Comments on: Swine flu in New England—Updates: Don’t Cancel Plans to Visit http://www.completenewengland.com/2009/05/03/swin-flu-in-new-england%e2%80%94updates-dont-canel-your-trip-here/ Events, News, Views and Articles about the New England Region Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:08:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deadliest Killer http://www.completenewengland.com/2009/05/03/swin-flu-in-new-england%e2%80%94updates-dont-canel-your-trip-here/comment-page-1/#comment-1324 Deadliest Killer Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:34:08 +0000 http://www.completenewengland.com/?p=606#comment-1324 Thanks james! Though swine flu is already a worldwide pandemic, we should not over react to it. As long as we keep ourselves clean, we will be safe. Just as you said, this is not the same as the most deadly killer of all time, the spanish flu of 1918. Thanks james! Though swine flu is already a worldwide pandemic, we should not over react to it. As long as we keep ourselves clean, we will be safe. Just as you said, this is not the same as the most deadly killer of all time, the spanish flu of 1918.

]]> By: James T Hyde http://www.completenewengland.com/2009/05/03/swin-flu-in-new-england%e2%80%94updates-dont-canel-your-trip-here/comment-page-1/#comment-1031 James T Hyde Mon, 11 May 2009 21:07:41 +0000 http://www.completenewengland.com/?p=606#comment-1031 The consensus is that this strain of Swine Flu is a relatively benign flu (nothing like the Spanish Flu of 1918) and that it should not persist much longer, even though the number of cases worldwide continues to climb. So far, we have lost four people in the U.S. to it, a Mexican infant who passed away in Texas, a woman and two men. Of the adults, one of the men and the woman had underlying medical conditions. I'm still waiting to hear from ProMed on the details of the second man. What has the CDC and the WHO sleepless at night is the chance--a remote chance--that a stronger strain of Swine Flu could mix with Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and revisit us in the fall during the regular flu season. Bird Flu is not communicated person to person. Swine flu--at least this strain--is. If they do get together, it will create a real dilemma for the world. The US government has vaccines for Swine Flu (about 25% of which have been issued to the states) and will have 600 million doses come fall. But if Swine and Bird Flu combine, those vaccines won't help much. Vaccine engineers will have to revisit the drawing board and fast. If the worst happens, hand washing is still the best defense, but masks will need to be worn, as well. Regardless, everyone should check with their doctor as we near the fall to see if they need flu shots. The very young, elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at risk. It's important to check with your doctor by summer's end to see if you need a shot. The consensus is that this strain of Swine Flu is a relatively benign flu (nothing like the Spanish Flu of 1918) and that it should not persist much longer, even though the number of cases worldwide continues to climb. So far, we have lost four people in the U.S. to it, a Mexican infant who passed away in Texas, a woman and two men. Of the adults, one of the men and the woman had underlying medical conditions. I’m still waiting to hear from ProMed on the details of the second man.

What has the CDC and the WHO sleepless at night is the chance–a remote chance–that a stronger strain of Swine Flu could mix with Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and revisit us in the fall during the regular flu season. Bird Flu is not communicated person to person. Swine flu–at least this strain–is. If they do get together, it will create a real dilemma for the world. The US government has vaccines for Swine Flu (about 25% of which have been issued to the states) and will have 600 million doses come fall. But if Swine and Bird Flu combine, those vaccines won’t help much. Vaccine engineers will have to revisit the drawing board and fast.

If the worst happens, hand washing is still the best defense, but masks will need to be worn, as well.

Regardless, everyone should check with their doctor as we near the fall to see if they need flu shots. The very young, elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at risk. It’s important to check with your doctor by summer’s end to see if you need a shot.

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