I've been following the progression of the H1N1 Swine Flu closely all week because one of my primary job functions is to forecast demand for a large consumer products company. Further, we've seen some dip in sales this week, as the media has been focused on the potential pandemic in our midst. This is freightening from a business perspective, and as of yet, the reality of what may soon befall us hasn't hit home yet.
It just did, and it's scary as hell.
My 34 yr old sister is a 3rd grade teacher in a medium sized town in a state with no confirmed cases. Any teacher anywhere could at this point have been exposed to the H1N1 virus. Between the 2-7 day incubation period and the time it takes to actually confirm the virus infection, with the pathetic capacity of having 2 labs in all of N. America to actually run the tests, a case of sniffles on Tuesday morning could be swine flu for the whole class by Wednesday afternoon.
You start to realize there may be no stopping this and the world around us is about to change in ways we cannot yet comprehend.
She's in the emergency room at the hospital and she's scared to call the rest of the family. She's about to see the doctor and likely they'll swab her and send her sample to the CDC for analysis. This is happening all over the place, even though it's not reported. Houston Texas is up to 250 samples in to the CDC, and "most" are expected to come back negative, but not all. And 250 today is 250,000 in 2 weeks and 25,000,000 by the end of the year.
This stuff is scary...
I've done all I can do. I told her to ask for Tamiflu and Relenza by name and leave with one or both, and nothing less. And I've told her to go home if possible and take precautions to stay out of the public until her tests come back. I hope to God she doesn't have it and it's a late season flu that's spreading around, but the symptoms are scary as hell.
She can't recall coming into contact with anyone whose obviously sick, but likely, that doesn't matter... this is what does.
She went to bed feeling fine, and woke up with a 102 fever, vomiting, diarrhea aches, chills and pain in all of her body. So bad so she's at the hospital less than 5 hours later...
There is confusion as to what the virus actually is. It's such a fast moving situation, we all need to stay ahead of this as best as we can. I'm waiting for a call back with good news, and hopefully that'll happen, but I know there will be more calls in the future, and they won't all have good news.
The CDC is going up with some PSA's. I suggest you take a look at these and proceed with their recommendations as precautionary measures to protect yourself, your family and your business.
http://www.cdc.gov/...
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Community Planning for Swine Flu
Audio - Download MP3 file
Script
Health officials are concerned about a new influenza virus of swine origin that's spreading from person to person. Officials are acting to combat this threat, but the outbreak might grow. So be prepared.
Store a two-week supply of food and water. Have two weeks of your regular prescription drugs at home. Keep health supplies on hand, including pain relievers and cold medicines.
For more details, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
A message from HHS.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Swine Flu Preparedness
April 28, 2009 6:45 PM ET
Audio
Audio - Download MP3 file
Script
Health officials are concerned about a new influenza virus of swine origin that's spreading from person to person. Officials are acting to combat this threat, but the outbreak could grow. Prepare now.
Check with local leaders, schools, employers, and other community groups about their plans regarding an outbreak in your community. It's important for everyone to know what to do about swine flu.
For details, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
A message from HHS.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Hygiene Habits to Help Fight Swine Flu
April 28, 2009 6:45 PM ET
Audio
Audio - Download MP3 file
Script
Health officials are concerned about a new flu virus of swine origin spreading from person to person. To help fight swine flu, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Stay home if you're sick and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
To learn more, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
A message from HHS.
UPDATE: Not sure if this is good or more scary but this is how she described the hospital doctor...
- The hospital hasn't received instruction yet on how to process suspected cases, rather they've been told to look for weezing and extreme fever and assume all else is common flu
- She was given Tamiflu and told to rest as normal flu
- No sample was taken to be given to the CDC, so there is no Swine Flu follow up...
Are we flying blind? It's good she's gotten Tamiflu, but she may have the virus and no one would know the better.