That is why there is bird, swine and human virus agents in the H1N1 virus. If it is like the 1918 virus, it is actually a mutated bird flu, not strictly a swine flu. It is believed by many who studied the 1918 flu that it began in Europe in areas where large numbers of American (an other) service men were stationed and the service men had farms with chickens, geese, etc. and pigs. The virus had mutated from the birds through the pigs to the service men but no one knew. Finally as these service men took leave to go home, it began to spread all over the world. The flu is airborne from human to human. There were so many service men that died it was said it was more dangerous to be in the service stationed in the US than at the front in Europe.

The 1918 flu seemed to be more severe in that the infected people died usually within 24 to 48 hours. That doesn’t seem to be the case with H1N1. Also, another key element is that the people who were most affected were younger healthier people which is the same as the H1N1 virus. The reason, it was explained, was that those people generally have the most efficient immune systems – so effective that it overreacts in contact with the strange virus. As an example, normally the lungs create fluid to fight the virus. In those people, there was so much fluid, it killed the sufferer. They literally drowned from it.

The documentary was on the History Channel I think. I hope they run it again. It would help clear up some of the mystery.

IT IS SCARY TO THINK THAT THE H5N1 WILL FINALLY MAKE THE SIGNIFICANT JUMP VIA THE SWINE FLU VIRUS WHICH IS ALREADY MADE UP OF HUMAN, FOWL AND PIG GENETIC MATERIALS.

Thanks for your rational responses, it’s very important to combat misinformation and prevent hysteria.

As both those commenters pointed out, flu viruses can mix naturally in pigs, creating new strains. That happens all the time. But this latest new strain happens to be capable of being transmitted from human to human. Bad luck for us. Doesn’t mean there’s a conspiracy afoot, or that the end is near.

Also, I am expecting a new baby in the next 2 months. The baby won’t have too much exposure to large groups of people for some time, but still, babies are vulnerable.

What is the risk of this new strain of flu to infants and toddlers? And what can we as parents do to protect our children? Hand washing is not enough here…

there ya go

“Pigs can catch human and avian flus, so are thought to be a so-called mixing vessel for the viruses – a host in which viruses can swap genes, creating new strains.”

Sounds pretty natural to me.

My anecdotal evidence: ever since I started getting annual flu shots 10 years ago I have not gotten the flu and I take the subway to and from work every day. I have never had side effects from the vaccine either.

This hysteria against vaccines will end up making more people sick in the long run. Doesn’t anybody else remember how devastating childhood diseases were before there were vaccines to combat them? Kids in braces and iron lungs from polio?

Um… 11 cases total in almost a year? None of which were fatal? Seriously people, I think you don’t need to worry about stocking up on the canned goods and shotgun ammo just yet.

And to add yet another piece of anecdotal evidence, I too have only ever gotten the flu in the seasons when I got a vaccine shot. Any year when I skipped the shot, the worst thing I got was a head cold. Don’t know what that means, but there it is.

This current outbreak will spend down, sit and begin new combinations in swine and then come back to haunt us in the next round. Hopefully vaccine will be out and ready for your memory cells, T cells to go to work…
If you are smart enough to get the vaccination.

http://www.theroadtothehorizon.org/2009/03/bird-flu-virus-instead-of-vaccin.html

IF THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT I CAN’T BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE CAN MAKE A MISTAKE LIKE THIS..

IF IT WASN’T AN ACCIDENT.. I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED.

CHECK THE LINK WE AS AMERICANS MUST KEEP OURSELFS INFORMED. IGNORANCE IS BLISS UNTIL YOU OR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE IN THAT COFFIN.

Jo, you want confirmed studies? In my estimation you’ll never get one. “Confirmed, scientific studies” that get to the public will always say whatever the government allows. Anecdotal is often more reliable, just as “word of mouth” advertising is considered superior to any other. People wake up and see what’s going on here. We are being “conditioned” and you soon will not have a choice as vaccines and other type of innoculations will be mandatory. Maybe we’ll just get lucky and get the tainted vaccines after all. That would mean there won’t be much of a “population” left to have to worry about it.

Then…”OOPS, we’re SORRY, really! We didn’t know it would harm or kill so many people. At least we TRIED”.

What do you think all the sealed casket parts in Atlanta at the military bases are going to be used for? Play time?

Not all of us are suicidal.

The Avian flu situationhas to do with toxins and not flu at all
Same here……………

And I think that is the case for most things – toxic exposures and toxins in the body – nothing to do with a so-called virus or bacteria

See my Bird Flu pages
http://www.wellwithin1.com/avianbirdflu.htm

We saw the same hype for Bird Flu and I think it is about toxic exposure in Mexico and Texas too. Or something engineered. Possibly something engineered could cause a problem.

I have to look further and hear from my colleagues. They couldn’t get us to get upset about Bird Flu and panic so trying a new tact.

Yes, lots of ways to make money…………vaccine, drugs, and more

People need to start getting the word out about the links and also about the swine flu fiasco in the past under Gerald Ford and all the deaths and injuries from the vaccine for that panic based on nothing

Will keep all posted
Sheri

Somewhere with high population density and second rate health resources. Where is that?

Looks like the U.S. found away to divert attention from the massive crime wave in Mexico which is threatening to spill over the border….the “real” threat.

FDA approved respirators are available to the general public directly from 3M through their on-line store. There are two styles of NIOSH N95 certified respirators at Shop3M.com: a flat-fold (Model 8670F) that stores easily in a purse, and a cup style (Model 8612F). Additional information, including product usage instructions, is available at http://www.my3MN95.com.

I do not think it’s “hysterical” to be concerned. I don’t know why governments are so resistant to tougher measures like outright banning non-essential travel to Mexico, for example. Though, I can’t imagine people would be so thoughtless to go to Mexico right now (I think it’s just asking for trouble). But for the few who might be so inclined to disregard warnings, they might unknowingly spread the disease one they return home. Why risk it? If governments were really committed, they would put public safety far above economics and politics and take drastic measures even if “unpopular”. I think the authorities’ lack of knowledge of the full extent of the situation, the fact they are all still gathering crucial information/details and doing assessments of the gravity of the situation should be all the more reason to take a more cautious approach.
As the adage goes, “better safe than sorry.”