"I think swine flu is very different from a normal flu because I just couldn't get out of bed."

Is the fatality rate higher than with normal flu? Is it just that we vaccinate against flu, so that people don't get it? Or is it a stronger strain that will kill more people anyway?

I am behind the times on the whole swine flu thing, I have preftty much been in a media black out and only heard about it today!

L
xx

Is the fatality rate higher than with normal flu? Is it a stronger strain? - I don't think we know yet. It's a bit puzzling that around 10% of Mexicans who have knowingly caught it seem to have died but no fatalities outside Mexico, it seems quite mild. It might have mutated in some way after it has spread, so that the swine flu that's in the UK etc is no longer as nasty.

The vaccinations target people who are most likely to catch flu/most likely to be extremely ill/die from flu, but obviously we don't have a specific vaccination yet for this variant. This year's vaccination did include some bits of the swine flu though so maybe it'll offer some protection. Don't think we know any more yet.

My boss was due to fly to Cancun on Monday with Thomas Cook. They've just offered her to transfer to Jamaica or Dom Republic or they've said they will give a full refund.

Hope you can get something sorted Alison76.

Atticusred, a quick google (and bear in mind I'm not in anyway science or medically trained) has brought up these articles.

Tamiflu And Pregnancy - Can I Take Tamiflu During Pregnancy?

Tamiflu (oseltamvir)
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the developing foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless unless the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

A Study of the Pharmacology of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in Pregnancy

"The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the developing foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor. "

Do you mean Tamiflu?

I think it's one of those where we don't really know because it's not been tested for ethical reasons. FDA have classed it as C which means animal studies show some adverse affects but we don't know in humans. It's possibly OK - but the risks need to be weighed up against the benefits. If it's a choice between death from flu or a small risk of effects on baby then the latter is probably preferable. If it's not that clear cut then maybe not.

This page has a reasonable explanation though I don' tknow how reliable it is since they confuse milligrams and grams at one point: http://ezinearticles.com/?Tamiflu-And-Pregnancy---Can-I-Take-Tamiflu-During-Pregnancy?&id=197807

My PIL are in Mexico at the moment! If there was ever a better excuse not to see them when they come back, let me know! Mwahahaha..better leave it for a month..at least!

In all seriousness I truly hope they will be OK and that nothing happens to them! They don't seem worried and are fully intending on staying the full week, if they are allowed anyway.

I read that 53 000 died from "normal" flue in the just the US last year, so this seems pretty mild in comparison. So far anyway! ?

Kill them, kill them with fire!

The various links on my post seem to all point to the fact that if the health of the mother is in danger then it's better to take Tamiflu than not. It's hard to find that on the Tamiflu.com website (last link) but I think perhaps that's US manufacturer paranoia that they will be sued.

Its hard on somewhere like BT, where everyone feels more emotional about the protcection of their children. Your post on BT was excellent. ?