Avian Flu, Bird Flu, H5N1

[LouLou]

Does anyone have a plan for if a pandemic influenza outbreak hits the world? Have you put it together with your CF doc? I was thinking about talking to my doctor about having med's at home, extra food, etc. so I can stay at home for a few weeks if necessary. I'm working on advancing my ability to work from home. My understanding is that if it does become like the flu of 1918 it would be over and done with in a few weeks. I sure as heck don't mind staying inside for 2-3 weeks if it means I won't catch a deadly flu strain. Who knows maybe we'd be immune to it though with our high pseudo levels.

From www.cdc.gov
If H5N1 virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. For more information about influenza pandemics, see PandemicFlu.gov.

No one can predict when a pandemic might occur. However, experts from around the world are watching the H5N1 situation in Asia and Europe very closely and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.

 

[ashton2005]

I did mention it it my sons Doctor and they told me not to worry about it.. and looked at me like i was crazy.. also i was under the impression it would be more like 6-8 weeks stay inside and away from community events and or school or work!! so im not sure.

 

[wanderlost]

no plan here. Honestly I am not all that worried about it - I guess if we start having a huge outbreak I'll deal with it then...

 

[anonymous]

I don't have a plan but have been thinking a lot about it. You say it would be over and done with in a few weeks? I didn't realize that. I was under the impression that it would last several months or up to a year. I beieve that was the case in 1918. If I'm wrong I'd be happy to hear it. Let me know what your doctor says. I would have the capability of working from home but I would have to really stock up on Meds and groceries, unless of course it only lasted two weeks.

John

 

[Ratatosk]

Since it hasn't made the human to human jump yet, guess we haven't worried too much about it. One of our doctors is an infectious disease specialist and basically told us the same. L

 

[Diane]

This kind of reminds me of the SARS scare a few years back. I just hope this one doesnt come about as being a pandemic . I'd go out of my mind if i had to stay indoors for weeks. I cant even stay indoors for more than 2 days when i'm sick, i go stir crazy. Come to think of it, i wouldnt have enough money or cabinet space to fit all i'd need in here for a few weeks worth of food *shrugs*

 

[TCNJcystic]

On SARS...during the SARS scare I went to NY to see a broadway show and I was coughing a bit from the whole cf thing, and the guy in front of me turned around quite rudely and was like, "hey! you don't have SARS do you?" I just ignored him and coughed more loudly.

On Bird flu...right now it's obviously only capable of being passed on from bird feces or saliva. So don't eat or breather near either of those things if you are in Asia. There are two circumstances in which it can become a human to human transport virus: one is if a human who already has the flu also then contracts bird flu and both viruses meet without any medical intervention (while the viruses are at their peak strength.) In the other scenario, the same idea happens but in a pig rather than a human, as pigs and humans pass on viruses interchangeably. IN either case, once the two viruses are in the same vessel, this does not necessarily mean they will ever meet each other, or, even if they do, mutate into the super flu. Given the last few bird flu cases were in 2004, and there were only 10 that year, the liklihood of this scenario is incredibly tiny. If it were to happen though...well...in 1918-1919 between 40 and 50 million people worldwide died. Given the increased speed and frequency of travel mixed with higher international population densities today, it would be considerably worse. This is all in liklihood though, not actuallity.

 

[anonymous]

I realize all the bird flu talk is hype, but once it does mutate, assuming it does, it will be all but too late to get supplies. As soon as it goes public, they way the media is, there will be a frenzy to grab up medicines as well as food and other supplies. I'm sure it's not likely to mutate, but if you want to be prepared I'd say do it now before it is too late.

John

 

[NoExcuses]

I have a higher chance of getting killed on the freeway going to work every day....

If it's my time to go, it's my time to go.

 

[anonymous]

Someone asked me if I stockpiled tamiflu for DS in case of bird flu. Because DS is so young and still growing, if I got a script for tamiflu and filled it, it would be in suspension form. Who knows if and when that will happen. If I stockpile meds, what's to say they'll still be good by that time. Same goes for pill form -- so if I get a script for tamiflu to have on hand, just in case, in couple of years it won't be good anymore. Liza

 

[anonymous]

I'm more worried of getting Cepecia at my clinic, etc.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

I'm more worried of getting Cepecia at my clinic, etc.</end quote></div>

That's a great point.

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>amy</b></i>

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>



I'm more worried of getting Cepecia at my clinic, etc.</end quote></div>



That's a great point.</end quote></div>

WoooHooo, guess I am not an idiot today. hahaha

 

[anonymous]

This may seem like a silly question but if you unknowingly bought a chicken infected w/ the bird flu & cooked & ate it, could you get bird flu from it or does anyone know?

 

[wanderlost]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

I realize all the bird flu talk is hype, but once it does mutate, assuming it does, it will be all but too late to get supplies. As soon as it goes public, they way the media is, there will be a frenzy to grab up medicines as well as food and other supplies. I'm sure it's not likely to mutate, but if you want to be prepared I'd say do it now before it is too late.



John</end quote></div>

though still, I wonder if we wouldn't get some precedence - I know during flu season when there are vax shortages, often the Cf clinic is the only place who has any, as they seem to get their fill first

 

[anonymous]

If the virus is boiled/cooked it is destroyed, so I do still eat chicken and duck and did also during my vacation in Thailand in February.
I remember that I was also traveling during that SARS period. The thing I was most afraid of was that somebody could put me into quarantine because he would think I could have SARS with all my coughing, often higher temperatures and so on...<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Uli,43,Germany

 

[Faust]

I was going to make a post about this a few days ago, but sleep and laziness won out. The best thing a person with CF should do is look into what they can add to their bodies supplement wise that are known to have strong antiviral properties. Monolaurin, Oregano oil, and garlic supplements are said to have anti viral properties. Aside from that and hiding in a cave and avoiding all other humans, there isn't much you can do.

 

[anonymous]

Here's where to get your bird flu protections kit.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://uksurvive.com/new/home.php?cat=3">http://uksurvive.com/new/home.php?cat=3</a>

 

[catboogie]

no plan, but there is a nagging voice in the back of my brain that is going to say "i told you so" if a pandemic does happen...

i think the biggest problem is that there is no good "cure" or prevention for anyone (besides regular precautions you take to stay healthy all the time). in a way i would like to see more government money go into research or prevention of this issue. but on the other hand, it's likely we'd dump a bunch of money into it and then the strain would mutate or something else would come along.

*sigh*

laura