Hi All,
Here's a link to the CDC, (Centers for Disease Control), swine flu statistics, for anyone who is interested in following the investigation.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
Note that there are now two cases reported in Kansas.
Here's the WHO, (World Health Organization), swine flu site, if you want to track the global effects:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
I clicked on the link there to the Ministry of Health of Mexico, but couldn't connect, so their server is probably overloaded with requests.
Tex
Up To Date Information On The CDC Swine Flu Investigation
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Up To Date Information On The CDC Swine Flu Investigation
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex i just saw on the news over here that two brits have contracted it...they were holidaying in mexico...
heres the link
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpres ... RtVP-ESChg
heres the link
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpres ... RtVP-ESChg
Angy ;)
Angy,
Bummer! It will almost surely be in every country around the globe, before the week is out. It sounds like the UK is much better prepared for it than the US.
Tex
Bummer! It will almost surely be in every country around the globe, before the week is out. It sounds like the UK is much better prepared for it than the US.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Just talked to my old boss ( board certified Virologist ) and he confirmed that we should be taking the normal flu precautions. ( 6 foot rule barrier between you and others if possible, wash hands after touching public areas, etc ) but no need for panic. But we should all be keeping an eye on this, and be alert to who is around you.
This is one of those times that I'm glad I work from home and rarely leave the ranch.
Hugs,
Carrie
This is one of those times that I'm glad I work from home and rarely leave the ranch.
Hugs,
Carrie
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greengirl78
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:36 am
- Location: Massachusetts
Are those of us who are afflicted with MC considered as people with compromised immune systems?
I work with money, in an industry where I deal with hundreds of people daily... just curious.
I work with money, in an industry where I deal with hundreds of people daily... just curious.
If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace. - Thich Nhat Hahn
Hi Greengirl,
Yes, we are considered to have compromised immune systems, but it's just the opposite of HIV, for example. IOW our immune systems are overactive, rather than underactive. There's some question whether that will be a disadvantage in a flue pandemic, obviously. I suspect that the effect may depend on the characteristics of the particular strain of flu involved. As Polly and I have discussed somewhere in an earlier thread, (back when the threat of a bird flu pandemic first hit the headlines), the truly dangerous strains, (such as the one that killed millions of people during the 1918-19 pandemic), could be a problem for us, because those strains seem to have the most dangerous effects on individuals with the strongest immune systems. IOW, they cause the immune system to produce antibodies so profusely, that the body tends to suffocate itself, by over-reacting to the virus.
Many of us have found, though, that while we are reacting to MC, we tend not to react as noticeably to common cold and flu viruses. I'm not exactly sure how to interpret that, because the immune system seems to concentrate on the primary threat that it perceives, (which is MC, of course, during an MC reaction), to the exclusion of other intruders. That would imply that the immune system might sort of ignore viruses, (while reacting to MC), but if that were true, then viruses should be a major problem, because they might develop, unchallenged. Instead, most of us find that while we are reacting to MC, we either are much less likely to catch a virus, or if we catch one, it is much milder, and shorter-lived, than normal, (as if our immune system is more potent, than normal). That suggests that possibly our immune system might become so "keyed up", that it is capable of knocking out a common virus, with minimal effort, while barely pausing in it's futile attempt to suppress whatever it perceives as the cause of MC, (resulting in an autoimmune reaction, of course).
Of course that does not apply to those taking an immune system suppressant, such as Prednisone, budesonide, Humira, etc., because their immune systems will actually be suppressed. The question is, "which group will fare better, in a flu pandemic?"
The interesting thing about this particular strain, is that, (so far, at least), while it seems to target young people, (IOW, healthy immune systems), victims in the US are not showing anywhere near the degree of morbidity shown by patients in Mexico. And, in comparison with the high mortality rate seen in Mexico, mortality so far has not been a factor in the cases seen in the US. I suspect that we might possibly be dealing with two subsets of the virus. For example, maybe those who become infected from swine, may see much more severe symptoms, while those who are infected by other humans, may have less serious symptoms. I have no idea if any of this is true, I'm just looking for a reason for the difference in morbidity and mortality between victims in different countries, and thinking out loud, here.
