nbc reporting on flu now

[momof23goats]

nightly news is saying this is the start, and it is spreading fast.
kansas, texas, california, Minn. and one other state I didn't catch.
says it is spreading fast.
saying if you get a fever, or diarrhea see a dr. said this is a dangerous strain of flu.
the CDC is saying they are worried.
the gov. has been planning for a pandamic, and have plans in place.
they are talking about a pandamic.
go to nbc, they have a video on DCD worried. can't get it to copy right.

[Stropes]

Maybe Massachusetts? I saw an article earlier that said there were possible cases in Minnesota and Massachusetts.

[packyderms_wife]

CBS had some guy at the very start stating that if you feel sick stay home, if you have a fever stay home! Novel concept lets see if folks will comply. :shock:

Kimberly

[Meemur]

Okay . . . it's hit the main stream media. Time to grab any last minute items if you are so inclined.

Me, I'll be staying at home.

[Libbybear2]

This flu started all of a sudden. I wonder if it has anything to do with the missing vials of flu from a Maryland lab that was just reported. We dont know when that stuff was taken, just when it was reported.

I wonder if martial law will be declared if this keeps growing. Also they could put the sick in Fema camps. It seems from recent reports that the cemeteries have been prepared for massive deaths at some of these camps.

I know that the PTB want to reduce the amount of people living on the earth. I wonder if this is how they plan to do it.

Luckily, I have all my preps in place and am not going anywhere anytime soon.

[Libbybear2]

I just had another thought. What will this do to the economy if everyone stays home and doesnt go out and shop or is sick and cant go to work? A lot to think about here.

[packyderms_wife]

I just had another thought. What will this do to the economy if everyone stays home and doesnt go out and shop or is sick and cant go to work? A lot to think about here.

It'll cause it to completely crash of course! And not this is NOT just the US that's been affected it's the entire planet! So those with so called stable economies may not be so stable in 3 months or less.

Kimberly

[Notayup]

Looks like the Mexican government has known about this for weeks. According to this article and a few others I read yesterday, they supposedly became alarmed when flu cases continued into April. Not to mention the increase of deaths from respiratory illnesses back in the beginning of April.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/24/swine.flu/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular

http://biosurveillance.typepad.com/biosurveillance/2009/04/swine-flu-in-mexico-timeline-of-events.html

[Cassandra]

How involved is it to identify WHICH STRAIN OF FLU A PERSON HAS AND IF IT IS EVEN FLU?

Where can the flu be identified?

1. In a doctor's office?

2. At a Hospital?

3. By a Coroner?

4. At a Major Research Labratory?

5. How long does it take to positively identify a case?

6. What percent of the total deaths are ACTUALLY positively identified as being caused by this strain of Flu?

[Irene texas]

I am perplexed, To go to church tomorrow or not. Our church works with a Mexican missionary And several have been across the border. In a nut shell what would God think of the two of us who are old as can be and can't afford to get that sick, I think he would understand. Doesn't that come under wisdom?. What would you do?
I am prepared to stay home now and can last a long time.
PS has anyone thought about how long the germs linger on say things like newspapers and your mail? Just a thought.
Irene

[rondaben]

How involved is it to identify WHICH STRAIN OF FLU A PERSON HAS AND IF IT IS EVEN FLU?

Absolute identification will be done by a genetic probe/PCR. This is the fastest way to identify and generally takes 24/48 hours to do depending upon the quality of the specimen.

Where can the flu be identified?

1. In a doctor's office?

Some to do on site screens will have a rapid test for influenza A. This may or may not detect an infection. Identification of the bug as a swine flu is not possible using this method.

2. At a Hospital?

Hospitals will not be able to do much better than a doctor's office. They will typically not do virology. That type of testing is sent either to the state health department or to a reference laboratory. They will use the same rapid screening kits physicians offices use.


3. By a Coroner?

Coroners will do no testing. They will submit all tests to a referral center if they suspect something.

4. At a Major Research Labratory?

WHO has released guidelines that a Biohazard Level 3 laboratory be used for identification. These research laboratories will have the ability to identify the strain. If it comes up positive they will refer the specimen to the CDC for definitive testing.

5. How long does it take to positively identify a case?

They will make a presumptive diagnosis based on symptoms and the results of preliminary screens. A positive identification would probably be at least 3 days from the collection of the specimen until the result comes back and is confirmed.

