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the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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by
on 2009-05-02 01:56:32 (edited 2009-05-06 13:51:27)
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don't tell me this is another episode of the once smallpox, SARS? but it's been everywhere in tv, papers, everyday in the news - swine flu virus or h1n1 influenza virus has been causing a global outbreak, with the WHO officially issuing a phase 5 (soon to be phase 6) pandemic alert, which only means that it is a serious threat and might result to red alert in all public healths across the world does this mean everyone's gonna be wearing face masks/respirators again? i was very alarmed knowing that there have already been suspected cases (from people who have recently traveled from mexico) in asia in countries such as new zealand, china, south korea, and australia. it won't take long for the virus to spread quickly since transmission is from person to person contact, this is why hundreds of schools, libraries, museums have been closed in the US, esp. in mexico where it originated (a friend from there told me that not only his field trip but every field trips, science fair, and graduations in their schools were cancelled). people have been advised to stay in their homes. travels have been minimized if not, cancelled what's more alarming is that no vaccine is yet available bec. researchers are presently trying to identify the specific strain of the new virus before they can produce the right vaccine, w/c all-in-all should take about 4-6 months besides, they still can't predict the likelihood of developing mild or fatal illnesses, although hundreds of cases & deaths (not counting unofficial reports) with 10+ countries including the US, UK, canada, germany, denmark, austria, etc. have been confirmed to contain the disease. the first american fatality reported was a 23-month old baby :( just imagine how many infections and fatalities would have arised until the vaccine is completed when already this virus is spreading worldwide read more on the ff:
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-02 02:39:50 |
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I've already seen tons of people wearing face masks, but honestly, I don't think face masks help that much. It kinda creates a false sense of security that it is helping...but not really :\ Same thing with hand sanitizer. Since this is mostly an airborne spreading virus, hand sanitizer will not help as much and again, creates a false sense of security that it's effective against the H1N1 virus. WASH YOUR HANDS PLEASE!! Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm, NOT YOUR HANDS!! Stay home if you're sick!! (though...if attendance is part of your grade... O__O) There are 16 probable cases where I am, and a few of my friends have been complaining about headaches and having fevers, so I'm pretty concerned about them. Though...I feel as if the media has blown this whole swine flu thing way out of proportion -___-" I'm not so worried about catching the H1N1 virus, but what I'm most worried about this virus is what if this influenza strain mutates and the antivirals Tamiflu and Relenza become ineffective against the mutated strain? Until a vaccine is made, I don't think anyone can or should feel completely safe... O___O' Don't be ignorant and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others! 
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-02 08:31:29 |
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I'm getting worried, but at the same time I'm not freaking out (on the outside anyways, but not much inside). Already hit 11 states, schools are starting to make rational decisions, and my state might be on the list as well! Definitely been using more soap on my hands lately, and I should in school (even though it's so unsanitary they don't clean the bathrooms up a bit). "Swine Flu" is politically incorrect, as it is called h1n1 virus or whatever, but it effects people with weak immune systems (directed towards elders and infants). I'm worried about my dad since he has a sickness I don't feel comfortable mentioning in public, but hopefully this can be protected. Obama said he's closing down the border or something. A bit late? Only reported that a single person has died from it, but numbers might increase soon. :( 
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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| It's nothing to get worked up about. Viruses are everchanging so seeing a new strain isn't all that uncommon. Seriously, as DA already stated it affects people with weak immune systems, mainly the elderly and small children. At the onset of flu-like symptoms antivirals can be administered to inhibit the progression of the virus. All a vaccine would do is introduce a dead strain into your system so that your immune system can properly identify and defend against that strain. Keeping up with general hygenic practices pretty much eliminates your chances of getting it anyway. So for the love of god, stockpile food, shoot your neighbors, and live underground for the next 10 years. -.- |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-02 15:27:22 |
| I'm not actually worried about getting it or what; I just don't want the school administrations to cancel school because of it. A middle school in our city has already been closed for a week because there was a probable case; if one more case occurred, it's possible that the rest of the school year will have to be cancelled. I really want my high school credits so I can graduate, so I would not like this to happen. |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-03 20:24:06 (edited 2009-05-03 20:25:13)
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From what I've read, calling it "swine flu" is no longer accurate, as it has been designated a more "proper" name of Influenza A subtype H1N1. What's really alarming about the H1N1 strain is that a variant of the said strain caused the Spanish Influenza outbreak, which piled up a lotta bodies, but I reckon it's due to poor awareness. And yeah, I've also read that there are now 19 countries with laboratory-confirmed cases of the H1N1 strain. |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-03 21:31:22 |
hopefully Malaysia don't have H1N1...batter stop all the pigs farm....and all people don't eat pork...I not eat because I am muslim...JE,SARS,Bird Flu...and now Swine Flu...I don't what going on happend in the world...   |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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by TeruUnsida
on 2009-05-03 21:52:36
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| I guess I'm worried to an extent but only if the swine flu actually becomes an epidemic. I'd probably get hit first cause I'm in California |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-03 22:11:18 |
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@TeruUnsida becarefull...is to dangerous...I don't my friend at Connecticut...hopefullay at there don't have swine flu... |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-03 22:31:10 |
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Talk about 11 states, make it 31! Though they only said 30 people have went to the hospital. And I ate bacon yesterday and still felt good about it. XD
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-04 03:25:19 |
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I'm not particularly worried or anything; It's more like something I feel I need to be mindful of. Plus, as most of us here are, a healthy adult or teen; even kids, can make a quick and healthy recovery. This will pass soon, I believe. Just remember to wash your hands! I wish you all good health. 
