cristinaOPLisbon, North Holland Netherlands17,243 posts
Things are getting serious my fellow voyageurs. The news is that things will spread wider by winter. I'm seriously thinking of starting to use a mask. Why not worry? Do you know if I can sew one myself or do I need to get one sprayed by my doctor?
cristina: Things are getting serious my fellow voyageurs. The news is that things will spread wider by winter. I'm seriously thinking of starting to use a mask. Why not worry? Do you know if I can sew one myself or do I need to get one sprayed by my doctor?
I heard the other day on the tube that the mask essentially keeps you from spreading whatever you have, but that it's inefficient in keeping you safe from others' germs. Don't know whether that's true, but so they said
I travel so much that I get worried sometimes, but what can you do... it's impossible to escape all contact or crowds, you now. Isn't the vaccine out yet?
cristina: Things are getting serious my fellow voyageurs. The news is that things will spread wider by winter. I'm seriously thinking of starting to use a mask. Why not worry? Do you know if I can sew one myself or do I need to get one sprayed by my doctor?
Cristina, stop worrying and keep healthy. Make sure your immune system is ticking over as best it can, get lots of rest, so your body is not overloaded to start with. Your best protection against anything!
Swine flu is just another strain of flu. Tons of media hype out there. More people die from ordinary good old garden variety influenza virus, of which there are numerous strains, one of which is very similar to the N1.
I will soon be travelling across the globe and in planes for up to 70 hours all told. I acted on the doctors' advice here and the other day had a flu shot as well as pneumococcal vaccine. Our govt has enough swine flu vaccine for the whole population if need be, but doctors here aren't panicking. Remember the Asian flu, the Russian flu, Spanish and so on. You could walk out the door and get run over! Besides, last year, a friend of mine went overseas, and got very ill with the 'ordinary' flu, and it took her weeks to recover. I travelled the same miles, had a more frenzied trip itinerary, and remained perfectly healthy.
From what I understand about wearing a mask is that it really needs to be worn by the person who is ill. Spare the thought wearing it just to protect yourself. What a facial sauna you would suffer! Pity the person who dares to sneeze, or has a runny nose on a plane... and all they have is hayfever/sinusitis!
cristina: Things are getting serious my fellow voyageurs. The news is that things will spread wider by winter. I'm seriously thinking of starting to use a mask. Why not worry? Do you know if I can sew one myself or do I need to get one sprayed by my doctor?
Hi Christina,
there are 2 kinds of masks, the one that you saw in films about Mexico, that keep the germs spreading from you to others, they are made out of clothes, then there is a mask that is a bit like the masks people use to protect them from fumes(painting etc.), these masks are rigid and normally white, these are supposed to protect you from germs flying about. Available on the net! I am a bit concerned because I will have to fly in near future to see my mom, she is sick and I think swine flu would be the last thing she needs just now! Besides that I think normal precautions are enough, wash hands and stay away from close contact with others.
I wonder if things will change here in Portugal, will they stop their constant kissing?? At the moment nobody seems very worried about it here.
On a positive note, a vaccine is supposed to be ready at the end of September or beginning of October.
Our govt has enough swine flu vaccine for the whole population if need be, but doctors here aren't panicking.
I thought human trials have only began last week for the vaccine?? You must mean they have tamiflu for the whole population??
I was on a plane last month going from Amsterdam to Lisbon, one of the passengers, a Chinese woman, was wearing a mask you could see a bit of panick in the other people...lol.
heidi2765: I thought human trials have only began last week for the vaccine?? You must mean they have tamiflu for the whole population??
I was on a plane last month going from Amsterdam to Lisbon, one of the passengers, a Chinese woman, was wearing a mask you could see a bit of panick in the other people...lol.
Have a good trip.
Thank you.
No, I do mean swine flu vaccines, heidi. We have 21 million vaccines ready for use if need be. Human trials have already started here. Adelaide is at the forefront of world wide trials.
The Chinese tend to be panick merchants. I have seen some locally walking along our roads with bloomin masks on. Boy, they should go to Beijing!!!
No, I do mean swine flu vaccines, heidi. We have 21 million vaccines ready for use if need be. Human trials have already started here. Adelaide is at the forefront of world wide trials.
