Swine flu pandemic

As most of you would know WHO has the swine flu on the highest level now - Level 6 - Pandemic. Read more about it here -

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

The last pandemic was the Hong Kong flu in 1968 and it killed 1 million plus worldwide. They say that this wave is quite mild but it will mutate and the next wave will be much stronger. Because of this I've heard health officials say it's better to get it this time around. Anyone have any opinions or thoughts on this subject. Anyone here in the medical profession that can give advice or info.

I think the given situation is concerning but no cause for alarm or panic. What people have to
Understand that it is the essentially the normal flu. The difference is we have no immunity to it. In saying that complications can arise just as with the normal seasonal flu, so those with respritory issues, heart conditions, underlying immunity deficiencies should be on guard.

The fact is there is no stopping it. In that case just be aware and healthy. Eat well and wash your hands.

This is dr Karl signing out haha

Ha ha Karl

Yeah, at this immediate time, there is no need for panic or alarm. The World Helth Organisation have acted reasonable and acordingly to their own procedures and that we have to remember that really, this is only slightly different in general to the normal seasonal flu, though as Karl mentiones, we have no immunity to it. What health and WHO officials are worried about, is that the disease could, and most likely will, mutate to become stronger with it's next wave, as it continues to affect people around the world. This is not so good regarding the possible vaccination in a few months time, as scientists would have to find and re-arrange everything to suite a new vaccination. Every time the virus finds a new host to live in [us humans], there is the chance, that it will change, and then get worse. But in saying that, not all mutations are bad. There have been viruses that have mutated, but to a weaker form and then they were wiped out completley by themselves.

In brief though, it would be good to keep an eye on Canada atm, as there seems to be quite severe cases over there, perhaps suggesting that the virus has already mutated, though there is no confirmation and I am just speculating.

So, stay hygenic and things will be fine for the time being.

Dr. Karl Power Storm, the people being severely affected in Canada are the First Nation People, the Inuits (Indians). I know Native American Indians in USA are more prone to diabetes and other diseases so it could be something in their makeup. I was in Canada when the swine flu broke out there in late April but I made it back OK. You guys have made a lot of valid points. Interesting read.

I don't think there is any indication at all that the next wave of this virus strain will be more severe. Many people will become to immune to this particular strain after this winter and I wouldn't think it would have as much impact here next year.

I can see why the WHO (World Health Organization) are making a big deal out of this. The infamous pandemic of 1918 (spanish flu) killed an estimated 50-100 million people world wide. The true number will never really be known due to WW1. I'm quite interested in these kinds of things and follow them closely. There's a good article on Wiki and other sites too, do some research and you'll find out why the WHO are watching the southern hemisphere like a hawk at the moment. Weather comes 1st though.

It's funny how the other states are treating us like lepers at the moment. You can't stop a pandemic without a vaccine. A work colleague of mine moved here from QLD 18 months ago and is fielding calls from panic stricken family and friends that think it's like a scene from 28 Days Later down here. Influenza is no laughing matter but at this point in time H1N1 is a mild virus infecting mainly children. I've had a couple of friends that have had seasonal flu and they have be much, much sicker. Let's all hope that history does not repeat itself and here's why!

In 1918 the pandemic came in 3 waves, the 1st wave is similar to what we are seeing now, sick kids. These young people are building up a resistance to this virus and if I was going to get it, I'd want to get it now. The 2/3 waves of this nasty little virus mainly killed healthy 18-40 year old people, very quickly too I might add. The children were already immune and the elderly had been around long enough to build up a decent immunity from other flu's they had contracted over their life time. It has the potential to turn/mutate very quickly and last night I was reading H1N1 google news results and guess what. It's happened. Brazil has had a mutation A/Sao Paulo/H1N1 or swine flu II. It's not known yet if this is a deadlier strain, let's pray to god it isn't and that it hasn't mutated like it did in 1918. I know a lot of people think that WHO have blown this way out of proportion but they're the experts and know exactly what this little bugger is capable of. As I said earlier, lets just hope that history doesn't repeat itself. If anyone has it, please feel free to pop on over and give me a big kiss.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25649394-12377,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25649394-5012753,00.html

Great read Tizza!

I find these types of things very interesting too. It was horrible, but in a scientific view, amazing, how many people the Spanish Flu killed. It really goes to show how powerful the A(H1N1) strains, mutations, can be. WHO have done a fantastic job with jumping to a 'pandemic' level, because a lot of doctors their have seen the past and history and what the viruses can do. The H1N1 virus is known to mutate quickly, and with this already happening in Brazil, it is worth to keep an eye on things for any further development. Andrew your right to, it is best to catch the milder strain now, so our body can make antibodies and hopefully become more immune to a 'possible' stronger strain in the future. Lets just hope the newer strain in Brazil is not stronger then the current.