Does anyone know details about bird flu? Does living in an area with a lot of intensive chicken raising operations increase the risk of infection? Do you have to actually handle the bird? In short, how is it transmitted? If airborne infection is possible is there a range ? I don't feel a panic attack coming on but do want to know what the risks are.

Susan;

I need a one time translation for this acronym.

Jon

Another thing that can be done is to get some extra samples from the doctor. My wife is on thyroid medicine. I went with my wife to an appointment and explained my concerns. The doctor gave me two one-week sample cards that now resided in the car kit. It is only an extra 14 days, but that is not too bad for free.

Tip to myself -- I gotta keep an eye on the expiration date.

Also, I am a Floridian. Things sure get hot here. I understand that heat can do bad things to meds. Any tips for keeping meds fresh that live in a vehicle in Florida?

No one really likes insurance companies, but don't play the blame game here. They are not preventing you from having additional prescription drugs, just from paying for them. As pointed out elsewhere in this thread, you need to work with your pharmcy and/or doctor to solve the problem.

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action.""

Here are a few web sites to check out:

CDC

CDC Flu

World Health Org

Pete

Thanks for the links. It appears that (baring some mutation) it is unlikely to be infected merely by living a mile or so from intensive chicken operations. It seems to require actual contact.
Hopefully those people that do come in contact with the birds are sanitized in some way before going to their second job as a short order cook........... Really........ no panic

There certainly isn't any strain of H5N1 infecting hundreds of people rapidly. Are you sure it wasn't referring to the garden variety flu? Because that has certainly infected a bunch of people recently, including my wife.

No, they were quite clear on the report that health officials were concerned because several cases appeared to have contracted a flu virus that was testing positive for h5n1 despite not having been anywhere near any birds or other people who handle birds, either sick or healthy. I've been searching on various parameters for a couple of days and I couldn't find the article. But now I have found several related after digging (and guessing on search parameters) and this was in Jakarta.

Indonesia hasn't been forthcoming with details on their problem, has been unwilling to kill off birds and seems to be looking for financial help to deal with it, so I'm not sure how valid this was in retrospect. I think I've convinced myself that someone pushed the panic button and a story leaked or was leaked on purpose and that's why it hasn't been picked up since. It also seems that poultry and people live in close proximity there, so even folks who don't handle birds may be near them and not realize it. I'm chalking this one up to unconfirmed, but I'm still getting prepared. I know a bit about pathogens, and a worldwide pandemic is far overdue - especially with our jetsetting lifestyles.

I wouldn't keep meds in the car in FL. Aren't you likely to get some warning of most impending disasters? Why not put them in a small baggie and pin them to the wall beside your exit door. If something is coming, grab and run.

Sue

So far, the main risk factor for getting H5N1 is contact with dead birds, whether domesticated or wild. As long as the chickens are healthy, there doesn't seem to be much risk because chickens aren't generally hidden carriers of the virus. Generally, if they get it, they start dying in droves. So, living a mile down the road from a normally functioning chicken farm is still safe. Hope you're upwind of the smell, though. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />