H1N1 (Swine) Flu

[Shredder]

Today, the World Health Organization bumped the pandemic alert level (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/med_swine_flu) to 4 (out of 6) for the swine flu. Are you concerned? Preparing? Think it's just media hype?

Personally, I think it's something to take seriously and am following this very closely. A lot is still unknown right now. Some people may not think this sounds like much, but considering the possible ramifications of an actual pandemic, I think that this definitely bears watching.

[triplexxx]

Yeah, I've seen about this, and frankly, it's beginning to scare me.

[Tarog]

I have been following it to, But been in Australia i feel pretty safe, But those of you in the states hope all go's well, just make sure you take precautions.

[Ryona]

I survived the SARS attack some years back, so I say bring it on!

But in all seriousness, this may very well be the beginning of the end.

[Warhorse]

I wouldn't doubt it any. 2012 is just around the corner, if the Mayans could have been on to something.

[The Stryker]

Remember when we were all gonna die from the bird flu? Smallpox? SARS?

[Buslady]

HYPE HYPE HYPE

thats all it is.

just be careful, do the best you can.

we had birds dropping out of the sky here from west nile...many chicken farms went kaput from bird flu...

the end of the world aint coming in 2012...its a human created thing...buncha honkey. nature will decide when the earth ends...not us

[Raph's Girl]

But been in Australia i feel pretty safe

Safe nothin!! Swine Flu is currently in New Zealand and there's 88 unconfirmed cases in Australia!

Swine Flu is in the following countries:

New Zealand - 11 confirmed, 43 unconfirmed

Australia: 88 unconfirmed

Isreal (where it's called Mexico Flu cuz the Jews were all in a hissy fit over pigs not being kosher so therefore to them the name of the fraking disease isn't kosher. :roll: ) - 2 confirmed

Canada (British Columbia and Nova Scotia) - 8 confirmed, 24 possable

U.S.:
NY: 45 confirmed, over 100 unconfirmed
California: 13 confirmed, 34 unconfirmed
Texas: 8 confirmed, 5 unconfirmed
Kansas: 2 confirmed
Indiana: 1 confirmed so far
Ohio: 1 confirmed
North/South Carolina: 33 unconfirmed
Mississpi: 10 unconfirmed
New Jersey: 5 unconfirmed
Idaho: 4 unconfirmed
Alabama: over 3 unconfirmed
Wisconson: 3 unconfirmed
Michigan: 2 unconfirmed
Massachusetts: 2 unconfirmed

UK: 2 confirmed, 40 unconfirmed

Spain: 2 confirmed, 32 unconfirmed

France, Chile, Columbia, Brazil, Denmark, Argentina, Norway, Ireland, Hong Kong, Guatemala, Germany, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Austria, Russia, and Thailand all have unconfirmed cases.

In Mexico 152 people have died from this.

Nobody's safe from this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak

[The Stryker]

Uh-oh! Raph's girl said it!

WE'RE DOOMED!!!!

[NinjaVanish]

I wouldn't doubt it any. 2012 is just around the corner, if the Mayans could have been on to something.

I actually remember seeing a show on that from somewhere when I was a kid. If prophecy does hold true, don't say the Mayans told us so.

In all seriousness, it is a bit concerning but you can't live life in fear. I mean anthrax, sars, bird flu, all came and gone so as long we all take the necessary precautions there is nothing else you can control . I don't know if this poses any weight, but since living in san diego, CA I am literally 5 minutes from Mexico and if swine flu comes then come it shall. Just don't take any trips down south in the meantime.

[Sewer Bull]

I'm going to perform a stock count on two pig farms tomorrow, one with sick pigs. Really.

I'm rather... hopeless :/

[That Matt Guy]

I'm pretty sure anthrax, sars, and whatever are all still around too. Full blown aids.

[Candy Kappa]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mwn4pB6r6tQ/Sfbe8jpLvXI/AAAAAAAAAAc/vRT_3E8QHAA/s1600/OMGPANIC.gif

8-10 persons are being checked for flu in Norway, 3 had negative test results.

[Roland]

Yikes! so no cases yet of swine flu in South Africa. Damn what next sheep flu? Reminds me of the film i am legend.

[Candy Kappa]

what next sheep flu?

no it'll be the squirrel flu:o

[Anarky]

While it looks to be pretty deadly, everyone with good healthcare and a two litre bottle of Tamiflu will walk right through that. Also, I survived SARS in Toronto during the summer of '03. No pandemic will kill me. Ever.

[Candy Kappa]

*oink*...I mean *cough* *couch*

[VaughnMichael]

Nah I'm placing my bets on Beaver Fever!:lol:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Harmophious/beaverfever.png

[愛]

I just came back from Wendy's. Got myself a Baconator. DELICIOUS!

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

There is a sign on the entrance doors of my local grocery store saying that eating pork is safe and does not cause swine flu. I am not making this up. (I guess that's one legitimate reason to object to the name of this flu.)

[Ra]

Remember when we were all gonna die from the bird flu? Smallpox? SARS?
Haa... I remember freaking out about bird-flu like the young teenager I was back then. "WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!"

I'm reading about the swine flue whenever I can though. While I'd doubt that the human race will kneel over from it, it's still worrying about how something like this can spread so quickly. Hopefully it can be controlled soon.

The sad thing is that this thing is everywhere in the world now. There is no sugar coating that fact. No matter if you are in Australia or Europe, every continent will have someone suspected of carrying (or actually carrying) the disease. I'm suspecting at least one or two cases will be labelled as "clean" while they are still carrying the disease within them, despite showing no symptoms. Hopefully I'm wrong...

Safe nothin!! Swine Flu is currently in New Zealand and there's 88 unconfirmed cases in Australia!
Well, looks like I'm dead. YAY!

[doomiscool]

lol! When I get up every day, all news is practically yelling "You're going to die!!!" at people over here in the UK because 2 people have been diagnosed with it who came back from Mexico

It's just like that bird flu panic...I didn't die then and I'd be surprised if I die now :lol:

[Hannah]

omg mrsa rite

[Machias Banshee]

MRSA's actually more dangerous than this, I think...