6. What percent of the total deaths are ACTUALLY positively identified as being caused by this strain of Flu?

Unknown, but the likelihood is that the vast majority are. One thing that will throw this into disarray is if you get an antigen shift that makes it more virulent/lethal. That will also possibly make it undetectible with current screening methods and those being developed to ID this H1N1 variant.

[JDSeese]

Rondaben, you're obviously well-versed in this area.
How concerned are you about this whole thing?

Do you think the strains we're finding here in the US are the same as in Mexico? If so, any thoughts on why people are dying there, but not here?


You've probably already addressed this in other threads, or even in this one, if so I apologize

[HowdeeDoodee]

Irene, stay home. The condition of your spiritual heart is more important to God than whether you sit in a pew. (Edited)

[Cassandra]

Absolute identification will be done by a genetic probe/PCR. This is the fastest way to identify and generally takes 24/48 hours to do depending upon the quality of the specimen.



Some to do on site screens will have a rapid test for influenza A. This may or may not detect an infection. Identification of the bug as a swine flu is not possible using this method.



Hospitals will not be able to do much better than a doctor's office. They will typically not do virology. That type of testing is sent either to the state health department or to a reference laboratory. They will use the same rapid screening kits physicians offices use.



Coroners will do no testing. They will submit all tests to a referral center if they suspect something.



WHO has released guidelines that a Biohazard Level 3 laboratory be used for identification. These research laboratories will have the ability to identify the strain. If it comes up positive they will refer the specimen to the CDC for definitive testing.



They will make a presumptive diagnosis based on symptoms and the results of preliminary screens. A positive identification would probably be at least 3 days from the collection of the specimen until the result comes back and is confirmed.



Unknown, but the likelihood is that the vast majority are. One thing that will throw this into disarray is if you get an antigen shift that makes it more virulent/lethal. That will also possibly make it undetectible with current screening methods and those being developed to ID this H1N1 variant.

Maybe, they could just use a statistical method. Say if a city with a population of 10 million had a normal death rate of 100 people a day; then if all of the sudden 500 people died a day -- could 400 of those deaths be maybe attributed to the Swine Flu?

[jododger]

I just saw on Drudgereport that Obama was greeted in Mexico by a man who has died from this flu

[goatlady]

Irene, on the other hand very few "oldsters" catch this stuff - it's NOT you normal every year flu. It always seems to hit the 20-40 age group and that seems to be holding true with this Mexican flu also. late teeners, 20s, 30s, and 40s are THE target ages for this flu. For once WE get a pass, but that just means WE will be the ones nursing all those sick youngsters!

[poppy]

Too early to be sure, but if it were a plan to kill millions, it is not very effective. So far most are surviving and I have to wonder how many of those who died in Mexico got no treatment or poor treatment. One would think a planned pandemic intended to wipe out lots of people would be something more deadly. There is plenty available.

[Kittyknits]

What can doctors do for this flu except give questionable shots. Antibiotics don't do anything for viruses. The only thing that can kill a virus is our immune systems.

We need to know what can help our immune systems under a possible cytokine type reaction as some have been talking about.


I hate to say it but unless someone is extremely ill, what good would a hospital do? They are dangerous places, IMHO.

[Croatoan]

Irene,

One of the vectors of the 1918 flu turned out to be the mail... so leave you mail in the box if this thing kicks off. Stay home, quarantine yourself- be prepared to do this, if you aren't already.

C
==================

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/28/science/28flu.html?fta=y
The 1918 Flu Killed Millions. Does It Hold Clues for Today?
By GINA KOLATA
Published: March 28, 2006

//snip
In the fall of 1918 flu struck the United States and parts of Europe hard and traveled to every corner of the world except Australia and a few remote islands. A few months later, it vanished, burning itself out after infecting nearly everyone who could be infected.

The virus arrived at even the most improbable places, like isolated Alaskan villages. In one such village, Wales, 178 of its 396 residents died during one week in November, after a mailman arrived by dog sled, bringing the virus along with the mail.

Public health officials tried in vain to contain its spread. In Philadelphia, people were exhorted not to cough, sneeze or spit in public.

But the virus spread anyway. On Oct. 3, Philadelphia closed all of its schools, churches, theaters and pool halls. Still, within a month, nearly 11,000 Philadelphians died of influenza.//snip

[Cassandra]

I seem to recall that during the 60s there was a LOT of U.S. Government concern about a "Pig Flu". The public had WAY less concern than the government and the whole thing just faded away.

