Of course we all know that the current version of the swine flu is pretty mild, but we also know that when it comes back in the fall, it may have mutated, as viruses often do, into a much more deadly virus. It may come back similar to what it is now. We just don't know what will happen.

Does this concern anyone? We really can't do anything about it, I know, but the one thing we can do is prepare in case it is very bad. I am currently starting to buy extra food that I would want to have on hand should we need to quarantine ourselves. I'm buying food that we normally eat anyways, so if the flu is still mild in the fall, we will just not have to shop for a while, no harm done.

I would just hate for fall to get here, find out the current pandemic has turned very deadly, and not be prepared.

Anyone else planning for "just in case"?

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

Nope, I am not planning for something like the swine flu. I already plan for snow days or power outages so food (or lack of it), isn't a problem around here.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Same thing here I plan for snow and that will take care of everything IMHO.

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Laura
Please visit my blog
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Nope, didn't plan for the first one, won't plan for another one. We wash our hands already to avoid all viruses, not just that one.

It's funny that people are so worked up with this. What were there - 10 people in the US die from this? Do you know that 30-40 THOUSAND people die every year from the regular flu? The prevention is the same - wash your hands!

Didn't prepare for SARs, bird flu, mad cow, etc., etc., etc., There's always something to get everyone spun up! They always just seem to slip from the media and die out....

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

No, I'm not planning for a swine flu epindemic. We're in good health and I see no reason to plan for the worst. What exactly do you mean by "should we need to quarantine ourselves"? Does that mean you are trying to stay away from people who have it, or that if you have it, you'll stay away from others? I know people were scared of shopping because someone could have used a shopping cart and had the flu. That just really doesn't scare me. I come home and wash my hands. (Although I really need to get better about that. I usually come home, put away the groceries, and THEN wash my hands. Maybe I should do it as soon as I get into the house and then again after putting away the groceries.)

But, really, it's just the flu. It isn't going to kill you unless you are really at risk. And, then, as Lisa said, any kind of flu can kill you ... not just the swine flu.

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Linda

No, not going to worked up over it, too many things outside the front doors to kill you.

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Yes, we are ready for it. This particular flu is the same as the 1918 flu that killed approximately 50 million people. It is the same type flu and H1N1 type (a swine, bird, human flu mix) and it is following the same pattern, mild in the spring etc., the second wave will follow in the fall and will be the "deadly" wave if it follows the same pattern as the 1918 flu (the experts are saying). Obama is requesting 2 billion dollars more to fight H1N1 flu as of this week, this is on top of all the money that has already been spent on H1N1. States have had Tamiflu distibuted to them and some of it is being guarded by the National Guard. We are having several deaths each day in the U.S. at this point and very little of it is making the news, unless you google it on the internet to keep up with it, or check out the various websites that deal with it. The government has it's own websites with recommendations on what to do, what to stock. The CDC website has alot of good information, but is about 1 week behind in their reporting cases and deaths (according to the info on my states website, comparing it to the CDC's). It is spreading like wildfire across the world, we are currently at a level 5 anf the WHO (World Health Organization) on Friday had a meeting and said they would be raising the level to level 6 which is a Pandemic in the next 14 days sometime. They are worried about scaring people, the stores being wiped out of food and what it will do to the economy so they have been holding off on making the announcement, but now they have no choice. The government is recommending that you have enough food and water so that you can remain in your home if people have to practice "social distancing" or be quarantined. Alot of people in other countries are under quarantine right now because of H1N1. I believe Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans is under quarantine in China because he was exposed on a flight with someone who was sick.

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This website has a wealth of information from checklists of things needed, to working from home if you can't leave the house, just all types of info:

PandemicFlu.gov

This link to the CDC H1N1 page has alot of info and links also:

CDC H1N1 Flu

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Aren't they working hard on a vaccine right now? Maybe they will get one before next winter. Yes, Nagin is in quarantine. I think they may up it to level 6 also. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Always wash hands and stay away from coughing people! Also, we should be better off than we were in 1918. We have antiviral drugs, better communication, etc...

This is some interesting reading, this is on the PandemicFlu.gov website under individual and family planning.

Social Disruption May Be Widespread

Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices.
Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, are canceled.
Consider how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available.
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Being Able to Work May Be Difficult or Impossible

Find out if you can work from home.
Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic. (A Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist is available at Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist.)
Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed.
Check with your employer or union about leave policies.
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Schools May Be Closed for an Extended Period of Time

Help schools plan for pandemic influenza. Talk to the school nurse or the health center. Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations.
Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books, on hand. Also plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.
Consider childcare needs.
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Transportation Services May Be Disrupted

Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies so you can make fewer trips to the store.
Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are far away.
Consider other ways to get to work, or, if you can, work at home.
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People Will Need Advice and Help at Work and Home

Think about what information the people in your workplace will need if you are a manager. This may include information about insurance, leave policies, working from home, possible loss of income, and when not to come to work if sick. (A Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist is available at Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist.)
Meet with your colleagues and make lists of things that you will need to know and what actions can be taken.
Find volunteers who want to help people in need, such as elderly neighbors, single parents of small children, or people without the resources to get the medical help they will need.
Identify other information resources in your community, such as mental health hotlines, public health hotlines, or electronic bulletin boards.
Find support systems—people who are thinking about the same issues you are thinking about. Share ideas.
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Be Prepared

Stock a supply of water and food. During a pandemic you may not be able to get to a store. Even if you can get to a store, it may be out of supplies. Public waterworks services may also be interrupted. Stocking supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters. Store foods that:

are nonperishable (will keep for a long time) and don't require refrigeration
are easy to prepare in case you are unable to cook
require little or no water, so you can conserve water for drinking
See a checklist of items to have on hand for an extended stay at home.

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I would quarantine our family if any of us got swine flu, or if I knew it was in our area. I have one child who is 7 who has severe asthma-I have to try to protect her from this virus as much as possible. If the swine flu takes a deadly turn in the fall, we will stay in our house until it's over. If any in my family get it, will quarantine ourselves to protect others from getting it. seems like the decent thing to do.

As far as "It's just the flu". Yes, NOW it is. What about the fall? I'm shocked at how few of you are thinking ahead and not planning for "what if". I realize that there have been other pandemic threats that didn't pan out, but that doesn't make this threat any less valid.

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

I think, and someone can correct me if I'm mistaken:
One of the reason that the 1918 flu was so deadly was because the minute it "hit" people started quarantining themselves--thus they did not build a natural immunity. So, when it "returned" it was more deadly because no one had built up any immunity.
Now, that being said, those who are more susceptible to complications (elderly, those w/ underlying health issues, infants, etc) should be cautious. The first and best defense against any communicable disease it basic hygiene: WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP!

There's always "something" that could have devastating consequences: Weather related catastrophies, earthquakes, disease--but you can not live in fear. That is absolutely no life whatsoever! Pro-active, yes. FEAR? never

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I'm shocked at how many people let the media get them all spun up and worried about things!

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I agree. The swine flu is so far down on my list of things to worrry about that I have given it very, very little attention.

Jackiedoo, you are smart to prepare, no matter what anyone says. Anyone watching the CDC briefings everyday knows when this initially began on FoxNews, CNN or any other news stations, the experts are saying to expect ALOT of deaths from this in the future. Not only may you choose "social distancing" or to "shelter in place" but the government may make that choice for you as it is happening in some other countries right now. So it is good that you will have the supplies you need if that happens, because the government will not be there for you, they have repeatedely said "you are on your own" they have repeatedley warned people of what to do, they have the websites up and what to do posted and have for quite awhile. They will NOT be delivering food, water or supplies to you or your family, you are expected to provide those things on your own. I noticed you live in NY, I have been following the news up there and have seen some news articles on the hospitals already complaining of being overloaded and stretched to capacity, can you imagine when this gets worse? You are right to prepare your family!

