Swine Flu has been declared a national emergency

[Afterburner]

Originally Posted by Stratopwn3r

Wanna be survival partners?

I think that it was specified a National Emergency because of the press pushing it.

No, it was specified a national emergency because medical personnel recognize that the danger in swine flu has not passed yet. The danger has nothing to do with how many people are currently dying or being infected, it has to do with the fact that swine flu, just like bird flu, is highly unstable and so is very capable of mutating, possibly into something more virulent. Every person infected is another host in which that mutation could occur, and unlike bird flu, swine flu is obviously very capable of human to human transmission. Would you rather it be declared a national emergency when suddenly people start dying by the tens of thousands instead of hundreds, or would you rather they do so now, get the resources they need, and prevent that from ever happening.

A swear I'd hate to be the CDC. Under react and you'll kill thousands. Overreact and everyone thinks you are a bunch of idiots.

[Stratopwn3r]

I am not a Biologist, but, it is better if the CDC over reacted. Being over prepared is annoying as fuck, but it is always better than under prepared.

[Schofield]

A lot of people don't even know that H1N1 makes your body feel horrible, it makes your joints not want to operate.

[Junk angel]

The symptoms of h1n1 are indistinguishable from normal flu.
The only issue is, that with it being not a common sickness, we might lack the antibodies and on top of that it can easily get more virulent then it is now.

So your body does not want to operate even with normal flu. Generally the only thing that can safely say which one you have, is a blood test I believe.

[NiteStryker]

Originally Posted by Stratopwn3r

Wanna be survival partners?

In a non-homosexual way, I guess.

Originally Posted by Stratopwn3r

I think that it was specified a National Emergency because of the press pushing it.

No its purely a political move. Now thats a "national emergency", it opens the way for such things as more money and supplies, and it basically makes it easier to do shit with less red tape.

Originally Posted by Schofield

A lot of people don't even know that H1N1 makes your body feel horrible, it makes your joints not want to operate.

Yea I have H1N1 every Monday morning.

[Mr. Pedantic]

A lot of people don't even know that H1N1 makes your body feel horrible, it makes your joints not want to operate.

That's with the normal flu too.

The only issue is, that with it being not a common sickness, we might lack the antibodies and on top of that it can easily get more virulent then it is now.

Every time you catch a cold, then chances are you don't have antibodies for those either. In fact, every time you get an illness full stop you lack the antibodies to fight the infection. The only exception I am aware of is HIV.

Yea I have H1N1 every Monday morning.

Zap yourself with your car battery. I guarantee it'll make you feel more awake. Unless you die. In which case I don't advocate any action that involves making physical contact with electrified devices.

[Inyri Forge]

Originally Posted by Junk angel

The symptoms of h1n1 are indistinguishable from normal flu.

That's because they're both influenza.

The only issue is, that with it being not a common sickness, we might lack the antibodies and on top of that it can easily get more virulent then it is now.

That's how all viruses are. If you catch a virus it's because you have not been exposed to it before. When you are exposed to a virus your body does one of two things: dies, or builds up an immunity in the form of antibodies. So if you get the cold twice in one year, you got two different colds. The cold (the rhinovirus) mutates very quickly which is why people can catch it so often -- there is a new strain of the rhinovirus each time you contract a cold. Influenza also mutates quickly and easily. Don't confuse the term 'mutation' with anything that suggests it's more dangerous. More often than not it is simply the protein coat of the virus that changes -- same product, new packaging, and it confuses your immune system. I haven't been following H1N1 much so I don't know what the deal is with its virulence level or whatnot, but I know several medical professionals and all of them seem to think this is a huge joke. At least that it's nothing more to worry about than the regular flu (which should be taken seriously, btw).

Originally Posted by Schofield

A lot of people don't even know that H1N1 makes your body feel horrible, it makes your joints not want to operate.

lol I'm sorry but this reminds me of that commercial for some rheumatoid arthritis commercial where they're like "omgz I didn't know it could attack my joints!" I lol every time.

[kquaker]

People die more from AIDs and cancer than this virus.. yet they made a virus for this string of influenza in about half a year. >_< I think it's being blown out of proportion really..

[Mr. Pedantic]

Eh? They made a virus for this string of influenza? What is that supposed to mean?

People die more from AIDs and cancer than this virus

More people die of old age than AIDS and cancer. Why don't you start curing that then?

[necrosect]

More people die of old age than AIDS and cancer.

No one actually dies of "old age" there's always something that gets you.