2,000 students at US university report swine flu symptoms

[thundley4]

"SAN FRANCISCO, California (AFP) – Some 2,000 students at Washington State University have reported symptoms of swine flu, university officials said, in one of the largest reported outbreaks of the virus on a US college campus.
Washington state's Whitman County, where the school is located said that tests at a state laboratory late last week "confirmed that the influenza outbreak at Washington State University (WSU)... is indeed caused by the novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza A."
The west-coast school last week instituted a blog to help provide information to students about the sudden and dramatic spread of the A(H1N1) virus on campus just days into the new school term.
"We estimate that we have been in contact with about 2,000 students with influenza-like illness in the first 10 days of our fall semester," the latest online posting said.
"At this time of year, we would typically only see a handful of patients with influenza-like illness. Health care providers in the local community have also seen WSU students with influenza-like illness, but we have no way of knowing how many."  Yahoo

This flu itself isn't so worrisome, since it seems to have a low fatality. What worries me is the response of the current administration.

[djones520]

There's big concerns about it at work.  We've got 300 people or so working in one room together.  A few people show up with it and it's game over.  I work at the largest AOC (Air Operation Center) in the world, and if we shut down... well bad things happen.

[Lord Undies]

Big deal.  Seven to ten days and they will all be back to normal.  This "swine flu" is about the mildest flu to come down the lane in a long time. 

[Gratiot]

There's big concerns about it at work.  We've got 300 people or so working in one room together.  A few people show up with it and it's game over.

We've been having the same concerns brought up at work too!  They actually brought people from all sorts of various departments and locations together to spend a day discussing an action plan.

My first suggestion was that we bring people from all sorts of various departments and locations together, in one room, all day.  That way it can quickly spread throughout the company and be done with.   

It wasn't received with open enthusiasm... 

[WMD Owl]

Big deal.  Seven to ten days and they will all be back to normal.  This "swine flu" is about the mildest flu to come down the lane in a long time.  

H1N1 is an RNA virus with genetic material from avian, swine, as well as human virus all mixed up.  If you are over 30, you might have some immunity to it since its similar to a strain that came around in 1977 and another virus that came around 1998-99.

What killed the people in Mexico was the nonexistent health care.

This virus scare is overblown.

[jinxmchue]

The vaccine is scarier than the virus.

[Chris]

This flu itself isn't so worrisome, since it seems to have a low fatality. What worries me is the response of the current administration.

That seems to be a recurring theme with the 0bama administration, the cure being worse than the disease.

[thundley4]

That seems to be a recurring theme with the 0bama administration, the cure being worse than the disease.

It's not just at the federal level , think about the recent items about Massachusetts and Maine.

[Thor]

All I know is that when I get sick, I stay the hell at home, with the exception of a possible trip to the Doctor and/ or drug store. Usually, I just eat mega-doses of Vit C and I'm all better within a couple of days. I recall the days of when I took flu shots with much disdain and loathing. I ALWAYS was sick shortly after for three days. Since I am no longer required to take a flu shot and haven't, I haven't had the flu since.

[whiffleball]

Emory has a dorm dedicated for students to voluntarily use if they have flu symptoms of any kind.  Supposedly the use of it has significantly decreased the spread.

[Schadenfreude]

The vaccine is scarier than the virus.

I feel the same way. The business model of pharmas is to treat symptoms and when you run out of symptoms you create new disorders/diseases.... what better way to create a disorder than by mass-innoculating a population in which 1-2% may come up with some funky neurological thingie. I hate to sound conspiratorial, but I guess I am.

[Gratiot]

I feel the same way. The business model of pharmas is to treat symptoms and when you run out of symptoms you create new disorders/diseases....

Well explained and readily acceptable with all that we're witnessing 

what better way to create a disorder than by mass-innoculating a population in which 1-2% may come up with some funky neurological thingie. I hate to sound conspiratorial, but I guess I am.

You really hate too... but how can you not come to that conclusion... 

[Mr Mannn]

I fully expect a manufactured crisis. Every cold and sniffle will end up being swine flu.

[Tess Anderson]

My 19-year-old son who attends the University of Washington, is showing "swine flu symptons" as well, but it could just be a head cold. Regardless, there was supposed to be about 50 people coming over tonight, but now I'll cancel just in case - the only flu shot I've ever had made me come down with a wicked case too, that was years ago. But better safe than sorry, I guess.

I'll try the Vitamin C thing, then take him to the doctor if he doesn't start improving.

[Flame]

My 19-year-old son who attends the University of Washington, is showing "swine flu symptons" as well, but it could just be a head cold. Regardless, there was supposed to be about 50 people coming over tonight, but now I'll cancel just in case - the only flu shot I've ever had made me come down with a wicked case too, that was years ago. But better safe than sorry, I guess.

I'll try the Vitamin C thing, then take him to the doctor if he doesn't start improving.

Hope he gets well soon!

[Celtic Rose]

My brother just got back from Washington, and he got really sick this weekend.  He still feels like crap and is considering whether he should go get tested to see if it is the swine flu.