Ebola - False Panic

[jd_1984]

Now Ebola has been confirmed on our shores;
Will people suffering regular tummy bugs and associated symptoms now have these symptoms exacerbated by panic??

[Zacs-Master]

Did you miss this case JD?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29045908

[Sqad]

Only if they have just returned from West Africa OR..........if there is an outbreak of Ebola in the UK, which is extremely unlikely.

But the bottom line is and you are quite correct..........Ebola has reached the UK.

[RATTER15]

Not good news but I wont be losing any sleep over it.

No I don't think people will panic unduly over their own symptoms.

[jd_1984]

Oh!! Isn't it amazing how quickly news fades from short term memory!
I do recall this now having read the article.
But, my point about false panic, still has merit, thoughts?

[Zacs-Master]

Erm, no it doesn't because it didn't happen after the first case.

[mushroom25]

the difference with the previous case was that the patient was known to be ill before he travelled and was isolated accordingly. in the present case the patient mingled with god knows how many others at heathrow airport. can you say without equivocation that those people are at 100% no risk?

[jd_1984]

Yes sqad I agree.
But, in the coming weeks as people fear it may "spiral" I think undue panic may ensue

[Zacs-Master]

But it didn't the first time.

[mushroom25]

so because nothing happened the first time, we can safely ignore all risks this time? so why are the authorities trying to trace those who may have come into contact with this latest patient?

[jd_1984]

Zacs I and many others forgot about the last time.
It was isolated and as mushroom mentioned before diagnosis we are unsure how many people may have come in contact on this occassion. It seems different this time especially with a second potential case coming up today.
I wouldn't want to spread any fear, my question was - will people experiencing upset stomachs be more worried than usual?

[DTCwordfan]

We have someone being tested down here at Trelissick Hospital (Royal Cornwall). Good luck on this one as they are fairly hopeless up there.

[Zacs-Master]

Only the uninformed would panic at stomach pains as they aren't one of the first symptoms.

'Anyone worried about symptoms (such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or rash) within 21 days of coming back from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone should stay at home and immediately telephone 111 or 999 and explain they believe they have come into contact with someone with Ebola.'

Reading the rest of the advice may help:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ebola-virus/pages/ebola-virus.aspx

[DTCwordfan]

Christ, I better call the hospital then - my mater's place resembles Sierra Leone or Guinea.....on the other hand, any virus would be immediately eliminated.

[Slapshot]

If said nurse (male or female not sure) has been swapping bodily fluids with half of Glasgow, the crew and passengers of the aircraft and the airports at either end.... there should be no issues... still folk like panic for the sake of it!!

[jd_1984]

That all makes sense to me.
However
Say you are living in Glasgow and hypothetically (a month ago) you experienced stomach pain, slight fever and vomiting. The first thought in your head would not be EBOLA, it would be "What have I eaten, is anyone else I know been ill etc....."
Now, if you experience similar symptoms next week, with what is in the news today, you may think EBOLA and panic!

[Sqad]

Zacs

\\\\Will people suffering regular tummy bugs and associated symptoms now have these symptoms exacerbated by panic??\\

I think that jd is saying is......will the neurotic become even more neurotic.........and I think he has a point.

[Zacs-Master]

Only if you had been in contact with the person.

[DTCwordfan]

Why jd? I wouldn't.......unless I had been in direct contact with someone who had been in W Africa. It's not likely that I would be in contact with their body fluids even if I had.

All a little bit silly.

[Sqad]

It is not silly at all..........neurotics act in a curious way to medical facts..........that is why they are "neurotics."

[jd_1984]

Sqad I feel gets my point.
Zacs I agree with you and the articles you have posted are clear to me also.
But I feel todays news will breed false panic regardless of the logic that you need to have come into contact with this person.