Maybe all of us that were around in the 60s actually caught it with no symptoms and it immunized us against the current more dangerous variety.

The over ~45 year olds seem to be maybe immune to this flu.

Anyone recall?

[Old Girl on The Hill]

I am perplexed, To go to church tomorrow or not. Our church works with a Mexican missionary And several have been across the border. In a nut shell what would God think of the two of us who are old as can be and can't afford to get that sick, I think he would understand. Doesn't that come under wisdom?. What would you do?
I am prepared to stay home now and can last a long time.
PS has anyone thought about how long the germs linger on say things like newspapers and your mail? Just a thought.
Irene

God doesn't just exist in a church. Worship can be done meaningfully anywhere. Good works can be done outside of a church. Your faith is just as strong outside a church as inside of one. Maybe a misguided person would tell you to run the risk of dying in order to get to a church, but that isn't something that a merciful God would require.

If you were in a different city on vacation, God wouldn't expect you to fly home to only worship at your personal preferred church - and if you were on vaction in the middle of a remote jungle in the Amazon with no churches nearby, you could still worship there as well.

So let tomorrow merely be a different kind of day of worship for you, in a different location, and given your age,/location, for a very good reason. In addition to worship, I wonder if there is any good work you could do or make a start on tomorrow? Gathering a few small things if you have anything to spare for someone in need to deliver at some time in the future? Or ????

Good luck with your decision on this, and be extra careful at your age with this flu esp down there in TX with those outbreaks.

[cyberiot]

I seem to recall that during the 60s there was a LOT of U.S. Government concern about a "Pig Flu". The public had WAY less concern than the government and the whole thing just faded away.

Maybe all of us that were around in the 60s actually caught it with no symptoms and it immunized us against the current more dangerous variety.

The over ~45 year olds seem to be maybe immune to this flu.

Anyone recall?

I vaguely recall a swine flu epidemic in roughly 1968. A lot of people died. Flawed vaccines were rushed to market, and even more people died. TPTB cite 1968 as the last major global flu pandemic.

[cyberiot]

God doesn't just exist in a church. Worship can be done meaningfully anywhere. Good works can be done outside of a church. You know it is the faith in your heart that counts on this issue, way more than just temporary outside church trappings. Maybe a misguided person would tell you to run the risk of dying in order to get to a church, but that isn't something that a merciful God would require.

If you were in a different city on vacation, God wouldn't expect you to fly home to only worship at your personal preferred church - and if you were on vaction in the middle of a remote jungle in the Amazon with no churches nearby, you could still worship there as well.

So let tomorrow merely be a different kind of day of worship for you, in a different location, and given your age,/location, for a very good reason. In addition to worship, I wonder if there is any good work you could do or make a start on tomorrow? Gathering a few small things if you have anything to spare for someone in need to deliver at some time in the future? Or ????

Good luck with your decision on this, and be extra careful at your age with this flu esp down there in TX with those outbreaks.

What OldGirl said.

Remember: "Whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name . . ."

Stay home, dear. Be safe, and know He hears you.

[Libbybear2]

Irene, You can worship God at home. Plus if you just want a church service, I am sure that TBN, Daystar, or other Christian and even some non-Christian channels will have a service on tomorrow.

God is not sitting around with a whip to spank you if you dont go to church. He is your father and He wants to take care of you, just like any good parent. So dont feel guilty if you do not go tomorrow.

[poppy]

What can doctors do for this flu except give questionable shots. Antibiotics don't do anything for viruses. The only thing that can kill a virus is our immune systems.

We need to know what can help our immune systems under a possible cytokine type reaction as some have been talking about.


I hate to say it but unless someone is extremely ill, what good would a hospital do? They are dangerous places, IMHO.

They can do a LOT. IV's will keep you from dehydrating. Drugs can reduce inflamation and other things like reduce mucus. Oxygen and other things would help too. I wonder how many of those in Mexico who died never went to the doctor or waited until it was too late.

[Loon]

Have they released any specific information on those who died in Mexico? I'd be interested in knowing their ages and occupations and thoughts as to how/where they contracted this flu.

[Old Girl on The Hill]

One more thing Irene - if you are still in great doubt, could you call your pastor for guidance? Or pray for guidance on this matter?

