Swine flu - Should I ignore the risk?

Originally Posted by Speedy Claire

We have also been issued with face masks and had to attend a session on how to fit and wear them correctly!

So... the people who actually NEED this kind of training... presumably they're not allowed anywhere near the patients..?

It made BBC London News last night:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8104614.stm

[G]

I have been bunged up with a cold and headache since saturday. Flu like symptoms I have never had a sick day at work yet, I'm not about to start now in my last 2 weeks. They wouldnt let me go home even if I wanted to anyway.

[timwilky]

One of my daughters works the reception desk at the local A&E.

She tells me patient coughs/splutters over her and says "I think I may have contracted swine flu" she then gives them a mask from the pile by the desk and tells them to go outside and through the side entrance where a suitably protected member of staff will meet them.

so she is first in line to get it hospital acquired. not happy.

However, an interesting aspect I read the other day if it ever does become a big killer. It appears that doctors do not have death in service cover as part of their contracts of employment. I have and most people with a company pension will have etc. Therefore the BMA has murmured that some doctors may refuse to treat in a contagious and potentially lethal environment

for anyone with an interest....

http://www.londonprepared.gov.uk/news/news-20090428.jsp

http://www.who.int/en/

http://www.hpa.org.uk/

Clinical:
• Fever more than 38oC or history of fever
AND
Flu-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms):
• Cough
• Headache
• Rhinorrhea
• Vomiting/diarrhoea
• Or other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious
process
AND
Geographical – Travel in the last seven days to areas known to
have confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1).


hope this helps, everyone stop sneezing OK!!!

Originally Posted by Rorshach

for anyone with an interest....
• Rhinorrhea

<dictionary>

<Rhinorrhea>

lol....a runny nose

so, it seems that parents are having "swine flu parties"....bit like chickenpox parties i'm guessing.

seems a trifle inconsiderate if you axe me....

Originally Posted by keithd

seems a trifle inconsiderate if you axe me....

Nope, great idea, it's not worse than normal flu - just a sore throat, aches & wanting to vom on commuters.

Let the kiddies get immune to another infection early on before all the pensioners come down with flu at Christmas and hog all the tamiflu!!!!


For my part I went to that Apple store in Regent's street & coughed on a load of those fan boy types!

there have been 2 confirmed cases of swine flu at the college (QMC) i went to till recently finishing