Anyone Nervous About Swine Flu?

The media is making this a lot worse than it is. It's just the flu! The flu hits every year and people die, even when it's not the Swine Flu! You can't live in fear. Just wash your hands alot...make sure your kids do too and try to stay away from anyone who looks like they may be sick. The people who die usually have low immunities and don't take care of themselves when they're sick. Calm down, get lots of sleep to keep your immunities strong and LIVE as normally as possible! Good luck.

I'm not feeling nervouse about it because or 2 reasons.... I believe that God is in control. The second reason is I am doing everything to help balance our immune systems. That way they are more likely to fight off any yucky diseases! We take Juice Plus+ which is fruits & veggies in capsule form for adults & gummy or chewables for kids. There is research that has been done on the product that shows that it helps balance the immune system & helps lots of other things.... since adding it to our diet we are less sick that we used to be. It is not a vitamin... check out my website if you are interested.... corajuiceplus.com Blessings!

Swine flu? What swine flu? What economic crisis? I don't watch the news on purpose because I am also an anxiety-prone person and I get so tired of all the negativity, but of course I have heard about the flu because everyone is talking about it (and the economic crisis because that's all anybody talks about). But I am not worried (about either). I just keep having my kids wash their hands frequently like they usually do. Last I heard one person had died in the United States (for some reason, people feel obligated to inform me of the tragedies I purposely avoid by not watching the news). I don't know how many people live in the U.S., but 1 person is not very many percentage-wise so if I'm going to worry about the swine flu, I may as well also worry about all the other rare illnesses and diseases I have no control over.

I used to get anxiety very badly. I still struggle with anxiety, but I have much more control over it now instead of letting it control me. Some things that have helped me is to take control of what I can control by not watching the news, taking care of my health through proper sleep, healthy eating, and exercise (that always helps us our emotional well-being as well), and by taking ownership and control of my thoughts. That last thing was very hard for me. It was difficult to acknowledge that I actually am in charge of what thoughts I dwell on. It's not mentally healthy or productive one bit to worry about things we can't control, so I try to replace those thoughts with empowering ones about what I can control--myself--or with happy memories. I acknowledge my fears, then dismiss them as not based in reality if they indeed are not. Most of my worries are irrational and not based in reality. For example, my husband travels frequently and I would worry that his plane would crash. I acknowledge that while that is a real possibility (acknowledging my fear--trying to ignore them doesn't work for me), realistically and statistically he most likely will be safe. It's more dangerous to drive a car than to fly in a commercial airplane. Dealing with reality instead of my own irrational thoughts helps soothe me. When acknowledging my fear that his plane crash I tell myself that that is not my reality now, and I will deal with if it becomes my reality instead of not enjoying the healthy husband I have due to my fear. I tell myself that I am strong and capable and I can handle anything that comes my way. Tragedies can occur at any moment, which is a thought that can paralyze me if I let it, but I feed myself empowering thoughts. Yes, my husband could die. Yes, me or my kids could get the swine flu. But, no, it's my reality at this moment, and, yes, I am strong and can handle it if it does become my reality. Sorry to ramble. I understand the anxiety struggle and I wanted to share of my experiences and what has helped me.

P.S. There's a book titled "Scared to Death" about all the media-hyped paranoid frenzies we go through that really turn out to be minimal. Why get worked up over things that repeatedly turn out to be fine? Don't be a puppet for the media to manipulate.

P.P.S. The only way we've let this new "epidemic" affect us is by buying Lysol and Johnson & Johnson stocks :)

Hand washing, hand washing, hand washing. I"m an RN and work bedside at a large hospital. I come into contact with many very serious illnesses over the years and haven't gotten sick yet. Make sure you are diligent in washing your hands. When hand washing is not possible, use hand sanitizer and then wash your hands later. And try not to touch your face as much as possible. These "bugs" enter your body either by droplet from someone's cough and you inhale or when the "bug" comes into contact with the mucous membranes of your nose and eyes. If you think about it, the media is really just hyping things up a bit. Every year there are at least 1,000 people that die of flu/pneumonia, usually the very young or very old, who can be immune compromised. Happy washing!

I think there is good reason to worry, people are dying, young and healthy people!! Not yet in the U.S., but in Mexico. I agree, the media takes it too far. 36,000 people die from the flu every year and we don't hear about that!! So, I had the opportunity to ask my boys' pediatrician what his take was on the 'possible pandemic' yesterday. He said, 'Yes, there is reason for concern. BUT people are beginning to panic and over-react!' He saw a patient before us whose mother brought him in because he had a fever and someone that lived a few houses away had just returned from a trip to Mexico (although they'd had no contact with this neighbor), she was afraid he had the swine flu (that's just one example). Honestly, I could relate to this mom, although I wouldn't admit that to our Dr. As a mom you naturally worry about your kids.

I'm trying not to panic. But my thoughts wander to this new flu daily!! I find myself mentally preparing, making purchases of store able food items, stocking up on pain relief, other medicine, water & buying cases of N95 masks (just in case). I got some unexpected money in the mail and it has all gone to preparing my home for a possibly lengthy quarantine & I'm really happy about that. I love being and feeling prepared!! I am pretty much preparing that if it came down to it we wouldn't have to leave our house for anything for two months if we had to!

I think back to 5 years ago- before I had kids...sure this would have worried me, but not like it does today. I think about my boys...my entire world & being. The little people that are depending on me to care for, protect and nurture them. Like I said, I am really trying to plan ahead and be prepared, just in case, and not try to worry too much. The last thing I want is for anything to happen to one of my loved ones. So, a little more precaustions and lots of extra hand washing and for now, trying to stay away from public places and anyone ill. I really hope with the hot weather this flu quickly fades away!! And I'll just be glad that I am now prepared in case anything else unexpected happens in the future!!

No, I don't feel nervous about Swine Flu...Fear is something that we don't know about or are unfamiliar with...Fear causes stress, depression, uncertainty and is the root of poor decisions.
Please take a deep breath and relax. take the normal precautions to prevent any other illness such as washing hands and sneezing in your elbow... and don't worry until there's something to worry about.

Yeah - be sure to just stay vigilant. My daughter's school closed yesterday and will be closed through May 8th due to one outbreak of the swine flu in the 3rd grade. My daughter is also a 3rd grader and has had flu symptoms in the last week (that have yet to totally subside). Therefore I have forced her pediatrician to test her. Most docs are not wanting to perform the test, however, it is better to be safe than sorry for any reason later.

I am not paranoid at all. This is no different then anything else they try to work people up about. Just take care of yourself, eat healthy, wash hands, and if you really want to take a vitamin supplement with Vitamin C in it and things will be fine. I cannot let stuff like this effect my life and how I live it. Why live in fear?? I am also a married SAHM of 2 boys ages 3 and 8. I let them play outside and everything. We have always had healthy kids and I have never gotten a flu shot as I believe in building up our natural immunities. I don't think it is right for the media to scare everyone like that, but they do need to inform us of stuff like this. I just think they blow it way out of proportion.

D. P.

I can be ultra nervous about any illness that could harm my kiddos as well, I hear you. However, according to the AZ health department, there isn't much to worry about. I heard a doctor from the ADHS say this flu straind isn't much different than AZ's normal flu.
Just be diligent. Keep everyone's hands clean by washing them 20 seconds and if you have really little ones (like I do), be extra vigilant when you take them out. Don't let them mouth anything and try to limit your kids from touching things and then putting their hands in their mouth.
I don't know if that helps, but I hope so. :)

My Naturopathic Dr sent out an e-mail & I believe just how she does. 35,000 people die in the USA each year from the flu. Wash your hands & stay away from sick people & you are no more likely to catch it as you are the regular flu.

This is MY opinion and my opinion only.

I believe that there is nothing to fear. I feel that the media tends to overreact on these types of things and it gets people worked up. No, it is not like every other illness or flu, however, life is too short to live in fear. If it is our time to go, then it is our time to go.

Now that everyone is aware and know what the symptoms are, we can carry that knowledge with us. It is just like if you have a disease, the more knowledge you have about it, the less scary it is. Same with snakes, scorpions and spiders. If you know how to protect yourself and how to take precautions, then there should be nothing to fear.

Wash your hands more, encourage your kids to not share drinks (even with each other), use sanitizing wipes on your grocery cart or on your hands after touching money, other people, etc. Become more diligent in taking precautions and let the fear subside.

Hi, H C! Well I completly understand your concerns especially whith there being a 5 alert on the swine flu as of last night. I have been doing lots of research on it because I work at a childcare center. There is a few things you can do around your home to keep safe. obviously keep everyting very clean use air filters to keep your indoor air clean. Also stay away from anyopne who is ill. also you can go to azdhs.gov to look at more detailed precautions. I hope this has helped you. Have a wonderful day.:)

I see the need to be vigilant but not to change my life. I am also a SAHM, but I must have missed the class on actually staying at home. I run my business from my house but I am out promoting my business, meeting new people and taking my kids to activities and school. I dare say I come into contact with more people in one day than many people/kids do in a week. That being said, I'm not changing my life because I COULD come into contact with someone with swine flu. Heck, I could get into a car accident, but I'm still driving.

I think for me, the main thing to know is to watch for the signs of the flu... and since it's not flu season it is much easier! Sniffly noses, sore throat, congestion, no energy, no appetite, fever... and IF my kids happen to get any of those symptoms, then I'll call and make an appointment with the pediatrician (NOT the ER) The pediatrician can run a test right in the office to see if it is flu. Also, it's probably more soothing for the child (and me!) to be in a possibly familiar place (the pediatrician's office) rather than a busy, noisy ER... not much more soothing but better than an ER.