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Guess what-my 13 year old son has influenza A, which probably means he has swine flu. They called the health dept to send the sample on for further testing. In the mean time, he has to stay home for a week from the onset of symptoms. His symptoms are fever, chills, headache, body aches, cough. He is sick, but not completely miserable (can still play video games).

Maybe there's some truth in the hope that if we get it now, we will have a bit of immunity in the second wave if it's deadly. I am worried about my daughter who has severe asthma. Those are the types of people who are dying right now.

Me and my daughter have had headaches all day today.

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

Que sera, sera

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

I hope your son feels better soon! I hope that you and your daughter do not catch it too, but it is highly contageous. Did they say how long it would take to get the test results back? I know it is supposed to be much quicker now that each state has the ablilty to do their own H1N1 testing instead of all of them going to the CDC as they initially were.

They tested my 13 year old about a month ago, she was negative for flu. Our pediatrician left the room and came back in with a mask and gloves on when she heard the symptoms. Our hospital/clinic has someone posted at the entrance and you cannot enter without answering questions about whether you have "flu like symptoms" , they have a nurse and security guard posted at the entrance.

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Thanks Penny! The health dept is going to pick up his nasal swab from the pediatrician's office tomorrow and we should have the results back in a couple days.

I was very surprised the doctor had no gloves or mask on, even after he tested positive for influenza A. We're in Buffalo-Western NY, so far no bad outbreaks here.

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

He definitely does have the swine flu. He woke up yesterday feeling great. He really had one day of chills, and one day feeling fairly lousy but not horrendous. Pretty short-lived. Now my dd11 had a positive strep test yesterday and came down with a fever today, so I'm thinking she may be getting it too. We'll see.

I don't think they will close his school. DH is on the phone with the superintendent right now.

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

These 2 were posted on 6/8. The health dept was supposed to pick up the swab on the 9th and take 2 days. It's only the 10th and you already have the result from the swab that he does/did have swine flu? Sounds rather mild.

You're still in school??

Jackie sorry to hear that, I hope you don't get it and your dd especially since it could be harder on her due to the asthma. It's great that your ds is feeling better.
Did the drs tell you about anything you can do to avoid family catching it from your ds..does your ds have to remain at home or 'quarantined' for a certain amount of time?

Yes-dh and the kids are in school till the 24 and 26th (dh is a teacher in their district). My district goes until the 30th (teachers). It's very late this year.

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

The dd that may have it doesn't have asthma, thank god. I still am a bit worried about yonger dd and hope that she doesn't get it-6 of us in a small house-seems likely that she will get it.

They just said to was hour hands a lot, cover our coughs with our elbow. It's mostly an air-bourne illness, though so that stuff will only go so far. I'm trying to keep younger dd away from the others, keeping windows open.

I can't even imagine if this was a deadly influenza how panicked I would feel trying to keep everyone safe and away from whoever was sick. I can't imagine caring for a sick family member wondering if I was going to get it-leaving the kids and dh without a wife and mother. I think about this stuff because this one is following the same pattern that the 1918 flu did. Hope it just ends up taking a turn for the better rather than a turn for the worse when fall comes.

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Jackie

Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

I think the advances in medicine since 1918 suggest that even if the flu this fall is as virulent as that one, the consequences won't be as bad overall.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Your daughter might be better off getting it now than taking a chance with it later. I'm not saying you should deliberately expose her, but if she does get it, then she will have immunity for many years to come. In fact your whole family is better off getting it now. Just all of you being in the same house might cause several of you to get very mild versions which will also afford immunity later.

Exactly what I was thinking. This is not the same world as it was back in 1918. Hand washing was not the norm as it is now. There are antiviral drugs now.

And in 1918 there were secondary problems, such as bacterial pneumonia, which killed people. Penicillin wasn't medically available until the 1940s.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Doesn't concern me much at all, and therefore, am not doing much to prepare. We generally keep enough stuff around to handle the eventualities of life...be it bottled water, canned foods, paper products, medicines.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips