Ask your swine flu questions here

[krylon]

Originally posted by: Glayde
Someone put up a googlemap of Swine Flu.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms....0004681a37b713f6b5950

That is a repost from the official Swine thread.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

 

[her209]

Can the swine flu virus be passed from a human to a swine (pig)?

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Thus far symptoms are exactly the same as a normal flu. It is believed the deaths are caused by a cytokine storm (wiki it).

I've heard this before, and I really really hope that's incorrect. Luckily right now it appears to be blatant, wild speculation that cytokine storms are causing the deaths in Mexico.

Want to have a few sleepless nights? Google the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918. Something like that happening today could cause unbelievable amounts of damage.

The key factor that made the 1918 flu so bad.. was because it was f'ing 1918. People need to relax.

There was a lot more to the 1918 flu than just the time period.

I strongly doubt that this outbreak will be anything like that, but we could potentially have another at some point.

If another big, bad outbreak like 1918 does occur, there isn't a whole lot modern medicine could do about it. We don't have enough hospital beds or drugs, assuming we have any that are effective.

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Thus far symptoms are exactly the same as a normal flu. It is believed the deaths are caused by a cytokine storm (wiki it).

I've heard this before, and I really really hope that's incorrect. Luckily right now it appears to be blatant, wild speculation that cytokine storms are causing the deaths in Mexico.

Want to have a few sleepless nights? Google the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918. Something like that happening today could cause unbelievable amounts of damage.

The key factor that made the 1918 flu so bad.. was because it was f'ing 1918. People need to relax.

Originally posted by: crazySOB297

Originally posted by: Crono

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
I've heard reports that the most common fatalities have been 18-45 year olds -- is this flu actually somehow more deadly to people within those ages? Isn't it normally the young and the old that have the worst time?

It's because of the strong immune response leading to cytokine storm. Normally it's weaker immune system in older people and the very young that are suceptible to pathogens, but in cases where the immune system is working against itself, young/healthy people are in danger more than they would be from normal pathogens.

Correct.

Is that anything more than complete speculation? i.e. "Well, young adults are dying, and when it has happened before..." The young adults here in the US have had absolutely no problem handling the infection. It seems like a lot more must be looked at regarding these "young deaths" before people start druming up a cytokine storm craze .. like.. Mexico City is a shithole.. co-morbidities.. etc.. etc.. Can we give the epidemiologists some time?

Originally posted by: V00DOO
Do these masks everyone are wearing really help?

Sure, they'll prevent you from inhaling droplets. Of course, they could still be on your skin/in your eyes/etc... so wash well, wear a mask, and throw some shades on and you'll be gravy.

Modern medicine can do a lot, but it doesn't help when we have enough Tammiflu for 2% of the population. Like I also mentioned, Dallas had a strain of Tamiflu resistant influenza this season as well.

Who has a stronger immune system, a Mexico city resident, or someone in the US? The deaths would make sense if they are caused by hypercytokinemia. US residents are exposed to less in their lives, therefore they have an overall weaker immune system, meaning we have a greater potential for survival.

Actually, since the flu virus infects your LUNGS wearing a mask is going to be most effective. How effective? I'll let you know when I get a reply this evening.

As I stated before, panic is bad, and the only thing we can do is be prepared by knowing and understanding the information available to us. Do I think it'll end up like 1918? No, the chances are slim. Is it following the same pattern? Most definitely.

 

[JTsyo]

Where should I invest my money to make a profit of this?

1. medical supplies (masks and such)
2. Vaccine producing companies
3. Sanitary products (wipes, anti-bacterial sprays)
4. pork futures

 

[IGBT]

why did Cuba halt mexican travel?? mexican flu mabe?

 

[Wag]

I'm Jewish. Does that mean I can still get the swine flu?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Betrayed by Bacon.

Oh, the ironing.

 

[BoomerD]

If you sex up a pig....is it still considered "porking?"

 

[Lamont Burns]

There's nothing bacon can't do.

