Is swine flu 'the big one' or a flu that fizzles?

Yahoo! News / The Associated Press ^ | April 26, 2009 | Mike Stobbe

[2ndDivisionVet]

As reports of a unique form of swine flu erupt around the world, the inevitable question arises: Is this the big one?

Is this the next big global flu epidemic that public health experts have long anticipated and worried about? Is this the novel virus that will kill millions around the world, as pandemics did in 1918, 1957 and 1968?

The short answer is it's too soon to tell.

"What makes this so difficult is we may be somewhere between an important but yet still uneventful public health occurrence here — with something that could literally die out over the next couple of weeks and never show up again — or this could be the opening act of a full-fledged influenza pandemic," said Michael Osterholm, a prominent expert on global flu outbreaks with the University of Minnesota.

[AppyPappy]

In 1918, the flu hit in the Spring and then fizzled out. When it hit again in the fall/winter, millions were killed. The median lifespan in the US went from 54 to 39.

Those who contracted the flu in the spring were not hit as hard in the Fall. Luckily, we have vaccines and anti-virul drugs today.

[jetson]

The meat eaters survived the 1918 flu in larger numbers, they think because their protein counts were higher. I keep a large tub of protein powder around. If the flu does spread into my area I plan on protein powder, one clove of garlic and one or two large glasses of juice from my juicer a day.

[netmilsmom]

>>Thats what I think.<<

Me too.

[netmilsmom]

Lots of Vitamin D

[shankbear]

If people would simply take steps to improve their immune systems, this would be a fizzle. Eat yogurt with lots of acidophillus. Flu get killed in the gut. Eliminate the waste efficiently and no problems.

[3D-JOY]

Have you read the reports that it is the second strike that kills?
I need a lot more information to know how serious it is.

If all sorts of community events are canceled it will add to the problems of the Mexican economy, I think, you too?

[gandalftb]

There is very simple test. There are quite a number of hand held infra-red temperature detectors that are very accurate within several feet of detecting temperatures from 99 to 102 degrees.

You aim it at everyone coming in from Mexico, purely non-invasive testing. Everyone over 100 degrees gets throat/mouthy swabbed and cultured for the virus and contact information established.

Many would be unaware of mild temp increases, this would keep everyone warned and tracked and treated.

The Japanese are doing this right now.

Homeland Security and the CDC is way behind the ball on this.

[3D-JOY]

Good clear explanation of earlier contact possible.

Thanks!

[3D-JOY]

Another good reason for a garden!

[Big_Harry]

I just put in two more 75 foot rows of Okra! The pinto beans(Walmart bag beans!) will go in on May 1st since we’ve never had good luck with them early. We have 300 feet of corn in four rows, five rows of assorted squash, two rows of cukes, 31 tomato plants, 100 each of broccoli and cabbage. I’ve also got some eary turnips in along with radishes and beets. Once the corn is picked toward late August, we will set collards in that section for some late fall greenery, along with more turnips and mustard.

[3D-JOY]

My only concern is not much liking some of those foods. I guess hunger will change that!

Have you planned for canning or drying for preservation...freezing makes you dependent on power?

Buying foods in jars that say atlas or ball in the glass itself is a good way to accumulate jars...seals are relatively cheap...now!!!

Have you researched whether your food’s seeds will reproduce? Is that advertising a scam? Cost is very high!

[CutePuppy]

Not to sound like Luddite, but you are correct to be leery of flu vaccines. At best, they may provide temporary short term immunization, they are vastly overused (because they are often free to children and old people), aren't very effective against the various mutated strains of Influenza (vaccines are backward looking), and in too many cases they do more harm than good by introducing agents into body which otherwise could be avoided.

Thimerosal / Thiomersal (a controversial mercury compound, which is suspected by some to cause autism) may still be present in some flu vaccines as a preservative, but most flu vaccines are now thimerosal-free, as they are being manufactured closer to the flu season. The drawback is that this does lead to more product waste as the vaccine would not have a shelf life beyond current flu season and thus there is a tendency by government and organizations that buy these vaccines to push more flu vaccinations.

Recognizing the symptoms of flu very early allows much more effective treatment and your body becomes immunized against the current strain of virus, once it's over.

When asked, I do not advise vaccinations to my family, relatives or friends, especially older ones that flu shot programs are usually advertized for, and most haven't had the flu in years, or at worst had very mild cases of it or the cold.

[Big_Harry]

We will can most of our vegetables this year, although I don't like the idea of the okra canned; too slimey. I cut the okra, coat it with a Cajun breading, then freeze it.

Except for the beans, I planted hybrids this year, but we are going to order some heirloom seeds in a couple of weeks for next season. The regular off the shelf pinto beans from Walmart grow well as do most other varieties of dried bean, and they also produce a flat pod that is tastier than a regular green bean. If you order from a good seed company, they will have both heirloom and hybrid types of seed identified. Some of that advertising is certain to be the same folks that got rich over the foolishness of Y2K, you just have to be careful. Here is one that I am going to try: http://www.heirloomseeds.com/, their prices are in line with Burpees and a couple of others.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

You are still buying produce in the grocery?

Some things can't be grown at home or aren't available at a farmer's market. Someday if I have a ranch that will change. For now my diet is restricted and I don't own an avocado tree.

Get that garden started and live on beans and cornbread until it comes in!

I am Italian and eat a Mediterranean diet high in fruits and vegetables.

[Big_Harry]

My wife is Italian and we eat beans and cornbread while we are waiting for our garden to come in.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

That’s nice. I am a different person with different tastes and dietary restrictions right now. What works for one person does not necessarily work for the next.

[Doe Eyes]

#1 Many people are beginning to suspect this is a manufactured virusK

Many people thought Clinton was going to declare Martial Law on Y2K.

[MrEdd]

The i918 virus was transited by avian, and went global through that route. It is spring, birds are migrating, and were it that virus it would jump all containment. This also seems to be mutating to a less lethal form much faster than that one.

[gaijin]

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