tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9019305341454313725.post2857945219176620629..comments2023-04-03T10:38:10.837+01:00Comments on Immunologue: Pandemic 'FluDavid Waldockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14152088817355194654noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9019305341454313725.post-30946403430924136332009-05-01T13:37:00.000+01:002009-05-01T13:37:00.000+01:00Hey Josie
I think what you're describing is one o...Hey Josie<br /><br />I think what you're describing is one of those quirks of human behaviour. Let's assume that a pandemic occurs: it is likely that the disease will be present in the community at a constant low level.<br /><br />That low level is maintained by people following the basic hygiene and contact rules: keep clean, keep contacts to a minimum. If everyone keeps this us, the disease will soon be unable to sustain its endemicity and will effectively disappear.<br /><br />The problem arises when, after a couple of weeks, people get used to the alarm signal, and start relaxing. As soon as that occurs, the disease starts spreading as it gets more and more opportunities to infect people, and we get a sudden spike of cases a few weeks after expected.<br /><br />And I agree: hygiene is the single most important message, both for those who are and are not "at risk".<br /><br />Paxhous9<br /><br />To answer your question: WHO, CDC and HPA will update us as to when the current outbreak is over. However, H1N1 will still be circulating in the community after the outbreak (and pandemic, if one occurs) is over. And it's worth remembering it's *just* flu: it's no different to the seasonal flu. If we all hold our breath until 'flu is completely a non-issue, we'll all be dropping dead from hypoxia!David Waldockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14152088817355194654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9019305341454313725.post-63814500828780636772009-04-30T16:41:00.000+01:002009-04-30T16:41:00.000+01:00Seriously since all 3 of my children are in the at...Seriously since all 3 of my children are in the at risk catagory how long before I can breathe a sigh of relief that this is over?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07229730637314875322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9019305341454313725.post-79818102359443353332009-04-30T15:59:00.000+01:002009-04-30T15:59:00.000+01:00Interesting post, David.
Do you have any informat...Interesting post, David.<br /><br />Do you have any information about patterns in the spread of infection? I work in a large residential college, and we were discussing yesterday how outbreaks sometimes seem to have a delay in transmission, so that we gear up for a problem only to have it occur several weeks later than we expected it. This may be relevant to paxhouse9's comment about keeping away from school for a few days - how to choose which days?<br /><br />For those WITHOUT a particular susceptibility to complications from infection, I'd hope the hygiene message would be the single most important one. Any instance when you put unwashed hands near your face ... learn new behaviour! Whether that's snacking at your desk, biting your nails or smoking ... clean hands.<br /><br />Now, where did I read "sneeze into your elbow" .... http://redcrosspdx.blogspot.com/Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00177523895484495592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9019305341454313725.post-49839280755018585342009-04-30T15:26:00.000+01:002009-04-30T15:26:00.000+01:00GREAT information. However I am keeping my childre...GREAT information. However I am keeping my children home from school today & tomorrow. I would rather be safe than sorry!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07229730637314875322noreply@blogger.com