Planning for Bird Flu/Swine Flu

[Big Daddy]

Wife went to Costco for monthly shopping and they were out of the alcohol hand wash stuff. Buy stock in Purell.

 

[Mackay]

This was just brought to my attention:

http://www.prisonplanet.com/texas-doctor-claims-swine-flu-cases-far-worse-than-reported.html

I will have further info in a little while.

 

[Cybercat]

I keep typing my thoughts and then erasing them, trying to decide if its worth mentioning...or if it will just increase the debate...

I wanted to hear how people prepare their families and homes for a medical emergency. Since this is a self-sufficiency forum, I expected real scenarios that people have prepared for. It really surprises me, but it appears people are trying to talk other folks 'out' of preparing.

So, if you leave the words, avian flu, bird flu, swine flu, pandemic out of the equation, do you still advise folks to not stock items they may need to keep their families going during troubled times? It seems contrary to the ideal of self reliance...

 

[Mackay]

Of course it is crazy not to be prepared for what ever comes. Some people work at food storage, others at raising cattle and veggies. I have dedicated many years to alternative medicine so that I and my family will know what to do. I think some folks have aversion to anything that strikes cords of anxiety. I know my husband is that way. I tries to push things out of his mind hoping it will just go away.

Frankly, most people don't know what to do when stuff like this arises. They hope and pray it won't happen to them, they can't believe that it could. but it does happen through out history, in different countries, to many people. Could this be our turn? Only the future will tell.

Some one sent me some worrisome info about the amount of flu that is being under reported. Here is what I received.

Quote:
Subject: Flu Update from Dr. Gitterle
After I returned from a public health meeting yesterday with community leaders and school officials in Comal County , Heather suggested I send an update to everyone, because what we are hearing privately from the CDC and Health Department is so different from what you are hearing in the media. Some of you know some or maybe all of this, but I will just list what facts I know.

The virus is infectious for about 2 days prior to symptom onset
Virus sheds more than 7 days after symptom onset (possibly as long as 9 days) (this is unusual)
Since it is such a novel (new) virus, there is no "herd immunity," so the "attack rate" is very high. This is the percentage of people who come down with a virus if exposed. Almost everyone who is exposed to this virus will become infected, though not all will be symptomatc. That is much higher than seasonal flu, which averages 10-15%. The "clinical attack rate" may be around 40-50%. This is the number of people who show symptoms. This is a huge number. It is hard to convey the seriousness of this.

The virulence (deadliness) of this virus is as bad here as in Mexico , and there are folks on ventilators here in the US , right now. This has not been in the media, but a 23 month old near here is fighting for his life, and a pregnant woman just south of San Antonio is fighting for her life. In Mexico , these folks might have died already, but here in the US , folks are getting Tamiflu or Relenza quickly, and we have ready access to ventilators. What this means is that within a couple of weeks, regional hospitals will likely become overwhelmed.
Some of the kids with positive cases in Comal County had more than 70 contacts before diagnosis.

There are 10-25 times more actual cases (not "possible" cases -- actual), than what is being reported in the media. The way they fudge on reporting this is that it takes 3 days to get the confirmatory nod from the CDC on a given viral culture, but based on epidemiological grounds, we know that there are more than 10 cases for each "confirmed" case right now.
During the night, we crossed the threshold for the definition of a WHO, Phase 6 global pandemic. This has not happened in any of our lifetimes so far. We are in uncharted territory.
I expect President Obama will declare an emergency sometime in the next 72-96 hours. This may not happen, but if it doesn't, I will be surprised. When this happens, all public gathering will be cancelled for 10 days.

I suggest all of us avoid public gatherings. Outdoor activities are not as likely to lead to infection. It is contained areas and close contact that are the biggest risk.
Tamiflu is running out. There is a national stockpile, but it will have to be carefully managed, as it is not enough to treat the likely number of infections when this is full-blown. I don't think there is a big supply of Relenza, but I do not know those numbers. If I had to choose, I would take Relenza, as I think it gets more drug to the affected tissue than Tamiflu.
You should avoid going to the ER if you think you have been exposed or are symptomatic. ER's south of here are becoming overwhelmed -- and I mean that -- already. It is coming in waves, but the waves are getting bigger.

It appears that this flu produces a distinctive "hoarseness" in many victims. The symptoms, in general, match other flu's; namely, sore throat, body aches, headache, cough, and fever. Some have all these symptoms, while others may have only one or two.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine -- a nutritional supplement available at the health food store or Wimberley Pharmacy, has been shown to prevent or lessen the severity of influenza. I suggest 1200mg, twice a day for adults, and 600mg twice a day in kids over 12. It would be hard to get kids under 12 to take it, but you could try opening the capsules and putting it on yogurt. For 40 pounds and up, 300-600 mg twice a day, for less than 40 pounds, half that.