I am in a pretty remote location - and maybe you know more about this than I do, because you are older than me and might have direct experience of a time without our modern conveniences that make gettng around much easier (cars, phones with gps to help people find us when we are stranded, etc). . But I know that in the really old days gone by out here in our remote high desert valley, people weren't able to be as mobile when the deep snows of winter kept them on their ranches. I'd imagine they worshipped at home during many blizzard/whiteout condition Sundays.

I was also looking for some old history books of the area that I have, because I recall reading that during the 1918 Spanish Flu time, a town just down the road from us was completely quaranteed - nobody went there, nobody left there for quite a spell. The stagecoach not only didn't stop, it didn't even go down into this valley for deliveries of any kind. I am hoping to find the book and read more, because it seems rather timely right now. If there was no nearby church for those quaranteened, I'd imagine that they worshipped differently during that period of time of much suffering and fear, a time when you have to hold onto your faith especially. Take care.

[bbwx]

I vaguely recall a swine flu epidemic in roughly 1968. A lot of people died. Flawed vaccines were rushed to market, and even more people died. TPTB cite 1968 as the last major global flu pandemic.


Your right, my father died in 1968 when I was 6 years old from complications from the Hong Cong flu.

[rondaben]

Rondaben, you're obviously well-versed in this area.
How concerned are you about this whole thing?

Do you think the strains we're finding here in the US are the same as in Mexico? If so, any thoughts on why people are dying there, but not here?


You've probably already addressed this in other threads, or even in this one, if so I apologize

No apology necessary.

In short? I'm terrified by it. This could be a boondoggle or could kill millions. Its too early to know what will happen but the ease with which it is spreading and the apparent mortality (in Mexico and likely here but suppressed) is also concerning.

I believe that the strains that we are seeing in the U.S. are likely the same as those in Mexico. I also believe that there are likely people dying here but they will not disclose this until they are sure they can deal with contingencies or until they feel they must. I have spoken with a friend who is working closer to the border (we are in TX) and he said that work is unusual right now. The hospital is rural and is usually dead on the weekend. His words were that they "are jam-packed and almost every one is respiratory." He hasn't been watching news so he was not up to date on what has been reported.

I am expecting that we will see cases in Chicago and Atlanta within the next 24-48 hours. These are the major travel hubs along with LA and NY. Houston is very close to San Antonio so for all intents and purposes they are probably already there too. If this is truly a pandemic we will be seeing the jump to South America, Asia and Europe within the next few days.

One resource is the MMWR (Morbidity/Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC). The current one is located here:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58d0424a1.htm

These are lagging reports but can give some context to what happened.

[firebird]

I seem to recall that during the 60s there was a LOT of U.S. Government concern about a "Pig Flu". The public had WAY less concern than the government and the whole thing just faded away.

Maybe all of us that were around in the 60s actually caught it with no symptoms and it immunized us against the current more dangerous variety.

The over ~45 year olds seem to be maybe immune to this flu.

Anyone recall?

I remember it back then. People were scared then too. I remember getting vaccines all the time in those days as a kid. Will be interesting to see how this pans out...........

[Kittyknits]

I vaguely recall a swine flu epidemic in roughly 1968. A lot of people died. Flawed vaccines were rushed to market, and even more people died. TPTB cite 1968 as the last major global flu pandemic.


I had that one. I was in my last year of college, so I'm sure I was run down==working too and all that.

I was sick for three weeks, then spent 4 days in the hospital (100 dollars a day, but I had purchased student insurance for $5 a year).

BUT, the aftereffects lasted for another 6 months, plus I kept getting bronchitis every 2 to 3 years for the next 20 years.

I blame that flu for that. And people wonder why I take so many supplements now, including GARLIC every day!!

I also got the one in 1972 and was sick for two weeks, got better, then had a worse relapse.

[johngaltfla]

I am perplexed, To go to church tomorrow or not. Our church works with a Mexican missionary And several have been across the border. In a nut shell what would God think of the two of us who are old as can be and can't afford to get that sick, I think he would understand. Doesn't that come under wisdom?. What would you do?
I am prepared to stay home now and can last a long time.
PS has anyone thought about how long the germs linger on say things like newspapers and your mail? Just a thought.
Irene

I'm not a doctor but I would not chance it.

[Chocolatier]

In a nut shell what would God think of the two of us who are old as can be and can't afford to get that sick, I think he would understand. Doesn't that come under wisdom?. What would you do?

