Swine flu

About as much as I was with the Avian FLU!
 
We've been warned, and there are precautions we're supposed to take.... other than that, no.
 
The young ones here might want to review the 1976 Swine Flu problem in the U.S.
 
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

How do you catch swine flu?

Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
  • Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
  • Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are

  • also effective.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread
    this way.
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I suppose we are overdue for another flu pandemic...<_<
 
There was just a big memo put out at work warning us about it, what the symptoms are and what levels of PPE we should be using with patients who have symptoms that match the disease.
 
Hmmmm, you know, I'm wondering if this is the strain of influenza that has been going around among the EMTs and Medics I work with. Probably not, but, I'm still wondering....
 
Am I next?

For those who have been around longer...

Is this something we need to worry about? Obviously, we should be taking proper BSI. But I mean as a country...is this something that could really turn into a pandemic flu?

Thanks! Stay healthy!

CNN Article: More cases of swine flu reported; WHO warns of 'health emergency'
 
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For crying out loud! Another virus that has the whole country on edge, that will infect a small pecentage of people and will be almost forgotten in the years to come. (Won't I be embarresed if it does turn out worse.:blush:)

Seriously though, It dosent sound that much worse than the regular flu. (Maybe we shold call that the "human flu".:P)
 
I have the Swine Flu peoples


This nasty cough all of a sudden hit me a couple days ago and is getting worse.


Its true
 
There's a couple of reasons why this particular influenza strain is getting so much attention.

1. The influenza strain is novel, and was not previously seen in past year's flu vaccine. Therefore, it is unlikely that this season's influenza vaccine will provide protection against this particular swine strain.

2. The over 800 cases in Mexico aren't just people with cough and the sneezes. They are cases with PNEUMONIA. An inappropriate immune response to influenza is a hallmark of pandemic strains like the 1918 flu, or SARS (which is not an influenza virus, but similarly had resulted in atypical pneumonia).

3. Even more concerning, these sickened individuals in Mexico are members of what we normally call the "healthy" population -- middle aged individuals, rather than the very young or the elderly.

(Citation: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/pm?an=20090425.1552)

While I agree it's no time to panic -- we aren't at a pandemic stage yet -- EMS providers should most certainly consider wearing masks when coming across a patient with an upper respiratory tract illness, and using respirators during high risk procedures like intubation or nebulizer use.

And ask yourself this: is everyone in your department properly fit tested with N95 respirators?
 
Obama was there around the time it hit the worse


Change anybody?
 
As I put in the EMS news section...it didn't take long to hit New Zealand.
Reported cases from a flight of High School students, back from a trip to Mexico (10 of them have come up positive for the flu).
It was all over our T.V. news last night.

Cheers Enjoynz
 
Hockey9019 said:
Obama was there around the time it hit the worse


Change anybody?
Click to expand...

Apparently he shook hands with someone that in fact died of the flu, in Mexico

So far not a single person has died in the US or Canada from this flu. It also responds to Tamiflu (according to the CDC).

However, I suspect as the 'panic' spreads our call volumes might go through the roof. More so for ER's and Dr's offices.

Since we are on the front lines of this..any personal experiences? Do things look like they are getting worse? Better? The same?

PS - and Hi fellow brothers and sisters..first post here on these boards..EMTP out of Upstate NY (waves hello)
 
Welcome to the boards RotorFib.

Just remember to use proper BSI. Gloves and Goggles and if needed.. a mask
 
Thank you! Good to be here!

The Canadians are on top of things it looks like, this came out yesterday (Apr 25, 2009).

The EMS Chiefs of Canada are leading a process to identify and disseminate key strategies for EMS organizations to implement to protect their paramedics and to be public health partners in managing the care of the sick.
Click to expand...

Link

Wondering if any other agencies have enacted any kind of planned response yet.
 
What is different than this flu than normal strains is it effects mostly people ages 20-40 who are generally perceived as healthy, unlike other flus.
 
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