This should be your one source for Swine Flu information

[NJmaverick]

from the CDC, this is their Swine Flu page

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine

This will give you all the information you could need or want. More importantly this is information that is accurate.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Just so you know EVERYTHING I have posted is from legitimate news sources

[NJmaverick]

3. In public health we have witnessed over and over again

"legitimate news sources" making mistakes. MSM has a bad habit of sacrificing accuracy for speed. In a public health crisis false information is often a major problem. If everyone uses the CDC website, the mistakes will be minimized.

[hedgehog]

6. I think the BBC does a very poor job when reporting medical science

stories. The only thing I can figure out is that none of the editors there ever took a math or science class!

[seemslikeadream]

7. If you find anything I have posted to be incorrect please let me know

thanks

[NJmaverick]

9. See that's exactly the sort of extra work Public Health doesn't need during a crisis

[seemslikeadream]

12. So the NYT and all other papers are not to report on the new swine flu?

[NJmaverick]

16. They will report, but why get your information second hand?

ever play the telephone game?

[uppityperson]

13. Rumors and fast reporting can be an issue.

one of the reasons I'm trying to gather it together in one DU link also. Rather than 324707863432 posts on "OMG HERE IT IS", let's put it together so we can find it if we want it, and ignore it if we want. People will look and post, keeping it together is a good way of guiding that.

I am watching CDC and WHO as they differ and I am world conscious. I agree CDC has the info needed for us as far as practical info.

[uppityperson]

2. trying to gather it together here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5561804&mesg_id=5561804

[NJmaverick]

4. While WHO may be nice to read, the CDC is the site that is best

for information on this epidemic, as it relates to people in the US.

[Redbear]

5. I kind of like this site

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_29/en/index.html

[hedgehog]

8. Especially this page:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

[girl gone mad]

10. I don't think anybody should rely on a single source for information.

Honestly.

[NJmaverick]

14. In some cases that is true. However like all absolutes it eventually can be proven wrong

like in this case. Public Health is neither a game nor a matter of opinion. It's hard science and those that do it for a living know better than any writer or reporter what needs to be done to protect the public.

[Mike 03]

11. Thank you! I said the same damned thing days ago and no one even bothered to read the

thing.

I think the World Health Organization is a little bit faster on the ball and would rec'd them as well.

Appreciated!

[NJmaverick]

15. That's a shame, the noise is drowning out the good information

Too many Holiday Inn Express experts, in a field that can ill afford them. on top of that most of these experts have no experience so numbers and facts lack the perspective that is needed to properly interpret them. That's why it's public health is best left to the professionals. I swear if it didn't hurt so much, some on DU would try to remove their own appendix.

[omega minimo]

17. Don't say I never gave ya nuthin ------- K & R #3

[readmoreoften]

18. The CDC doesn't give specific info on my city, how many "probable" cases here, school closings, etc.

I learned that certain schools have closed down because of "probable" cases, with "probable" case defined as testing positive for Influenza A, subtype unknown. Living a few hours from the border in a Texas sanctuary city (very lax deportation, help for immigrants) I think it's better to be safe than sorry. I also don't trust Texan officials to properly report info to the CDC without politicizing the information.

We have buses coming to and from D.F. here. I was really pissed at myself last night when I went to a friend's BD party and shook the hand/hugged a duo who later bragged about just getting off a bus full of people wearing face masks. I'm sure I'm fine, but it woke me up to the reality that maybe those of us in border states should really take these precautions (hand washing, no face touching, etc.) seriously.

However, the CDC site is otherwise an excellent source.

[NJmaverick]

19. CDC actually provides the definition of a "probable case"

You're right though. Beyond the CDC you should be listening to your state and local health departments.