Hey
I also work in a hospital with Swine flu patients- although I am not in contact with these or any patients.
I spoke to my Ob last night about it, think (hoping rather!) that he suggest I not work there for a while hehehehe!
He explained that even wearing a mask does not reduce your risk of catching it, there is more of a chance of catching it by contact, for example, someone with the infection touching a desk, then you touching the desk later on. Then touching your face mouth nose etc.
He just told me to be more careful about hand hygeine, wash often, use anti-bacterial hand sanitisters (even the ones that you dont use with water are fine).
Also, maybe you could speak to your doctor about getting the antibiotics for the 'just in case' as they are safe while pregnant.
I would still go, but thats my opinion. Just need to be a bit more careful than normal!
Thanks for your replies. I'm still wavering. I don't know whether I should push DP hard to go, or choose the safe and boring option and stay home.
I'd heard masks weren't so effective. However, I was thinking that if we wore masks maybe everyone would stay away from us, reducing the number of germs in our vicinity. We could put on a bit of an act at the Bangkok airport but that might attract the attention of the people with the power to put us in quarantine!
I see the obst tomorrow, I'll see what he says.
I stayed away from a networking breakfast today because the local RMIT campus is closed because of swine flu and I know some RMIT staff usually turn up at these events. Crazy, huh?
[QUOTE=blueflower;1910528
there is more of a chance of catching it by contact, for example, someone with the infection touching a desk, then you touching the desk later on. Then touching your face mouth nose etc.
He just told me to be more careful about hand hygeine, wash often, use anti-bacterial hand sanitisters (even the ones that you dont use with water are fine).QUOTE]
I agree totally... You are way more likely to become infected by touching a surface that someone has sneezed or coughed over, rather than be sneezed on...
To catch it from a person you have to be directly sneezed coughed or spat (yuck) on as it is a droplet illness. Its easy to avoid people with flu like symptoms, but who know who has touched your trolley/basket/desk/handrail etc etc
the virus will live on a non pourous surface for up to 48 hours!!!
I say be really strict about what you touch and make sure you wash you hands or sanitise them prior to eating or drinking... this is your best way of avoiding contracting it.
Obviously stay away from crowded areas... but you know what, if you feel safer wearing a mask for what ever reason, its not going to hurt you, just be mindful that it should not be your only protection. And yes it may keep others away from you - its a visual prompt
FWIW i dont look after H1N1 patients, they are on my ward but i am never allocated these rooms as i have a toddler... Neither is anyone that is pg... better safe than sorry
Well, the obst didn't to have a strong opinion either way. I have Tamiflu (for bird flu) but he said to make sure influenza was confirmed before taking it.
He gave me a certificate for the airline and I think we're going to go. I sent an email to the resort asking if they'd had any swine flu cases among their staff or guests but they haven't replied.
I'll just have to try to be more careful about touching my face. I am really feeling the heat at the moment and I'm always wiping sweat away from my forehead, top lip and around my eyes.
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