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SWINE FLU v Pilots; ATC; cabin crew etc
I have a question regarding work status for Operational status for officers/pilots/ATC staff given the current and future situation regarding Swine Flu.
If you are taking TAMIFLU, I understand you are not fit for work, in any shape or form, but in these cases a medical certificate will be issued.
However there appears to be a shortage of TAMIFLU tablets in this country, and the preventative vaccine is not yet available until at least the end of August 2009.
Given the own government figures that 80 % of the UK population is acceptable to Swine Flu, and that the government expects large numbers of people to go down with Swine Flu in the next few months, gives the aviation industry many problems.
Let’s get one thing clear this is a very infectious virus, that is not only spread in closed (cockpit; cabin; ATC Tower or operations room) area, as the Glasgow spread of Swine Flu has shown spread is almost certainly from an open football match, means you can catch it anywhere, including sitting alone in your own back garden.
The senior government health officer was stated yesterday on the 10 O Clock News (Radio 4), and on the BBC TV News, that they want people who think they are infected to go home and take PARACETAMOL, and that only if other problems occur will then, TAMIFLU will be prescribed, this could lead to people coming into work, for fear of losing their job.
We all know that Aviation Operational staff takes Paracetamol and work, could we have some guidance in the current situation.
Think this would be important for 1st Officers and other with low cost carriers (who could easy lose their employment in the current downturn), and the problem of going sick and only taking Paracetamol and not going to the doctors, and having NO medical Certificate to prove they were ill at all!
This problem is further complicated when other members of the household they are living in, may have Swine Flu!
Currently this latter situation is very difficult, as a doctor will not issue a medical certificate for another family member, who is not sick, yet is living with someone who has Swine Flu, but has been TOLD by the doctors to stay off work. This leads to great difficulties explaining to your employer the current situation.
Offers on guidance’s or what airlines, airport authority and NATS would be welcome to clarify a difficult confusing situation, especially for some of the junior first officers?
Ask your line manager: I have a family member with swine flu. I've been TOLD by the doctors to stay off work. Do you want me to come to work, or not???
Im sure the department of health would be very keen to hear the news that there is a shortage of antivirals ( Tamiflu is just one of the antiviral available).....? You have a source for this breaking news ?
Im not sure what all the fuss is about. In the vast majority the symptoms are no worse than the common cold of which far more people suffer on a yearly basis. Id rather get it now before it mutates....
Youve obviously never heard of Relenza. Check your facts. None of these antivirals are "cures" they just reduce viral load and thus duration and severity of symptoms. Scaremongering will never do.....
That not what the doctors who have come to our house have said.
I can state Tamiflu works, very very well with one member in our household who WAS given it.
The other aviation person was not, and told to take five days off work, does that mean he/she is a risk to the other staff in aviation industry? (not a cabain crew member) Pilots/Ops/ATC.
so, does that mean the non member in the house that was not offered tamiflu could be a carrier of the swine flu to other staff memebers in pilot/ops/ATC? how long could he/she be a carrier of the flu? unknow information!!!!
Last edited by Robin Byfleet : 3rd July 2009 at 20:36.
As ATCOs (and I assume pilots) we have a responsibility to ourselves to know that we are or are not fit for duty, this is either via your own GP or self assessment.
If you feel like crap or suspect that you're not going to be able to make the full shift then you don't go in.
There are CAA guidelines as to which medication you can take and work and those which you can't.
You either then self certify or if you really need a sick note, you get one or you don't and you go to work.
Location: Where the singing aardvarks told me I should be but when they stop singing I'm gonna escape
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Tamiflu works to reduce severity of the symptoms of flu. For some it'll work better than for others but that's down to many different factors. It's not even a specific Swine Flu drug, there isn't one............yet, and by the time there is one (if it comes) we'll be on to the next flu virus.
Llama flu anyone?
Firstly, sorry if this thread is in the wrong place but I wasn't sure where to post it.
I was wondering how many of our employers are serious about protecting us from swine flu, especially since the UK goverment have now accepted that it is not feasible to contain it & there are forecasting around 100,000 infections per day towards the end of August. So it seems inevitable that we will contract it. Although, for a healthy adult it is not so serious but for those of us with kids under 5 years old things suddenly start looking a little frightening. I have a baby & it scares me to death that I may bring it home since Tamiflu has not been tested on children under 1 year old. So what are your airlines doing for you?
It's flu - a few people die from flu every year.. How about the millions that die from malaria. No-one seems to worry about that too much Or road kill!!
I do not share the views of the previous contributors - I agree with the first posting; we should be most concerned and at the very least take basic precautions such as alcohol wipes for the controls and headsets. These should be provided by the company who will certainly pull a finger out in this respect when half their crews are off sick and aircraft are grounded. I know we tend to be viewed as technical adjuncts to the aircraft, but unlike apu's we are living creatures and can succumb to virulent diseases.
We had the local Medical Officer of Health visit us last week and fill us in on the lastest.
It seems that flu A(H1N1) affects all ages, but with a noticebly lower infection rate for the over-50's. Mortality rate is a fair bit lower than your average winter flu, but the infection rate is a lot highter. Most winter flus affect about 1 in 10, but swine flu seems to be heading towards affecting 1 in 3, and it's highly contageous.
Incubation period is 24 - 48 hours before serious symptoms appear.
A concern is that the strain appears to be becoming Tamiflu-resistant.
Those who contract the virus and who already have medical problems including (but not only) heart conditions and respiratory problems are the most suseptible to complications which may lead to death.
Watch out for the second wave which is normally about 6 - 8 weeks after the initial wave (now). The infection rates can be even more pronounced. However, unless the virus mutates substantially, you cannot get it twice.
MOoH's advice overall was:
1 Take precautions to avoid contact with anyone infected and maintain a high degree of personal hygene (regular and proper handwashing, care to avoid people coughing on you, avoid touching your eyes or mouth, etc.). Avoid shaking hands if you can - try adopting the Oriental head-nod.
2 Stay at home, even if you're feeling only slightly off colour. If your condition turns out NOT to be flu, no harm done; if you have it, you'll avoid passing it on to others.
3 PHONE you doc if you think you have it or need advice or treatment. You'll likely be referred to an Assessment Centre, rather than being asked to visit the surgery and infect everybody else in the waiting room.
4 If Tamiflu is not available or prescribed, treat as you would any other flu - lots of fluids (non- alcoholic!), paracetamol/ibuprofen as directed, bed rest.
Stay safe, folks, as best as you can.
Le Vieux
Last edited by Old 'Un : 6th July 2009 at 23:30.
Reason: Spelling
A very good idea. As you feel so strongly about your work environment, may I ask if you carry alcohol wipes and use them before entering a supermarket, corner shop, school with the kids, cinema, bookies, or any other public place?
My workplace is now littered with Alcohol hand wash, like many I prefer to use my basic hygiene patern that has kept me well for 41 years.
An First Officer has been confirmed with swine flu, the knock on effect has just started to hit the fan as Captain's and F/O's are being told to stay away!
I hope it passes without trouble for those effected.
Where did this info come from? and what are the details?
As an employee I have not heard or recieved any informtion on this, Should EZY crew be notified of this?
Swine Flu
Or road kill!!
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