Swine Flu

[PiKA2001]

I caught it Thursday, but i feel fine now. Anybody else think it might be hyped up? Watching the news they make it sound like it can potentially be the end of humanity.

[Kevin]

It's sweeps.

[kstar]

It does have the potential to be as deadly a pandemic as the 1918 flu.

The hemagglutinin gene of this virus is completely novel, and since that is the antigenic site that the human immune system responds to, there has not been any immunity built to it. This particular genetic combination of swine influenza virus segments has not been recognized previously among swine or human isolates. It contains gene segments from North American swine, bird and human flue strains as well as one gene segment from Eurasian swine.

Also, is the fact that this virus is causing deaths not among the elderly and young, who are the typical victims of the flu, but causes deaths among the young and healthy by inciting a "cytokine storm."

However, here in America we both can afford and have a stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza, which will probably be effective.

[aephi alum]

[AGDee]

I think it's hyped. They do know that two of the four antivirals available do work against it so those who can afford health care and are generally healthy to begin with have nothing to really worry about. On the other hand, my kids are getting a little freaked out because 4 seniors from the neighboring high school are being tested. One has the flu now so they are testing for swine because they were all in Mexico over spring break (April 10-17).

Working in health care, the system has sent out their protocols to all staff via email including the pandemic protocols. They have stockpiled the needed meds. I think the media is overhyping, but I guess I've decided that if it makes people take more precautions against spreading illnesses, it's ok that they are hyping it too much.It reminds me of the SARS scare from a few years ago.

[knight_shadow]

FWISD closed until at least May 8th, thanks to this swine flu.

LaneSig -- has your district been affected by this? I have a feeling the rest of the districts will follow suit.

[AKA_Monet]

Yes... Most definitely hyped... And as sick and twisted as I am, I think some of this is fabricated

Feel bad for the sufferers though. That to me is NOT a joke.

[PhiGam]

7 people have died (according to the World Health Organization.) This is eerily similar to the SARS scare of a few years back.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Admittedly I am a little nervous to be flying in to JFK on Friday and spending the weekend in NY/NJ. My bf wants me to wear a mask on the plane and take a bunch of Theraflu with me.

[carnation]

When I was at the University of Hawaii over 30 years ago, there was a swine flu scare on the mainland and the UH students were all pressured to get the shot. I did. I wonder if any tiny little bit of the immunity is still hanging in there.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

FWISD closed until at least May 8th, thanks to this swine flu.

LaneSig -- has your district been affected by this? I have a feeling the rest of the districts will follow suit.

No, my district (Plano, on the northeast side of Dallas) is still in session. The general attitude here is that the administration wouldn't shut us down this week due to TAKS (that's the state testing for you non-Texans).

Richardson school district has closed one elementary school for the week and the Clebourne school district announced it was closing before Fort Worth did.

The state hs athletic association has asked for all athletic events to be cancelled for the near future. I am actually surprised that none of the districts along the border have closed as a precaution. Teachers are wondering if Gov. Goodhair might shut down all school districts in the state for a couple of days.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

No, my district (Plano, on the northeast side of Dallas) is still in session. The general attitude here is that the administration wouldn't shut us down this week due to TAKS (that's the state testing for you non-Texans).

Richardson school district has closed one elementary school for the week and the Clebourne school district announced it was closing before Fort Worth did.

The state hs athletic association has asked for all athletic events to be cancelled for the near future. I am actually surprised that none of the districts along the border have closed as a precaution. Teachers are wondering if Gov. Goodhair might shut down all school districts in the state for a couple of days.

mmmm They closed a middle school in Plano (Wilson) and postponed UIL events (which you mentioned).. Also PISD has cancelled all overnight trips for the year. At least that's what my friends there are telling me. I guess I'll find out in a bit when I head home.

[WCsweet<3]

I feel as though there is very little difference between this and the normal influenza that we are use to. I realize that this strain reacts differently with our immune system, but with the weather warming up, won't the virus die? I thought virus' couldn't last long in warmer weather which is why we have the flu in the winter.

I'm a little tired of hearing about it as it seems to just be the same information and everyone is panic-ing. As CNN has pointed out quite a bit recently, 13,000 (I believe that is the correct number) people died in january from the flu.

[KSUViolet06]

There has been a case reported in Ohio, but I don't think our local public schools are taking the actions that other schools across the country are taking.

They've sent home bulletins about symptoms and preventative measures, but schools will probably remain open unless a case is reported
in the actual school system.

I think the fear of it is affecting people here though, I have friends who are getting married next month who have cancelled their honeymoon in Acapulco in favor of Myrtle Beach because they are afraid of coming in contact with it.

[BetteDavisEyes]

There are reported cases in both the city I live in and the city I work in.

Still, I think people are panicking way too easily right now.