H1n1 (swine flu) closer then you think

[helpnurse]

So I go into work, at the ICU and everybody is wearing face mask. Come to find out that 15 nurses came up positive for the swine flu last week and have been sent home. Can you believe that! We were told that it's optional to take tamiflu antibiotics prophalactically because we were exposed to these individuals. I chose not to. I've been working there all week long and have not showed any symptoms. I was told that this is a very fast disease and that the intubation period is 4-6 days, so if someone had it they would have gotten sick already. I asked to be tested. But they don,t do so unless a person shows symptoms. I don't have a cold, no cough, no runny nose, no fever, no itchy throat or headache, no vomitting . I'm not concerned I know I don't have it. I'm constantly washing my hands and wearing my gloves, keep my hands to myself etc. I just think it's absolutely awful that the nurse or nurses who were taking care of this patient with the h1n1 (swine) flu still kept on coming to work despite their onset of symptoms of the cold. Now they passes it onto their co- workers, and possibly their co-workers children. This message is to warn everyone to be vigillant and dilligent about hand washing technique amongst other things. This happened in Montreal, Canada. Once again if your showing any signs of the flu/cold do not go to work. Believe it or not you have more chances of catching the swine flu right here in your own neighborhood then you would if you went to Mexico.