Having just spent my entire day at a hospital and chatted with the nurses there, I figure a healthy respect and keeping yourself educated on swine flu is the best thing. You just have to take the same precautions as you would to avoid regular flu. Wash your hands after touching doorhandles, keyboards and money. Keep your immune system healthy.

And not kiss any pigs while visiting Mexico, ya know...


The whole death thing in Mexico is happening, I think, because the healthcare (or lack of) is totally different from here in the US. If you live in crowded conditions without clean water or proper medical attention, a disease is going to Flourish. With the US, (the last I'd watched the news) most of the people I've heard about getting sick up here are either recovering or Have recovered.

[MrPliggins]

I think the media is blowing this way out of proportion. There's a need to be concerned and educated, but not panicky like the media wants us to be.

Oh by the way, the one Ohio case was a kid in the town next to mine. I believe he has recovered.

[Roseangelo]

I think the media is blowing this way out of proportion. There's a need to be concerned and educated, but not panicky like the media wants us to be.

So I didn't need to duct tape a plastic tarp around my apartment?

[Ninjinister]

Oh by the way, the one Ohio case was a kid in the town next to mine. I believe he has recovered.

Masahiro Sakurai yelled at him and he got better. (http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/howto/basic/basic03.html)

...I honestly have no idea what I'm posting. I need sleep. F'in heck.

[Raph's Girl]

Mrsa is very dangerous. It was first discovered in 1961 and kills hundreds of people each year (including my brother 20 years ago). Those that survive have it the rest of their lives as it stays in your system (I have a step-uncle with it).

When Sars first came out I kept on laughing whenever it was mentioned because there's a local grocery store called Saars. :lol:

Im always super leary about the new strains that come out all the time. This year with Swine flu is really not new for me to panic. I have an extremely weak immune system and get sick very easily.

Oh BTW.. more countries have been added to the list.

Costa Rica: 2 confirmed
Australia now has 91 unconfirmed
Switzerland, Honduras, Venezuela, Iceland, Italy, Panama, Dominican Republic, and Uraguay all have unconfirmed
The confirmed cases in the UK are in Scotland.

More states as well: Maine, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Oklahoma, and New Hampshire all have unconfirmed cases.

In Canada, Ontario now has 4 confirmed cases and Alberta has 2 confirmed. B.C has 3 confirmed and Nova Scotia has 2. Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island have unconfirmed cases.

[sdp]

Hype?

Maybe, but currently living in Mexico City and seeing the city as close to a ghost town as it can get is surreal. Its one of the largest cities of the world.

School from primary to university were stopped last Thursday and we won't be back until June. Today its announced that all restaurants can not open, they can only deliver food. most people are wearing surgical masks. Museums/bars/clubs/sports events/concerts/etc all closed/canceled.


Yeah I hope its mostly the goverments overreacting so this doesn't become a problem but putting a city/nation to halt is not done just for fun.




It really hasn't been that great for me since I moved here, stolen iphone, stolen car, swine flu, earthquake yesterday....then again when I was living in Missouri was when we were getting the deadliest tornados ever and the ice storm that cut off our electricity for almost a week.....maybe god is trying to tell me something.

[That Matt Guy]

Head for the Alps, THE BORDER IS CLOSED!!

[The Stryker]

Run around in circles! IT'S COMING!

[Raph's Girl]

Oy ve! A baby in Texas has died from the swine flu! :(

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2938123420090429

A 23-month-old child in Texas has died from the new H1N1 swine flu, becoming the first U.S. death from the virus, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said on Wednesday.

It is the first death from swine flu reported outside Mexico, the country hardest hit by the influenza outbreak. U.S. officials have confirmed 65 cases of swine flu, most of them

"Unfortunately, this morning I do have to confirm that we have the first death of a child from H1N1 flu virus. And this is in Texas, a 23-month-old child," Dr. Richard Besser, acting head of the CDC, told the CBS "Early Show."

Besser had predicted that as they searched for cases, CDC experts would find severe infections and deaths in the United States, even though most of the patients had mild illness.

"As we look, we're going to find more cases. We're going to find more severe cases and I expect that we'll continue to see additional deaths," Besser told NBC's "Today" show.

He said additional details would be released by Texas authorities.

Mexico previously had reported the only deaths -- 159, based on symptoms and initial tests, with seven deaths so far confirmed by additional laboratory analysis at the World Health Organization.

Influenza regularly kills people around the world, with an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 deaths from the seasonal virus every year. Every year at least a few perfectly healthy children die from seasonal influenza in the United States.

WHO and CDC officials have been trying to assess just how serious the new H1N1 swine influenza strain is. It has been found globally, with cases across North America, Europe and New Zealand.

"We have about 100 cases outside Mexico, and now you have one death. That is very significant," said Lo Wing Lok, an infectious disease expert in Hong Kong.

Besser said the news should not change anyone's behavior. "We're not changing our recommendations. The recommendations we've been giving are the right ones to reduce the risk of you or your family members getting flu," Besser said.

The CDC recommends frequent hand-washing to avoid infection with the new flu virus. It also recommends that people who are sick stay home, cover sneezes and coughs, and avoid unnecessary travel to Mexico until more is known.

And a country update: Spain now has 4 confirmed, Germany has 3 confirmed, and Austria has 1 confirmed

[The Stryker]

Never mind that infants die all the time from normal sicknesses.

[BubblyShell22]

This is scary for me. I understand we shouldn't panic, but we should still be on alert. The confirmed case in Indiana was a Notre Dame student. There haven't been any reports on how the person got the flu, but he/she recovered.

[doomiscool]

Lol! Even our government is over-reacting now!

The other day an article said the UK wasn't bothering about getting protective face masks as they have no evidence of helping stop swine flu spreading, then today, front page of the newspaper "FLU: BRITAIN ORDERS 32M MASKS" :|

It also now claims "As the death toll in Mexico reaches 152, 4 out of 10 people in Britain (40%) are at risk of catching Swine Flu"

The joy... :ohwell:

[Ninjinister]

Head for the Alps, THE BORDER IS CLOSED!!
F***! I was planning on going to Taco Bell today for lunch.

