Swine Flu

[dinger]

It is very worrying reading about the new virus which is rife in Mexico . My son and his wife only returned from there a week ago so have warned them if they feel in any way unwell see the doctor immediately. The newspapers have given this warning to everyone here today as it could turn into a pandemic and are checking anyone coming from mexico at the airport.

[jazzactivist]

Yet another scare, dinger. I agree with you that your son and DIL should be extra vigilant about their health, but whether the rest of us need to worry is yet to be seen. I always takethe positive approach and don't worry about anything until it proves to be a problem. I might change my mind if I catch a cold in the next few days, though, oink... oink!

[bonnie]

It has just been announced on the 6pm news, 2 cases have prooved positive in Scotland.

[Gentian]

There's also a positive case in Spain and my son is off there next week. I casually mentioned insurance as he went out of the door

[Crocus]

I've never heard of swine-flu before and was quite amazed upon noticing it on Sky News.
It seems quite a dangerous illness. What on earth next I wonder. x

[souter girl]

First it was bird flu, now it's swine flu - have pigs started flying?

[Crocus]

Good question SG! It seems never to stop, all these different kinds of flu one hears about. xx

[dinger]

Gentian the travel agencies are advising people not to go now . I read this on line perhaps your son will read it and change his mind . The couple in Scotland who have caught it came back from there last week .

[SeaShore]

I have stopped watching the news. Honestly! I can't stand it. If it isn't that we're all going to be killed by terrorists, or potentially at war, then we are going to become victims of swine flu!! It's like being alive today means living in perpetual fear. Mostly I feel fairly safe from everything, tucked away down here on the Isle of Wight. Unfortunatly though, it seems that our little island becomes the palce to send infected people. When Sarrs broke out a group of people were quarentined here, just a few miles down the road. Oh Good Lord, I forgot about that!!!

[jazzactivist]

Hi SeaShore, and welcome to RM. I agree with you that watching the news is probably bad for everyone's health, as it is so full of scare stories and doom and gloom. Living on the Isle of Wight must be pretty interesting, even if it is also the place to go for quarantine. I'll be looking forward to more posts about your life there.

[SeaShore]

Hello there Jazzactivist. Going by you're name I think you'd love Ventnor, the town where I live. Every summer we have a big jazz festival which is spread over a week and wherever you walk at night you can hear smoky jazz on the air. Lots of art and creativity thrives here too . . . in fact this place reminds me of an magical allotment that grows eccentrics, artists, writers, embroiders and musicians! The town sits on the side of St Boniface Down and kind of tumbles down towards the sea on terraces until it stops at the beach at the bottom. Whoops . . . I've gone off the subject of Swine Flu. Is that allowed when following a thread?!!! PS. Where is Kendal?

[Crocus]

Hi SeaShore, not to worry, but just to explain, we do try to stick to a thread as close as possible, which of course is not always possible, because as threads and chats develop, it can sometimes change a bit.


I've just heard on Sky News that the Scottish couple who are in hospital with swine-flu was actually on their honeymoon in Mexico. I really hope they will get better soon.
Does anyone know something about the symptoms of this flu, or is it more or less the same as "normal" flu? xx

[souter girl]

According to the cartoon in today's Telegraph, Christopher Robin and Pooh are having Piglet put down!

[dinger]

I have read in this mornings paper leaflets are to be sent to every home in the next few days and they are expecting things like football matches and concerts where people congregate to be cancelled . It is looking very serious and is spreading around the world quick.

[jazzactivist]

Hi SeaShore. Ventnor does sound exactly my kind of place. I'll put it in my holiday file and look out for the jazz fest. Kendal is on the south edge of the Lake District in Cumbria. I live in a small village called Levens. Kendal is an interesting town where they still make traditional Kendal Mint Cake (very sweet!)and it has a textile history, famous for the colour Kendal Green. Now it has a lot of small, independent shops and several festivals throughout the year, including a Street Festival where the whole town is full of musicians, plays, art etc, all outside. The Lake District National Park with all the famous lakes is just up the road.

Back to swine flu - I see that every household in the UK is going to receive a leaflet about it. I am not sure what we can do to stave off an attack, though, other than follow usual hygiene procedures. It is suggested that people put our hands in front of our mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and wash our hands thoroughly, but don't most people already do this? One problem could be that awkward moment when someone sneezes / coughs and puts a hand / tissue up to catch it. Then someone wants to hold or shake their hand... eurgh! I won't get too worried about it unless it starts to become an obvious epidemic, though. How are your son and DIL, dinger?

[dinger]

Hi Jazz I am pleased to say my son and wife are ok at the moment it did say on T V if people have been back in this country for ten days they should be alright. So fingers crossed eh x

[Gentian]

I hope the meetings aren't cancelled. I have 35 going to a cinema organ concert on Sunday and on May 12 we are catering for 33 for a lunch an dtea and the lasagne and quiches are ordered.

[Gentian]

Just heard that we are now one stage away from a pandemic, quite a worry.

[souter girl]

I always carry a bottle of antiseptic hand rub and use it after touching door handles etc especially in public lavatories or on public transport. I started when OH was first diagnosed with lymphoma, and I cringe when people sneeze anywhere near me. Do they not have tissues/hankies? They probably think I'm snooty or standoffish, but I do fear passing on any bugs as their consequences can be catastrophic.

[Primrose]

I agree with you all that people should always carry out standard hygiene procedures and I am so pleased that I do not have to go to work on public transport e.g. buses and tubes.