Also another good thing to know, as the flu gets passed from one person to another, it gets weaker and weaker. So as time rolls on, there is less of a chance for a fatality.

And just as an interesting note (well, I find it interesting)... my SIL is a nurse in an ER. She said 2 nights ago there were over 100 people who came to the ER thinking they had swine flu. Zero people were diagnosed with it.

I agree with Becky R. She gives good feedback and advice. Cant hurt to be prepared, especially when you have young ones to take care of!

I don't think there is a need to worry more about this flu than any other. I know people are freaked but when I talk to a medical professional about it, they just roll their eyes. I think the only reason people should worry is that there is no vaccination for it. Because of that, people should be really careful around children and the elderly (just like ANY flu or illness) They keep pushing to wash hands, but we should be doing that anyway. I found this on the internet: 36,000 die of flu every year, in the US alone. So far, dependent on the sources, 152 have died of swineflu, globally. For you to decide whether we are talking of a pandemic or a media hype.

Hi!

Well i'm one of those people that doesn't really worrie about something until it happens... I was watching the news last night, and the 1st caaase of AZ was found, i wasn't to worried, they said it was just like the flu you can get anytime, and not to worrie, and that it is not air born, so my thought is don't kiss bigs, yeah i know that's not how you get it, just trying to make someing good out of something bad....

Dr.s have been able to look at the swine flu and see that there is nothing wrong and nthing to realy worrie about... I'm gonna worrie when it hits closer to home, just like i would when my daughter, 6 months, got a cold, or if she gets the flu. I think media have made this hole thing into something it's not... But until some one in the U.S. dies from it i'm not gonna worrie...

HI HC, I heard that you are really supposed to just keep up with the anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. The kids have been instructed daily to use it at school more than they normally do. And my fiance and I are both business owners and meet people so we have now really focused on using the hand sanitizer every time we leave an office or public place. We each keep one in the car and hop in and squirt ourselves down with it! We have started to do that too after leaving restaraunts, stores, etc. So without being overly paranoid about it, I'm just trying to make it a habit. I think it's a good idea anyway regardless of the swine flu going around or not!

Hi H.C.,

There always has been and always will be sickness and disease. It's really not that difficult to avoid getting sick, though. Here's what to do to stay healthy:

1. Eat a "clean" diet (mostly whole foods and minimal processed).
2. Take quality supplements.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Minimize toxic overload (many things you could do in this area).
5. Keep your personal life in balance.

Pretty simple, really. It's just that most people either don't know how to apply these to their life. And, some people just don't care to.

Anyway, best wishes to you and your family in avoiding the "ick".

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven, H.C.
Healthy Habits Wellness Center, LLC
www.HealthyHabitsWellnessCenter.com
###-###-####

As a Preschool teacher I did my research as well. Some of the suggestions were to wash your hands more often, get more Vitamin D in your diet, eat garlic, avoid sugar, find a good way to cope with stress, exercise, get plenty of rest, and avoid hospitals. With my class I've reviewed what we learned earlier in the year about germs and reminded the children to wash their hands for the length of time it takes to sing the ABC's twice through.
Try not to stress. Hundreds die from the flu every year. Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, take your vitamins and wash, wash, wash your hands. We all need a little reminder of that now and again to get us back in a good habit.

Hello.
I see you've gotten a lot of varied and very good advise. I just wanted to provide a few details that you may not know that I hope will help calm your anxieties as well.

It's calculated that since 1580, there have been 31 global influenza pandemics. There hasn't been a global one in the last 40 years, which puts the world generally overdue though Avian flu has been poised to sweep into the human population for several of the last few years.

Influenza is a zoonotic disease, meaning it comes from animals, specifically, birds, and there is a huge and uncontrollable reservoir for it in the migrant bird population. Humans do not share the same receptors for the disease as birds do, so in order to make the species jump, influenza needs a mixing vessel so to speak. That mixing vessel is pigs who do share receptors of both birds and humans. This is how it gets into the human population.

Swine flu is so alarming because it was the cause of the influenza pandemic in the 1920's. Much like the bacterium that caused the Black Plague still alarms Europeans, swine flu still alarms Americans. Bear in mind there have been tremendous advances in medicine since the 1920's and that the CDC and WHO are monitoring the situation and advising healthcare providers on managing it as well. Swine flu is still just an influenza, and taking healthy precautions as you've already been advised will reduce your risk. If you think you or one of your family is ill, seek medical help and take care of yourself. Pretty simple.

The fact is the disease is in the human population. You alone cannot stop its spread to anyone but yourself and your family. Eat right, maintain proper hygiene and reduce your contact with others especially those who seem obviously ill. I'd also advise you to watch your stress levels as stress is well documented to reduce immune function. Be wise and wary, but not paranoid. Paranoia isn't a help.

You're a good mother to think about it, just don't overthink about it. :)