Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, the nation's hog capital, said:
"This really isn't swine flu. It's H1N1 virus. That's very, very important. And it is significant. Because there are a lot of hard working families whose livelihood depends on us conveying this message sense of safety. And it's not just simply pork production. It's also grain farmers because markets are very sensitive. They react to positive news and they also react to negative news. The livelihoods of a lot of people are at stake here. We want to reinforce the fact that we're doing everything we possibly can to make sure that our hog industry is sound and safe and to make sure consumers in this country and around the world know that American products are safe."
There was no discussion of the possible rebranding of avian flu but surely the chicken and turkey producers are paying attention to this one.
Well, alrighty then....
So I'm going to call it the Swine Flu...
Back to my being afraid...
My mother's mother..."Memaw" was orphaned due to the 1918 Pandemic of the Swine Flu. Mama's side of the family has a very healthy respect for this flu. I've read some of the worse horror stories about people dying almost as if they had EBOLA plus the speed in which it killed....
Let me share some parts of the CDC's site concerning the 1918 Swine Flu and look at some of the similarities and what's to probably come....
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol12no01/05-0979.htm
Were the 3 Waves in 1918–1919 Caused by the Same Virus? If So, How and Why?
Historical records since the 16th century suggest that new influenza pandemics may appear at any time of year, not necessarily in the familiar annual winter patterns of interpandemic years, presumably because newly shifted influenza viruses behave differently when they find a universal or highly susceptible human population. Thereafter, confronted by the selection pressures of population immunity, these pandemic viruses begin to drift genetically and eventually settle into a pattern of annual epidemic recurrences caused by the drifted virus variants.
In the 1918–1919 pandemic, a first or spring wave began in March 1918 and spread unevenly through the United States, Europe, and possibly Asia over the next 6 months (Figure 1). Illness rates were high, but death rates in most locales were not appreciably above normal. A second or fall wave spread globally from September to November 1918 and was highly fatal. In many nations, a third wave occurred in early 1919 (21). Clinical similarities led contemporary observers to conclude initially that they were observing the same disease in the successive waves. The milder forms of illness in all 3 waves were identical and typical of influenza seen in the 1889 pandemic and in prior interpandemic years. In retrospect, even the rapid progressions from uncomplicated influenza infections to fatal pneumonia, a hallmark of the 1918–1919 fall and winter waves, had been noted in the relatively few severe spring wave cases. The differences between the waves thus seemed to be primarily in the much higher frequency of complicated, severe, and fatal cases in the last 2 waves
This could be what let's us know if we are dealing with a flu similiar to 1918....most flus kill the very young and elderly...not the case in 1918
Why Did the 1918 Virus Kill So Many Healthy Young Adults?
The curve of influenza deaths by age at death has historically, for at least 150 years, been U-shaped (Figure 2), exhibiting mortality peaks in the very young and the very old, with a comparatively low frequency of deaths at all ages in between. In contrast, age-specific death rates in the 1918 pandemic exhibited a distinct pattern that has not been documented before or since: a "W-shaped" curve, similar to the familiar U-shaped curve but with the addition of a third (middle) distinct peak of deaths in young adults ≈20–40 years of age. Influenza and pneumonia death rates for those 15–34 years of age in 1918–1919, for example, were >20 times higher than in previous years (35). Overall, nearly half of the influenza-related deaths in the 1918 pandemic were in young adults 20–40 years of age, a phenomenon unique to that pandemic year. The 1918 pandemic is also unique among influenza pandemics in that absolute risk of influenza death was higher in those <65 years of age than in those >65; persons <65 years of age accounted for >99% of all excess influenza-related deaths in 1918–1919. In comparison, the <65-year age group accounted for 36% of all excess influenza-related deaths in the 1957 H2N2 pandemic and 48% in the 1968 H3N2 pandemic (33
I can't find the article (I thought I'd saved the link, I will link soon) but it said that for the most part; those that have died in Mexico are between the ages of 20-40.
