Swine Flu Health Emergency - Will it affect your behavior?

[freebird5825]

Minimizing my contact with general public (we have 3 prisons and their associated family members in residence and several colleges), not touching public surfaces (doors, faucet handles) directly, washing hands, distancing myself from coughing people, etc.
The cruise ship I was just on in July had some crew members and passengers in isolation. We both caught a bad head cold, but never had fever or intense body aches. We used the sanitizer dispensers religiously.
I checked the CDC site while on board to make sure about our symptoms. We passed 2 "going ashore" thermal scans done by ship's medical staff with no problem.
I checked in with my doc when I returned home and got instructions to monitor symptoms and got the usual rest, fluids, stay home advice.
We got better within a week. Whew!

[grumpy]

Unless the swine flu virus mutates into a more virulent form, it is my understanding that, for most healthy folks, its no worse than the usual seasonal flu. What is wrong with a strategy of just trying to stay in good health, be sick for a week if you get it, and then you have immunity unless and until it mutates significantly?

I know from experience that having the flu is no fun. Last time I got it even though I always get the flu shot. But I am not losing any sleep over the swine flu as it is currently being described.

[Sue J]

I'll get an H1N1 flu shot if they are available. I'll be doing tax prep Jan-Apr and we share desks, computer keyboards, phones, pens, etc with a lot of people. Then there are the clients, their kids (and all the people they have been exposed to) who will come in and touch all our stuff. Last year I tried to wash my hands between clients and I tried not to touch my face.

At my grocery store they have a Clorox wipes dispenser right next to where you pick up a shopping cart. I'm not sure how much good it does, but I feel better if I can wipe off the cart handles.

[freebird5825]

CDC, as always, has good easy-to-read summaries
CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Preventing the Flu

No need to go the Howard Hughes route, but a little extra care in regard to normal disease transmission routes (see #2 at the link) will be well worth your trouble.

[TromboneAl]

If the media can time their swine flu fear stories just right, there will be a big panic about flu shots when the H1N1 vaccine comes out, but there isn't enough for everyone.

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy Unless the swine flu virus mutates into a more virulent form, it is my understanding that, for most healthy folks, its no worse than the usual seasonal flu. What is wrong with a strategy of just trying to stay in good health, be sick for a week if you get it, and then you have immunity unless and until it mutates significantly? I know from experience that having the flu is no fun. Last time I got it even though I always get the flu shot. But I am not losing any sleep over the swine flu as it is currently being described.

Normally I would agree with you but two and a half years ago I went on a cruise and got the virsus from h---. I was in bed for twelve days . I literally could not get out of bed I was so sick . I eventually recovered but it left me with my asthma in flareup and so weak I could hardly walk .So I have gained a healthy respect for flu"s . If there is anyway I can get the vaccine I'm getting it .

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl If the media can time their swine flu fear stories just right, there will be a big panic about flu shots when the H1N1 vaccine comes out, but there isn't enough for everyone.

But then there's the offset by the **** anti-vaccine folks telling us it's all a plot to kill people.

[Notmuchlonger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg Normally I would agree with you but two and a half years ago I went on a cruise and got the virsus from h---. I was in bed for twelve days . I literally could not get out of bed I was so sick . I eventually recovered but it left me with my asthma in flareup and so weak I could hardly walk .So I have gained a healthy respect for flu"s . If there is anyway I can get the vaccine I'm getting it .

Was in Vegas years ago. Caught something really bad. Never before in my life was I so sick. Find out weeks later there was something going around. Yeah Im all for those flu shots now My sister inlaw got it after they got home. Crazy stuff.

DW says the vaccine for them will be ready in October (RN). I wont be getting it I guess.

[M Paquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan But then there's the offset by the **** anti-vaccine folks telling us it's all a plot to kill people.

I'm counting on them...

"Think of it as evolution in action."
- Oath of Fealty, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

[REWahoo]

You left out the part about 'several ounces of gold and 1,000 rounds of ammunition'.