What I have noticed is that my worry, which is my BC could return, has focused my thoughts into how ironic this flu could get me instead.

So what am I saying - that this scare helps to focus the mind on how life is so precious. None of us know what is around the corner and my Grandad used to say 'Hard work never kills anyone -worry does'.

Although his words have not been able to redirect my mind on the concerns of my BC and I have tried the 'you could get knocked down by a bus tomorrow, etc'.

But - this Flu scare has helped focus my mind. I thoroughly enjoy having Radio 4 on everyday but am seriously thinking this could make me worry even more.

I know one elderly lady said to me when talking about what we had in store for us she would say 'We don't know, we can't tell'.

Keep safe everyone and enjoy today.

[Gentian]

The times I have seen staff using the loo and returning to the cafe area without washing hands, they should be sacked. I'm convinced the viruses in hospital are taken in by visitors who have no thought for themselves or others.
Sorry you got me going there.

[Pippa]

I think, once again, the media are making a big thing of this. First we where all going to die of Aids, then SARS, then avian flu and now swine flu. I do not agree with taking anti-virals, surely we should catch the virus which will immunize us naturally and we will build up our immune systems. I hope it is left up to the individual whether they want a jab or not, I know plenty of people who have been really ill after a flu jab, these vacines just are not safe, imo.

[cindy]

I agree, Pippa. First of all it was 160+died from it in mexico and now there are only about 10 confirmed cases. The remaining ones suspected. I think the media as usual is blowing it out of all proportion. We are on holiday in Cornwall at the moment and on the SW news there were pictures of children and parents nearly hysterical as one of the school pupils had caught it in Mexico. So sad to see. The cynical side of me thinks that Gordon Brown must be breathing a sigh of relief as the intense media interest moves away from him

[Katelb]

I quite like your cynical side Cindy and I agree with you!!! the whole country is in disarray for one reason or another,I'm wondering what the next 'crisis' will be. I agree,I think the media have produced the panic proportions,as ever,TV and newspapers have a lot to answer for.

[dinger]

Both my daughter and son had hospital appointments this week but were both cancelled at the last minute . My daughter was to have tests done to get her sorted with her stomach problems but was told they don't know when she will get another appointment now . Are the hospitals cancelling out patients and small ops due to this panic?

[jazzactivist]

I think a small level of cynicism about swine flu is quite healthy. I agree with others here that the media are making a big deal about it, and parents who scare themselves and their children just because one child in the school caught it in Mexico aren't doing anyone any favours. It does give hospitals a good chance to stop minor ops and appointments etc and clear the beds ready for those target evaluations to say that Gordon brown has lowered hospital waiting lists! Like others here I'll wait until it catches me before doing anything about it. I certyainly don't want a preventative vaccine. Sensible hygiene is best for stopping the spread of any infectious or contagious illness. I too have seen hospital workers, even nurses and doctors, go to the loo, eat in the cafe and go outside and back in and return to the wards without washing their hands...

[dragonfly]

Since I was a child there has been one scare or another (we were all going to get blown up by a nuclear bomb) most of it media hype. They don't bother me anymore and I shall only worry if it gets close to home. I do feel very sorry for the people who have got this latest flu and hope it passes quickly. It appals me that people don't take hygene serious. We were in a cafe last week and a worker came in from outside to start work and proceeded to butter bread without washing his hands, needless to say we didn't have any. We went to another one and the man had been in the courtyard but when he came in to serve us he used the hand cleaner, I wish more would do this. I can't believe people don't use hankies or at least use their hand when coughing and sneezing. Perhaps kissing and shaking hands should be banned for a while.

[dinger]

It appears the doctor thinks our little Sam has got Swine Flu . They did'nt give him Tamiflu as they think the side effects are not good in his age group . As long as he gets no worse it is thought his own body will fight it off quickly. just hope Jake the other one does'nt get it now .

[Crocus]

Crossing fingers Dinger for Sam to get better soon and Jake not to get it as well. Keep us posted how things go eh? x

[Gentian]

Sorry about Sam, Dinger. I hope it is only mild and he bounces back soon. Send Jake to stay in a tent at the bottom of the garden!!! I really mean I hope he doesn't get it.

[dinger]

His other nan and aunt have got it so will be keeping fingers crossed for Jake as well he does'nt get it . I hate to see them poorly .

[Primrose]

So sorry to hear your Sam and now other members of the family. Let's keep our fingers crossed Jake doesn't get it.

I have been phoned by my surgery and offered the Swine Flu Vaccine as I am at risk. Now I wonder whether I should have it or not?

[souter girl]

I think the answer is Yes, Primrose. It's not just to stop you getting it but to stop the spread of a flu which as yet not serious except for certain categories, BUT very easy to pass on. Our practice has offered ot to OH and he will be taking it up. I only get the ordinary one at present but as a teacher may also be at risk of passing it on. Go for it.

[Primrose]

Thank you SG for your thoughts.

[dragonfly]

I'm sorry your grandson is ill Dinger and hope he gets better soon. x

[Katelb]

Dinger,I do hope young Sam recovers quickly,it is such a worry when they are not well isn't .Fingers crossed that Jake doesn't get it.Let us know how they both get on won't you.

[Crocus]

Hi Dinger, hope the twins are okay? x

[dinger]

Just spoke to our Sam and he sounds quite poorly still but says he feels a bit better. So far Jake is ok but their dad is not feeling very well tonight. I think they may all get it now but am really hoping they don't .

[sheddie]

So glad to hear Sam not too bad, little sweetheart. X