Run around in circles! IT'S COMING!
I do that anyway... wheeee!

[That Matt Guy]

I'm leaving this galaxy for one less complicated.

[Raph's Girl]

Lets all move to Russia or Japan. Those are about the only countries not effected.

Meanwhile, 2 kids in Lowell, Masachusetts have been confirmed as having Swine Flu.

[The Stryker]

I must go now, My planet needs me.

[Evenstar227]

Influenza regularly kills people around the world, with an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 deaths from the seasonal virus every year.

The flu regularly kills half a million people each year and people are getting bent out of shape over the couple hundred deaths reported thus far? Doesn't that seem a bit skewed?


Oy ve! A baby in Texas has died from the swine flu! :(

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2938123420090429

The article says that was a Mexican child who came to the US for treatment. Puts a different spin on it to know that (my first thought was that it was a US kid), but still sad. :(

[Archon_Turtle]

There is only one thing that can save us...

Ready to form Voltron! Activate interlocks! Dyna-therms connected. Infra-cells up; mega-thrusters are go!

[sdp]

Well at least you guys aren't living in the epicenter of all of this.

[Ninjinister]

Well at least you guys aren't living in the epicenter of all of this.

You should actually be grateful. After all, you could be dying in the epicenter....

[VaughnMichael]

You should actually be grateful. After all, you could be dying in the epicenter....
Even worse you could be dying at Epcot Center.

[Ninjinister]

Even worse you could be dying at Epcot Center.

But that would be Rodent Flu.

[Jester]

You 2 ought to go on tour...:P

[Candy Kappa]

flu tour? - bring your own masks

[Raph's Girl]

Goof balls! :lol:

1 person in London confirmed with Swine Flu. He's responding to the meds tho (according to the local news). Also confirmed are 1 in Devon, 1 in West Midlands, and the 2 in Scotland (North Lanarkshire).

[Ra]

I think we'll be fine. Seriously. Nothing that we should really be that concerned about as long as everyone takes their medicine and goes to a doctor.

Take your meds kids! That way you won't turn into a pig!

[Raph's Girl]

Aaaah!!!!! Swine Flu has reached Washington State!!! 3 cases in King County (Seattle! ), 2 in Snohomish (a couple hours east of here), and 1 in Spokane! :o

[Sewer Bull]

You realize that swine flu has been around for decades, only the cases didn't have that much of press coverage?

[sdp]

Yeah but it wasn't contagious from people to people and killing them.



This is a BIG deal. They just announced that ALL non-essential jobs (food markets/hospitals) will not go to work until May 6th. You don't shut down a country for something little or isn't major.

[That Matt Guy]

All the schools in the county just got shut down for a week... you know I kinda want to see the virus start killing people off en masse that way all this freaking out people are doing will haven't been for nothing.

[Raph's Girl]

You realize that swine flu has been around for decades, only the cases didn't have that much of press coverage?

Well the previous cases only killed a couple people. Not this many. The first recorded case was in the 70's in the U.S. A soldier and several others died. Then in the 80's a woman in Michigan died of it after being in contact with a pig at the county fair!

Yes I've been researching the history of Swine Flu. W.H.O thinks it's certainly think's it warrents making it a level 5 (1 step away from a Pandemic).

[triplexxx]

All the schools in the county just got shut down for a week... you know I kinda want to see the virus start killing people off en masse that way all this freaking out people are doing will haven't been for nothing.Enchanting.

[Raph's Girl]

Yay... Seattle closed one of their schools till May 7th cuz of the Swine Flu! >,<

[Ninjinister]

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/image.php?u=341&dateline=1241001801

Not even Batman's safe from the swine flu.

[Raph's Girl]

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/image.php?u=341&dateline=1241001801

Not even Batman's safe from the swine flu.

Great....can we blame Circe then??? :lol:

[Anarky]

I agree with that Matt Person Guy Super Cool Dude. There's not nearly enough dying going on, considering everyone's in danger.

[Ninjinister]

Great....can we blame Circe then??? :lol:

S*** I actually remember that episode.

[Cipher]

To be honest, I'm sick of hearing about it. No, just because I used the word "sick" doesn't mean I made a pun, although I suppose it could be construed that way. I just got done writing an article for my college paper about how swine flu will affect study abroad in Mexico. I've had it up to hear with swine flu. I realize you couln't see me gesturing to my neckline when I wrote that, but it was probably implied anyway. Yeah!

Seriously though, remember when SARS and the bird flu were totally going to, like, kill all humans or something? Yeah, awesome times. Where did they go? Everyone freaked right the f*ck out for about a year before they quietly disappeared. And then no one mentioned it again. It was like we entered some bizzaro world where SARS and the bird flu never existed. No one even called CNN to say, "Hey, guys. What the hell happened to the bird flu? Aren't you at least going to apoligize for being wrong?" Are SARS and the bird flu out there plotting revenge right now? Maybe, but apparently no one cares because when it mattered most, they just couldn't deliver. You made it to the Super Bowl, SARS and bird flu, and you choked.

So, I'm supposed to be scared of swine flu now? Yes, it's a bit frightening that it seems to kill healthy, young people so easily, but its death to recovery ratio is still fairly low. It's less a global catastrophe and more a media sh*tstorm. They love this kind of stuff. Even the college paper I work for loves it. It gives us a ton of stories, and people will read them.

They can't all be the next black plague.

[Candy Kappa]

It was like we entered some bizzaro world where SARS and the bird flu never existed.

A big lipped alligator moment!

[That Matt Guy]

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/image.php?u=341&dateline=1241001801

Not even Batman's safe from the swine flu.

This all must be on of Ra's Al Ghul's schemes. THE FIEND!

[Anarky]

To be honest, I'm sick of hearing about it. No, just because I used the word "sick" doesn't mean I made a pun, although I suppose it could be construed that way. I just got done writing an article for my college paper about how swine flu will affect study abroad in Mexico. I've had it up to hear with swine flu. I realize you couln't see me gesturing to my neckline when I wrote that, but it was probably implied anyway. Yeah!

