Killer flu - a warning
In 1918 Spanish flu swept the world, killing an estimated 50 million people.100 years later, Aussie flu (as it is called except in the US) is knocking people down like ninepins. Some aren’t getting up.
We live in an age where exaggeration is rife, everything is the biggest and the best and the worst, so when people say this is the next Spanish flu, well, take everything said with a pinch of salt. Whatever you call it, it is a type A influenza, H3N2, bad news.
This isn’t usual flu. It isn’t even man flu. It’s worse.
In the US it has become the most widespread in 12 years, affecting all but 2 states (as at 2 days ago) and has officially been declared an epidemic. It has been spreading in the UK and Europe for a bit longer, and the mutating virus is becoming more serious.
H3N2 flu has been around since late 2017 but it won't go away and is spreading worldwide. Some doctors are treating with antibiotics, others say it is mutating so fast that antibiotics won’t help.
Don’t tough it out. Those with bad cases couldn't go out if they wanted to, they are too weak, but keep warm, take plenty of liquids, treat the symptoms and don’t push yourself. This one is bad.
Comments (41)
Well.... I´ve been in contact with the "virus" many times and haven´t got it. In fact, I haven´t had the flu for years-
I have such a strong anti-virus that nothing will attack me! Not even a man!
It seems to be a bad one - kiddo was sick for over a week with high fever and asked to go to bed early every night. Himself was sick as well and he said it's quite painful - Nurofen helped both of them.
I have no idea why I didn't catch it yet.
We both got the flu injection - himself in Ireland and I got it in Germany - would be interesting if these 2 countries used different strains in their vaccine?
Hope you're feeling better soon.
I haven't had flu since I was 11 and don't have it now but a friend does have it and is completely struck down, weak as a kitten. So I looked it up and found all the above info, golly. Statistically at least some of us on CS will get it.
Tbh, I don't think I'll take 1 or 2 days in bed with a book of this stuff if I can avoid it.
What I meant was keep a careful eye on symptoms, don't just shrug off the first signs as just another cold!
If someone gets really weak or high fever, I would send them to the doctor.
Recent report from U.S. Center For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)...
But luckily I, nor any of my family, have been struck down by it.
I only got the flu once in my life. It is horrible.You want to die you are so sick.
That is why it annoys me when people who have a cold say they have the flu! There is absolutely no comparison.
It is the Aliens
run for the hills.
I shoulda done my homework better ... but even those calm and measured reports are saying it is not good news for the populace at large.
Baig, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to look like Melania for just a day or two. Anyone, really, who lives in the world of the beautiful. Wouldn't want her life, though, not even for a day or two.
We shall fight them on the beaches etc etc
Apparently you guys, by contrast, are being whacked with a fairly horrible gastro, or is that confined to Natal? Safest probably to shoot anyone from Natal, if so.
A friend and his wife just left here about ten minutes ago. He's in a terrible condition. Working stomach, heavy perspiring, fever etc.I told him to go and see a quack. I did not connect it to the thing in the Republic of Natalia but now I wonder...
I hope it is not contagious.
Good luck, sunshine. Hope your immune system is in tiptop condition
In any case, the problem with flue this year is, that the vaccine made for treating the people with risk factors (pregnant women, elder people, inmunosupressed, etc.) is not effective, so that a bigger rate of deaths is lquite clear. But the flu is not worse for the people out of those sectors. Every year, the WHO decides the strains to be used for the vaccine, and this year they failed, and the strain hitting is one that was not foreseen.
I tried my first Spanish cough syrup last night, it is pure, solid, sugar. It even tastes grainy. Ew! And that was the pharmacist's recommended one, too.
Last time I had a cold I tried the inhaling thing - salt & rosemary essential oils in hot water, worked pretty well to keep the sinuses from blocking.
The problem is that the opening symptoms are so mild, same as any other cold, and by the time you're on the floor crawling to the doctor has its own challenges ...
We'll all get through this. But statistically some on CS are going to get it, and a couple will get it badly.
I thought you were sticking out your tongue and saying ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh but you wouldn't have done that until I put on my nurse outfit, right?
So I had to re-read the whole thing
Anyone can post up a bottle?
Tried Biltong for the first time last Saturday - it's an hmmmm acquired taste.
Beef? game? ostrich?
dry? semi-dry?
yes it isn't to everyone's taste, it's quite strong and can be salty but beef semi-dry cut into slices so your jaws don't go into meltdown - mmmmmmm -
Don't force yourself, though. Send the rest to me
Apologies all Saffers
My daughter's husband hates it too, which she is very happy about - no sharing - and calls her Biltong Breath when she's been indulging.
They love each other really.
I only got into droe wors when same daughter was teething, these things don't happen overnight.
Let's be honest here...I don't like sausage, of any kind
Sorry Pat
Their kids really liked it and were chewing away.
Map has a dealer, he'll fix me up when he remembers.
Ahem. Coff coff.
Map has a dealer, he'll fix me up when he remembers.
She wolfed down the droewors, so I tried a little piece. Ooh. Tried another. Then another. Then husband tried. Ooh. We finished her stock in about 20 minutes, stopped at a butcher's on the road and bought pretty much his entire stock.
Her teeth are lovely
This is very true! Even now days, a simple cold still be hanging around a person. It's like, you don't have it today with you. But the next day! It's back hanging out around you. Then the day after that, it feels like it's gone away from you. But the day after that, It'll repeat itself! ( A Simple Cold?).....
Unless you are experiencing pneumonia, it would be wise to treat your illness at home...plenty of fluids and rest...not to mention using medications to help reduce the severity of your symptoms...
Elderly and young children should be immunized...frequent hand washing is also important...and stay away from hospitals and or populated places...
Anti-biotics do not help if your dealing with flu viruses...cannot tell you how many times I had to work in an environment where people visiting spread the flu to staff and patients...just stay at home please...lol...
The norwalk virus is common among cruise ships and care homes...again...if not feeling well...stay home and do not visit...or work...patients and employees do not need to be exposed...
Read the CDC recomondations regarding best practices...
Cheers
Anyway, I hope your friend rest and recover soon, and you stay immune to take care of him.
I did look that up, with the following symptoms offered, would you agree?
Coughing up mucus or even blood
Extreme fatigue
Trouble breathing
Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
High fever with chills
Headaches
Frequent sweating with clammy skin
No appetite
Acting confused
I mean I have the chest pain even though not otherwise particularly ill, just grumpy and miserable.
Waiting to hear from sick buddy today to see whether a rescue / intervention is in order, so I am quite keenly interested in the difference between flu and pneumonia, i.e. doctor or no doctor.
Yes I need that