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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by
 
on 2009-05-04 05:22:22 (edited 2009-05-12 22:24:29)
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@azwan Eating pigs doesn't cause H1N1 influenza. When you cook something, heat kills most of the bacteria in it. Hence eating pigs doesn't cause the consumer infected with the virus. -_-; People who don't eat pork also have a chance of being infected. N1H1 is an airborne virus. Like what Quack said, personal hygiene is important like washing your hands before you eat. This virus would likely fade off around 3 months or so with precautions taken. Still can't believe that it's on orange alert here in Singapore. Ayway, I'll pray that none of us get infected with the virus.     |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-04 10:05:47 |
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Well, I've done some more reading on the topic, and I read that there were no possible link in temrs of animal to human infection; the current strain spreads from human to human. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined the contents of the strain; apparently, the current H1N1 strain contained genes from four different viruses - North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and Asian-European common strains of swine influenza. This event may have happened because pigs are also susceptible to getting infected by human and avian influenza strains, and the pigs may have been the mixing pot of the viruses; thus, a new strain of the H1N1 subtype has been created. Source: 2009 swine flu outbreak - Wikipedia |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-04 11:42:35 |
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devils-angel: it effects people with weak immune systems quack72: a healthy adult or teen; even kids, can make a quick and healthy recovery. *- that is not safe to assume: there were indications from Mexico that relatively young, healthy people have died rather than people whose immune systems are compromised. while swine flu may not cause death, it may cause complications and trigger other infections that will cause death itself (ie, pneumonia or severe fatigue, fever, diarrhea, and other flu-like symptoms, even for a healthy person) devils-angel: I'm worried about my dad since he has a sickness I don't feel comfortable mentioning in public, but hopefully this can be protected. *- my dad also has a sickness. hope your dad gets well soon iwearpants17: It's nothing to get worked up about. *- Neal A. Halsey, MD stated that it could have a significant exacerbating effect on the global economy (ie, shutting down schools in Mexico; postponing soccer matches, impact on travels esp. in the european union, loss of tourism in affected countries) - not a small issue. same concerns not only for kyouyama_anna but for millions of people. why would the authorities go as far as to implement those precautionary measures wit hthe media totally blowing this way out of proportions? definitely not somethign to get worked up about huh? sharpenter27: What's really alarming about the H1N1 strain is that a variant of the said strain caused the Spanish Influenza outbreak, which piled up a lotta bodies *- the spanish influenza dates back as early as 1918 w/ approx. 50 million deaths. now it's being linked to avian and swine flu lamess: Eating pigs doesn't cause H1N1 influenza. When you cook something, heat kills most of the bacteria in it. Hence eating pigs doesn't cause the consumer infected with the virus. -_-; People who don't eat pork also have a chance of being infected. N1H1 is an airborne virus. *- exactly. but now we see stupid people slaughtering loads of pigs. heating does in no way kill a virus, freezing on the other hand just immobilizes them. the only way to fight/kill a virus is to kill the host, w/c only applies to animals, but with humans, it is to produce antibodies against them through vaccination teruunsida: I guess I'm worried to an extent but only if the swine flu actually becomes an epidemic. *- this disease has gone way epidemic, it's already categorised as pandemic (phase 5 at that) lamess: It's weird as the influenza A virus is said to strike on pigs not humans and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans but... a natural disaster?? *- yeah they are common in pigs, but we're talking about a subtype of influenza a virus and that is H1N1, w/c wasn't previously detected in humans or pigs. so there's no clear evidence saying that H1N1 came from pigs, as a matter of fact: 2 infections from children living in southern california reported no direct contact with swine. moreover, it was observed that person-to-person transmission occurred in high-school. this suggests that virus may have spread directly among humans @sharpenter27 contrary to saying taht H1N1 resulted from the mixing of viruses in pigs, from what dr. halsey said, that wasn't the case. however if that's the real case, then could it be that this subtype of influenza A prefers a human host? ------------ why is everyone not worried at all? does that mean you don't care about people, esp. the children dying? much more if it hits the developing countries who are said to be more susceptible, say in africa people are already dying from aids, now this? if only teaching these people proper hygiene is as easy as abc i for one am very worried, bec. i believe in the golden rule: prevention is better than cure |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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by
  
