Back in my September 11 entry I wrote about my battle – and then Brad’s - with flu-like symptoms since early in that month. I never got tested to see if I had the swine flu since my symptoms weren’t severe and I figured I’d feel better in a week or so.  Brad did have more severe symptoms in the beginning and, since he has heart problems, his doctor did test him. We were a little surprised at the results. The nasal swabs came back negative for swine flu, but the throat culture they took came back positive for a staph infection. He was put on antibiotics and in another week or so, he had seemed to regain his strength and was able to go about his normal routine. 

On the other hand, although I mostly got over some of the initial symptoms quickly – sore throat, achy body – some of the other symptoms have remained, now 5 weeks later, including eye problems, chest discomfort, cough. The most debilitating problem, however, has been constant severe fatigue that doesn’t respond to rest. 

You might ask what all this has to do with gambling and/or Las Vegas?  

Perhaps not as much as the subjects I usually cover here. Or -  perhaps more so. I’m not an extremist about anything or a perpetual worrywart, but I do think casinos can be a definite threat this winter in the war against the swine flu. For one thing, a place where groups of people congregate is always a hotbed for viruses.   Another problem is that the recession has caused casinos to cut their workforce numbers, including those that clean. I have noticed a definite decline in the general cleanliness in many casinos - dirty bathrooms, grubby machines. 

There is another issue if the swine flu becomes extremely widespread. Casinos are not “necessary” businesses. Would health departments ever shut them down during an epidemic? Or, might some casinos have to shut down if there are not enough healthy employees to run them? 

I guess this whole subject has captured my attention more because I have been dealing with it personally for over a month. Actually I didn’t connect some of my long-lasting symptoms with the swine flu. I have struggled off and on with fibromyalgia for over 30 years and it can have some of the same symptoms, especially extreme fatigue. However, results of all my Googling point to the opinion that I am probably still fighting the swine flu. 

Some people I talk to say they are afraid to get the swine flu vaccine. I think I am in the camp that says you should be afraid not to get it!

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