Swine influenza - A (H1N1) virus

On a more serious note, here're the US CDC Guidelines on anti-viral drugs: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm.   ; Pay special attention to the parts that say "persons with certain chronic conditions" because they include diabetes in that "Certain chronic condition" list ....

Anna, is there an equivalent to the CDC in Canada with similar useful guidelines?

Hey did you guys know, speaking of Mickey & Goofy, one of the unsung heroes of Disney had diabetes - Jaime Mendoza- Nava.  He wrote that famous line from the theme song of the Mickey Mouse Club? "M-I-C...K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E." (the one before "Hot Diggity Dog" by "They Might be Giants")...showing my age....   Unfortunately, Mr. Medoza-Nava died a few years ago from related complications.

Bonjour Aimey  - Diabetes1 has an article on their front page which also deals with the current Swine Flu (H1N1).  It's quite informative as well.  Here's the link incase you overlooked it .... Diabetes and Swine Flu -  What YOU Need to Know

Posted May 2, 2009 16:58

Hi Everyone!

Swine flu is affecting healthy adults as well as children, so for those of us with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, it is vital that we take preventative measures to ensure the safety of our health!

I just posted an article with information and tips for boosting your immune system to help protect yourself against the H1N1 swine flu.

Click here!

All the best,

~Aimey

The Canadian government just announced a new website with up to date information concerning the H1N1 flu virus - click on Fight Flu .  They've also posted the announcement on Facebook and I believe Twitter - the new way of getting information across quickly these days (I mean - who doesn't have a Facebook a/c - and even Diabetes1 and Body1 are there).

It also is advising people not to panic over this - as ER's are becoming overcrowded with people coming in either with no symptoms - or they have returned from Mexico and aren't sure what to do (majority of those folks live in Ontario - probably the SARS incidence has made them abit frightened).

Posted May 2, 2009 12:16

Here in Canada we go to Health Canada for up to date information that is similar to what Americans have (CDC).

Another place I frequent for world wide health news is WHO (World Health Organisation).

I've got the theme of the Mickey Mouse club going thru' my head now that you mentioned it above - I'm going to be dreaming of being on the show now (I used to have a pair of mouse ears ).

Oh - and my parents will let me visit them when I go to Ottawa on Sunday - my Mum had forgotten that I'd been sitting near some tourists from Mexico on my flight last Sunday.  She did hesitate for a few nanoseconds - and said to pop around for a cup of Red Rose tea before I head back home to Montreal.

Ahhh - It's A Small World after all with everything that's happening right now.

Posted May 1, 2009 23:32

First Doris, Mickey and Goofy were very obliging to me as a visitor from out of the country.  If I could post my pic with them here - I would - but haven't figured that bit out yet.  I need Goofy to sit next to me and educate me on posting in blogs/forums . 

Luckily I have friends that work at Disney - so they always get me a free pass - otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford to go there. I was at the original Disneyland in California about 10 years ago - and that was a a price shocker - and there were some good rides that were closed for the season (repair work they say) - so I was slightly annoyed I'd paid the buckeroos and not gotten on another G-force ride.  The other thing - in those days - they wouldn't allow you to bring food into the park. I managed to charm them with my "I am a diabetic" and they let me thru'  with the food I'd packed.  That policy has now changed, at least at the park in Florida.  We brought our own cooler since we had kids with us, etc. and food eating can be abit pricey - though prices were comparable to what I see here in Montreal so they're not ripping you off. Though I did have a wonderful slice of strawberry shortcake ($3.99 USD) - and again - as you can tell by my blog - I held a pretty steady BG - probably due to all the walking, etc.  It wasn't that hot as well - less humidity at this time of the year - so a savour for my English rose skin.

Now to my Mum and Dad. I'm not quite sure if they have barracaded themself in their flat due to the H1N1 virus.  Yes, my incubation period is over - I am hatching a lovely butterfly now .  What you wrote is exactly how I felt with my parents thinking I had the plague.  I'm sure they are not alone in how they are feeling - people are obviously misinformed by various TV / radio broadcasts.  As one person said in one of my diabetic forums - more people die of diabetes - or other diseases.   Anyway, I'll try seeing if they'll let me pop in on them on Sunday when I'm in Ottawa. Wish me luck.

