Swine Flu - We're all going to die

1: Most people with a healthy constitution run no severe risk if infected by the swine flu. It behaves like any other mundane influenza and is succeptible to common, over-the-counter antivirals. At most, you'll feel like crap for 2-5 days, then life will resume as normal. The bigger concern is not infecting those around you, should you actually contract the virus.

2: Fuck the Jews/Muslims/Pork farmers. It jumped from pigs, so it's named after the source. There was no political uproar from ornithologists and chicken farmers when the avian flu was a concern 3-4 years ago. It's a word. If you're offended by a simple word with no slanderous intent, you're weak of mind.

3: So far there are no reported cases in the Western New York area, so nothing has shut down. Everyone is on watch and that's it. The hospitals and doctors here have had plenty of time to arm themselves for an outbreak, and most people will get through it without severe complication.

4: I am personally a little more concerned than the average person should be. After my transplant, my immune system is purposely compromised. I'm prone to the swine flu and if I should ever catch it, I may require hospitalization to ensure that it doesn't grow out of control. I'll likely need more antiviral medication than the average person since my white cell count is still low. The swine flu hits the respiratory system and that's where I'm most vulnerable. I already had a supply of hand sanitizer and face masks, just as a general precaution against everything, so as long as I'm not stupid, I can minimize my exposure. On the downside, I return to my job this Sunday, where I'm more exposed to the public. If my town does report infection, my doctors may force me to take a leave for my own protection. I don't think that'd qualify for disability.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Zergrinch

If you are concerned about infection but don't want to interrupt working, you may want to invest in a respirator (N95 class or higher). While it's not a sure-fire preventive tool, it will help mitigate the risk a bit.

I work in a deli, Zerg. It's just not good P.R. to walk around the place in a respirator.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Well it came out today that there's a confirmed case of the swine flu in my county. This had everyone at my job talking. A lot of people felt that they didn't care what management said about public appearances, they'll wear a mask if things get bad. I tend to agree. I'd think customers would be relieved to see foodworkers restricting the flow of germs. We already go through rubber gloves like their use is a religious ritual.

I wonder if we'll be closing schools now. We're already out of snow days.

How ya doing, buddy?

Hey, some of us are preferred patients.

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Mush is right in that, for most people, the effects of the swine flu will be no greater or worse than any other common flu. But this isn't what concerns doctors foremost; it's the potential rate of infection possessed by the virus that is of greater concern. It's a new mutation, nobody has antibodies. The vaccine will take time to develop and there are legitimate worries that the virus may mutate further, complicating treatment. While places with established healthcare systems like America, Canada, Europe and Japan may not suffer as badly, the possibility of a global pandemic means that the swine flu poses a threat to underdeveloped nations. That's where it will wreak the most damage.

The primary issue is the rate at which the disease will spread, not the severity of it. Even if the virus simply caused you to have a blue spot on your forehead for a week - pretty harmless - if it infects a high percentage at a fast pace, it's still a pandemic.

That said, Mush is rather naive to laugh it off just because it probably won't be any worse than a typical flu. It's still a flu.

I was speaking idiomatically.