Swine flu

Posted on Thursday, 23 July 2009, 11:20 p.m.

Swine flu is here to stay for the time being and we now have to accept that. In England we have a dedicated website and phone line, when you can get through to it of course. The problem is that everyone is panicking, we have to deal with flu every winter, this is a new strain and unlike the bird flu that we were promised would become a pandemic swine flu is infecting thousands of us.

There are concerns that now the system is going to be abused, people are going to be stocking up on Tamiflu just like baked beans and spam in the world wars. Well I am sure not everyone is silly enough to do that, tamiflu can give you some nasty side effects should you take it needlessly. The government for once have got something right and are providing enough tamiflu for 80% of the country and the vaccine is on its way.

I am concerned, not about having it myself, I have had flu once, I was 6 months pregnant and it was horrible, I couldn't get out of bed, let alone eat or drink for three days and it took a good week after that to recover fully, but I am worried about my kids getting it. The flu seems to be affecting those under 14 more frequently. I think we also have to accept that people, like they would from any other disease, are going to die. We all hope it won't be anybody we know but we have to accept that every year hundreds of people die from flu in the UK and thousands worldwide, perhaps however we should remember that in the African country thousands of people die from malaria and diarrhoea when simple treatments are available. We do have a treatment but sadly no matter how good the doctors and the medication sometimes our bodies and immune systems are not good enough to fight of the disease invading.

I am not going to be queueing up for the drugs and if I do get it, which I am sure I will, or if not I will know someone who has it, I will try and manage it at home. The drugs cannot prevent the flu, the vaccine may, but limit the time of the symptoms, maybe only by 24 hours. I am sure my bed, painkillers and a bucket will suffice. I wish you all luck and hope you stay swine free but please don't panic and don't take drugs you don't need.