So, everyone, keep on washing those hands - tho' not sure about the bleach bit - hope you don't use that on your hands Doris - just plain soap and water does the trick.  I rarely use bleach - even in housecleaning - again - just dish soap, water, baking soda and muscle power!!!

Posted May 1, 2009  17:10

I hate this keyboard ... I wrote a reply and it disappeared!  Stupid laptop.

Anyway, you still didn't tell us how Mickey and Orlando are - other than inordinately overpriced!

I am still confused by dad's response.  This flu is known for being extremely quick; so, wouldn't the incubation be over by the time you get home and whatever the date of the show might be?  Has dad locked himself in his home with only outgoing air???  Just kidding.

I ate pork yesterday primarily because it was on sale for $1.99 a pound and also because I like to be difficult to dispel ridiculousness (such as eating flu can give you the flu).  Honestly though, I'd rather eat NOTHING that comes from Mexico or China - flu or no flu.

I'm a big hand washer - as well as faucets, door knobs, toilet handles, etc. anyway.  I had a friend who works for a nursing home.  She made me think about it too much.  I was reformed years ago.  However, I try not to use antibacterial products because there is a thought that overuse causes resistance (just like antibiotics so it makes sense).  Good old soap and water and bleach work well for me. 

I am sick of hearing nothing on the news but "swine flu" though.  So, I've switched to Mash and NCIS reruns for the evening.  Let me know when there is a good "REAL" disaster that breaks the news cycle.

Doris

Lilbabyrose -  Swine flu A(H1N1) is different from severe acute respiratory syndrome - so you can't really compare the two. When SARS occurred back in 2003 - medical authorities didn't know what they were dealing with and how to fight it.  Here in Canada (Ontario to be specific) had 44 deaths, the highest death toll outside of Asia. People were also quarantined or isolated to contain the virus.

Influenza though is something that medical authorities have spent decades planning for in preparation for the next pandemic  with anti-viral medicines.  Along with washing hands frequently and covering your nose / mouth when coughing / sneezing is a good practise to follow - influenza or not! Like you though, I don't think this latest outbreak of swine flu will be that bad

I understand how you feel about 911 and how it made Americans feel unsafe in their own country.  Trust me, we are your neighbours north of you - and it did affect us - many of us have family / friends living in the US (my brother was in NYC that day - and couldn't reach him).  Now, I am not putting down the TSA if that's how you took my scribbles above. That wasn't how I meant to get my thoughts across!  I just hope that they don't let someone else that is more of a threat then I am - bypass their inspections.  What amazed me was that they never questioned a foil wrapped package I had in my luggage (I also travel with carry on) - that contained a lemon poppy-seed loaf I'd made. My bro-in-law in Kissimmee said of all things to question - he would have figured they'd have questioned me about that more rather then my insulin pump - but nothing was said.  Now, that scares me abit!

Posted April 28, 2009 1710

Oy.  Honestly, I'm so sick of hearing about the Swine Flu.  I will be absolutely shocked if it doesn't turn out to be another SARS or Avian Flu or West Nile Virus.  It seems like there's a relatively mild outbreak of some illness and the entire planet starts freaking out that it's going to be a pandemic and it's going to kill off millions and it'll be the next Plague, blah, blah, blah.

So, around 150 people have died from it.  How many people does the common flu kill every year?  Granted most of them have compromised immune systems, but still.  I may seem a little...cold hearted?  But it just doesn't seem like very many people at all in the grand scheme of things.  This just seems much ado about nothing.

That said, I'm sorry for your experience at the airport.  I do hope you understand, though that after the September 11th attacks none of us really want to take any chances.  I happen to live within a half hour of the Flight 93 crash site (our local hospital was put on alert immediately in case they had found any survivors).  Even though I wasn't directly effected (didn't live near the two attacks sites, didn't know anybody that died or even anybody that knew anybody that died) it was a very hard day for any American.  It's tough when you have the illusion that you're safe on American soil and then in one horrific morning that sense of safety is shattered.