Oscillococinum, a homeopathic remedy, has been vindicated as quite effective in a large clinical trial in Europe , with an H1N1 variant. You can buy this at Hill Country Natural Foods, or the Wimberley Pharmacy.
I will try to keep everyone posted if I have any new information. Meanwhile, don't be afraid just avoid infection. The fewer people infected the easier it will be for our public officials to manage it.

Other story:
http://www.prisonplanet.com/texas-docto orted.html

http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/drs/texas/NEW_BRAUNFELS.html

Someone can check his back round out if they want.
http://www.healthgrades.com/directo...md-reports/Dr-Marcus-Gitterle-MD-EFEB48C5.cfm
_____________

 

[farmerlor]

I keep typing my thoughts and then erasing them, trying to decide if its worth mentioning...or if it will just increase the debate...

I wanted to hear how people prepare their families and homes for a medical emergency. Since this is a self-sufficiency forum, I expected real scenarios that people have prepared for. It really surprises me, but it appears people are trying to talk other folks 'out' of preparing.

So, if you leave the words, avian flu, bird flu, swine flu, pandemic out of the equation, do you still advise folks to not stock items they may need to keep their families going during troubled times? It seems contrary to the ideal of self reliance...

You need to be prepared for everything whether it's a couple of days without electricity or the vampire zombies taking over the world. I want to know I'm just as prepared to take care of medical emergency knowing it could take 30 minutes to get the ambulance to my house as I am for worldwide pandemic and just hope that neither ever happens.

 

[FarmerChick]

I don't think the media is scaring people unnecessarily. It is good to report on outbreaks of any kind of flu, etc.

The flu should be reported cause those truly needing to take precautions are then on alert. Many people die from complications from other medical problems they have....the flu is the first step for death for those types of people possibly.

So use the info to your advantage. I do.

YES< I have tons of emergency medical supplies on hand and am cautious. Those are the steps you can take to help yourself. What more is there.....other than being concerned everyone is on the same level playing field for catching diseases etc. Some do better than others, obviously.

Being healthy as you can is the first line of defense for any medical problems. So being more self reliant on your own foods, etc. is a great step in helping ourselves.

 

[MorelCabin]

Just passing this info along. I stocked two days ago, so we can stay out in the country and away from people for the next bit until we see where this is going...

E-mail From Trucker




April 30, 2009

Steven

First of all I speak with knowledge of what is going on out on the Highways of America. I have been driving over the road for 32yrs so I think I know what I am talking about. Just a warning to all americans stock up now because shortages will begin to show up very soon. I drive an 18 Wheeler and Haul food product all 48 states and I am heading home as with most and I mean most of all the drivers I have talked to and hear conversations all day on the C.B. radio. First of all we want to be home when this gets real bad and second we do not want to get the swine flu on the road as that to us would be almost a death sentence. Most of us eat in truckstops and shower in public restrooms at the truckstops so the chance of getting this is very very HIGH! As of medical attention if we do get the swine flu on the road the driver would have to call an ambulance because very few hospitals can take an 18 wheeler parked in the Lot. Most if not all of the food and goods are moved across America by truck and this will certainly turn into a huge fiasco as shortages start to become notice by everyone. People will panic and you can be sure there will be Martial law in the Big citys due to shortages of food.

my advice is dont panic just do what the Boy Scouts say "Be prepared" Get your supplies now 3 or 4 weeks to be safe.
Thanks George for all your info in the past thought you ought to know what going on out on the Highways of America...Take care ....AKA "The Bullet" heading home somewhere in the Northwest.

 

[Tallman]

Thanks MorelC.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Yes, it is a good idea to have food stored, if you have not already. If there are a few things you might be low on or might want (rather than need), now would be a good time to get them.

As far as preparing medically, I think there is a wide range of what we each feel comfortable with. Some are knowledgable about homeopathic remidies, some are knowledgable about more traditional medicine, others would rely on someone more knowledgable, and some would prefer to take their chances with getting sick, especially if they believe that this is the mild phase and that a more virulent phase may follow. So I suppose it is hard to find a consensus.

I believe you have a pretty good chance of avoiding the flu if you don't spend much time around people who have it and that if you have to be around them for some reason, that you take precautions. But if this is really a pandemic, I'm not sure that it will be possible to completely avoid exposure for any length of time.

 

[me&thegals]

If this gets bad, I think our main exposure would be through school. My husband and I both work at home and just go out for errands, which could easily be minimized if this were to reach high levels.

I was feeling all smug up here in WI until my husband told me the first person to die of swine flu was a pregnant mom here in WI a few years ago.

I am not nervous or worried, but I will be paying attention. Maybe it isn't smart, but I always seem to be focused on prevention. Getting exercise, enough sleep and eating well. We do have a few essential oils that could possibly be helpful, like eucalyptus and oregano.