The Chinese tend to be panick merchants. I have seen some locally walking along our roads with bloomin masks on. Boy, they should go to Beijing!!!
Doesn't human trials mean that if they are successful they will mass produce the vaccine? Doesn't make much sense to produce something they aren't sure of yet? I remember that I was thinking that the pharma industry in Switzerland and Germany for once are limping behind Oz, they must be pulling their hairs, no profit this time!!! I know that other countries have ordered the vaccine as well.
True about the Chinese, but I think in China they are using masks even if they have a case of harmless sniffles.
heidi2765: Doesn't human trials mean that if they are successful they will mass produce the vaccine? Doesn't make much sense to produce something they aren't sure of yet? I remember that I was thinking that the pharma industry in Switzerland and Germany for once are limping behind Oz, they must be pulling their hairs, no profit this time!!! I know that other countries have ordered the vaccine as well.
True about the Chinese, but I think in China they are using masks even if they have a case of harmless sniffles.
Well, I really am unable to comment on the scientific process. I guess they are as sure as they can be, given they know the strain in question. I know that in Europe, scientists are being more cautious. But how long does one wait. Ordinarily, drug trials take years and zillions of dollars. I guess there is not the luxury of time when we are talking about a vaccine that could stop an epidemic from occurring.
Yes, that's really what I meant about the Chinese. Wasn't it in China where there was a major outbreak of bird flu?
I am just concerned because of my mother , I don't want to carry the flu to her, she has broken ribs, that don't seem to heal as fast as they should, all she needs is another illness!About the vaccine, we will see what comes of it.
Yes, it's persons such as your mother, whose system is somehow compromised and frail, whether young or old, who are always going to be at risk of infection. Most of us thankfully can deal with whatever comes along, most times. I wish her well. There are medical sprays that kill 99.9% of influenza viruses, and which can be used on surfaces, and in the air. Washing your hands with antibacterial gel that is again as effective as above, is pretty much all you can do to help protect her. To help boost her own system, lots of garlic oil in capsule form, and echinacea liquid, all in high doses, generally gives tons of protection, as they are natural antibacterials, as you would know. I wish her speedy recovery.
venere08: Yes, it's persons such as your mother, whose system is somehow compromised and frail, whether young or old, who are always going to be at risk of infection. Most of us thankfully can deal with whatever comes along, most times. I wish her well. There are medical sprays that kill 99.9% of influenza viruses, and which can be used on surfaces, and in the air. Washing your hands with antibacterial gel that is again as effective as above, is pretty much all you can do to help protect her. To help boost her own system, lots of garlic oil in capsule form, and echinacea liquid, all in high doses, generally gives tons of protection, as they are natural antibacterials, as you would know. I wish her speedy recovery.
Thanks for your good wishes.
She is doing all of the above and at the moment mostly in bed to cure the breaks, but she is 85! A very active woman for her age, she still works!
I was just painting the picture in my mind of me arriving to help her with her current probs and perhaps giving her this flu straight from the airplane. Nightmare!
heidi2765: I was just painting the picture in my mind of me arriving to help her with her current probs and perhaps giving her this flu straight from the airplane. Nightmare!
Good grief, heidi. Painting such a picture in your mind is the NOT what you want to do. Paint a picture of you meeting your mother and thta you are both healthy, and that hse is getting much better.
Your brain will act on whatever picture you paint. At the risk of sounding 'clinical', something I have been accused of lately, each time we do this, together with the intense emotion related to the 'scene', we create what quantum physicists call, a 'holographic matrix', which essentially refers to the 'blueprint' of what we have been 'picturing'.
So it makes sense to paint the best picture we can.
cristinaOPLisbon, North Holland Netherlands17,243 posts
Heidi, I'm sorry to hear about your mother, I hope you get there safe so you can help her recovering asap.
Girls, what a contribution, thanks! Venere, maybe you guys have more vaccines available because you've discover it? I think I heard this the other day. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes, the media says 700 people all over the globe died already of H1N1. The fastest spreading phandemic ever! And being the vaccine not immediatly available, it's quiet difficult to be sure that one doesn't have that particular flu.
About the masks, I'll check the ones Heidi discribed as more efficient I should get more informed.