on 2009-05-04 12:39:36 (edited 2009-05-04 12:45:14)
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I agree. Many people are angry over the government's "over" reaction to the pandemic. But wouldn't you all agree that this is much better protocol to take, in comparison to, let's say, Hurricane Katrina? Although I agree that this particular strain is not as "bad" as people have thought, Viruses are easily susceptible to evolution and change. Many of us may be particularly immune to this kind of flu, but is it safe to assume that we will also be safe if the virus mutates? Spanish Influenza, as mentioned, killed millions of people, over the course of just one, two, three years. If such mutations happen once, it can happen again. All it takes is a tiny change in its genetics. BTW, 31 Yen, I applaud your research! Something I noticed when I was looking at a geographical map of the flu in the U.S. is the way that the flu is spread about. This map isnt as good as the first one I saw (which was on TV, unfortunately), but, excluding our neighbors Canada and Mexico, I noticed that the disease seems to go Southwest to Northeast (or vice versa). I don't know if it's epidemiological or not, but that was interesting to me. Washington seems safe.. for now. We have some probable cases, but none confirmed yet. |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-04 12:43:04 (edited 2009-05-04 12:46:07)
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@31Â¥ I dunno, since the source I'm looking at about the current H1N1 strain is Wikipedia, which is then sourced from the CDC. Also, there is a good reasone why the Spanish Influenza was linked to swine influenza - they have the same strain, having similar basic structures. The connection to avian flu, I dunno. And pertaining to the alarms set off by the current strain, I think the main reasons of such are: 1. The influenza virus mutates constantly; the virologists who make up the vaccines could only do reactive research. That basically means that people cannot thoroughly prevent infection effectively. 2. Unlike the human immunodeficiency virus, which is transmitted by physical contact, influenza is airborne; no physical contact is necessary, and one only has to breathe in a few viruses expelled into the atmosphere by a carrier. And yeah, I have to agree with the golden rule. But if the governments of the world wouldn't be proactive in the prevention of the strain, then the citizens should be. |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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Apparently, Mexico reports that cases are finally lessening and it seems to be improving. However, based on the 1918 pandemic. It might reappear with a vengeance and cause an even worst problem than before. People are being told to remain vigilant in the future and take precautions.  Kneel Before the Great and Benevolent Cow! |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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on 2009-05-04 14:00:33 |
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Yeah cases are spreading, but nothing so fearsome as of yet. A baby did die from it near my area yesterday though. :( I thought I had it a few hours ago in school, cause all of a sudden I started feeling sick and coughing, but feel fine now. Just tired/headache maybe. :P
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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by
on 2009-05-04 15:56:52 (edited 2009-05-04 16:04:56)
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its not even called swine flu anymore; its H1N1 now... cus its been proven that it doesnt spread through swine. you cant catch it from pigs. Richmond BC is about to get to lvl6. -sigh.- (thats where i live, btw.) and apparently, people in north am are less likely to die from it than people in south am, or mexico. and this might not be true, but i HEARD*** (emphasis on the "heard") that its already been mutated or something. some kid who caught the virus apparently went zombie mode and attacked his mother... now i seriously dont know if this is true or not, but its what i heard. can anyone confirm or deny this? |
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Re: the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus
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@31yen: Yeah and if people didn't turn into a dumb, panicking mob everytime someone sneezes there wouldn't be a "significant exacerbating effect on the global economy". Viruses and bacteria mutate, it's the way of the world. Have a little confidence in modern medicine. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir have both been proven to halt H1N1 replication by the CDC. So, like any antiviral, when you feel like you're catching the flu, go to the doctors and you have no worries. It's technically possible to get hepatitis from a toilet seat. You don't see people freaking out about that now do ya? No and that's because you wash your hands after you're finished your business. So, yes, you are correct in saying prevention is key. Regardless of that, some people are going to die, others are going to do stupid things, and like every other doomsday prophecy someone starts preaching about, humanity will persevere. So no, I'm not going to get worked up about it. |
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