swine flu

Was this person actually tested to see if it was H1N1 or even type A? Just curious since NYC (last I heard) wasn't even typing most flu patients and the thought is that lots more people have it than we know b/c most aren't getting very sick (mild flu).

I think (but I could be wrong) the media is making a big deal out of the fact that old people aren't getting it. This is true; over 65 which is usually one of the most susceptible groups (the other being under 2 years) to flu, is not getting sick. This is likely b/c a strain like this one hasn't been around for about that long. Once a strain is around for a bit folks start building up an immunity and the older age group probably has this. It's not that H1N1 flu is some strange mutant form that somehow targets adults; we just haven't been exposed before.

Remember to get your flu shots (and make sure your kids get all their other shots, while I'm on my soapbox).

Also, don't let WHO alert level of pandemic scare you. That doesn't mean they've decided or realized that the flu itself is more severe/deadly. From my understanding, it means that the infection has simply become widespread (globally), which is pretty standard for flus.

There is a chance it could mutate and become a more severe strain, but I'm pretty far from panicking at this point. So far this one is milder than what we've had in recent decades.

I had such high hopes that the bird flu would allow us to have open season on the pigeons in New York.

Think you're right - strange things have always been anticipated when pigs fly.

Also since I get all my best medical information from Married with Children, Al Bundy was afraid Peg would come home with Swine flu after visiting her family in Wanker county. Figure if I don't go to Wanker county, kiss any pigs or lick subway poles (eew - how DID you think of that one?) I will be ok.

H1N1 is new, but it's less deadly than regular old flu. If you have heart disease or emphysema or similar serious coexisting disease, or if you're on the extremes of the age spectrum (over 65 or under 2), it's serious. Otherwise, take some Motrin and drink some Gatorade and relax. It will likely be over in a week or so.

If you had a "flu-like illness" in New York City over the past month, it was probably H1N1. J0518's experience is the typical expected course. Don't buy into the media hysteria.

Remember, the 1918 flue pandemic was caused by the H1N1 type of influenza virus.

I was in Mexico the week before the swine flu "broke out" in the media. About a week later, I got sick with the flu. I'm also pregnant (was about 17 weeks at the time). With 3 days of rest and lots of liquids, I was fine. I got somewhat ill again a few weeks later, but again, rest and fluids, fine again.

Maybe I had H1N1 one or both of those times, probably not, but either way, it wasn't that bad, and for most people who contract H1N1 it has been the same story - a mild flu, probably not as bad than the one many of us contract each flu season. (And I get a flu shot every year, but still manage to get a whopper case of the flu at least once a season).