Irene

It depends on what flavor your god is. He could be angry when his command to forsake not meeting together is not obeyed, or he could be more laid back and cut you some slack.

Then there's the whole "trust" thing. Will he get bent if you obviously don't trust him to keep you safe. His word does make a few promises in that regard. Will he use your disobedience as a sign you need more faith beaten into you, or didn't he mean he'd LITERALLY keep you safe?

Lots of ways to look at it...

[Stropes]

Irene, pray about it and do what God tells you to do. Simple as that. He's the only one I answer to. :-D I'll be praying He makes His voice good and clear for you!

[firebird]

I had that one. I was in my last year of college, so I'm sure I was run down==working too and all that.

I was sick for three weeks, then spent 4 days in the hospital (100 dollars a day, but I had purchased student insurance for $5 a year).

BUT, the aftereffects lasted for another 6 months, plus I kept getting bronchitis every 2 to 3 years for the next 20 years.

I blame that flu for that. And people wonder why I take so many supplements now, including GARLIC every day!!

I also got the one in 1972 and was sick for two weeks, got better, then had a worse relapse.


I remember the bronchitis attacks, man were they brutal! Haven't had one since the 70's.

[momof23goats]

I am perplexed, To go to church tomorrow or not. Our church works with a Mexican missionary And several have been across the border. In a nut shell what would God think of the two of us who are old as can be and can't afford to get that sick, I think he would understand. Doesn't that come under wisdom?. What would you do?
I am prepared to stay home now and can last a long time.
PS has anyone thought about how long the germs linger on say things like newspapers and your mail? Just a thought.
Irene
stay home. put your mail out in the sun , or nuke it for a few seconds.

[Raggedy Man]

stay home. put your mail out in the sun , or nuke it for a few seconds.
Good ideas. I plan on spraying a lot of Lysol as well.

[nettled]

I just saw on Drudgereport that Obama was greeted in Mexico by a man who has died from this flu

Well, he's been on msn twice a day for the last 100 days. Let's see if this frequency of tv appearances continues.

[hunybee]

Good ideas. I plan on spraying a lot of Lysol as well.

would alcohol sprayed on work as well?

[firebird]

would alcohol sprayed on work as well?

Bleach spray is great, won't matter if it runs the ink on the envelope.

[Raggedy Man]

would alcohol sprayed on as well?
Alcohol really does not do much against viruses, but it is good against bacteria. I would go with bleach or Lysol, which are active against viruses.

[graybeard]

Jododger in post # 15 above wrote that "I just saw on Drudgereport that Obama was greeted in Mexico by a man who has died from this flu"

If this is true, we now have people rising from the dead to greet the Messiah. The writer probably meant that a man who later died from the flu had greeted Obama. There may be a slight chance that the President has been exposed to the flu and his doctors will be watching him like a hawk so that they can treat him promptly if symptoms appear or they may give him flu shots to knock out the flu if he does have it.

[Kittyknits]

I just bought extra rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.

Got antibacterial wipes and a/b soap?

I used to work in accounting in a hospital--and know one thing--wash your hands frequently and at length-not a quick wash. Rinse very thoroughly, also. Pretend you're a surgeon!LOL!

They used to show us films on handwashing.

[Sassafras]

I plan to use Lysol on paper money as well. Think of the germs on that money when there isn't a health emergency.

[Indigo]

Irene, if I were you I would stay home. Sounds like you have more of a risk.

God loves you whether you stay home or not. :)

Besides which, you do no one any good if you get sick and spread it. The best things folks can do right now is to try and avoid catching and spreading this nasty around.

JMO

Indigo

[hunybee]

Alcohol really does not do much against viruses, but it is good against bacteria. I would go with bleach or Lysol, which are active against viruses.


cool. good to know. thanks!

[tjndaltx]

I am perplexed, To go to church tomorrow or not. Our church works with a Mexican missionary And several have been across the border. In a nut shell what would God think of the two of us who are old as can be and can't afford to get that sick, I think he would understand. Doesn't that come under wisdom?. What would you do?
I am prepared to stay home now and can last a long time.
PS has anyone thought about how long the germs linger on say things like newspapers and your mail? Just a thought.
Irene

God expects you to use your common sense. Stay home and take care of yourself.