Comedy genius, right there. Puns galore and all that.

"Hey, guys. What the hell happened to the bird flu? Aren't you at least going to apoligize for being wrong?"
The media never apalagazas, since opologos are totally not their style. If there's something they should apelogaze for, they'd rather throw some rapist or some feel good story at you.

[Arcade Joe]

I think it's definately too hyped...Use common sense as far as cautions...The mainstream media over-dramatizes things if you ask me..

[Anarky]

Goddamn, man. Your signature is the only thing that could use some common sense. The only way to have a really cool signature is to use a picture of your desktop at full screen resolution. Anything under 1680x1050 pixels in a signature is just f*cking lame.

Or you could actually comply with the board rules and go for the 250px height.

As for common sense, it would seem that everyone who's running around, scared to death, lacks any kind of common sense (much like all of Mexico who basically went "Meh, we're all sick. Time for a nation-wide siesta) and should therefore be entitled to die, since they're apparently hellbent on it.

If the "Revenge of the Schnitzel" needs help, just toss me and Matt a couple of bottles of booze, enough ammo and some decent weaponry. We'll take care of any non-infected panicmakers. Guaranteed!

[Cipher]

The media never apalagazas, since opologos are totally not their style. If there's something they should apelogaze for, they'd rather throw some rapist or some feel good story at you.I'm not sure my spelling error deserved to be mocked three different times, but I appreciate the enthusiasm.

Comedy genius, right there. Puns galore and all that.My sarcasm detector works fine, thanks.

[Vivi]

the only thing really dangerous thing about the swine flu is the mass hysteria it is invoking.

[Anarky]

I'm not sure my spelling error deserved to be mocked three different times, but I appreciate the enthusiasm.

My sarcasm detector works fine, thanks.

What sarcasm? You should be a comedian. I apple-jizz if it came across as sarcastic.

[Cipher]

What sarcasm? You should be a comedian. I apple-jizz if it came across as sarcastic.Dammit, I can't even tell anymore.

And I'm actually aware of how to spell "apologize." It was an iceohleyted typo.

[Buslady]

It's ALL HYPE.

[Spitfire]

It doesn't hurt to be concerned about stuff like this anyway. Viruses are getting stronger and stronger and it's our fault because we keep inventing drugs to deal with them. The viruses get more powerful as they overcome the drugs and eventually it will catch up to us.

This is hyped up, the CDC said the normal flu will kill off more people this year then the swine flu.

[Anarky]

Turns out we're all not dead yet.

I'm disappointed, Swine Flu, I really am.

[doomiscool]

Ahhhh! I'm dead...

No wait...false alarm :P

It is all a hype, this and that Madeline case are all that are running on the headlines over here at the moment.

[GK Punk]

I say we should start calling it "Hamthrax"

[Ra]

Yeah, sure. When pigs fly.

*ba dum-CHH*

[XERO]

As long as I get to be the Omega Man.

[Hannah]

http://bouncewith.me.uk/europe/8027043.htm

This is hilarious- let's hope some idiots fall for it.

[Ninjinister]

http://bouncewith.me.uk/europe/8027043.htm

This is hilarious- let's hope some idiots fall for it.

That is flippin' awesome.

Also: your avatar.

[GK Punk]

I'm kind of dissapointed that it's a joke.

[Raph's Girl]

Aaand the first American has died from the Swine Flu. A woman in her 30's in Texas.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8034991.stm

[Ginny]

Personally, I'm glad they're making a big deal out of this. I'd rather they make a big deal and nothing happen than they do nothing and a true pandemic breaks out because nobody was prepared. The fact is, it doesn't matter how advanced our technology is, viruses continue to find a way to mutate into something stronger. In 1918 there was a flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide, 675,000 in the US. There is a link from that strain to the current H1N1 virus. According to http://1918.pandemicflu.gov/ it came in three waves, the second being the most deadly.

I don't know, but personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[The Stryker]

Yeah. Nevermind that it happened in 1918.

[Candy Kappa]

swine flu found in sweden... dun dun duuuu~

[Peanut]

I'm kind of dissapointed that it's a joke.

Kind of disappointed?

I'm tired of waiting. I just want this to become a worldwide zombie outbreak. I've been prepared for several years at this point, and I fear I'll never get to use my broom handle with a knife duct-taped to the end of it at this point.

[Anarky]

I wouldn't particularly mind a zombie outbreak, really. At least it would be more fun than the Swine Flu, which has gotten really boring by now. Everyone still afraid of it is just flat-out boring, as is the disease.

[Ninjinister]

Kind of disappointed?

I'm tired of waiting. I just want this to become a worldwide zombie outbreak. I've been prepared for several years at this point, and I fear I'll never get to use my broom handle with a knife duct-taped to the end of it at this point.

F*** yes.

This.

[Archon_Turtle]

Maybe this stuff has already been mentioned, but it frustrates me that peoplare all qorried about this.

First of all, regular, everyday, normal ass flu kills 26,000 people worldwide every year. How many people have died from swine flu? Yeah.

Secondly, Swine Flu actually has less replicating ability then the regular flu so its actually LESS contageous.

Remember that time in the 90's when we were all destroyed by killer bees? What about when you got SARS? How about West Nile? Avian Flu? Remember those times? No? Weird.

[Anarky]

So we won't die of it? Oh, come on...

I mean, people are scared shitless and everything. So why can't they die? They seem to want it, you know.

[Voltron]

Personally, I'm glad they're making a big deal out of this. I'd rather they make a big deal and nothing happen than they do nothing and a true pandemic breaks out because nobody was prepared. The fact is, it doesn't matter how advanced our technology is, viruses continue to find a way to mutate into something stronger. In 1918 there was a flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide, 675,000 in the US. There is a link from that strain to the current H1N1 virus. According to http://1918.pandemicflu.gov/ it came in three waves, the second being the most deadly.

