I've been thinking about the swine flu. I remember a German measles outbreak in the days before vaccines became popular. I thought I was safe barricaded in an apartment with my newborn, waiting it out. This is how interesting airborne viruses are, without coming in contact with another soul, I caught the mumps instead. It must have come through a window.
Viruses have my utmost respect. I have been asking myself at what point I would lock up and try once more to wait it out.
On the other hand I may be overreacting. The Centers for Disease Control anticipate the worse problem they will have is congestion of hospitals and clinics because of mass outbreaks.
Oddly this flu is more virulent for an age group not normally seen as having problems. In the Mexico outbreak, 87% of the deaths were ages 5-59. This is not unlike the infamous Spanish flu that roared through most of the world in 1918. It was an H1N1 flu as well but a whole lot meaner.
Bottom line...wash hands. The virus can survive on a surface for 2 to 8 hours. We have to be aware not to touch our eyes, mouth or nose if we come in contact with a surface which may be contaminated. Also, if someone with the flu has difficulty breathing, they should not wait but seek medical help right away.
Now if only the clients would be kind enough not to come in when they're feeling sick. Then we massage therapists would have it made. Since there is not much hope in that, I am almost resigned to getting it.
A friend of a friend got it and she was very ill for a week. But what's with that Texas family in the news who had it and were chatting like it was nothing? I think it's like trying to avoid the measles and catching the mumps. It's really up to the virus.
Queen of Massage CEs
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