Swine flu

[The Godfather]

Then so be it, the planet is over populated, the economy (UK at its worst for decades) is trashed, need I say more?The Godfather

However a 7% drop in the population is neither here or there, try 27% it may well have some impact on mankinds presence(long term).

The Godfather

 

[Apache]

We are due a pandemic but this isn't it.

This is a H1N1 type flu which we will all have seen before and have some immunity to.

Don't be panicked by the media.

Whatever happened to SARS?

 

[Jono Pashley]

FFP3 Dust Masks should offer pretty good protection far as HSE guidance goes should it come to that anyway.

 

[Apache]

FFP3 Dust Masks should offer pretty good protection far as HSE guidance goes should it come to that anyway.

Nah - masks are real false sense of security. FFP3 reduced dust inhaled by 20 times but not 100%! Could easily get any viral (and many bacterial) infections through them.

The people to put the masks on are those infected - they will really help limit droplet spread. (coughing, sneezing even breathing)

A virus is many thousend times smaller than a single body cell!

 

[Jono Pashley]

Nah - masks are real false sense of security. FFP3 reduced dust inhaled by 20 times but not 100%! Could easily get any viral (and many bacterial) infections through them.The people to put the masks on are those infected - they will really help limit droplet spread. (coughing, sneezing even breathing)

A virus is many thousend times smaller than a single body cell!

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr619.pdf

 

[Apache]

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr619.pdf

Thanks for the link Jono - you back up what I said

In principle, surgical masks provide adequate protection against large droplets, splashes andcontact transmission. There is a common misperception that they will provide protection against

aerosols

 

[green-hornet]

The best way to avoid the risk of infection is to follow all advise given by OFFICIAL sources and not some hear say, if all the pandemics had hit when I was younger I would have died in 1964.

 

[Apache]

The best way to avoid the risk of infection is to follow all advise given by OFFICIAL sources and not some hear say, if all the pandemics had hit when I was younger I would have died in 1964.

or live in an area of low population density

 

[green-hornet]

True

 

[Jono Pashley]

Thanks for the link Jono - you back up what I said

Except a Surgical mask does not meet FFP standards. Surgical masks are used to protect the environment more than the worker.

Main FindingsSurgical masks and filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators were tested on a human volunteer using an inert aerosol challenge. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that surgical masks will mitigate a mean reduction factor of around 2 against a simulated sneeze of inert airborne particles compared to FFP respirators, which are capable of offering a mean reduction factor of 100 or higher. Surgical masks were also tested on a breathing dummy head and subjected to an aerosol challenge containing live influenza virus. Infectious, viable virus could be detected in the air

behind all surgical masks challenged. A mean reduction factor of 6 was measured.

Only respirators in compliance with EC Directive 89/686 (e.g. FFP2 or FFP3) are recommended as suitable for respiratory protection against air borne particles. As surgical masks do not comply with this legislation they cannot be used to protect against risk of exposure to micro-organisms, such as the H5N1.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Health Protection Agency (HPA) both state an FFP3 mask (European equivalent of the US N99 Mask) is the most suitable protection when the wearer is in contact with a person or animal with the possibility of carrying the infection.

 

[Apache]

Except a Surgical mask does not meet FFP standards. Surgical masks are used to protect the environment more than the worker.

I'm not sure what your point is?

The point of a surgical mask is to protect the patient from bacteria from the surgeon, spread via droplets - a goal they achive. They would also help in the event of a spurting artery in terms of protecting the doctor.

They have no role in preventing the doctor catching airborn disease. That's not what they are for.

A FFP3 mask would help, but not 100%. To get to 100% we'd need a full biohazard suit with powered filters.

We need to know the infective dose of this influenza. Some viruses only a few virus particles are needed to cause disease, others infectious doses of millions are required. Until we know this we can't determine the risks.

 

[Jono Pashley]

All im doing is quoting official guidance from health authorities, who have been preparing for a flu outbreak for many many years now. Many people believe surgical masks offer significant protection, which they dont. My point being id rather not see people use a ineffective item should this actually become any worse.

 

[sparky2]

I have an asbestos mask P3 if thats any good thats been face fitted, I belive that everybody is getting a leaflet through the post warning of the symptoms. cheers - Stuart.

 

[a2]

Five confirmed cases. A couple from Scotland were the first to be confirmed with the virus on Monday. A 12-year-old girl from Torbay in Devon, plus two adults from London and Redditch.

:|

 

[ABC Technical]

Breaking news

 

[Andy™]

Is being covered in lashes a first sign of swine flu?

:coat

 

[D Brennan]

Is being covered in lashes a first sign of swine flu? :coat

terrible............... :coat :coat:coat

 

[ABC Technical]

Is being covered in lashes a first sign of swine flu? :coat

Kinky.

 

[Robojin]

My wife works in a health centre and she has told me this is fatal for about 7% of those who contract it

Oh in that case I'll contract it out, just like pensions

 

[300TDI]

Last time i fill my van up at Texico