Ok so you all tell me you love my informative blogs..... so here you go. I am probably stupid and you all have probably already heard all about this. But for some reason I am just hearing about it for the first time this morning.
THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK.....
~WASHINGTON (April 27) Amid surging worries about a global pandemic, the United States launched border screening for swine flu exposure Monday and a top federal health official said people should brace for more severe cases, "and possibly deaths."
~Meanwhile, President Barack Obama says the spread of swine flu is a cause for concern but "not a cause of alarm" and he's staying on top of the problem.
~Is this a flu pandemic? The World Health Organization (WHO) has six pandemic phases. Because of the bird flu, which still circulates in Asia, we're already at phase 3. If the WHO changed that to phase 4, this would be considered a pandemic. Click through to see more of the five things you should know about the outbreak from Time.com.
~What will happen if this outbreak gets classified as a pandemic? Phase 4 could mean putting in place strict quarantines and blanketing affected areas with antivirals. But some critics say it's already too late for that and that the WHO delayed that action for political reasons. Entering phase 4 could have a big impact on the world's economy and public fear.
~Why have the U.S. cases been so much milder than the ones in Mexico? This discrepancy has stumped officials, but some of it may be because Mexico has been dealing with the swine flu for weeks longer than the U.S., where doctors have started checking patients with respiratory problems for the virus. The true severity of the virus is still unclear.
~How ready is the U.S. - and the world - to respond to a flu pandemic? SARS and the bird flu have led to a lot of preparation around the world for a pandemic. The U.S. and other countries have stockpiled antivirals that can help and the U.S. has a detailed pandemic preparation plan. However, the ease of international travel means infections spread quickly.
~How scared should we be? It's hard to say. Health officials have responded with a lot of precautions and the virus hasn't seemed too severe yet outside of Mexico. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and covering your nose and mouth if you sneeze. If you feel sick, stay away from public places. Get more from Time.com.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://news.aol.com/article/school-flu-test/445903?icid=main|main|dl1|link1|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fschool-flu-test%2F445903)
~What many people do not realize is that the flu is generally a much more serious illness than most people appreciate. Even the "typical" flu season results in 36,000 American deaths each year, according to CDC statistics. The swine flu is a type of influenza virus usually found in pigs. The most common version is H1N1, and the current virus causing concern is a new variation of that virus. Swine flu does not typically pass to humans directly, but such transmission can occur. The current swine flu virus concerns health experts because it has shown the ability to pass from human to human.
~When a person gets the swine flu virus, it takes 48 hours before the infected person actually begins to feel ill.
~There is no vaccination for the swine flu system. U.S. and WHO officials said they are beginning work on a vaccine, but that could take months to develop.
~Two prescription anti-viral drugs -- Tamiflu and Relenza -- have proved effective in combating the swine flu virus in victims in the United States. The Obama administration has released 12.5 million courses of the country's stockpile of 50 million courses of Tamiflu.
~Doctors recommend "self-quarantine" for those inflicted with the influenza, so that it does not spread to others. If children are sick, they should not be sent to school. For adults, they should stay away from their workplaces and maintain as much distance as possible from others. Travel on buses or airplanes is not recommended. Doctors say it is only natural for flus to spread in places like schools, where there is a lot of interaction.
~Schaffner said the one distinction is that the swine flu is not a common cold.
"Common cold has its symtoms from the neck up -- sore throat, stuffy nose and feeling crummy. However influenza tends to make you feel much more ill. You can have a sore throat but then you also get cough and muscle aches and pains," he said.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFlu/Story?id=7434501&page=2)
~ As youll see in many pictures of Mexico City right now, people are wearing face masks to protect against catching the swine flu from coughing, sneezing, cigarette smoke inhalation, and similar methods. The face mask lessens your chance of getting any infected saliva from someone else in your mouth or nose.
~If youre sick, its probably best to stay home at this time and treat as a regular flu. The cases reported in America have been successfully treated just as if it was a more common flu strain. As always, contact your doctor and see what he/she recommends. If they think testing is required, then they will guide you in the right direction. If you have extreme symptoms, of course, go to the emergency room - just use your best judgment.
~SWINE FLU HOTLINE: The state Department of Health has a hotline for questions about swine flu: 800-808-1987
~Deaths: 86, all in Mexico. 22 confirmed as swine flu, 64 suspected.
~Sickened: 1,384 in Mexico, suspected or confirmed; 20 confirmed in U.S.; 10 suspected in New Zealand; 6 confirmed in Canada; 7 suspected in Spain; 1 suspected in France; 1 suspected in Israel.
~Locations in Mexico: 17 states, including Mexico City, Mexico State, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Baja California and San Luis Potosi. Some, including Oaxaca, Mexico City and Baja California, have tourist areas, but authorities have not said where in these states the outbreaks occurred.
~Locations in U.S.: California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas.
~Safety measures in Mexico: In Mexico City, surgical masks being given away on the subway system, public events canceled, schools and public venues closed and church services postponed. President Felipe Calderon has assumed new powers to isolate infected people.
~Safety measures in U.S: Roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu being moved from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Travelers at border being asked about travel to flu-stricken areas. St. Francis Preparatory School in New York, where eight cases are confirmed, will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://swineflutips.com/new-swine-flu-virus-facts-and-stats/)
~What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm)
OK yucky...... now that I am officially germ freaked out hahahahahh on to prettier more fun things....
You all know how much I love pictures......So Enjoy!
(all the pictures were taken from photbucket.com)
THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK.....