I don't know, but personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Something tells me that if everyone started to drop dead, there's not a whole lot you're going to do either way.

Also,

First of all, regular, everyday, normal ASS flu kills 26,000 people worldwide every year.


I found that added "ass" funny. Now I call it ass flu. Good comedic eye.

[XERO]

Not only that, it's NORMAL ass flu.

[That Matt Guy]

Fine swine, wish it was mine, Zuckerman's famous flu.

[Voltron]

Now I say "God bless you" every time someone farts.

[doomiscool]

Everyone jokes now if you sneeze, asking "You caught swine flu?" :roll: I even heard some young children doing it today as they waited and one sneezed...

Also, can writing an essay that involves wild boar give me swine flu? :o I NEED TO KNOW! :lol:

[Roland]

Nah I'm placing my bets on Beaver Fever!:lol:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Harmophious/beaverfever.png

no it'll be the squirrel flu:o

:lol:, so an educated guess will be that rodent flu will be next aka everything with two big front teeth flu.

One case of swine flu found in South Africa. *Gulp*

[Sewer Bull]

Also, can writing an essay that involves wild boar give me swine flu? :o I NEED TO KNOW! :lol:

I don't think so, I inspected three big pig farms last Thursday, encountered thousands of swines (some of them sick) and I'm still alive.

[BubblyShell22]

I noticed in Wal-Mart yesterday the lady who waited on us was coughing and had hand sanitizer with her. Frankly, I'm not panicking about this whole thing, but I'm still taking it seriously because even though I doubt I'll get sick, I still worry about my mom and dad since they're older than me. Plus, Mom works at a school where kids get sick all the time.

My dad and mom were joking with me the other day when I started coughing. Mom said, "Well, if you get the swine flu, that means school's closed." If there's a even one case of swine flu in our county, they'll automatically close the schools. I told Mom, "I'm not getting the flu. It's just a cough." She said, "Why can't you take one for the team?" I just laughed at her. Then Dad said, "Well, if you're getting swine flu, you need to be quarantined." I got back at him when he started coughing the next day and said the same thing he did to me. Sounds lame, I know, but I thought it was funny.

I doubt I'll get swine flu unless I go somewhere, and that only happens when I go grocery shopping with my mom. So, I'm not super concerned, but I'm still on the lookout for things like this. The best thing we can do is take precautions and wait.

[Raph's Girl]

If there's a even one case of swine flu in our county, they'll automatically close the schools.

They did that here but parents complained too much and now any kid found sick is just isolated and they won't close a school.

Meanwhile, a woman in her 30's in Alberta, Canada has died of Swine Flu.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090508/h1n1_death_090508/20090508?hub=TopStories

[BubblyShell22]

Wow! That's a shame that the woman died. I doubt any parents will complain if school gets closed here, and I know the kids won't. They'd love for any excuse to get a day off.

[Candy Kappa]

hmm.. I'm couching:P

gotta panic!

[Ra]

Apparently we have our first case of Swine Flu in Australia (a New South Wales woman who decided to come to my home city of all places). Not contagous to my knowledge, so I don't think I'm going to turn into an inside-out pig and die.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/swine-flu-reaches-australia-20090509-aykk.html

I seriously think that some of this propaganda around the flu is to increase the sales of tinned food and flu tablets. Last week we had our head of Health and Safety or something like that basically all but say "YOU'RE ALL GOING TO DIE. GRAB WHATEVER YOU CAN AND STAY INDOORS." Sales of flu tablets and canned goods skyrocketed when she said that.

Not sure if that's a common world-wide theme or not, but it just seems suss to me.

[Candy Kappa]

2 cases of swine flu in Norway now.
What do the health department say to the media?
It's nothing to panic about its just flu, just gotta be careful as normal during regular flu seasons:D

it's soo awesome:P

[Katie]

Wow! That's a shame that the woman died. I doubt any parents will complain if school gets closed here, and I know the kids won't. They'd love for any excuse to get a day off.

...except if you can't get the day off from you work to watch your kid and you don't have a babysitter. Not everyone gets paid sick leave and alot of people are just barely scraping by as is.

Personally, I'm actively seeking infection. why not? When it comes back in the fall I'll be done with it. or dead....or whatever

[Raph's Girl]

And after the 2 deaths in the Texas you would think that most of the swine flu deaths in the u.s would be restricted to the southern states....but nope... A man in his 30's about 2 hours east of here died from it!

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_050909WAB-AP-swine-flu-wa-KS.db58678.html

Also apperantly a 53 year old man in Costa Rica has died from it.

[BubblyShell22]

Mom just told me they've decided not to close school down if someone in the county gets the flu. It'll only happen if there's a case in the school itself.

[Katie]

And after the 2 deaths in the Texas you would think that most of the swine flu deaths in the u.s would be restricted to the southern states....but nope... A man in his 30's about 2 hours east of here died from it!

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_050909WAB-AP-swine-flu-wa-KS.db58678.html

Also apperantly a 53 year old man in Costa Rica has died from it.

The Flu doesn't like warm weather...the further into summer it gets, the less likely you are to see it still in the south. It makes sense that cases persist in the northern states.

[Lil G]

Mom just told me they've decided not to close school down if someone in the county gets the flu. It'll only happen if there's a case in the school itself.

Well... that's stupid! So they're going to wait until a kid passes it on to a bunch of kids and then he's going to go to the nurses office. That's stupid, I'm glad I get home-schooled.

[Hannah]

Well... that's stupid! So they're going to wait until a kid passes it on to a bunch of kids and then he's going to go to the nurses office. That's stupid, I'm glad I get home-schooled.
No way, homie, I wouldn't even worry if I were you. You could beat up that swine flu in front of EVERYONE. It would go off crying to it's mom, and then you'd fight IT'S MOM too!!

[Voltron]

Lil G=Beowulf? :-?

[Roland]

The Flu doesn't like warm weather...the further into summer it gets, the less likely you are to see it still in the south. It makes sense that cases persist in the northern states.

Aha, i just need to go to egypt to the sahara and i'll be safe. Wait doesn't it get colder at night or nearly freezing? Then my plan is screwed. Well will global warming aid in helping less people getting the virus?

