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Gibsons

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: blahblah99
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Originally posted by: blahblah99
Why is the swine flu such a big deal?
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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.
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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.
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Yes, it's able to mutate very quickly. That's why it's important to watch it very closely. And while thousands die from the flu every year, the mortality rate is pretty low, as there millions of infections.

This new strain seems to be very different and perhaps has a much higher mortality rate. We'll need a lot more data to be sure. It might be "just another strain." It might be something much worse.
 
FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
2
0
Oh I almost forgot. My youngest son sexed up a chick from a local bar. He said she turned out to be a real pig. What are the chances of our cat getting the swine flue?
 
EightySix Four

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
5,122
52
91
Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
From the other thread, which Hazmat suit should I buy to protect myself from this and future biological and/or chemical threats?

The hazmat suit from George Romero's The Crazies ( SGE-400 Gas Mask)

military style hazmat suit with SGE 1000 gas mask ,

military style hazmat suit with North 54401 gas mask

Green hazmat suit with M95 Gas Mask
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When we do a decontamination we use a disposable HAZMAT suit and scrub exposed areas as we take it off. Our masks are a commercial product similar to the North 7600.
 
Gibsons

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: Acanthus
Are AIDS patient immune to the swine flu since there will be no autoimmune response to infection? :confused:
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No. AIDS patients typically have higher infection rates and higher death rates from influenza, they're way too far on one end of the spectrum.

The whole "autoimmune" thing is a misrepresentation. The "cytokine storm" that you hear about is not an autoimmune reaction. It could be classified as immunopathologic, but it's not autoimmune.

edit: added bolded auto.
 
Gibsons

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
how long can the virus last outside its host? e.g. on surfaces?
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The half life of particles is usually given in terms of hours, but it's going to vary considerably depending on temperature, what surface, and how many viral particles. About a day. Maybe...

how long is the incubation period?
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2 days typically, but you might see shorter or longer depending on dose, immune status, strain, whatever.
 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,878
31,392
146
Originally posted by: crazySOB297

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
IS this another government/military bio terrorism experiment?
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While I know it's a joke, the question has been asked before, and the answer given to me is that this strain is a highly unlikely combination of flu types, beyond that would be speculation. Personally I see no evidence thta would support it being from a government or terrorist organization, mostly that there is nothing to gain at the moment, except for maybe pharmaceutical companies. :p
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Big Pharm makes literally no money on Flu medications. I believe the US purchased some 60 million doses of Tamiflu last year for $19 each (which they normally sell for ~$82).

Their big items are cancer/diabetes/alzheimers, etc. There is exactly ZERO motive for these companies for the conspiracy wackjobs to keep postulating that this is a money thing.
 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,878
31,392
146
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?
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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.
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yes, but the predominant issue is that humans have had very little exposure to this strain. So there really is very little immunity to speak of. lack of exposure is akin to lack of vaccination.

Think back thousands of years when the first domesticated animal viruses from sheep first jumped to humans. Talk about a shit storm (though more isolated populations = far less exposure). Those early diseases and strains are practically irrelevant today.

hell, some 30% of the human genome is composed of fragments of ancient viral information. We just don't have that kind of protection with this strain right now.
 
JTsyo

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
12,038
1,135
126
What is the mechanism of death from the swine flu? Is the high temperatures from the fever, lower resistance to other bugs, liquids in lung, ect?
 
Maximilian

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,604
15
81
Is swine flu worse than tonsilitis? From an individual standpoint in a 1st world country with good healthcare which is worse to have?
 
Gibsons

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: JTsyo
What is the mechanism of death from the swine flu? Is the high temperatures from the fever, lower resistance to other bugs, liquids in lung, ect?
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With any influenza it's a few different possible things.

In young healthy adults, it's often attributed to the so-called "cytokine storm," the virus basically causes the immune system to over-react, leading to extremely high fevers, low blood pressure, fluid leakage into the lungs, things like that. Add all these together and you might get "multiple organ failure."

Two quick side notes: This is NOT an autoimmune reaction. The "cytokine storm" is why you should roll your eyes at everyone who brags about how strong their immune system is. There really is such a thing as too strong.

Some flu strains cause this more than others. The 1918 flu probably caused a lot of deaths for this reason. The concern with this 2009 swine flu is that it might be prone to causing it. Too early to tell for sure, but it probably does not.

In the very young, elderly, and immune compromised, the virus can cause enough cytotoxic effects to be lethal on its own. This is where you see the immune system not being strong enough. There are also other complications such as secondary bacterial infections (strep and staph being the usual culprits) and other underlying problems made worse by flu.
 
S

skace

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
14,488
7
81
I'm heading to Microsoft's Tech Ed next week in California LA, am I fucked?
 
Gibsons

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: skace
I'm heading to Microsoft's Tech Ed next week in California LA, am I fucked?
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Play your cards right and buy her enough drinks and you might get lucky, who knows.

If you're asking about the flu, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
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