Are Retail Jobs at risk from swine flu?

[SallyA]

God it looks like this whole swine flu thing is going from bad to worse doesn’t it?

Apparently the number of cases has doubled in the past week! Children seem to be where the most significant increase lies with the under 14s being the worst affected! It seems like the schools are where it is spreading right now! Good it’s the summer holidays now then isn’t it?

The good news is that the National Flu Service (www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu) has been launched this week. This service will allow those suffering to get their medication without needing to see a GP! This is a bit odd as what will happen to those that need to take time off from work? Will they not need a sick note?????

I can’t believe the number of people that are contracting swine flu – I know of 5 people that have had it and everyone I know also knows someone that has had it! I wonder how bad it will get at its peak which is supposed to be this autumn????

How many retail jobs will suffer because people can’t make it into work? Do you thing people will say they have it to get an extra week off work?

Do you think retail workers are more likely to get it because of the children that will now be out and about in full force???

[retailworld]

Do you think retail workers are more likely to get it because of the children that will now be out and about in full force???

All I'll say is... roll on September :rolleyes:

[SallyA]

All I'll say is... roll on September :rolleyes:

Couldn't agree more! The young hooligans are out in full force again much to the dismay of the dude that works in my local Coop! He said he noticed it straight away! :mad:

[Emily-O]

Out of interest have you seen your workplace take precautions about swine flu?

I heard that if things get really bad the government are thinking of letting people have up to 2 weeks off work without a doctor's note. To be honest it all sounds like the perfect excuse to stay at home and put your feet up!
I reckon everyone who has the sniffles and the blues are going to be diagnosed with it.. are we going to become hypocondriact england (if we are not already)? ???

[SallyA]

My workplace have't really taken any extra precautions!

People have come in who have someone suffering from Sine Flu at home etc etc! None of us have had it yet though (touch wood)!

I agree with you about the hypocondriacts though! One of my friends had a little sniffle the other day and thought she had swine flu! Silly woman! There is a big difference between a cold and a flu! You know when you have a flu!

I do think companies will suffer particulalry if they are going to allow time off work without a sick note! Surely then all you would have to do is ring the hotline give them the right symptoms and then have a two week holiday! Of all the people I know that have had it though, they have recovered in less than a week so why the two week break?????? ???

[abi4retail]

LOL ... I don't think swine flu has reached its full potential yet - I think its just brewing ... I mean do you think its just going to dissappear... does any one know of any other illnesses like swineflu that have killed?

[m8internet]

There are loads of illnesses, especially flu, that kill
Last year 20000 people in the UK died from Winter Flu
However, it depends on if you are in a high risk group

Equally, as yet noone has become reinfected with Swine Flu, showing that resistance is not far away either

It is actually a good sign if children become mass infected, this is often done when other illnesses become prevalent, such as german measles
The outbreak is then smaller and can be dealt with much easier

The main issue is the cost and abuse
I've already heard of one case where someone was found to have a years worth of flu tablets!

[Emily-O]

You hit the nail on the head. Cost and abuse.
A perfect time to see what Britain's work ethics are like! What does everyone think that our work ethics are looking like at the moment? Do you think the majority are going to put their feet up for a few weeks? Or do you think the majority will soldier through?

[SallyA]

Emily-O I would like to think that the majority will soldier on through it but we have to be realistsic don't we? I bet there will be a few chncers out there if I am totally honest!

I know a few people around me that have had it and so far it hasn't come into my household directly (touch wood). So its not that contagious really is it?

Cost and abuse are definately two things that will need to be taken into accoutn as it will not just be abuse of the medical systems and medicine stock pilers but also abuse of the employer and cost to the employer for such abuse! Lets see what happens now?

[abi4retail]

Aren't Glaxo Smithkline meant to be cashing in on this situation hugley?

Cashing in on millions due this outbreak ... They've got orders from 16 countried for 195 million doses of vaccine - $$$

[SallyA]

Abi I just looked into this and apparently Glaxo Smoth Kline are in the money! It looks as if they are getting ready to sell £3billion worth of swine flu drugs this year alone! See this article:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/22/glaxosmithkline-swine-flu-vaccine

Its not only a vaccine they have but also drugs which can releive the symptoms of swine flu called Relenza! You can just see the £££ signs in thier eyes can't you?

But I guess some one has to make the medicine and it can't be free! These things cost money!

They are giving 50m doses away for free to poorer nations as well though!

[Dark Phoenyx]

I found an interesting article. apparently it isnt only GSK that are to benefit.

Have a read here at the Gulfnews (http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Health/10338806.html)

[SallyA]

Wow I didnt realise there was that much competition going for this vaccine! Maybe we should all change career and become a pharma sales compnay haha!

[Dark Phoenyx]

LOL definately. :D

[Mellijelli]

Of all the people I know that have had it though, they have recovered in less than a week so why the two week break?????? ???

Iv heard that there is a 7 day mandatory quarantine period required for anyone who has swine flu, so you have to stay at home for that period of time till its completely cleared up. I know 3 people who currently have swine flu 2 school children and 1 adult, but its really just that its flu but if left untreated worsens, so best to catch it right from the start.

[Dark Phoenyx]

I think thats a good idea yes. If you dont stay home and get well, you might pass it on to someone else. From what Ive heard its worse than just having the flu.. Im just glad no one near me has caught it yet.

[Mellijelli]

Any flu can be dangerous if left untreated, what starts out as a sniffle can soon turn into bronchitis and then pneumonia and after that something much more serious.