[Peanut]

Well... that's stupid! So they're going to wait until a kid passes it on to a bunch of kids and then he's going to go to the nurses office. That's stupid, I'm glad I get home-schooled.

I guess that's for the best. I mean, you're not going to learn about hopping fences and stealing hubcaps in school. You know, the real life skills.

[Cipher]

Well... that's stupid! So they're going to wait until a kid passes it on to a bunch of kids and then he's going to go to the nurses office. That's stupid, I'm glad I get home-schooled.No, it's better that way. It helps weed out the kids with weak immune systems and lowers the population. A smaller, higher quality gene pool.

Honestly I'm surprised they haven't started introducing horrifying diseases into schools for that exact reason.

Aha, i just need to go to egypt to the sahara and i'll be safe. Wait doesn't it get colder at night or nearly freezing? Then my plan is screwed. Well will global warming aid in helping less people getting the virus?Global warming is like the snake-oil of environmental catastrophes.

[Raph's Girl]

Aaaaand it's officially a Pandemic! Yay! :dead:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090611/ts_nm/us_flu_15

The World Health Organization declared an influenza pandemic on Thursday and called on governments to prepare for a long-term battle against an unstoppable flu virus.

The United Nations agency raised its pandemic flu alert to

phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is under way.

"With today's announcement, WHO moves from an emergency to a longer-term response. Based on past experience, this pandemic will be with us for some months, if not years, to come," WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said in a letter to staff, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.

People aged 30-50, pregnant women or people suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or obesity are deemed at highest risk, she told a news conference.

Countries from Australia to Chile and the United States are also reporting that the new virus, commonly known as swine flu, is "crowding out" seasonal flu, becoming the predominant influenza strain, she said.

For now the virus was "pretty stable," but Chan warned that it could still mutate into a more deadly form, taking on characteristics of the separate H5N1 bird flu virus circulating widely in poultry.

"So it is incumbent on WHO and all members to stay vigilant and alert for the next year or two or even beyond," she said.

WHO's top flu expert Keiji Fukuda agreed, saying: "When you're talking about pandemic influenza, you are talking about a marathon, you are not talking about a sprint."

Acting on the recommendation of flu experts, the WHO reiterated its advice to its 193 member countries not to close borders or impose travel restrictions to halt the movement of people, goods and services, a call echoed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The move to phase 6 reflects the fact that the disease, widely known as swine flu, is spreading geographically, but does not indicate how virulent it is.

Widespread transmission of the virus in Victoria, Australia, signaling that it is entrenched in another region besides North America, was one of the key triggers for moving to phase 6.

NO SURPRISE

"This is not a surprise," Dr Thomas Frieden, new director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a news conference. "It is expected based on the data."

A unanimous experts' decision was based on an overall assessment in the eight most heavily hit countries -- Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the United States -- that the virus is spreading in a sustained way in communities, according to Chan.

"Collectively, looking at that, we are satisfied that this virus is spreading to a number of countries and it is not stoppable," she said.

"Moving to pandemic phase six level does not imply we will see an increase in the number of deaths or very severe cases.

"Quite on the contrary. Many people are having mild disease, they recover without medicines in some cases and it is good news," she said.

Measuring the impact of the disease as it develops and spreads is difficult.

"It is very hard to get a sense of how many people are really dying from something like pandemic flu," Fukuda said.

Chan said the WHO global assessment of the pandemic was that it was moderate, but at the national level the picture could be different.

"Although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems," she said.

VACCINE PRODUCTION

The WHO recommended drugmakers stay on track to complete production of seasonal influenza vaccine for the northern hemisphere's next winter in the next two weeks. Each year, normal flu kills up to 500,000 people and infects millions.

Seasonal flu affects mainly the elderly, and causes severe illness in millions, so a premature switch in vaccine production to cope with the new strain could put many people at risk.

"So our recommendation is they need to finish the seasonal vaccine and then move over. That is pretty good in terms of dove-tailing the production of the two types of vaccine. So I think that this may just work out," Chan said.

Chan said the Geneva-based agency would work with regulatory authorities to help fast-track approval of new pandemic vaccines that are safe and effective so that they can be made available as soon as possible. In any case, the first doses would only be available in September, she added.

A pandemic could cause enormous disruption to business as workers stay home because they are sick or to look after family members and authorities restrict gatherings of large numbers of people or movement of people or goods.

World markets shrugged off the possibility of a pandemic, as investors focused on possible global economic recovery.

The new strain can be treated by antiviral drugs oseltamivir, the generic name of Roche Holding's Tamiflu tablets, and Relenza, a spray made by GlaxoSmithKline.

The strain, which emerged in April in Mexico and the United States, has spread widely. There have been 28,774 infections reported in 74 countries to date, including 144 deaths, according to WHO's latest tally of laboratory-confirmed cases.

(For the full text of Chan's remarks at a press conference, go to: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html )

(For more Reuters swine flu coverage, please go to:

http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/swineflu )

(For WHO information on swine flu, go to:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html )

Well uh nice to know they officially list the ages for Swine flu as 30 - 50...but what about people with low immune systems??

[The Stryker]

I honestly forgot all about this.

[Voltron]

It's a plague God sent because He hates fat people.

[Archon_Turtle]

It's a plague God sent because He hates fat people.

because they obviously aren't learning their lesson with type 2 diabetes :-P

[BubblyShell22]

So, they're saying that the most likely to get this are 30-50 year olds? Then I guess I'm safe since I'm only 26. That doesn't sound right though. I would think anyone could get it no matter what age they are.

[Archon_Turtle]

So, they're saying that the most likely to get this are 30-50 year olds? Then I guess I'm safe since I'm only 26. That doesn't sound right though. I would think anyone could get it no matter what age they are.

Less likely does not = immune.

[Raph's Girl]

So, they're saying that the most likely to get this are 30-50 year olds? Then I guess I'm safe since I'm only 26. That doesn't sound right though. I would think anyone could get it no matter what age they are.