I've always heard that money usually carries more germs than anything else. Germs can be found on almost anything that people handle, so I wonder if that statement is really true. If so, it might be a good idea to invest in a supply of fact masks.
http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/ ... 96&k=76062
http://hubpages.com/hub/Dirty-Money-Germs-on-Currency
Tex
Yes, we are considered to have compromised immune systems, but it's just the opposite of HIV, for example. IOW our immune systems are overactive, rather than underactive. There's some question whether that will be a disadvantage in a flue pandemic, obviously. I suspect that the effect may depend on the characteristics of the particular strain of flu involved. As Polly and I have discussed somewhere in an earlier thread, (back when the threat of a bird flu pandemic first hit the headlines), the truly dangerous strains, (such as the one that killed millions of people during the 1918-19 pandemic), could be a problem for us, because those strains seem to have the most dangerous effects on individuals with the strongest immune systems. IOW, they cause the immune system to produce antibodies so profusely, that the body tends to suffocate itself, by over-reacting to the virus.
Many of us have found, though, that while we are reacting to MC, we tend not to react as noticeably to common cold and flu viruses. I'm not exactly sure how to interpret that, because the immune system seems to concentrate on the primary threat that it perceives, (which is MC, of course, during an MC reaction), to the exclusion of other intruders. That would imply that the immune system might sort of ignore viruses, (while reacting to MC), but if that were true, then viruses should be a major problem, because they might develop, unchallenged. Instead, most of us find that while we are reacting to MC, we either are much less likely to catch a virus, or if we catch one, it is much milder, and shorter-lived, than normal, (as if our immune system is more potent, than normal). That suggests that possibly our immune system might become so "keyed up", that it is capable of knocking out a common virus, with minimal effort, while barely pausing in it's futile attempt to suppress whatever it perceives as the cause of MC, (resulting in an autoimmune reaction, of course).
Of course that does not apply to those taking an immune system suppressant, such as Prednisone, budesonide, Humira, etc., because their immune systems will actually be suppressed. The question is, "which group will fare better, in a flu pandemic?"
The interesting thing about this particular strain, is that, (so far, at least), while it seems to target young people, (IOW, healthy immune systems), victims in the US are not showing anywhere near the degree of morbidity shown by patients in Mexico. And, in comparison with the high mortality rate seen in Mexico, mortality so far has not been a factor in the cases seen in the US. I suspect that we might possibly be dealing with two subsets of the virus. For example, maybe those who become infected from swine, may see much more severe symptoms, while those who are infected by other humans, may have less serious symptoms. I have no idea if any of this is true, I'm just looking for a reason for the difference in morbidity and mortality between victims in different countries, and thinking out loud, here.
I've always heard that money usually carries more germs than anything else. Germs can be found on almost anything that people handle, so I wonder if that statement is really true. If so, it might be a good idea to invest in a supply of fact masks.
http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/ ... 96&k=76062
http://hubpages.com/hub/Dirty-Money-Germs-on-Currency
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
It makes me realize that charging with a credit card is certainly cleaner, if not wiser. I worry just as much about the grocery cart handles and the little ones mouthing them. One of my granddaughters is a thumb-sucker - she always has a runny nose.
Gloria
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria,
I thought I was the only one who was concerned about shopping cart handles.
During cold and flu season, the first thing I do when I get back to my vehicle is to whip out a "wet wipe", and swab down my hands. When the blasted cart handles are sticky, that makes it even harder to concentrate on my shopping. 
Tex
I thought I was the only one who was concerned about shopping cart handles.
During cold and flu season, the first thing I do when I get back to my vehicle is to whip out a "wet wipe", and swab down my hands. When the blasted cart handles are sticky, that makes it even harder to concentrate on my shopping. Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Liz
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1540
- Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:23 pm
- Location: Qld Australia
- Contact:
Hello all,
There are 10 confirmed cases in New Zealand & a further 56 suspected. Nine students & a teacher brought it back from a trip to Mexico.
Australian authorities are also seeking 22 Australian passengers who shared a flight on Saturday from Los Angeles with three New Zealanders who have since tested positive for swine flu. Looks as though it has even reached here already. Nasty.
Hope that Peggy has not been on one of her regular visits to her favourite holiday spots.
Love
Liz
There are 10 confirmed cases in New Zealand & a further 56 suspected. Nine students & a teacher brought it back from a trip to Mexico.
Australian authorities are also seeking 22 Australian passengers who shared a flight on Saturday from Los Angeles with three New Zealanders who have since tested positive for swine flu. Looks as though it has even reached here already. Nasty.
