Swine Flu

[TheBloods]

Huh?

The WHO isn't panicking at all.

Advising that the virus is unstoppable is a simple statement of fact. Are they panicking when they say "normal" flu is unstoppable?

Flu kills people, always has. So saying the death toll will rise is a statement of fact.

Given comments that the media is blowing this out of proportion and alarmist, then I would think that language like that from the WHO would be similarly tagged?

Don't they teach critical thinking anymore?

What is this meant to mean?

 

[Clay Davis]

What is this meant to mean?

It makes him feel good about himself.

 

[campbell]

And yet the WHO says the swine flu is unstoppable and the death toll will rise.

The WHO are the ultimate experts in this.

Also the CDC I would class as experts.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/swine-flus-edge-lesions-in-lungs-20090714-djfx.html
Unlike seasonal flu, the new swine flu is continuing into the northern summer, and has caused severe illness mostly in younger people instead of the elderly, the CDC said.

 

[campbell]

So, in line with what Bomber Gal suggested earlier, the media are taking every chance to stir the pot.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Bomber Gal's comments campbell?

I mean both of you being "experts" and all and "in the industry". Of course one of you comes across as a dribbling, low level, fool whereas the other seems rational, calm and informed.

I think a cursory glance at both sets of posts will allow readers to form their views.

no reason for the personal attack imo.

Bombergal and I are totally different in the health field, there fore have different ideas and data we work with.

I am a Clinical Nurse, she is a Lab Tech. Totally different.

 

[Eagle87]

Given comments that the media is blowing this out of proportion and alarmist, then I would think that language like that from the WHO would be similarly tagged?


What is this meant to mean?

But the WHO haven't said anything at all that would cause alarm.

They have simply reported that a virus is now "at large" and given that it's a flu virus - i.e a virus that kills people, like all flu virus' - it will likely kill people.

This is pretty standard stuff I would have thought.

The last comment was caused by simple exasperation at the capacity of seemingly rational people behaving irrationally.

 

[Eagle87]

It makes him feel good about himself.

Yes, that's it

You never struck me as a supporter of the foolishly irrational.

Obviously I was wrong.

 

[Eagle87]

no reason for the personal attack imo.

Bombergal and I are totally different in the health field, there fore have different ideas and data we work with.

I am a Clinical Nurse, she is a Lab Tech. Totally different.

Can you please point out the "special info" that you have?

I mean Bomber Gal is far more articulate and measured and frankly makes more sense. Also has the opposite view to you. Please refute her position and impart your special knowledge.....

 

[Clay Davis]

Yes, that's it

You never struck me as a supporter of the foolishly irrational.

Obviously I was wrong.

I'm not. But I'm yet to see you go more than two posts without finishing with a quip about the person.

 

[TheBloods]

But the WHO haven't said anything at all that would cause alarm.

They have simply reported that a virus is now "at large" and given that it's a flu virus - i.e a virus that kills people, like all flu virus' - it will likely kill people.

This is pretty standard stuff I would have thought.

Yes, except that I don't recall the WHO making comments before that the normal flu is "unstoppable" or that the death toll from it would rise. This is the distinction I see.

 

[Eagle87]

I'm not. But I'm yet to see you go more than two posts without finishing with a quip about the person.

And?

You giving style marks now?

Anything to contribute to the thread big boy?

 

[Eagle87]

Yes, except that I don't recall the WHO making comments before that the normal flu is "unstoppable" or that the death toll from it would rise. This is the distinction I see.

But what do they mean by unstoppable?

All they mean is that (a) we had a containment aproach, (b) we have now given that away as it can't now be stopped - just like all the other flu variants....

All flu results in death. As its out there, then clearly it will lead to more deaths...

Surely these are statements of the bleeding obvious rather than the sort of dire warnings you seem to be suggesting.

 

[TheBloods]

But what do they mean by unstoppable?

All they mean is that (a) we had a containment aproach, (b) we have now given that away as it can't now be stopped - just like all the other flu variants....

All flu results in death. As its out there, then clearly it will lead to more deaths...

Surely these are statements of the bleeding obvious rather than the sort of dire warnings you seem to be suggesting.

I think you are totally missing the point. It's about the wording used by the WHO - "unstoppable" and "death toll to rise".
They've never said such things about normal flu. Yes, you can explain them away, but the point is that the WHO is a contributor to the concern of the public.

 

[Eagle87]

I think you are totally missing the point. It's about the wording used by the WHO - "unstoppable" and "death toll to rise".
They've never said such things about normal flu. Yes, you can explain them away, but the point is that the WHO is a contributor to the concern of the public.

But read her entire speech and tell me why that causes concern?

She simply said that the "further spread of the flu is unstoppable" - thats obvious and I have no idea why that would concern anyone. At all. Except the extraordinarily foolish.

