If you are going to hang, you might take some Purell and clean your hands frequently, just to be extra safe.

Thanks for the b-day gift ideas! Great suggestions as usual.

I don't think I'd risk the flu, but I'm totally freaked out because I am in a high-risk group (pregnant). People at work have already started coughing and sneezing and such and it just makes me want to run home and not leave until this baby comes.

ETA: ~ma to Kristin and Drew!

My supervisor's cell phone has the same ring tone as the phones in the Cardiac Care Unit at the hospital. I twitch whenever it rings, but I can't think of a good way to say, "Please change your cell phone ring tone because it gives me flashbacks." I try not to seem too high strung.

(Hubby was playing with new ring tones on our phone, and that particular one came up. I firmly said, "Not that one," he asked why, I explained, and he merely nodded and moved on. He understands these things.)

A couple of people in my office have had swine flu. I think it's pretty well established in the NC Triangle, sadly. I hope KBD gets well quickly. A care package sounds like a nice idea.

But is there any use in getting diagnosed with swine flu?

Tammflu -- or how ever it is spelled. I have it because they tested me , but I didn't have it.

and my reaction is from my screwy immune system. I don't get much, because i am exposed to lots of squirmy kid germs. plus everyone else in the world feels it is ok to run into the library when sick . But if I get sick, I am down for the count. So even a mild cold get treated like a deadly disease.

and you don't need a blood test - just a nose swab

But is there any use in getting diagnosed with swine flu? Isn't the treatment just to stay home and rest?

Tamiflu makes a huge difference, if you start taking it within 48 hours of symptoms appearing. I usually get a 'flu jab, because it can take four to six weeks for me to recover from 'flu. With Tamiflu, I was ill for one week. Really good stuff.

My office just announced our company health fair for the end of October. If my department is put up for sale before then, do you think they'll still give me a flu shot?

Our office usually has a mass flu jab fest in the fall. I hope they'll get it going soon, before the current flu makes the rounds and renders getting jabbed moot.

This year you could use two jabs. one for the expected and one for the swine.

yay?