I gotta tell ya, I’m a little freaked out by all this talk of Swine Flu. I bashfully admit that when P started running a temp on Sunday evening, I was convinced we’d been swined. And now reports of the first US death today. In this age of such advances – technical and medical - to think people are dying because of a weird strain of influenza really shakes me up.
So I posted a poll on Twitter to see if I’m the only one going a little cookoo over the whole pig-problem:
Click here to add your two cents.
It’s a mixed bag, offering me no reassurance either way.
In the meantime, stay on top of things and do the simple, common sense things-to-do to keep the germs away, swine or otherwise (from the CDC website):
Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
One good thing? The outbreak seems to be lowering the price of pork, this according to my husband via talk-radio. So stock up on bacon people, cause I’m no doctor but I’m pretty sure you can’t get the flu from eating pork products.
4 comments
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April 29, 2009 at 3:30 pm
sandy toe
Well, first the child who died was very sick living in Mexico…so they brought the child here {hence to get them in our hospitals}…..
I am a bit scared too though..I called my kids school to see what their plan is if needed!
sandy toe
April 29, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Auds at Barking Mad
I’m a tad concerned. We just got news up here in lobstahland (Maine) of 3 CDC confirmed cases…In Maine! I usually keep Purell on hand anyhow, but wanted to pick up some more and couldn’t find ANY at Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens or the StopNShop! I didn’t think anyone was panicking up here but maybe I’m wrong.
Oh and I have a little spring cough I get every year in the spring. Every year. I coughed in Rite Aid -hand over mouth – and everyone who was there looked at me like I was carrying the plague and couldn’t move far enough away. *rolling eyes*
Like Sandy, I phoned Imp’s Montessori to see what the plan was if there were any cases and they are closing. They told me it was something the Maine CDC recommended in situations like this…if it gets to that point. Which I seriously hope it doesn’t.
April 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Mama Bub
When my son woke up with a cold yesterday I was CONVINCED we had been swined. I’ve been minutes away from calling the doctor for 24 hours now. He doesn’t have a fever, which apparently is necessary for swine flu diagnosis, but you better believe I’m watching him like a hawk.
May 3, 2009 at 10:07 am
shannanb aka mommy bits
When I was sick last week a little part of me kept thinking… what if this is Swine flu? What if I will die soon? What if this is the end? UGH. Thank goodness I am better now! I was getting a little freaked out.