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FluTrackers On CNN Blog - "Parents, Kids, & Swine Flu Parties"

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  • FluTrackers On CNN Blog - "Parents, Kids, & Swine Flu Parties"

    We did a public service by getting the attention of the U.S. Health Officials to publicly address this issue. Thanks Revere too.

    Thanks CDC for responding.

    May 7, 2009

    <!-- /datestamp --> Parents, Kids & Swine Flu Parties?
    Posted: 11:59 PM ET
    <!-- share overlay -->





    David Puente
    AC360&#176; Producer


    You can probably picture the scene. Well, sort of…


    Parents gather in a suburban living room, eating cookies, having coffee and discussing how quickly their children outgrow their new clothes.
    Meanwhile, in the play room, the kids lay on mats and cushions, tired from an intense hide-and-seek and tag session. But then, the parents encourage the children to share ice cream spoons, whistles, soda cups even bubble gum.


    Does that sound strange? Maybe. But this is exactly what happened at chicken pox parties that some of us grew up with. And the point is to have the boy with the red dots on his face infect all of the small children in the room.


    Usually parents who want their healthy children to get chickenpox believe it will help them build immunity against more virulent strains. Others oppose vaccination.


    Now there’s a buzz on the Internet about “swine flu parties,” and it has medical experts across the country up in arms as the H1N1 virus continues to spread across the U.S. In fact the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), says it “expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks”.


    The latest numbers in the US according to the CDC: There are 43 states reporting cases, in total there are 1,639 cases and two deaths.


    The “swine flu party” chatter on flu web sites and public health blogs like Effectmeasure and flutrackers.com has even gotten the attention of a top US health official.


    Having a “swine flu party” is “a big mistake,” said Richard Besser, the acting head of the CDC. “This is a new, emerging infection, and we’re learning more about it each day,” he said. “How an individual person will be impacted by the infection is not something that we know.”


    “It’s a big mistake putting individuals and children at risk, and the CDC does not recommend that people follow that course,” he said.


    US health officials fear that the unpredictable and potentially deadly A(H1N1) flu virus could mutate and appear as a more virulent, drug-resistant strain later in the year.


    In Fact the virus is spreading throughout the US, Central and South America. In Guatemala there are three cases, one in Panama, two in Costa Rica and two in El Salvador. As winter and the flu season approach in South America, the continent is on high alert for swine flu or A(H1N1).


    In Colombia, the South American country closest to Mexico, authorities scrambled to stockpile antiviral medication and told schools to send home children who show up sick. So far, one case has been confirmed in the country of over 45 million, and dozens are under observation. Colombia has become the first South American country to confirm a case of swine flu but not the only one, just hours ago four were confirmed in Brazil and one in Argentina.


    Meanwhile signs that things may be improving in Mexico, this weekend, Mexican soccer federation will allow fans to attend professional soccer games again.


    What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
    • Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
    • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
    • Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
    • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
    • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
    • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
    • Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
    • Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.






    New York Times article with FT and Revere:




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