They're saying that because the majority of deaths are people in their 30's and 40's. The only exception is that baby that died in Texas.

[BubblyShell22]

Oh, I see. My bad.

[Buslady]

sucks for those kids stuck in china...
kind stupid, I'd have cancelled the trip knowing there was this flu thing going on.
jsut cos of a few sniffles OMG they got swine flu!

funny thing is...our san diego division is supposed to pick them up at the airport and take them back to school.....not now!

[Ra]

Apparently the virus is in every state of Australia now. And my old high school has closed early because one of the girls got infected.

YAY~!! *vomits rainbows and pigs*

[Prowler]

There are a 3 people infected with the virus in Portugal, but none is in life danger, our government says there's no need to worry and that the country is far from a pandemic.

BTW, it's called A Flu now.

[Ra]

Flu, virus, what's the difference? :P

[Prowler]

Flu, virus, what's the difference? :P
I'm serious, they call it "The A Flu" now.

[Raph's Girl]

Flu, virus, what's the difference? :P

Influenza is a disease CAUSED by a virus (the RNA virus to be exact).

[triplexxx]

Now new school year coming up, they saying in the news vaccinations won't be fully available 'til October, and prompts emergency kits for the symptoms, sure hope this doesn't erupt into total chaos, of course I know past flu statistics probably say this is being read into too much, but still...

[The Stryker]

Seriously.

Is this still going on?

[Anarky]

Aren't we all dead yet? And if not, why not?

[Candy Kappa]

180 people infected with the T-virus.. I mean Swine flu, A flue, H1N1.

even some D list celebrities whined to a sladder magazine that their vacation was ruined :lol:

[Raph's Girl]

Seriously.

Is this still going on?

Yep.. It's a pandemic so it's gonna be going on for a while.

[Shredder]

There's concern that the swine flu could become more virulent when fall and winter start because there are more chances for it to combine with seasonal flus, so we'll be hearing more about it and the vaccine plans as we move into flu season. Past pandemics have lasted 1 1/2 to 2 years, so it's not going away anytime soon.

[Shredder]

Well, now that H1N1/swine flu is definitely back and everywhere in the news these days, I thought this thread could use a bump. What's the latest in your area? Have you or someone you know had it? Did you get the vaccine? Personally, I know of at least one person who has it and several others that are sick, possibly with this flu. Kind of concerning how it's spreading so fast now. Any thoughts?

[Voltron]

Some high school kid in my area just died from it. Very sudden. Sad, but I'm concerned about the paranoia this will spark. The way it's reported, you'd think that people are dropping dead left and right. Oh well.

[Roseangelo]

I believe two of my Facebook friends have had it, although both live in different states and are far from me. Oddly, I had to break the news to one of them, as the doctors had only told her she had "influenza A," which is actually the same thing. Both have recovered (best as I can tell from updates).

No shot for me. I'm not too worried, especially since I'm no longer spending 8 hours a day in an office full of germs (hurray for the perks of unemloyment! :P).

[Ra]

A few of the people I see on other forums I visit have come down with it. Nothing serious. Just a fever mainly. No one out my way has it, or anyone at my collage.

Actually, I thought everyone was over it until I saw an ad about vaccinating yourself against it on TV. I haven't got the shot and I don't plan on it either. Mainly because I'm more focused on school work right now.

[Hero]

The awareness is getting pretty serious everywhere here with lots of advertising to wash your hands more than usual, depicting people coughing and sneezing into thier hands etc.

A lot of public places are now putting up everywhere possible those foam handwash dispensers. Supermarkets are also stocking up heavily on handwash spray for on the go use. It's getting a little panicky basically.

===HERO

[Roland]

2 people in South africa died of swine flu so it got me worried. But now that it is summer im hearing less about swine flu cases.

[Raph's Girl]

One of my uncles got it in June and survived it.

Backstreet Boy member Brian Littrell got it a couple weeks ago (posted a vid on youtube to the fans saying he was sorry about having to cancel a couple appearances...)

Incidentally it's now called 2009 A (H1N1) according to some commercials I've seen.

Also, scientists have discovered that it's an air born virus and you only need to be within 12 feet of somebody with it..:ohwell:

Has anybody else seen that Elmo commercial where he says to wash your hands so you don't get H1N1?? I saw it the other day. *lol*

[Anarky]

How is it that we're not dead yet? I mean, this was supposed the wipe out life on Earth, was it not?

[Cipher]

I know two people that have had it personally, and at least three more friends-of-friends. It's a college campus, so sh*t gets around fast. Even worse, a friend's boyfriend went into our health center because he thought he'd come down with it (he had), and their response was, "If you have Swine Flu symptoms, then what are you doing here? Go quarantine yourself!" Like, what the hell? He could have had something else even worse. Things are getting retarded.

How is it that we're not dead yet? I mean, this was supposed the wipe out life on Earth, was it not? SARS, Bird Flu...

[Mr. Snackpants]

I had it at the beginning of the month and I was in bed for 3 days. Immediately after I got through that I came down with a secondary infection. I had a sore throat for the next 4 days. Not just a regular sore throat, like white sores on the back of my throat. It almost hurt as bad as when I got my tonsils out.

Terrible week.

[Brodie]

The secondary infection sounds like Broncitis or Strepp.

Did anyone see this? (http://www.sphere.com/2009/10/28/fury-erupts-over-h1n1-shots-for-prisoners/?icid=main|aim|dl1|link1|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sphere.c om%2F2009%2F10%2F28%2Ffury-erupts-over-h1n1-shots-for-prisoners%2F)

[Angabariel]

They are talking about it every day here in sweden and we are all gettin ready for it. But I am not that sure if I really want the vaccine or not. Cause from what i have heard you can get really sick from it and that makes me wonder if it is worth it.

[Spitfire]

San Fran got the vaccine today, they are giving it out for free. About 10 clinics had it so I went to the one closest to me. The line was wrapped around the entire building and I went only 1 hour after the announcement was made. They also threw out the "priority" and made it first come first serve. I'm under 25 and I'm asthmatic, as is my best friend and roommate so we're in the highest risk group. My girlfriend also has asthma but she's 25. She's in the second highest risk group.

