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Posted 7/20/2009 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

I am starting to get really anxious about swine flu and starting to become obsessive about cleaning my hands etc etc. I appreciate a lot of people will be feeling anxious about catching swine flu but my anxiety is running wild over this. I am in the high risk group as I have reactive arthritis which is an autoimmune disease which basically means my immune system is not very good and things like this can really knock me. This is when I hate having GAD as rationally I know that I should not be so worried but in my head my anxiety is taking over my thoughts on this issue, if that makes sense?


Ben
Posted 7/20/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)

Ben,

Here are some threads re swine flu from back in April. Also a link to an article re swine flu.

Have you had your flu shot?

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=1457285

http://news.healingwell.com/index.php?p=news1&id=627829

Big breath, hand washing is the best defense against this flu so do be diligent re washing your hands however don't wash them until they are raw.

Kitt

Posted 7/20/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Swine flu is a joke! Don't worry about it. You know what the probability is of getting swine flu is? I don't know what the exact probability is, but I can garauntee you that you're not going to get it. And if you do get it, chances are high that you won't die from it. It's not worth obsessing about. Worry about more important things.
Posted 7/20/2009 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think Swine Flu is as big as it was thought out to be... but either way, still, you seem to be doing the right things to avoid it. Anxiety takes over my mind everyday.
Posted 7/20/2009 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
ben,

the population of mexico is 109,955,400 of that 429 people have died.... it's been blown way out of proportion////The swine flu is less dangerous than just a regular flu!

in america the mortality rate for swine flu is 0.5%... the mortality rate for just a regular flu is 0.12%

If you get a normal flu chances are sooo slim that its going to kill you... this is the same deal... only it's even less likely. I can almost guarentee you will not get it... try not to stress! it's just the media

ive had the flu probably more than 10 times in my life and it hasn't killed me yet :) and it wont kill you either!
Posted 7/21/2009 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ben,

I understand your concern. Swine flu is nothing to ignore. Or down play as I see some have done. It is a large issue. And is only growing. According to the CDC over 40k+ people have gotten sick with H1N1 (updated July 17th) of those 40k+ 263 have died. That is a very low percent. But again people do die from this flu. Just like regular flu. But this one is different. As it effects even healthy people. But seems to affect those who are over weight more so then those who are not.

Carry hand sanitizer with you. Use it any time you touch money, stair rails, door knobs, etc. Hand sanitizer is effective in killing this germ. Limit contact with others if possible. Wash all fresh produce. And of course do not handle wild animals. Keep your hands out of your nose,mouth, eyes. Until they are properly washed.

If you follow these guidelines you are more then likely not to get sick. If you know someone who is sick avoid contact with them. There is a vaccine in the process of being made for this flu. And should be ready by flu season. But doctors, nurses, etc get dibbs of doses first before the general public. So precautions are our best defense.

Just some guidelines to follow. Stay in the know and you should be fine. I check the CDC site 3 times a week for updates.

You should be fine. The chance of course is there. But it is limited if you do not work in a public place or spend a huge amount in public area's without taking precautions mentioned above.

Take Care
Cary-Ann
Posted 7/21/2009 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ben,
I know its hard because the media has played it up so much but really its no more serious than getting the regular flu, and if you are taking general precautions, washing hands and avoiding people who are sick its unlikely that you will contract it. I know that doesn't help with your anxiety but you are doing what you need to do to prevent the flu, now its time to work on those anxious thoughts! You can do it, HA stinks but you're stronger than you think!
Also to give you a little perspective - I don't know if you recall the big E. coli scare with bags of spinach a few years back - it was ALL over the news, you couldn't get spinach anywhere to save your life, every restaurant had banned it for a month or so, it was totally out of control... Well I checked it out and we talked about it in my microbiology class, come to find out it was something like 13 bags of spinach that were affected... In the entire US. My little grocery store sells more bags than that in a day - but that is what the media does, it plays on peoples fears and creates a big panic over something really small. Try to remember that when you are feeling anxious that the media is just looking for a way to make some $, they don't care about how it plays on peoples emotions.
Hope you are feeling better and working on your GAD so that you can have some peace!
~Dixi
Posted 7/21/2009 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Ben, please don't worry. There have been people who have gotten this flu and they've lived. Quite a few, actually. Like others said above, your chances of getting it are very slim. Keep washing your hands when it's appropriate. Try not to get obsessive about it. Keep the sensible thoughts in your head. You have some anxiety and it's coming out in your fear of this flu. You will be fine, my friend! I promise!!
Posted 7/21/2009 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All