[ethan hunt]

i am telling all of my close personal friends and relatives to simply wipe out the word bird and insert swine. then proceed as instructed.
i know where i will be before church tomorrow (topping off) just as the sun rises.

i am listening to alex jones now and if you haven't you need to reconsider.

hang in there

this may not be a drill

[cyberiot]

Alcohol really does not do much against viruses, but it is good against bacteria. I would go with bleach or Lysol, which are active against viruses.

Slightly off topic, but not by much . . .

I do recall reading (probably here) that, in 1918, alcoholics and smokers fared better than the general population, perhaps because their immune systems were weakened by their bad habits; consequently, they didn't have the fatal over-response to the virus that healthier people exhibited.

[Raggedy Man]

Slightly off topic, but not by much . . .

I do recall reading (probably here) that, in 1918, alcoholics and smokers fared better than the general population, perhaps because their immune systems were weakened by their bad habits; consequently, they didn't have the fatal over-response to the virus that healthier people exhibited.
True, due to cytokine storm in healthier folks with robust immune systems.

[gardengal]

I won't have to worry about the flu killing me, the Lysol will do that just fine.:mrgreen: Really, I'm not trying to be funny. My body can't detox the phenol in Lysol. Bleach gets me, too. So I am really between a rock and a hard place. I have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract, but it's getting some age on it. I think a trip to the health food store is in order ASAP.
Is there anything else that will kill viruses without being lethal to me?

gardengal

[Tippy]

I won't have to worry about the flu killing me, the Lysol will do that just fine.:mrgreen: Really, I'm not trying to be funny. My body can't detox the phenol in Lysol. Bleach gets me, too. So I am really between a rock and a hard place. I have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract, but it's getting some age on it. I think a trip to the health food store is in order ASAP.
Is there anything else that will kill viruses without being lethal to me?

gardengal

How about vinegar?

http://www.frugalfun.com/vinegar.html

[momof23goats]

I won't have to worry about the flu killing me, the Lysol will do that just fine.:mrgreen: Really, I'm not trying to be funny. My body can't detox the phenol in Lysol. Bleach gets me, too. So I am really between a rock and a hard place. I have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract, but it's getting some age on it. I think a trip to the health food store is in order ASAP.
Is there anything else that will kill viruses without being lethal to me?

gardengal
I can't use it either, IF you can't use bleach, do like allot of nurses do, use peroxide. I have friends, that are nurses, that wipe their counters down with it. or how about plain ole alcohol? As in rubbing alcohol. better than nothing for sure.
Odo ban is another good thing.
get your mail out of your box with gloves, nuke it for a couple of seconds.Or lay it in the sun.

[Sunflower]

Ok....not to downplay all the flu worries, but please remember.....This is the USA....not Mexico....we have better living conditions and healthcare than them. I know it is not "the best healthcare" by far, but it really is better than Mexico.

I would not panic unless I started seeing deaths in the USA. I work in the ER and we are still seeing LOTS of Influenza A and B, still! Most have fever, chills, headache, body aches, poor appetite. Most are uncomfortable, but tolerating the symptoms with rest and fluids and fever management.

Please do not get yourself in a panic....be cautious, but remember....NO deaths in the USA.....until then, just be calm and cautious....

If you do visit the ER with flu symptoms, do not expect a cure. All we provide is fever management (you can take tylenol at home), maybe tamiflu (only within 24 hrs of symptoms), and occasionally IV fluids if we think you are dehydrated (most are not). So don't run to the ER and expect a cure.....we don't offer much, except perhaps a secondary infection from all the other sick people visiting the ER. :shock:

Best advice....try to rest, take fever medicine, light diet, and lots of fluids.....If you have shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, then come to the ER for help, otherwise you may be disappointed with the care you get in the ER. We have little to offer for the FLU......best to all....:grin:

[DOOMER DOUG]

There are several ways that alcohol etc can kill both virus' and bacteria. Both of them can be dried out by rubbing alcohol. So if you wipe down a toilet seat for instance the alcohol can kill either one by physically drying it out, even if it doesn't do anything else. Further, both bacteria and virus's can be weakened, or killed off, by a lot of natural things. Everything from garlic, tabasco sauce and various herbs have all been shown to impede both bacteria and virus growth.

