UK flu?

[maroo]

My co-worker is headed to the UK to visit family and has been told by her family that the flu is going around pretty bad over there? Is it? Has it been that bad? And if so, where is it mostly?

 

[buzz for boys]

Im sorry to save that teh flu virus has been fairly viralent this year in the uk. I dont think there is a single person I know that hasnt been laid up with it and it really is flu not just a bad cold!!
As for where it is worse I can only say that I have friends all ove the country and everyone is saying the same thing!!

Where abouts in the uk is your friend heading too ??

 

[jen_uk]

As Louise just said, the flu is really doing the rounds here at the moment I had it just before Xmas and after 4 days of feeling better I've got it again Sadly, I'm not in the minority, loads of people are ill at the moment

 

[maroo]

I don't know where she is headed? I know she is landing in London and then having to drive to where they are. But they seem to be suggesting that they should not even go?

The flu is "widespread" here in MS - supposedly - but I don't know anyone that has it?? So I wasn't sure if it was just a cursory warning or if you guys really are having issues with many people being sick?

Sounds like you guys are really having some issues? Maybe they should postpone?

 

[jen_uk]

Personally I wouldn't postpone a holiday because of it, might be an idea to have the flu jab before they travel and take other precautions like using hand wash gel etc,

 

[Ware Bears]

Neither would I cancel. The numbers of flu-related illness are up this year but we have had exceptionally cold weather. Unless your co-worker is vulnerable with health issues already then I'd tell her to still come and have a wonderful trip.

 

[PoppyAnna]

I wouldn't cancel. Basic cleanliness can help guard against picking it up but if you're on vacation in contact with more people of course you have more chance of getting it. Yes, there are some flu cases here in the Uk and as it has been mentioned we all know somebody that has had it. I for one came down with it on the 9th December and was very poorly but I do have other underlying health issues. I'm still feeling the effects of it with my breathing more than three weeks later and my GP suspects I did have the H1N1 version.

We had a major flu season in Europe in 1999/2000 that caused a large number of deaths in the elderly in France in particular, I still went to France skiing that year and I never got it.

IMHO The flight over is the greatest risk, somebody in our family always picks up a cold or tonsilitus on a long haul flight.

 

[Dimplenose]

I've read lots of news reports that flu is on the increase this year, but I personally don't know anyone who has had it yet.

 

[MazdaUK]

I've heard its around more but as far as I know no-one has had it. I think it has been exaggerated a bit because of worries about the low uptake of flu jabs

Its like any flu - if you really have flu you know about it, if you can still get about you've got "man flu" (a cold!). Any illness is dangerous if you are in an "at risk" group - one with respiratory problems or generally low immune system. But I agree the biggest risk is the plane - at least one of us always has a bug of some sort after flying.

I'd agree no point canceeling a vacation - you're just as likely to catch it at home. Because its been so cold people have been huddling round inside rather than going out and so there's been more transmission that way. Good hygiene is your best bet - and don't hug anyone with a sniffle!

 

[Chilly]

There is no reason for them to cancel.

I've had the flu but its just one of those things, you get over it.

 

[maroo]

I just talked to her and they are canceling. Their child has diabetes and evidently his doctor here in the states said that there is an "epidemic" in the area where they were traveling?? He was more concerned than the family - but I guess they don't want him to get sick while he is out of the country either.

But I am so glad to know it has been blown up more than necessary. Sounds like it is under control there! Which is good!

 

[hildasmuriel]

I've read lots of news reports that flu is on the increase this year, but I personally don't know anyone who has had it yet.

Same here - don't know anybody who has had it.

At school before Christmas lots of children were off sick and their parents phoned to say they had 'flu but they were mostly back after one day. That's NOT 'flu.

ETA: Just seen on the news that 39 deaths have occured due to 'flu this winter. That's awful for the 39 families involved, but statistcially these are tiny tiny figures. Over 200 people die from road accidents each month.

 

[emily1982]

To be honest, there are soo many people around here it is unbelieveable and they're saying now how much swine flu is around. I suppose if their child does have another condition I would maybe hold the trip off for a couple of months, otherwise I would have said still come.

 

[MazdaUK]

If it was me I'd have had my child vaccinated and come anyway - but not being that child's parent its not my decision. It depends how sick their child is - if newly-diagnosed it could be they are not stable yet and it could be more dangerous

 

[Laurafoster]

At school before Christmas lots of children were off sick and their parents phoned to say they had 'flu but they were mostly back after one day. That's NOT 'flu.

Could be Man Flu


I only know of the 1 person that has had Flu but i think illnesses in general have been quite bad recently because of the weather. I know lots of people who have had chest/throat infections and really awful colds!

I wouldnt put off coming to the UK though. Aslong as you follow reasonable precautions such as carrying a sanitiser had gel then all should be fine.

 

[maroo]

They canceled their trip before Christmas.

But have you guys seriously not noticed a serious uptake in your flu cases?

We are hearing that over 700 people are in ICU fighting it and that they are canceling non-emergency surgeries, adding ICU beds and generally having a hard time handling the number of flu cases - and that is by far the worst they have ever seen?

Is it not on the news there?

 

[Ware Bears]

It's been all over the news the last couple of days but only really so they can sensationalise about how they've run out of vaccine! The number of deaths is now up to 50 (and luckily they think it's now peaked and is on the way down) but I still don't know anyone who's had it. I am crossing my fingers whilst I type though, don't want to tempt fate

 

[hildasmuriel]

They canceled their trip before Christmas.

But have you guys seriously not noticed a serious uptake in your flu cases?

We are hearing that over 700 people are in ICU fighting it and that they are canceling non-emergency surgeries, adding ICU beds and generally having a hard time handling the number of flu cases - and that is by far the worst they have ever seen?

Is it not on the news there?

Sounds like they are short of news.

Things have changed since I last posted.....I now know one person with 'flu.
As for hospitals, poor old Dad was taken in again in the early hours of Monday morning and there was no problem with getting an acute bed for him - if anything it seemed quieter than when he was last there a few months ago. We were surprised they kept him in until yesterday (as there was really nothing more that can be done) so they can't be short of bed space.

 

[Pinky166]

As Elaine said it is on the news here but only because they have run low/out of the vaccine. This time last year 251 people had died of swine flu whereas it is much lower at 50 this year.

 

[jen_uk]

When I went back to work on Tuesday at least a third of the people I spoke to said they had had flu over Xmas. I know that some of them may have just had colds but loads of people are are saying they were so ill they couldn't get out of bed etc. Also, I know 2 people that are currently in hospital with swine flu. I work in a school so maybe thats why I know lots of people with flu.