h3. H1N1\u2014here it comes!<\/p>\n
\n“I don’t have it. See,” Sophie said, “I don’t have a curly tail.”<\/p>\n
\nAccording to the newsletter Sophie brought home,<\/p>\n
\nThis week H1N1 (swine ‘flu) has been confirmed in four Southwark schools including a school in Rotherhithe. This particular strain of the virus seemes relatively mild and responds well to the anti-virals (Tamiflu) which are used to treat it. Its symptoms are the same as those of the ‘flu except it is accompanied by diarrhoea.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nWhich is pretty matter-of-fact for a school newsletter. But wait, it continues,<\/p>\n
\nThe advice from the Health Protection Agency is that schools are not<\/em> to close simply because cases are reported or confirmed. At this stage they feel that the virus is so widespread in the community that closing a school woiuld make no impact on its spread. the probability is that most, if not all Southwark schools will have confirmed cases before the end of the summer term.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nwhich is remarkably sane, logical and progressive. See, it’s just a pandemic, which simply means everyone gets it. It doesn’t mean it’s the next sodding Black Death. Getting now while
it’s hot<\/del> not incredibly nasty would be a Good Plan. Swine flu party<\/a>, anyone?<\/p>\n\nAnd then Sophie was wondering if H2N2 was ‘worse’ than H1N1, and if H5N5 would be the worst of all… I stayed out of that conversation. Is there a virologist in the house?
Cath<\/del>Eva<\/del> \u00c5sa? <\/p>\n\nOlder people will remember ‘Hong Kong’ flu which swept across the country quite a few years ago\u2014there is no doubt that H1N1 is a nasty does of the ‘flu…If you have any concerns around your own child’s health please see your GP.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nNow, if only we’d had advice like that during that whole MMR gives you autism<\/em> mess.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
h3. H1N1\u2014here it comes! “I don’t have it. See,” Sophie said, “I don’t have a curly tail.” According to the newsletter Sophie brought home, This week H1N1 (swine ‘flu) has been confirmed in four Southwark schools including a school in … Continue reading