~WASHINGTON (April 27) Amid surging worries about a global pandemic, the United States launched border screening for swine flu exposure Monday and a top federal health official said people should brace for more severe cases, "and possibly deaths."
~Meanwhile, President Barack Obama says the spread of swine flu is a cause for concern but "not a cause of alarm" and he's staying on top of the problem.
~Is this a flu pandemic? The World Health Organization (WHO) has six pandemic phases. Because of the bird flu, which still circulates in Asia, we're already at phase 3. If the WHO changed that to phase 4, this would be considered a pandemic. Click through to see more of the five things you should know about the outbreak from Time.com.
~What will happen if this outbreak gets classified as a pandemic? Phase 4 could mean putting in place strict quarantines and blanketing affected areas with antivirals. But some critics say it's already too late for that and that the WHO delayed that action for political reasons. Entering phase 4 could have a big impact on the world's economy and public fear.
~Why have the U.S. cases been so much milder than the ones in Mexico? This discrepancy has stumped officials, but some of it may be because Mexico has been dealing with the swine flu for weeks longer than the U.S., where doctors have started checking patients with respiratory problems for the virus. The true severity of the virus is still unclear.
~How ready is the U.S. - and the world - to respond to a flu pandemic? SARS and the bird flu have led to a lot of preparation around the world for a pandemic. The U.S. and other countries have stockpiled antivirals that can help and the U.S. has a detailed pandemic preparation plan. However, the ease of international travel means infections spread quickly.
~How scared should we be? It's hard to say. Health officials have responded with a lot of precautions and the virus hasn't seemed too severe yet outside of Mexico. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and covering your nose and mouth if you sneeze. If you feel sick, stay away from public places. Get more from Time.com.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://news.aol.com/article/school-flu-test/445903?icid=main|main|dl1|link1|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fschool-flu-test%2F445903)
~What many people do not realize is that the flu is generally a much more serious illness than most people appreciate. Even the "typical" flu season results in 36,000 American deaths each year, according to CDC statistics. The swine flu is a type of influenza virus usually found in pigs. The most common version is H1N1, and the current virus causing concern is a new variation of that virus. Swine flu does not typically pass to humans directly, but such transmission can occur. The current swine flu virus concerns health experts because it has shown the ability to pass from human to human.
~When a person gets the swine flu virus, it takes 48 hours before the infected person actually begins to feel ill.
~There is no vaccination for the swine flu system. U.S. and WHO officials said they are beginning work on a vaccine, but that could take months to develop.
~Two prescription anti-viral drugs -- Tamiflu and Relenza -- have proved effective in combating the swine flu virus in victims in the United States. The Obama administration has released 12.5 million courses of the country's stockpile of 50 million courses of Tamiflu.
~Doctors recommend "self-quarantine" for those inflicted with the influenza, so that it does not spread to others. If children are sick, they should not be sent to school. For adults, they should stay away from their workplaces and maintain as much distance as possible from others. Travel on buses or airplanes is not recommended. Doctors say it is only natural for flus to spread in places like schools, where there is a lot of interaction.
~Schaffner said the one distinction is that the swine flu is not a common cold.
"Common cold has its symtoms from the neck up -- sore throat, stuffy nose and feeling crummy. However influenza tends to make you feel much more ill. You can have a sore throat but then you also get cough and muscle aches and pains," he said.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFlu/Story?id=7434501&page=2)
~ As youll see in many pictures of Mexico City right now, people are wearing face masks to protect against catching the swine flu from coughing, sneezing, cigarette smoke inhalation, and similar methods. The face mask lessens your chance of getting any infected saliva from someone else in your mouth or nose.
~If youre sick, its probably best to stay home at this time and treat as a regular flu. The cases reported in America have been successfully treated just as if it was a more common flu strain. As always, contact your doctor and see what he/she recommends. If they think testing is required, then they will guide you in the right direction. If you have extreme symptoms, of course, go to the emergency room - just use your best judgment.
~SWINE FLU HOTLINE: The state Department of Health has a hotline for questions about swine flu: 800-808-1987
~Deaths: 86, all in Mexico. 22 confirmed as swine flu, 64 suspected.
~Sickened: 1,384 in Mexico, suspected or confirmed; 20 confirmed in U.S.; 10 suspected in New Zealand; 6 confirmed in Canada; 7 suspected in Spain; 1 suspected in France; 1 suspected in Israel.
~Locations in Mexico: 17 states, including Mexico City, Mexico State, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Baja California and San Luis Potosi. Some, including Oaxaca, Mexico City and Baja California, have tourist areas, but authorities have not said where in these states the outbreaks occurred.
~Locations in U.S.: California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas.
~Safety measures in Mexico: In Mexico City, surgical masks being given away on the subway system, public events canceled, schools and public venues closed and church services postponed. President Felipe Calderon has assumed new powers to isolate infected people.
~Safety measures in U.S: Roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu being moved from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Travelers at border being asked about travel to flu-stricken areas. St. Francis Preparatory School in New York, where eight cases are confirmed, will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://swineflutips.com/new-swine-flu-virus-facts-and-stats/)
~What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
(INFORMATION TAKEN FROM: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm)
OK yucky...... now that I am officially germ freaked out hahahahahh on to prettier more fun things....
You all know how much I love pictures......So Enjoy!
(all the pictures were taken from photbucket.com)
VIEW 21 of 21 COMMENTS
rosaleigh:
so word on the street is you're coming to Ames for SPS? Hell yes!!
noldor_:
good morning 