[W2R]

At work, we get free yearly flu shots courtesy of your tax dollars. I get one every year, since they seem to give my immunity a little boost and since suffering through influenze is not my idea of fun. Since I am retiring on November 9th, my prediction is that we will be offered our yearly free flu shots about a week afterwards.

That's OK. I predict that one of the HUGE advantages to ER is that I won't be exposed to miserable coughing, sneezing, and feverish co-workers in tight quarters on a daily basis. I may be less likely to contract contagious diseases at home than at work.

[Gotadimple]

WTR,
Does the FEHP cover annual flu shots without copay or deductible?

My health plan (not FEHP) covers it under the prescription drug benefit, if administered by a pharmacist - no co-pay or deductible. If administered by your physician, all the co-pay rules apply.

-- Rita

[W2R]

Gotadimple, we have a part time nurse on site, who administers the flu shots. We get a broadcast e-mail telling us when to appear (right there in our building), by the first letter of our last names. While waiting in line, we fill out a short form with information such as allergies and medications. No doctor visit, no co-pay, no insurance involvement, not a dime out of pocket.

I guess it is one of many advantages of being a federal employee. Also, in years when a shortage of flu shots is expected, we seem to get them very shortly after the first responders even when most civilians are still having a hard time getting a flu shot.

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire I guess it is one of many advantages of being a federal employee. Also, in years when a shortage of flu shots is expected, we seem to get them very shortly after the first responders even when most civilians are still having a hard time getting a flu shot.

The flu shots were (are still?) mandatory for military personnel. The official reason is to maintain readiness and to reduce the odds that a large chunk of a unit will get sick with the flu at the same time. But there's also another angle: DoD provides a ready, reliable customer for millions of doses of the vaccine, even when the stuff is in low demand. The DoD immunization program helps fund the vaccine development infrastructure and reduces the cost of all the shots for everyone else (since the fixed costs of developing the vaccine are spread over more doses). In this way DoD money indirectly subsidizes the medical costs of others in the US and worldwide--especially the elderly.

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire At work, we get free yearly flu shots courtesy of your tax dollars. I get one every year, since they seem to give my immunity a little boost and since suffering through influenze is not my idea of fun. Since I am retiring on November 9th, my prediction is that we will be offered our yearly free flu shots about a week afterwards. That's OK. I predict that one of the HUGE advantages to ER is that I won't be exposed to miserable coughing, sneezing, and feverish co-workers in tight quarters on a daily basis. I may be less likely to contract contagious diseases at home than at work.

Interesting...this was never offered to us. There were Flu Clinics set up by an independent health company in close proximity to but not inside the buildings. We were given a little time mid-morning or mid-day to go get them. The payment had to be done via our FEHB health plan choice.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 Interesting...this was never offered to us. There were Flu Clinics set up by an independent health company in close proximity to but not inside the buildings. We were given a little time mid-morning or mid-day to go get them. The payment had to be done via our FEHB health plan choice.

That is because I work for a COOL agency!!

[bright eyed]

At back to school nite we got a flier that gave a list of precautions to take. One of them included keeping your kid home from school for 5 days if someone in your house has flu symptoms! I can't imagine the amount of school time that could be potentially lost by this, combined with any school-wide closings...should be an interesting year!

Last year had a kid who just got back from Mexico, fell ill and scared the whole school (he was tested and it wasn't H1N1).

[Bimmerbill]

I am afraid of it all. My DD is 3.5 and was diagnosed with autism about 1 year ago. I don't really buy in to the whole vaccines cause autism theory, but I worry.

If I skip the flu shots and she gets sick and dies, I'll never forgive myself. If I get it done and it causes regression or further autistic symptoms, I'll never forgive myself.

She has had the seasonal flu shot before. She was autistic since birth, and even before we think. So it wasn't a case of regression that some people see in their kids.

to make matters worse, DD goes to 2 seperate schools (1 daycare 2 days a week, and 1 public school 3 days a week). So, plenty of germs to go around.

[bbbamI]

Dex started this thread and he hasn't been around in about a month. I hope he's ok.