So yes, I'm afraid especially as this virus mutates and gets stronger and less controlled. Yes I fear for my 21 yr old pregnant daughter. If a vaccine becomes availabe, I won't be able to take it, I'm allergic to eggs...
Fear? Yes! Hope? Yes too!
In 1918, medicine was so primitive, people didn't have access to treatments and medicines that we have now. I feel the same goes for Mexico even in this day and time, at least I hope that's the case (I guess hope is a weird word to use). It's just a little un-nerving knowing there's a virus that will attack healthy people and twist around their sound immune system to render them helpless.
I'm afraid the false sense of hope that "it's not that bad of a strain" or "it's not killing that many people" will cause everyone to let their guards down then we are hit hard (in perhaps a 2nd wave) in the Fall and Winter.
No matter what; it's in God's hands. Nothing can be out of His control. I'd just advise people to be very aware of your surroundings. Reading a menu? How about using a hand sanitizer before you eat? Shopping and touching buggy's and merchandise at your grocery store? Don't put your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth till you wash or sanitize your hands. Stay at home if you do feel the symptoms, no one is going to think you strong or faithful if you go to work or church with this crap! Actually we won't like you much at all!
Here's some more information to help you understand the differences between a cold and the flu. Hopefully if everyone can have this knowledge, a panic, an exhausted doctor and an over-run waitng room can be avoided...
What are common cold symptoms?
Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. Nasal symptoms, runny nose, and congestion follow, along with a cough by the fourth and fifth days. Fever is uncommon in adults, but a slight fever is possible. Children are more likely to have a fever with a cold.
With cold symptoms, your nose teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few days. Later, these become thicker and darker. Dark mucus is natural and does not usually mean you have developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.
Several hundred different viruses may cause your cold symptoms
Sometimes you may mistake cold symptoms for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or a sinus infection. If your cold symptoms begin quickly and are improving after a week, then it is usually a cold, not allergy. If your cold symptoms do not seem to be getting better after a week, check with your doctor to see if you have developed an allergy or sinusitis.
What are common flu symptoms?
Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly. Flu symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough. The flu is caused by a variety of influenza viruses.
Most flu symptoms gradually improve over two to five days, but it's not uncommon to feel run down for a week or more. A common complication of the flu is pneumonia, particularly in the young, elderly, or people with lung or heart problems. If you notice shortness of breath, you should let your doctor know. Another common sign of pneumonia is fever that comes back after having been gone for a day or two.
Just like cold viruses, flu viruses enter your body through the mucous membranes of your nose, eyes, or mouth. Every time you touch your hand to one of these areas, you could be infecting yourself with a virus, which makes it very important to keep your hands germ-free with frequent washing to prevent both flu and cold symptoms.
Is it flu or cold symptoms?
How do you know if you have flu or cold symptoms? Take your temperature, say many experts. Flu symptoms often mimic cold symptoms with nasal congestion, cough, aches, and malaise. But a common cold rarely has symptoms of fever above 101 degrees F. With flu symptoms, you will probably have a fever initially with the flu virus and you will feel miserable. Body and muscle aches are also more common with the flu. This table can help determine if you have cold or flu symptoms.
Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
Fever | Sometimes, usually mild | Usual; high (100-102 F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3 to 4 days |
Headache | Occasionally | Common |
General Aches, Pains | Slight | Usual; often severe |
Fatigue, Weakness | Sometimes | Usual; can last 2 to 3 weeks |
Extreme Exhaustion | Never | Usual; at the beginning of the illness |
Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes |
Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
Chest Discomfort, Cough | Mild to moderate; hacking cough | Common; can become severe |
Complications | Sinus congestion; middle ear infection | Sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infection, pneumonia; can be life-threatening |
Prevention | Wash your hands often; avoid close contact with anyone with a cold | Annual flu shot; antiviral medicine - see your doctor |
Treatment | Antihistamines; decongestants; anti-inflammatory medicines | Antihistamines, decongestants, analgesics (ibuprofen, acetaminophen); antiviral drugs within the first 48 hours of symptoms; call your doctor for more information on treatment. |