A mixture of white cider vinegar and water has been shown to be very effective in dealing with ear infections for instance. Hydrogen Peroxide, WELL DILUTED, say a 5 to one water to peroxide ratio, is a good oral cleanser. That is about one or two TEASPOONS, 15 milileters in a 3 OUNCE Dixie bath cup.

And yes Virginia, old farts like DOOMER DOUG are likely to get a pass on this one, since it is targeting people some 15 years younger than.

DOOMER DOUG also remembers the 1968 Hong Kong flu epidemic. A nasty one that was.

Still in the natural order of things even "common" flu kills tens of thousands of people every single year.

Personally, when TPTB announced they were going to dig up the 1918 Spanish flu bug from dead bodies way back in 1997 I think, the Rubicon was crossed. We are one pandemic, one natural disaster, or one man made disaster away from a die off.

It is all about the electric grid. No matter WHAT HAPPENS, if the electric grid stays up we will survive. However, if the grid goes down FOR ANY REASON, modern civilization will simply cease after 45 days. Simple as that.

[packyderms_wife]

Ok....not to downplay all the flu worries, but please remember.....This is the USA....not Mexico....we have better living conditions and healthcare than them. I know it is not "the best healthcare" by far, but it really is better than Mexico.

I would not panic unless I started seeing deaths in the USA. I work in the ER and we are still seeing LOTS of Influenza A and B, still! Most have fever, chills, headache, body aches, poor appetite. Most are uncomfortable, but tolerating the symptoms with rest and fluids and fever management.

Please do not get yourself in a panic....be cautious, but remember....NO deaths in the USA.....until then, just be calm and cautious....

If you do visit the ER with flu symptoms, do not expect a cure. All we provide is fever management (you can take tylenol at home), maybe tamiflu (only within 24 hrs of symptoms), and occasionally IV fluids if we think you are dehydrated (most are not). So don't run to the ER and expect a cure.....we don't offer much, except perhaps a secondary infection from all the other sick people visiting the ER. :shock:

Best advice....try to rest, take fever medicine, light diet, and lots of fluids.....If you have shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, then come to the ER for help, otherwise you may be disappointed with the care you get in the ER. We have little to offer for the FLU......best to all....:grin:

All very true BUT a least they are smart enough to go out with face masks on now, I'm betting you won't get most in the US to do this! Hygine is poor at best with young folks and I live in a rather largish university community.

Kimberly

[Sunflower]

All very true BUT a least they are smart enough to go out with face masks on now, I'm betting you won't get most in the US to do this! Hygine is poor at best with young folks and I live in a rather largish university community.

Kimberly

Good point. I do greet patients with face masks when they arrive. Some folks are stinkers and refuse to wear it and throw it on the ground in a fit. I just politely tell them I don't want to share "the love" with them. Most folks comply. They just are a little irritable because they don't feel well. :cry:

[Caplock50]

Irene, my advice...stay home. I have been inside a church once in the last 20 or so years...and God still talks to me. Heck, me and Him are so close, He even gives me some insights on future happenings...yet I don't go to church. I *do* pray all the time and take 'walks' in the woods out back of my house, where He and i have some great talks. I guess you could say the woods out there is my church. And the birds in the trees, singing, is my choir.

[Sunflower]

Irene, my advice...stay home. I have been inside a church once in the last 20 or so years...and God still talks to me. Heck, me and Him are so close, He even gives me some insights on future happenings...yet I don't go to church. I *do* pray all the time and take 'walks' in the woods out back of my house, where He and i have some great talks. I guess you could say the woods out there is my church. And the birds in the trees, singing, is my choir.

+1:-D

[cyberiot]

I vaguely recall a swine flu epidemic in roughly 1968. A lot of people died. Flawed vaccines were rushed to market, and even more people died. TPTB cite 1968 as the last major global flu pandemic.

My recall of the above was faulty.

The 1968 influenza pandemic was the Hong Kong flu.

In 1976, there was an outbreak of Swine Flu. The flawed vaccines were administered in response to this epidemic.

Cyberiot regrets the error.

[Rabid Rabbit]

I won't have to worry about the flu killing me, the Lysol will do that just fine.:mrgreen: Really, I'm not trying to be funny. My body can't detox the phenol in Lysol. Bleach gets me, too. So I am really between a rock and a hard place. I have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract, but it's getting some age on it. I think a trip to the health food store is in order ASAP.
Is there anything else that will kill viruses without being lethal to me?

gardengal

sunlight/UV rays.