Venere will be traveling around the world! Wow, wow, I wish you all the fun out there?
cristina: Heidi, Girls, what a contribution, thanks! Venere, maybe you guys have more vaccines available because you've discover it? I think I heard this the other day. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes, the media says 700 people all over the globe died already of H1N1. The fastest spreading phandemic ever! And being the vaccine not immediatly available, it's quiet difficult to be sure that one doesn't have that particular flu.
Venere will be traveling around the world! Wow, wow, I wish you all the fun out there?
Are also going to Africa? Where about?
Hi cristina, sorry, not sure what you mean 'you've discovered it?
You can be definitely be tested for swine flu. So yes, if you do get flu symtoms, many places ask that you go to the doctor who will swab you and test for it. As for vaccines, they are already available, whether or not some countries choose to use/release them yet, is another story.
No, not going to Africa, but have wanted to visited parts of that fabulous continent...one day maybe. The government keeping so many of their people in such poverty, and witnessing the effects, would be so upsetting though.
About travelling the world, I'm really not feeling up to it right now, but I'm sure I will enjoy it all once I leave.
venere08: Good grief, heidi. Painting such a picture in your mind is the NOT what you want to do. Paint a picture of you meeting your mother and thta you are both healthy, and that hse is getting much better.
Your brain will act on whatever picture you paint. At the risk of sounding 'clinical', something I have been accused of lately, each time we do this, together with the intense emotion related to the 'scene', we create what quantum physicists call, a 'holographic matrix', which essentially refers to the 'blueprint' of what we have been 'picturing'.
So it makes sense to paint the best picture we can.
Paint away!
Oh, not painting that picture constantly, just something I was thinking of after Christina's post. I believe in reasonable precautions and tried to explain why I can understand some of Christina's concerns...lol
cristinaOPLisbon, North Holland Netherlands17,243 posts
venere08: Hi cristina, sorry, not sure what you mean 'you've discovered it?
You can be definitely be tested for swine flu. So yes, if you do get flu symtoms, many places ask that you go to the doctor who will swab you and test for it. As for vaccines, they are already available, whether or not some countries choose to use/release them yet, is another story.
No, not going to Africa, but have wanted to visited parts of that fabulous continent...one day maybe. The government keeping so many of their people in such poverty, and witnessing the effects, would be so upsetting though.
About travelling the world, I'm really not feeling up to it right now, but I'm sure I will enjoy it all once I leave.
Keep well, cristina.
Australia I meant.
About Africa... Come on, you won't have to deal with the governments when choosing to go there on holidays. Never do that, wherevever you go, ok? It will tear you down...I'm also thinking of Italy
cristinaOPLisbon, North Holland Netherlands17,243 posts
heidi2765: Oh, not painting that picture constantly, just something I was thinking of after Christina's post. I believe in reasonable precautions and tried to explain why I can understand some of Christina's concerns...lol
heidi2765: Oh, not painting that picture constantly, just something I was thinking of after Christina's post. I believe in reasonable precautions and tried to explain why I can understand some of Christina's concerns...lol
All the best, Heide with your pending trip to be with your mother.
It's not eassy being away when parents are elderly, let alone when there is a health issue.
About Africa... Come on, you won't have to deal with the governments when choosing to go there on holidays. Never do that, wherevever you go, ok? It will tear you down...I'm also thinking of Italy
Thanks
So true, cristina. You wouldn't want to visit some central parts of Australia, either. It's very sad to see some of the squalor with our indigenous folk. Issues are complex, and answers not simple.
I may decide to cancel this coming trip in any case. I can't really afford to go time wise right now, as it turns out. More money lost, but hey, it's only money right? We can't take it with us.
I don't believe that masks can help us, virus can enter trough eyes also. In Greece is pandemia and my Macedonians do not care about it, army of Macedonians enter every day in Greece.
WHO have been trying to downplay it's significance since day one, while the media, the American media, made it a big spectacle long before Europe heard of it.
Normal caution, as with any other flu, this one is not particularly deadly, except from in Mexico - why there is not yet fully known. It's the risk of mutation that worries the scientists.
As when the winter flu hits, stay home and avoid spreading it.
WHO | Influenza A(H1N1): frequently asked questions
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I'm seriously thinking of starting to use a mask. Why not worry?
Do you know if I can sew one myself or do I need to get one sprayed by my doctor?