Im going to give you all an in depth look at what swine flu is:

Although the name 'swine flu' brings up a lot of extra fear and worry, it is important to note that swine flu is just an influenza A H1N1 virus.

That means that it is just another type of flu virus, just like that causes our typical seasonal flu symptoms. The big difference is that the current swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has components of pig and bird influenza viruses in it, so that humans don't have any immunity to it. That is what made it more likely that it would become a pandemic virus (have the ability to cause a global outbreak) because it could easily spread from person-to-person.

So far, even as you see swine flu cases increase on this swine flu map, experts don't know if this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus will return in the fall for another wave. It could or we just continue to see sporadic cases for a few weeks or months until it stops.

We do know that swine flu symptoms are just like seasonal flu symptoms.
Swine Flu Symptoms

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
cough
runny nose or stuffy nose
sore throat
body aches
headache
chills
fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure.

So now we know what to look out for :)

[Mellijelli]

Just an add on to my previous post, I thought id just give the link to the info I provided as further on it lists some of the symptoms for more serious cases:About.com (http://pediatrics.about.com/od/swineflu/a/409_symptoms.htm)

[SallyA]

Thnaks for that its very imforamtive :D

I too am hoping that no one directly around me will catch swine flu - knowing me I would get it, I have such a low immune system that it is unbvelievable! All you have to do is look at me and I will catch your cold or cough or whatever haha!

I am hoping swine flu will go away haha! I mean it may not but I do think the mass panic is too much don't you?

[Mellijelli]

SallyA I have been really sick for the last couple of weeks now, the first round I started with sinu-bronchitis which I left untreated for way too long and ended up with a serious lung infection, one Saturday night I got really ill and had a temperature of 42 degrees I thought for real I was dying... it resulted in stiff neck and painful body aches the day after and an awful migraine, went to the doc and he prescribed me some 500mg of penicillin (double dose), the course is now completed and yesterday I woke up and my lung was so sore AGAIN, I could hardly breath, I will be going back to the doctor today, the thing is I dont know if I had a case of swine flu or what, all I know is this flu going round is nothing to play with and it seems more difficult to get rid of for some reason.

The latest statistics shown for our area is 82 cases of swine flu which is quite high but I do think everyone is a bit on the band wagon here as they are all demanding a swine flu test for a simple head cold, it could get out of hand for health workers.

[Dark Phoenyx]

think so. With us, the kids come home from school with letters about the h1n1 virus and what to look for. With the symptoms being so close to seasonal flu, Im not surprised that people are becoming paranoid about it. i Hope you feel better soon MelliJelli. It cant be good being Ill for that long.

Phoenyx

[Mellijelli]

Well I got sick after my daughter did she is better long ago but it keeps hanging onto me for some reason, I hardly ever get sick in the first place but when I do I get it bad, lets hope this round of antibiotics cure me now, I just got my next course this afternoon from the doc :(

[SallyA]

wow dude you sound like you had it bad :(

Did they test to see if you had swine flu? because then maybe you will need tamiflu instead or something?

Its sounds awful - How are you feeling now? Better I hope?

[Mellijelli]

Strangely enough my doctor did not even suggest a swine flu test, Iv since been told I have pluracy which is very painful and is going to take some time to heal, its worst in the mornings when i get up, things like coughing an sneezing hurts real bad, but im doing much better than I was, hope this is the last of being sick for a very long time... im sick of being sick :(

[SallyA]

I just had to google that lol! I have never heard of it but upon reading up on it - it sounds terrible!!!! :(

Did they say hoe long? I hate it when you get things that get you like that and hang on for ages..... Make sure you drink plenty and get lots of vitamin C to help your immune system :)

as for the whole sine flu thing - Im not sure if you have been watching much tv or not, but have you noticed how the whole hype has completely died down? It seems to have just disappeared!

[Mellijelli]

There is no specific time period for it to get better but with the antibiotics iv been on it should clear it up completely after a while, my course is finished and its still a little painful but much better than it was before thankfully. As for the swine flu iv not heard much lately about it either seems to be calming down now.

[SallyA]

I would just make sure you rest and take it as easy as you can :(

Don't you think its really weird how all the hype has died down after all the fuss they made about it? Its comp,etely gone off the radar! Oh well at least it means they haven't got to worry about masses being off from work with swine flu causing any problems!

P.S. I just looked at my post from yesterday and my spelling is all over the show hehe! I must have been in another world!

[Mellijelli]

haha SallyA honestly I did not even notice ur spelling errors ;) dont worry mine is not too great some days too the fingers dont always do what the brain tells them :D

I think the thing with this swine flu was that people were not at first properly informed about how to treat it and what symptoms to look out for, but I think now with all the publicity its had, the public are more at ease knowing its treatable and what to look out for so the panic has passed now, with all things new people jump on the band wagon then it dies down after a while.

[SallyA]

Yeah I agree with you there! There haven't been the masses off sick either which is good! I haven't even heard of anyone having had it for a while! Maybe its gone away?

Its better though isn't it - imagine the impact it could have had on the UK's workforce if it had kicked in with a vengeance?

[Mellijelli]

I think there has probably been a fare share of people who used swine flu as an excuse to stay off work, but if you think about it this winter we have been hit hard by flu and colds in general whether it be swine flu or just the commen cold. I dont think the workforce was too badly affected by it all, iv not read anything to confirm that, but it could well have gone in the other direction im sure.