Swine flu

asimonov

It seems likely that swine flu will be epidemic here by autumn / winter this year. I read somewhere that hard training has a negative effect on our immune system leaving us more susceptible than most to illness. Is there anything you can do or eat to bolster the immune system to negate this effect? Is taking part in an international mass participation sporting event in October asking for trouble?

rainbow kirby

In other words: How can the aporkalypse be avoided? :pac:

misty floyd

maybe there will be vacines by then? Or maybe there is a vacine already? If you get it, you get it, what can you do.

asimonov

Totally being selfish here, but I'd hate to miss the dcm because of it. But misty, you're right, what happens happens. Maybe I'll just bring my own drinks (and wear surgical gloves).

BJohnson

Just remember all of the things we're supposed to do to prevent any infection... wash your hands regularly, get plenty of sleep, eat a decent diet, and don't let yourself get too run-down with over training. A strong immune system is the best defence against most illnesses.

Let's not panic about this latest round of publicity regarding the swine flu. Just remember that the regular flu kills around 36 000 people every year in the US alone. So far, last time I checked, less than 20 people had died in the US from swine flu since it was discovered. Most of those cases involved the groups that would already be most susceptible to the flu - the very old, the very young, and those that already suffered from health problems.

Do what you can to prevent it, but even it you catch it, chances are it won't be any worse than catching one of the regular strains of flu that come around every year.

LeotheLion

Don't worry about a thing,because every little thing is gonna be alright.

misty floyd

LeotheLion wrote: »

Don't worry about a thing,because every little thing is gonna be alright.

pass the joint

TFBubendorfer

asimonov wrote: »

I read somewhere that hard training has a negative effect on our immune system leaving us more susceptible than most to illness.

I've read that nonsense loads of time as well. Fact is that I used to get several colds every single winter, but since I started running I have had hardly any, even though the kids are bringing home plenty of germs from school.

manco68

misty floyd wrote: »

maybe there will be vacines by then? Or maybe there is a vacine already? If you get it, you get it, what can you do.

I would do some research before i got this vaccine.http://www.truthexposed.com/swine-flu.phphttp://www.newsmax.com/health/vaccine_swine_flu/2009/07/07/232717.html

hunnymonster

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I've read that nonsense loads of time as well. Fact is that I used to get several colds every single winter, but since I started running I have had hardly any, even though the kids are bringing home plenty of germs from school.

It's not nonsense at all but it does depend on the volme and intensity of training. A trained person will have a better immune system than a couch potato, but an overtrained person is likely to be worse off.

TFBubendorfer

hunnymonster wrote: »

It's not nonsense at all but it does depend on the volme and intensity of training. A trained person will have a better immune system than a couch potato, but an overtrained person is likely to be worse off.

Fine. But I'm pretty sure the overtraining threshold is much higher than people think. Most of us, and that includes competitive runners, don't ever cross it. <---- My personal opinion only

MrCreosote

You won't miss the marathon unless you get it beforehand anyway. So it'd be like any other cold/flu/infection you could possibly pick up at that time of year. I'd be more worried the DOH might just blanket cancel all mass participtation events if it gets serious- they're not doing this overseas though as it seems not be severe enough to justify at the moment.

Only thing really proven to reduce risk is handwashing.
Vaccine is a few months away at least.
And those links from manco68 up there are complete twaddle by the way.

RoyMcC

On a lighter note, at a staff meeting yesterday we were instructed to refer to swine flu as the A(H1N1) virus as the pig farmers are worried about the impact on their business.

Whereupon someone stood up and said 'Speaking on behalf of the pigs I think that the name is just fine'.