Swine flu, is it really pandemic?

This is quite bad and could prove to be extremely serious! I don't want to look at things too much in a negative light but I'm sure that the government are just telling us what we want to hear. If this virus is contagious and easily spread amongst the human population then things could get extremely serious before they get better. They are saying that we have a lot of stock in terms of Tammi flu, that's in London, and that we are well prepared but I'm sure that they are beginning to fear the worst. Let's hope that things don't come to that. Andrew

Yeah its a dangerous disease, but somehow I'm not worried in the least.

Pig industries are facing an unprecedented I would like to hit,at present I live in the area of prices.There is growing concern caused by swine influenza virus effective against.

I live in Yuma, AZ, just a few miles from the border. We are beginning to see more people purchasing the face mask for protection. Although there have been no reported cases in my county or state, it probably is only a matter of time. So, I am concerned, but not yet alarmed. According to AP posting this afternoon the CDC is preparing for a pandemic outbreak. I have no clue as to how fast they will respond, so I'll give them the respect and not second-quess them, or read alot between the lines. I have spent 40 years in medical fields (paramedic, nurse's aide, pharmacy technician, and medical technologist). What I have heard so far is cause for concern. With about 10% of cases being fatal, I believe it would not take much for the public to panic about this. As with SARS and bird flu outbreaks, I think this will also run its course and die out. But, this does not mean we ignore it, the swine flu outbreak needs to be watched very carefully and governments need to respond quickly.

Hello Yes it is alarming isn't it? Must say thought, at the moment my concern is that I had this flu virus 2 or 3 weeks ago. The symptoms quoted include : Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue and some people have reported vomiting and diarreah. Just before the Easter school holidays a virus spread around my childrens pre-school with most of the kids coming down with these symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and before it was over many had been vomiting and/or had diarreah. Then, the Friday that the schools closed for the holidays (3 April), I woke up with a really sore throat and proceeded over the next 10 days to go through the whole array of symptoms. In fact, I still haven't managed to get rid of the cough completely. I happened to have an appointment at the doctor for my son on the Saturday so while I was there I asked the doc to take a look at my throat - he sent me home saying that I should take pain killers and anti-inflamatory tablets and just get some rest! My 5 year old son was diagnosed with tonsilitis! and my 3 year old twins just rode it out and got over it - eventually! The question in my mind now is - DID WE HAVE SWINE FLU BEFORE IT BECAME GENERALLY RECOGNISED AROUND HERE?????? OR DID WE JUST HAVE A PARTICULARLY NASTY FLU VIRUS WHICH WAS VERY CONTAGIOUS????? Violetdreams

You bet I am alarmed about it! If they want to say it is a pandemic then I will go by what they say. I would not get that flu vacination for no amount of money, no matter what they say. You have heard about all that stuff I hope. Stay tuned in, do your homework! It could save your life and that of your loved ones.

I think swines (pigs) need to be alarmed about it, and possibly pig farmers. I think the internet sensation of this thing is spreading faster than the actual flu itself. Lets see there was mad cow disease, chicken flu, and now swine flu. What's next? Goats. Everyone that has goats watch out. I'm not one for conspiracies really, but um...anyone ever noticed when ranchers get greedy and aren't getting as much money as they want suddenly an animal disease pops up, and wallah they raise their prices. "oh sorry...supply and demand" Just throwing that out there to think about.