She also said its mild. She said in the vast majority of cases it result in symptoms for up to a week, then recovery, usually without any medical assistance.

By the way, the first reference I can find from the WHO saying "the death toll will rise" was back in April. Not sure how stating the obvious causes any concern.

Its not a matter of "explaining things away" its a matter of reading anything in context. Hence my critical thinking comment.

I mean are you actually "concerned" because of Margaret Chan (WHO's) comments?

By the way - if you asked the WHO the following 2 questions, what answers do you reckon you'd get:

1. Is the spread of seasonal flu stoppable or unstoppable?

2. Last year seasonal flu killed almost 36,000 Americans, do you think thats the end of flu deaths or do you expect the death toll to rise?

I reckon the answers would be:

1. Unstoppable; and

2. Death toll to rise.

Should I be concerned?

 

[TheBloods]

I'm not, but it's hardly surprising some people might be given her comments and their reporting in the media.

 

[Eagle87]

I'm not, but it's hardly surprising some people might be given her comments and their reporting in the media.

Her comments, in context, were as alarming and controversial as the average school assembly.

The headlines may have caused some alarm until people read the actual speech or at least a reasonable summary of its key points. People do this dont they?

 

[TheBloods]

Yeah, sure...

 

[Chops_a_must]

Well... I'm just getting over the flu I've had for the last week. No idea if it was swine flu or not.

Was tired one night early last week. And the next morning was as sick of a dog. Not really any warning at all. Sickest I've been in a long long time. Maybe in the last 10 years.

 

[Dry Rot]

Well... I'm just getting over the flu I've had for the last week. No idea if it was swine flu or not.

Was tired one night early last week. And the next morning was as sick of a dog. Not really any warning at all. Sickest I've been in a long long time. Maybe in the last 10 years.

Most likely now to be swine flu - not so mild after all.

What were your symptoms overnight? Fever? Sore throat? Dry cough?

Seems like if you're in the unlucky minority and it hards you hard, it really hits you hard.

 

[Eagle87]

Most likely now to be swine flu - not so mild after all.

What were your symptoms overnight? Fever? Sore throat? Dry cough?

Seems like if you're in the unlucky minority and it hards you hard, it really hits you hard.

Yep, EXACTLY the same as those in the unlucky minority with seasonal flu.

Seriously.....

 

[Dry Rot]

Yep, EXACTLY the same as those in the unlucky minority with seasonal flu.

Seriously.....

I can only assume you read one post in ten here. Likewise, news reports.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Most likely now to be swine flu - not so mild after all.

What were your symptoms overnight? Fever? Sore throat? Dry cough?

Seems like if you're in the unlucky minority and it hards you hard, it really hits you hard.

Yeah, dry cough to begin with. But the terrible fevers and unusual amount of body cramps were the main features of this for me.

 

[Eagle87]

I can only assume you read one post in ten here. Likewise, news reports.

Huh?

Because I dont agree with your alarmist attempts?

Its mild ... per the head of the WHO in a Swine Flu conference in Mexico - held there to demonstrate that Mexico is safe and there is no reason to be alarmed.

Why are you being such a loon about Swine Flu?

And what possible basis do you have for assuming he had swine flu?

Unbelievable stuff.

 

[Dry Rot]

Huh?

Because I dont agree with your alarmist attempts?

Its mild ... per the head of the WHO in a Swine Flu conference in Mexico - held there to demonstrate that Mexico is safe and there is no reason to be alarmed.

Why are you being such a loon about Swine Flu?

And what possible basis do you have for assuming he had swine flu?

Unbelievable stuff.

Chops didn't think it was mild.

You obviously know more that the NSW Chief Medical Officer, who said that if you get flu now, it's mostly swine flu (as the seasonal flu has been crowded out).

 

[Dry Rot]

Yeah, dry cough to begin with. But the terrible fevers and unusual amount of body cramps were the main features of this for me.

Thanks. Any vomiting and diarrhea?

 

[Eagle87]

Yeah, dry cough to begin with. But the terrible fevers and unusual amount of body cramps were the main features of this for me.

FluFACTS Information

Flu symptoms can be mild or severe — and if they’re mild can become severe without much notice. Be aware of your body and monitor your body temperature. Flu symptoms can come on suddenly — be sure you know your treatment and prevention options so you can be prepared.

The common symptoms of the flu include:

Fever (usually high)
Headache
Muscle aches
Chills
Extreme tiredness
Dry cough
Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults

You will note that the 6 people they are concerned about in Sydney have had apparently serious respiratory infections and many of DR's recent posts were along the lines of Swine Flu & Respiratory/Lung issues.

So you likely had the flu and its possible you had swine flu and like most, it was over in less than a week and you required no medical attention.

Its not that hard to grasp folks....