 

[child of wonder]

How bad is the Las Vegas area? Would it be wise to cancel my anniversary trip to LV in one month? (Currently live in South Dakota)

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: child of wonder
How bad is the Las Vegas area? Would it be wise to cancel my anniversary trip to LV in one month? (Currently live in South Dakota)

No reason to cancel. Nevada seems to be fine with no current cases.

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Where should I invest my money to make a profit of this?

1. medical supplies (masks and such)
2. Vaccine producing companies
3. Sanitary products (wipes, anti-bacterial sprays)
4. pork futures

Glaxo and Roche.

 

[her209]

I'm watching the swine flu coverage and I'm starting to feel sick. Should I be worried?

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: her209
I'm watching the swine flu coverage and I'm starting to feel sick. Should I be worried?

No, that's standard reaction to the pure stupidity that pours out of your TV.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
There's nothing bacon can't do.

kinda makes ya wonder bout Jimmy Dean. don't it?

 

[blahblah99]

Why is the swine flu such a big deal?

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: blahblah99
Why is the swine flu such a big deal?

It's rapid spread worldwide at the end of most area's flu seasons. It's proven ability to kill individuals, and the fact that it's a completely unknown variant that has genetic markers from swine flu, human flu, and avian flu.

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Where should I invest my money to make a profit of this?

1. medical supplies (masks and such)
2. Vaccine producing companies
3. Sanitary products (wipes, anti-bacterial sprays)
4. pork futures

If you want to go outside the box a little, look at poultry farming operations, especially if you can find one that focuses on eggs rather than meat. Or can you buy egg futures?

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: V00DOO
Do these masks everyone are wearing really help?

The pandemic expert stated that the masks are effective to an extent, it seems they can stop most particulate that has the flu virus on it, but they cannot stop the flu virus itself in the air since it is too small. They are, however, highly reccomended for those that are sick since they can dramatically lessen the amount being spread by an individual.

 

[UberNeuman]

I don't really have a swine flu question, but maybe you can help me with this - how is baby made?

 

[sandorski]

Dear OP

My Pet Pig has begun flapping its' ears like wings. Does Piggy have the Swine Flew?

Freaking out in Canada

 

[Agentbolt]

Originally posted by: crazySOB297

Originally posted by: V00DOO
Do these masks everyone are wearing really help?

I'll forward that question on to the pandemic guy this evening. I've heard mixed opinions.

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Thus far symptoms are exactly the same as a normal flu. It is believed the deaths are caused by a cytokine storm (wiki it).

I've heard this before, and I really really hope that's incorrect. Luckily right now it appears to be blatant, wild speculation that cytokine storms are causing the deaths in Mexico.

The age group for the deaths as well as the doctor's reports coming from Mexico both support this thesis.

What doctors reports? Right now the ONLY thing supporting Cytokine storms is the age group of some of the deaths. The big problem is that Mexico isn't giving up ANY info on what's going on in their country in regards to this, so I'd be curious to see these cytokine storm supporting doctor's reports.

There are many other unknowable factors that could've caused young patients to die in Mexico. They've confirmed the cases in America are the same virus as the ones in Mexico, so it's not some magical "other" strain causing the sicknesses here with no deaths.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Will vacations to Mexico drop in price? What about flights to Mexico?

And, will bacon continue to be fully available?

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Where should I invest my money to make a profit of this?

1. medical supplies (masks and such)
2. Vaccine producing companies
3. Sanitary products (wipes, anti-bacterial sprays)
4. pork futures

fyi

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09118/965987-114.stm

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: crazySOB297

Originally posted by: blahblah99
Why is the swine flu such a big deal?

It's rapid spread worldwide at the end of most area's flu seasons. It's proven ability to kill individuals, and the fact that it's a completely unknown variant that has genetic markers from swine flu, human flu, and avian flu.

Flu viruses mutate constantly. Thousands of people die from flu infections every year. To me, it seems like the media is doing their normal job of blowing everything out of proportion.