an estimated 65,000 to follow, you are one of the lucky ones.

The difference is that it's killing them that are in none risk groups across the board. You can wash your hands all you want just don't come knocking on my doors, it's close til next year.

[livvylang]

my next door neigbours young daughter has swine flu. They inform me she is coming through the other side now but has been VERY unwell. They said that her temp was raging and what was really worrying was the obvious respritory discomfort she was experiencing. A family of 6 none of the others have contracted it so far (fingers crossed for them). But her dad says people shouldn't panic..she was as unwell as she has been before through virus's of unknow nature. From my understanding of this, the winter is going to be a difficult time and cases will rise sharply then. We just have to be sensible, not panic and take good car of ourselves..really what else can we do? For people like my sister who is fighting cancer the worry is a lot greater and my concern is for those people. I am confident that if I am unfortunate to contract it that I will get through..as has my young neighbour..I can't get sick anyway..noone is going to be happy to pop in at 5am to let my chickens out!! and you know those girls like a routine!

[Greengrass]

my next door neigbours young daughter has swine flu. They inform me she is coming through the other side now but has been VERY unwell. They said that her temp was raging and what was really worrying was the obvious respritory discomfort she was experiencing. A family of 6 none of the others have contracted it so far (fingers crossed for them). But her dad says people shouldn't panic..she was as unwell as she has been before through virus's of unknow nature. From my understanding of this, the winter is going to be a difficult time and cases will rise sharply then. We just have to be sensible, not panic and take good car of ourselves..really what else can we do? For people like my sister who is fighting cancer the worry is a lot greater and my concern is for those people. I am confident that if I am unfortunate to contract it that I will get through..as has my young neighbour..I can't get sick anyway..noone is going to be happy to pop in at 5am to let my chickens out!! and you know those girls like a routine!

Yes it is a worry and why many will die from the flu. If I contract swine flu it will kill me that's for sure.

[livvylang]

well I sincerely hope you stay well greengrass..take care x

[mrs butzi]

Greengrass, I'm not diminishing the seriousness of ANY flu for some groups of people but so far thousands are presumed to have swine flu and 12 people have died. I think many GP's are just asking for a little perspective.

Flu of ANY description is extremely unpleasant and can lead to very high temperatures especially in young children ( which is why they are in the higher risk group ). I'm sure anyone who has had flu will testify to the fact that you feel REALLY wretched. Swine flu is no different.

[Greengrass]

Greengrass, I'm not diminishing the seriousness of ANY flu for some groups of people but so far thousands are presumed to have swine flu and 12 people have died. I think many GP's are just asking for a little perspective.

Flu of ANY description is extremely unpleasant and can lead to very high temperatures especially in young children ( which is why they are in the higher risk group ). I'm sure anyone who has had flu will testify to the fact that you feel REALLY wretched. Swine flu is no different.

Wow, ok my last on this. Swine flu is different!
28 death after a huge peak form last week, 56 in intensive care. These statistic are is many cases out of the normal risk group.

[Richard]

Problem is as greengrass said in another thread, the postman could give it to you, you can't get away from it - then your OH brings it home with them.

Best as above and stay as immune and healthy as you possibly can.

Also, it is stressed those figures are worse case scenario's, so it could only be 5,000, more - or less.

Let's face it, the Media love it ! Nothing like causing wild spread panic and buy this paper because we have a higher figure etc.

If it's coming, it's coming.

[mrs butzi]

Exactly Richard ! Nothing like a bit of hysteria too increase the circulation figures.

[Sunny B]

Richard said: "Also, it is stressed those figures are worse case scenario's, so it could only be 5,000, more - or less."
That is still 5,000 tragedies for the families and friends of those that do die.

I've just read the NHS link that Greengrass posted, and I'm not reassured, quite frankly.
My family had "regular" flu about 6 years ago, as a result I had pneumonia which it took the doctor a couple of months to diagnose, much worse, my young son was very poorly. I phoned the surgery and they said no need to bring him in. He deteriorated rapidly, so I took him in anyway, the doctor took one look and called an ambulance and rushed him to the county hospital where his life was in the balance, he was unconscious and on a drip for 6 days with double pneumonia. He survived, thank goodness, but I am as worried as hell now for this new threat.