Swine Flu and travelling to the US

[corinne from oz 0]

Hi,

The World Health Organisation has raised the pandemic alert level from phase four to phase five, signalling that a pandemic is "imminent". For those of you who are near the end of their Visa Journey like me and planning to travel in the coming weeks to the US, are you just as devastated as I am about this threat to our love ones in the US and the potential that it could have on your travel plans? It is a well known fact that Air travel on planes is not the healthiest way to travel as the air is recycled in the cabin making it easy for germs to spread.

Cheers,

Edited April 30, 2009 by corinne from oz

[reeses16 8]

I would be concerned but there's nothing you can really do about it besides delay your flight to the US (and other affected areas) until the new infections have peaked and begun to subside. Definitely make sure your spouse gets you on their insurance ASAP or temporary medical insurance to cover you in the US.

[gixbr 0]

I think there is a high risk there, but I'm going one way or another. I seriously would be so sad if I had to postpone the date of seeing m husband again because of that flu.

[Kenza 1]

There have been cases reported 15 min. from where I live in Northern California. My hubby is worried about me but he wont be delaying his trip Just take regular precautions and be up to date on vaccines and all that good stuff!

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

I think there is a high risk there, but I'm going one way or another. I seriously would be so sad if I had to postpone the date of seeing m husband again because of that flu.

I'm not trying to sound like your mom, but take pre-cautions. Bath , and wash hands with a Anti-bacteria soap. Dial is the best.

Cover your mouth when you caugh, spray everything with Lysol. And this will sound strange, but when you leave a public bathroom, use a piece of paper towel to open the door Think of the germs on those door knobs of folks who dont wash hands after tinkling. YUCK. Take care of yourself and loved ones. Oh dont forgot those shopping carts, YUCK. Wash hands all the time.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

As long as the flights are running, I will be taking that trip over to America.

The current mortality rates that result from infection dont worry me. You are only slightly more likely to die from contracting this flu, than you are from any other flu.

What I worry about is my loved ones falling foul of an automobile accident, something that is far more likely. I guess the reason I would never let this infection stop me from travelling is that you only live once, and if I worried about everything that is likely to kill cause grave illness to me and my loved ones.....I would never get out of bed.

[redBlue 1]

I'm travelling to US to visit my husband within a week too and I'm concerned as well. But I'm still going....

I got my flue shot last week and I specifically told my family doc. that I was traveling to US..

I will be using N-95 mask at the airport/plane (can be bought in Wallmart)

I will be also practicing all other above mentioned (washing hands/hand sanizator etc...) pre-cautions as wkk.

No, I’m not exaggerating...None of them hurts if you practice and better than sitting/doing nothing and worrying about it...

Oh I'm going to LA,CA...

good luck

[corinne from oz 0]

I'm travelling to US to visit my husband within a week too and I'm concerned as well. But I'm still going....

I got my flue shot last week and I specifically told my family doc. that I was traveling to US..

I will be using N-95 mask at the airport/plane (can be bought in Wallmart)

I will be also practicing all other above mentioned (washing hands/hand sanizator etc...) pre-cautions as wkk.

No, I’m not exaggerating...None of them hurts if you practice and better than sitting/doing nothing and worrying about it...

Oh I'm going to LA,CA...

good luck

Hi,

Its still a worry as more cases are popping up in more countries. I hope to be travelling in the next couple of weeks. The biggest worry is on the actual plane. Biden the VP had it right...the air is recycled through out the airplane cabin. I don't want to wear a mask for the whole trip and not eat or drink. I used to work for the airline and its amazing how many people get sick from the germs in flight. Even though the airports are screening, they seem to be doing this at the destination port and not the departure. Don't know about you guys, but I would prefer being screened before getting on as opposed to at the final destination.

We can only hope and pray that the situation improves. I will only postpone my flight if the WHO raise the level to 6 - but at the point the borders will be closed in many countries. Its a real downer because we have waited so long and then when we can final join our love ones, this bloody thing happens.

Cheers,