H1N1 and the Olympic Dreams

[ikfan]

On the news tonight it was reported that by the end of August WHO believes there will be 100,000 new daily cases worldwide of H1N1 flu.

If a skater catches this before the Olympic games there could be a great loss of training time. If they become sick around the start of the Games all their dreams of competing at the Olympics are kaput. There are so many variables leading up to the games for any competitor it must be nerve wrecking to add the flu worry.

 

[janetfan]

On the news tonight it was reported that by the end of August WHO believes there will be 100,000 new daily cases worldwide of H1N1 flu.

If a skater catches this before the Olympic games there could be a great loss of training time. If they become sick around the start of the Games all their dreams of competing at the Olympics are kaput. There are so many variables leading up to the games for any competitor it must be nerve wrecking to add the flu worry.

Isn't a flu shot going to be available for this - if not already available? Hope that will help.
FYI, the '98 Nagano Olympics were hit hard by the flu and it effected the performance of many athletes.

 

[heyang]

When the winter Olympics are staged in the Northern Hemisphere, it's always flu season.

I know that at least one company has developed a vaccine that is being tested.

 

[bronxgirl]

I don't know understand why athletes don't routinely get flu vaccinations. You CANNOT get the flu from it, and while there is always the possibility of a more severe adverse event associated with the vqaccination, there is a far greater likelihood of getting the flu when throngs are gathered together in places like the Winter Olympics.

 

[Ladskater]

Have no fear, Vancouver/Whistler (where the Games are being held) are on high alert regarding the H1N1 Flu. There are stations set up everywhere for people to sanitize their hands. We even have them set up where I work. Many precautions are being taken as much as possible.

 

[ehdtkqorl123]

I heard H1N1 is pretty serious in Japan. Also heard that some figure skaters who visited Japan in the past weeks were quarantined due to high fever. Before Olympic games, GPF will face this first in Japan.

 

[Spirit]

Have no fear, Vancouver/Whistler (where the Games are being held) are on high alert regarding the H1N1 Flu. There are stations set up everywhere for people to sanitize their hands. We even have them set up where I work. Many precautions are being taken as much as possible.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[icedancingnut31]

I don't see why people are so worried about the skaters. I had friends with swine flu, I was exposed to it too. You get sick (normal flu symptoms for a few days) I skate 4 days a week and I think I missed one practice because of it. The people who have problems from swine flu all had underlying health problems which these skaters most likely don't have. It is annoying for a few days, its no worse than the regular flu and it does not take long to recover.

 

[Medusa]

I don't see why people are so worried about the skaters.

You are right, these days we don't need to be worried. But the virus could very well undergo mutation till the winter.

 

[dorispulaski]

And if you catch any flu at just the wrong time (during the games), it could be disastrous. Especially for the ladies, if they follow the regular schedule, because if they go to the opening ceremony, they can't exactly do it in a mask. And then they have over a week to wait for their LP. So that's an awful lot of contact with the general public.

But that's the risk with the flu at any Olympics. I don't see swine flue as a bigger risk, unless it mutates again.

If I were planning to go to the Olympics, skater or not, I'd get a flu shot.

 

[icedancingnut31]

If you have an option get fluMist instead of the shot. It is a nasal spray that works as a flu vaccine and it is painless and is more effective than the shot

 

[bronxgirl]

The nasal flu vaccine has not been approved by the FDA for many patient types, so check with your doctor before asking for it. The standard injected vaccine may be a better choice for you.

 

[ikfan]

flu

Healthy people are dying as well as people with underlying cases. Don't treat the H1N1 lightly. I too was exposed but dodged the bullet. An underlying case doesn't mean that it must be a serious underlying case...overweight but not morbidly obese is a cause...some have no underlying causes with severe illness.

The flu shot will most likely be a two parter a month apart and will not be incorporated with the regular flu shot. So to be protected on all fronts it will mean three shots at different intervals.

When I started this thread I was thinking more along the lines that if swine flu is still being treated with effort to contain that could mean perhaps skaters who were exposed with no sympthoms might well be isolated and not permitted to compete. To quote Mr Spock...The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or something like that!