Thanks for all the reply's. My job involves working with school children and other members of the public so i do come ij contact with a lot of people so do hope i don't get this flu.

Thanks again

Ben
Posted 7/21/2009 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ben,
I can understand your concerns- I've been there. Try to take defense like most people would (washing your hands before meals, bathroom) but try not to over-do it. If you're considering getting a vaccination- I'd advise against it- Ron Paul I think is one of the people who explains why not to best- it's probably on youtube somewhere. In short, I think the vaccine has caused more issues and sickness in people than the risk of going without it.
Another option- hand sanitizer or wipes- wipe down your desk and items- just don't over-do the sanitizer, etc.- more for after shaking hands, etc
Try not to let the fear of getting the illness overcome your peace and joy in everyday living- it's not worth it, but I know that can be hard.
Posted 7/21/2009 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have always been very cautious about handwashing, regardless of the swine flu. I catch everything under the sun, and in my line of work it's a necessity
Posted 7/21/2009 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
The swine flu is no joke. I can't believe how some people don't take this seriously. Swine flu multiplies in the respiratory system much faster and severely than the ordinary flu we get during winter and the scary thing is that it's not a seasonal thing, it's around all year now. According to the WHO, As of July 6, H1N1 Swine Flu - Grand Total worldwide 94512 cases 429 deaths...and numbers are of course growing. Do take general precautions. Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, gargle with warm salt water, wash your nose LOL. That's what I always do. :)
Posted 7/21/2009 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have a chronic and incurable bowel disease which causes my immune system to be all out of whack and I will tell you I am not worried about the swine flu. I should be worried because I have underlying health issues, but I am not worried. I agree with many of the others that it has been blown totally out of proportion by the media. Look at the math logically. Every year approximately 36,000 die from the annual flu, but look at how many of millions of people there are just in the US. I get the flu shot every year, and have not gotten sick with the flu in so long I can't even remember. Just be responsible and wash your hands frequently, keep your hands away from your nose, eyes or mouth and I really think you should be okay.

Good luck!
Posted 7/21/2009 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to burst your bubble Raze.

I'm not blowing anything out of proportion. I have stated facts and only facts. Not from the media either. But from the actual Center of Disease control aka CDC. Yes the media does both inflates things to sell stuff and also deflats things to make it seem less then what it actually is.

Swine flu is not a joking matter. No sickness is anything to laugh at. Any type of flu can be prevented with proper measures. Which I have stated. Very clear and to the point. When people get sick rather it be a cold or the flu it is not a joking matter and not be to taken lightly like a grain of salt. EVERYONE reacts differently to these things.

I for one get sick and am laid up for 3 days. Hubby gets sick and is out for a week. Daughter 1 week, son 2 weeks. It effects everyone different. And should never be down played as a "ahh so what if you get it you get it" When you can actually prevent it.

I don't care if it is H1N1 Or a common cold. They both can have ever lasting effects on people.

So I would appreciate it if you wouldn't bad mouth any one as it is not right. Everyone as a difference of opinion and has the ability to state such thing. Bashing members because of there thoughts is wrong and rude.

Have a good day
Cary-Ann
Posted 7/21/2009 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Raze,

First of all, it's up to the person to decide what to believe so please show some respect to people who have posted here. That's so rude to tell someone to ignore other people's opinion and only respect yours. How can you be so sure your statement is true? Did you even get the swine flu once? No, you haven't. And you're telling people "it's a joke"? Ridiculous. Maybe the media has made it sound worse than it actually is, but that doesn't mean you should be ignoring it completely does it?

