swine flu.... are you worried?

[kalniel]

There is no cure/prevention for road traffic "accidents".

I disagree completely. If there were nothing to be done then how come the death toll has decreased so dramatically over the last few decades?

I'd argue the opposite - road deaths are far more preventable than deaths from swine flu. 'Accidents' was my wording - because no-one sets out to kill someone on the road, yet I'd argue a huge number of them could have been prevented. The WHO talk about deaths resulting from road traffic injuries.

[matty-hodgson]

And there are still 6 other more likely causes of death in Mexico than road traffic accidents.

like being kicked and punched until sweets fall out?

[j.o.s.h.1408]

I disagree completely. If there were nothing to be done then how come the death toll has decreased so dramatically over the last few decades?

I'd argue the opposite - road deaths are far more preventable than deaths from swine flu. 'Accidents' was my wording - because no-one sets out to kill someone on the road, yet I'd argue a huge number of them could have been prevented. The WHO talk about deaths resulting from road traffic injuries.

in that case, we shouldn't be worried about anything . people have got to be at least a bit cautious and worried about this flu? not nice being sick with a flu right lads?

[menthel]

Jeebus, we have got Josh and j1979 flapping round like headless chickens. Its a bit of the flu and these things happen calm down and stop falling for all of the hype will you! That is what we get for 24 hour news and not enough to fill it!

Pandemics happen and people die. However its good to remember that medicine has advanced in the 40 odd year since the last one. We now make effective vaccines relatively quickly (in 4-6 months) and we have antivirals that actually work. Its also good to remember that as a population we do have a relative level of immunity to H1N1 as parts of the surface antigen is covered by the flu vaccine, so we may find that some level of 'herd immunity' kicks in.

So, detwist your knickers, observe basic hygiene measures and live your life. What happens, happens and I am sure we are well prepared. Oh and try to take your news from relaible sources, as as we all know the internet is full of crazy rumours and plain untruths!

[kalniel]

in that case, we shouldn't be worried about anything . people have got to be at least a bit cautious and worried about this flu? not nice being sick with a flu right lads?

You should be worried about things in proportion to their actual risk. That means that yes, you should be worried about choosing a safe car, driving carefully, leading a healthy lifestyle and so on - things that have a *far* greater effect on your life expectancy than this flu will do.

No it's not nice being sick with flu, but there's nothing you should be doing differently if you already maintain proper personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.

[j1979]

Jeebus, we have got Josh and j1979 flapping round like headless chickens. Its a bit of the flu and these things happen calm down and stop falling for all of the hype will you! That is what we get for 24 hour news and not enough to fill it!

Pandemics happen and people die. However its good to remember that medicine has advanced in the 40 odd year since the last one. We now make effective vaccines relatively quickly (in 4-6 months) and we have antivirals that actually work. Its also good to remember that as a population we do have a relative level of immunity to H1N1 as parts of the surface antigen is covered by the flu vaccine, so we may find that some level of 'herd immunity' kicks in.

So, detwist your knickers, observe basic hygiene measures and live your life. What happens, happens and I am sure we are well prepared. Oh and try to take your news from relaible sources, as as we all know the internet is full of crazy rumours and plain untruths!

im not flapping mate, i just dont really want to catch it because im allready bed ridden with injuries, and all the victims so far have been between the ages of 25 to 50. in my current vulnerable state with broken ribs even a slight cold could be a death sentence for me as i cant cough at the moment.

and a failier to be able to cough means any infection on the lungs can cause me to

"DROWN IN MY OWN SNOT" its not that im scared of dying i just aint going out like that.

[menthel]

im not flapping mate, i just dont really want to catch it because im allready bed ridden with injuries, and all the victims so far have been between the ages of 25 to 50. in my current vulnerable state with broken ribs even a slight cold could be a death sentence for me as i cant cough at the moment.

and a failier to be able to cough means any infection on the lungs can cause me to

"DROWN IN MY OWN SNOT" its not that im scared of dying i just aint going out like that.

Actually, with broken ribs you should have enough pain killers on board to allow you to breathe fully and deeply and even cough. Otherwise you end up with stasis in the periphery of your lungs and are left at risk to a chest infection. I think that should worry you more! You might want to go back to your doctor for more pain killers.

Anyhows, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

[shadowmaster]

Anyhows, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

Not unless it cripples you....

[Lee`]

BBC news are now reporting that a child in Texas has died from it. There are now 5 confirmed cases in the UK.

BBC News

[menthel]

Not unless it cripples you....

It could also mutate you into some sort of super hero. Swings and roundabouts I guess!

[j1979]

BBC news are now reporting that a child in Texas has died from it. There are now 5 confirmed cases in the UK.

BBC News

interesting that this is the first child to die, and its not in Mexico. im no virologist, does that suggest the virus is evolving or changing in some way?

[kalniel]

interesting that this is the first child to die, and its not in Mexico. im no virologist, does that suggest the virus is evolving or changing in some way?

Nope.

[j1979]

Nope.

care to expand that a bit? or are you playing it like the politicians do, saying its not pandemic when it quite clearly is!.

[kalniel]

care to expand that a bit? or are you playing it like the politicians do, saying its not pandemic when it quite clearly is!.

Viruses mutate and change all the time. The fact that a child died from it, however, doesn't suggest any unusual mutation, simply that the childs immune system was not as advanced as an adults. We all have a natural resistance to H1N1 that slows infection and is the reason the majority of people catching swine flu are not dying, however that resistance will be different in different people, and sadly in this child's case her natural resistance combined with the immune system response was not enough to fight off the virus.

That's got nothing to do with it being pandemic or not - by the very definition of the word this is probably going to be a pandemic. But that doesn't make it any more dangerous, just increases the chance that it will be present in the country you live in.

[shadowmaster]

interesting that this is the first child to die, and its not in Mexico. im no virologist, does that suggest the virus is evolving or changing in some way?

No, not really, just means someone got unlucky .

Viruses primarily change or evolve in two ways. Antigenic shift and antigenic drift. Antigens are substances that invoke an immune response. They are bit like signs that an infection agent gives out. If the immune system recognises that sign, then it mounts an immune response. If it has seen the signs before (from a vaccination or previous illnesss) the immune response is generally quicker and larger.

The problem with viruses is their antigens change, which gives our bodies a problem. Antigenic drift is when over time viral genes mutate and therefore the antigens change. Antigenic shift is when at least two different different strains of viruses combine and you end up producing a virus with a combination of the antigens of the two original strains. Now in this case, scientists are saying that this particular swine flu is a combination of H1N1 strains from pigs, humans and avian, giving it a nice mix This means since our body has never encountered this strain before our immune response will be a bit slow at times, hence the symptoms and longer recovery time.

Now even if this virus evolves nothing might change. The bigger problem will be if it evolves into something that is resistant to anti virals. In that case we might be in a bit of a pickle.

[mehmeh]

Local school here (Paignton Community College. Torbay, Devon) has been closed this afternoon. Its like pandemonium, police are up there, media having a field day and hundreds of parents trying to pick up their kids. Aparently a 12 year old girl has been comfirmed with it (was on the same flight as that couple of Falkirk). Showing mild symptons and at her home atm.. Health peeps are giving 50 or so kids who've had close contact anti viral drugs.

I wasnt too worried as the media like to hype things and its a perfect distraction of the credit crunch and lame budget, but now its on my doorstep, can't help but feel concerned for ones own ass.