I'd have waited but it was in the middle of the ghetto and being white there doesn't exactly warrant a welcome. I seriously wish they would charge for it. I'd rather have to pay then wait in line for 5 hours with only a chance of getting it. Hobos and illegal immigrants shouldn't take priority over actual citizens. I can see why people were mad about the prison thing too, it's the same concept in my book.

[Mr. Snackpants]

The secondary infection sounds like Broncitis or Strepp.

Did anyone see this? (http://www.sphere.com/2009/10/28/fury-erupts-over-h1n1-shots-for-prisoners/?icid=main|aim|dl1|link1|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sphere.c om%2F2009%2F10%2F28%2Ffury-erupts-over-h1n1-shots-for-prisoners%2F)

See that's what I thought and that's why I went back to the doctors but they tested for it and it was negative. It was just some virus that I forgot the name of. No antibiotic, the Doc just game me stuff to numb the pain. He gave me "Magic Mouth Wash", which truly was "magical". I'm pissed I've never gotten that for a sore throat before.

[Angabariel]

here in sweden we get it for free but just like anywhere else it is a long waiting line and riskgroups. I am not in any of these riskgroups so I think I will have to wait for it. But as i said before I am not that sure if I want to take it or not. People have been really sick from it here. They have got all sorts of things from it, sore throats to heartconditions.. so.. nah I do not know :/

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

They are talking about it every day here in sweden and we are all gettin ready for it. But I am not that sure if I really want the vaccine or not. Cause from what i have heard you can get really sick from it and that makes me wonder if it is worth it.

I took it yesterday and nothing happened. It's the medias in Sweden (Aftonbladet and Expressen) who try to scare everybody, just to sell newspapers.

[Mecha Cow]

I had a sore throat for the next 4 days. Not just a regular sore throat, like white sores on the back of my throat. It almost hurt as bad as when I got my tonsils out.
Sounds like what I had earlier this month. Some of the most intense physical pain I've ever experienced. Come to think of it, I had been sick about a week before that... Maybe I had swine flu and didn't realize it?

The worst part is the throat sores seem to be returning....

[plastroncafe]

Hobos and illegal immigrants shouldn't take priority over actual citizens. I can see why people were mad about the prison thing too, it's the same concept in my book.

Here's the thing, if you don't vaccinate EVERYONE then ANYONE can get sick whether or not they've been vaccinated.

[Lil G]

My friend just got swine flu, pray for her please!!!

[Spitfire]

Here's the thing, if you don't vaccinate EVERYONE then ANYONE can get sick whether or not they've been vaccinated.

Deportation would be a better fix. Two birds with one stone. Hell maybe three birds.

[plastroncafe]

Deportation would be a better fix. Two birds with one stone. Hell maybe three birds.

No it's true.
The problem is? We're birds two and three.
People don't just get teleported when they're deported. Usually it happens by some means of public transportation. Not to mention the people involved in processing the deportation.

What you're suggesting makes one heck of a sound bite, but logistically it's a nightmare.

[Angabariel]

I took it yesterday and nothing happened. It's the medias in Sweden (Aftonbladet and Expressen) who try to scare everybody, just to sell newspapers.

Oh fellow "swede" hahah.. I know that the newspapers are scaring people but at I know that at least some of it is true cause my best friend got it and she was really ill from it in a couple of days.. she got the flu symtoms.. but now she is fine, which is great :D

[kev trashcan]

all a bunch of hype, ive known more than one person that had it, 2 of these people are not heathy at all , bad food, smokers, drinkers, and after a few days they were fine. its a really nasty flu but its nothing to be scared of, its all a bunch of propaganda

[Candy Kappa]

My girlfriend finally have money for the flu shot. As poor student it's been a rough month:lol:

I found this picture amusing:P
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs113.snc3/16037_315932015647_783960647_9673393_7861286_n.jpg

[Raph's Girl]

I found this picture amusing:P
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs113.snc3/16037_315932015647_783960647_9673393_7861286_n.jpg

Poor Piglet....he always gets the shaft. He needs a hug. *hugs Piglet knowing she won't get swine flu from her fave Winnie the Pooh character* :D

[Raph's Girl]

:lol:

http://www.lilformers.com/comics/2009-11-02.jpg

[Raph's Girl]

Meep! Apperantly Swine Flu is now being passed on to animals. Cats in particular. oh dear! :o

http://ocpets.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/19/family-cat-in-oregon-dies-after-getting-swine-flu/25457

I wouldn't want my cat to suffer thru H1N1. Oi.... I myself had it in the last couple weeks. Ugh.... :ohwell:

[Barkworm]

One of my co-workers got it last week, she said she was't able to go to the toilet on her own for three days. I really, really hope I don't get this sh*t but schools aren't exactly the safest place to avoid it.

[Roland]

Meep! Apperantly Swine Flu is now being passed on to animals. Cats in particular. oh dear! :o

http://ocpets.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/19/family-cat-in-oregon-dies-after-getting-swine-flu/25457

I wouldn't want my cat to suffer thru H1N1. Oi.... I myself had it in the last couple weeks. Ugh.... :ohwell:
Dang ,do you fell better now and how do you cure it?

But what caused the outburst of h1n1 in the first place?

[Raph's Girl]

Dang ,do you fell better now and how do you cure it?

But what caused the outburst of h1n1 in the first place?

I got it from my mom, who probably got it from a co-worker or something. H1N1 is an airborne virus and apperantly you only need to be within 12 feet of somebody with it to get it (or so I heard anyways).

Yeah.. I feel better now. Still have a bit of a cough. The only cure is lots of bed rest and flu meds. For like a week the only foods I could keep down were crackers and fruit. *lol*

Check out these symptoms. I had em all over a period of a week. My step-dad also had it and was fine after 2 days. :P

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/swineflu/a/409_symptoms.htm

[Roland]

Great to hear Raph's girl, ( i think Raph is also pleased :P ) and thanx for the link. I hope you cough gets cured soon!