Fine, you go ahead and worry about other problems, "Healthcare problems, the wars, global warming"? LOL And when you do get sick from the swine flu, don't come on this board and tell us how bad it is. Also, the least you can do is to take general precautions, if you don't even want to bother doing that, then that's fine too I believe.
Posted 7/21/2009 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
I deleted my posts on this subject. Don't threaten me by saying if I do get swine flu I can never come back. Not a good way to communicate with people in the future. =)
Posted 7/21/2009 5:08 PM (GMT 0)

From our guidelines:

5. Lend a helping hand. A bit of compassion can go a long way toward helping people with life's challenges and reaching out can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. We're all different, but we're really all the same. At sometime or another, we all need or want help or simply someone with whom we can share our burdens or successes.

Thank you everyone,

Kitt

Posted 7/21/2009 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks All

Thank you for all the reply's and advice I will follow the advice given.  I think the issue with me is more my health anxiety going into overdrive re this swine flu.  Kitt well pointed out.

Take Care

Ben

Posted 7/21/2009 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
My gf's grandma was telling me that the swine flu wasn't a big issue like some people here are saying. The people were taking extra precautions just in case it turned out to be bad...but it didn't turn out to be as bad as they thought :)
Posted 7/23/2009 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am concerned about swine flu too. There have been 2 otherwise healthy children that have died from it in my area. Influenza usually hits the very young, very old or immune compromised. There have been some swine flu fatalities in school age and young adults and I think that's why it's been in the forefront so much. I know what you mean about health anxiety kicking into overdrive. I haven't been giving swine flu much thought lately, but I still take precautions not to get sick. The fact that you recognize that you are obsessing a little too much is a good thing. That's always the first step for me to changing how I react to something!
Posted 7/23/2009 12:52 PM (GMT 0)

So glad to see there are lots of people who havn't bought into the media hype. Worldwide measles has killed more people this year than swine flu.

During the spanish flu epidemic most of the young people died from cytokine storms, where their immune system over-reacts to the virus causing a run away reaction which stops you from breathing properly. If the virus produced cytokine storms then peoples own immune system would kill them. This would mean people aged 18-30 dying when they get the flu.

 This appeared to be the case in Mexico even the first few cases to die in the US died from "breathing complications". Since WHO thought this would be the case and we would have another spanish flu killing young strong members of the population they made big deal out of it. Right now it is clear to see (in the UK anyways) the virus is killing a very small percentage of very young kids and very ill people who get it.

I thankful of anxiety and depression giving me weaker immune system.

The avian flu and other asian flu epidemics to strike Asia all had much higher death rate some as high as 3-4%. I think swine flu's is 0.5%, it will be horrible week if you get it but chances of it killing you are very slim. Its much better to get it now while the weather hot than in the winter.

I personally feel its been blown out of proportion. In my own opinion the best thing that can happen is for me to catch get 2 weeks off work and build my own immunity whilst the weather is nice. Novel Flu virus vaccines have a bad history with side effects (look at the 1976 swine flu outbreak in US), the vaccine left 1000's of people disabled, so im personally looking forward to getting my bout of swine flu over done with and having 2 weeks off work :P

I know measles killed 100,000 worldwide last year and left even more children deaf, swine flu has killed 429 people. I didn't see the media or WHO begging people to get measle vaccines even though its completely preventable disease. Sure swine flu wont be fun to have but their alot worst diseases out there which the media is not making a fuss about. I think right now swine flu is a big unknown as the media knows they can scare us with ita nd sell papers.   

Secondly someone said it reproduces 4 times quicker in the respiratory system, just means it spreads easier than normal flu, most of that will be coughed out. This all my personal uneducated view and i do understand people with underlying health conditions or parents with young children being scared to get it and it must be a horrible confusing time for them.

Badfish

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