Hope that Peggy has not been on one of her regular visits to her favourite holiday spots.
Love
Liz
A smile is a light in the window of your face that shows that your heart is at home
Hi Liz,
It didn't take long, for it to get to the other side of the world, did it.
I hope you and Robert, (and the rest of your family), can avoid it.
Thanks for the update.
Love,
Wayne
It didn't take long, for it to get to the other side of the world, did it.
I hope you and Robert, (and the rest of your family), can avoid it.
Thanks for the update.
Love,
Wayne
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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greengirl78
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:36 am
- Location: Massachusetts
Thank you Tex for the info. You amaze me once again, with your knowledge! :)
I hope this doesn't turn into the pandemic the media is warning us about. I am following it closely, thanks for the updates.
I hope this doesn't turn into the pandemic the media is warning us about. I am following it closely, thanks for the updates.
If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace. - Thich Nhat Hahn
DH has had some kind of flu, DX by MD, just recently. We don't know what kind but he is almost over it and somehow I have been spared! 
We'll never know if his was swine flu or not but he sure was sick!
My grocery store has had wipes for the grocery cart handle available at the front door for at least a year. I wipe down the handle before I enter the store! I suggest if your store doesn't have them to carry some with you and wipe down asap! Also carry some to wipe handles etc in bathrooms etc.
Pat
We'll never know if his was swine flu or not but he sure was sick!My grocery store has had wipes for the grocery cart handle available at the front door for at least a year. I wipe down the handle before I enter the store! I suggest if your store doesn't have them to carry some with you and wipe down asap! Also carry some to wipe handles etc in bathrooms etc.
Pat
Pat,
I have an uncle who has had some type of flu for over a week, now, but as usual, he hasn't been to the doctor about it, so it's ID will remain unknown, also, I suppose. I'll bet the identified and reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
Those are good tips on the use of wipes, especially now.
Tex
P S It looks as though the CDC statistics are really beginning to climb.
I have an uncle who has had some type of flu for over a week, now, but as usual, he hasn't been to the doctor about it, so it's ID will remain unknown, also, I suppose. I'll bet the identified and reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
Those are good tips on the use of wipes, especially now.
Tex
P S It looks as though the CDC statistics are really beginning to climb.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Good morning!
Just wanted to share some thoughts on the flu. Apparently the flu pandemic of 1918 started just like this one - in the spring with relatively mild cases. However, in the fall of that year, it came back with a vengeance - I guess the virus had mutated as it passed thru humans and become much more virulent. By the way, although the 1918 flu was devastating, keep in mind that we did not yet have antibiotics then.
In 1918 those who had gotten the milder flu in the spring were much less likely to get the severe case in the fall, and if they did their mortality was something like 94% decreased. Sooooo, it may actually be a plus to get the milder version now. Maybe we should have "flu parties" to expose each other, similar to the way moms used to have measles or chicken pox parties to have their kids exposed at "convenient" times before we had vaccines. Just kidding, of course, about the parties!
Also, remember to take your supplemental vitamin D - there is evidence that those with high levels of vitamin D either don't get flu at all or have a milder case. This may be more important than masks (which are really only effective for those who actually are sick - to help prevent the spread of respiratory particles to those who are well). Of course, handwashing is critical!
Love,
Polly
Just wanted to share some thoughts on the flu. Apparently the flu pandemic of 1918 started just like this one - in the spring with relatively mild cases. However, in the fall of that year, it came back with a vengeance - I guess the virus had mutated as it passed thru humans and become much more virulent. By the way, although the 1918 flu was devastating, keep in mind that we did not yet have antibiotics then.
In 1918 those who had gotten the milder flu in the spring were much less likely to get the severe case in the fall, and if they did their mortality was something like 94% decreased. Sooooo, it may actually be a plus to get the milder version now. Maybe we should have "flu parties" to expose each other, similar to the way moms used to have measles or chicken pox parties to have their kids exposed at "convenient" times before we had vaccines. Just kidding, of course, about the parties!
Also, remember to take your supplemental vitamin D - there is evidence that those with high levels of vitamin D either don't get flu at all or have a milder case. This may be more important than masks (which are really only effective for those who actually are sick - to help prevent the spread of respiratory particles to those who are well). Of course, handwashing is critical!
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.