THIS FLU THING COMIN' UP....

I get updates periodically from medscape.com. I get them primarily to keep in touch with what's going on with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other entities involved with the H1N1 flu and other flues that are making their way around the globe. As you may or may not know, flues change and evolve and are challenging to predict and control. The H1N1 (or swine) flu was recently upgraded to a Phase 6 by the WHO. This is the highest level and indicates an world-wide occurrence in multiple regions.

The latest update on Medscape discusses putting plans in place for multinational companies to prepare for the impact the flu will have on their workforce when it hits. Out of that particular post, we read,

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the first 21st century flu pandemic on Thursday and advised governments to prepare for a long-term battle against the new H1N1 flu virus.

The new flu has spread widely after emerging last April in Mexico and the United States. WHO warned the pandemic could last a year or two.

To date, 29,669 cases of H1N1 have been officially reported in 74 countries, including 145 deaths, most of them in Mexico, but the true number of infections is probably many times more.

Dr. Cherry from UCLA pediatrics, who has been through four flu pandemics, figures (as most of the epidemiologists from the WHO) that this will wane for several months and then flare up in the fall. This makes sense. The beginning of school is the start of our cold and flu season. This gives up time to stock up on vitamins, good food, water, groceries, etc.

As I searched through the archives for more information, there were guidelines on what to do relative to school closings. The WHO recommends that if one child is diagnosed with the flu, just one, then the school should be closed. Period.

It's also complicated by the fact that there are other strains out there. I read this: The simultaneous circulation of the highly transmissible novel H1N1 strain, the very virulent H5N1 avian strain, and the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 seasonal influenza strain is an "unfortunate circumstance," I like the use of the words, "unfortunate circumstance". I think an "unfortunate circumstance" is when I lock my keys in my car. Of course, medical people consider labor pains as "discomfort", so go figure....

The purpose of this post is not to run around freaked out or frightened out of our wits. It's to be informed and prepared. The most effective way to deal with something like this, if at all possible, is social distancing. The pandemic could last 1-2 years. I know. That's a long time to "hide out" and we shouldn't. We should just take precautions. Go slow on shaking hands at Church. Don't go if you or anyone in your family has sniffles. Wash your hands. Don't touch your face. Use common sense. I plan on having a "sick room" in my house. If someone is sick, in they go, hopefully with access to their own bath. One person gets the joy of being the caregiver and no one else gets those blessings :) Guess who that is? :P Em, I'm comin' for you baby girl. Nancy, you'll have your work cut out for you too, girlfriend. Diane, ditto. Jetson, hang in there baby doll. T.T., Duck, Abbadab, Linda, Mary, Marissa, Nelly (Nells, I think you had this thing already), Rachel-are you there?, Cindy, all my sister-friends.....we'll stay positive and connected...right?

We have to remember that in addition to anti-virals, we have the big tools: prayer, faith and love. Take THAT H1N1....unfortunate circumstance my...well...whatev....

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702730?sssdmh=dm1.470812&src=nldne