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Prepped for contagions? (typhus vs. typhoid?)

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  • Prepped for contagions? (typhus vs. typhoid?)

    Is 'anti-contagion prepping' covered somehow in prepping plans?

    How do you all see this issue coming up post-SHTF and what plans do you have to deal with it?

    Just looked up the difference between typhus & typhoid and seeing the info about them, seems they're likely to be issues post-SHTF.

    But one is spread via bad water, and one by lice. How to deal with either or both in a post-apocalyptic world is the question.

    Also cholera, yellow fever, malaria, regular old 'dysentery', or even bubonic plague could become widespread. (What am I leaving out?)

    If there were even a minimal surviving version of local govt., public health would be a top priority (per One Second After, etc.) but what if your family or your small group is on its own? How then, to deal with such?

    In a more remote location, this might not be as high of a priority, but with any contact with larger populations due to bugging-in, or as refugees moved through (or bug-out to) an area, or simply from being down-stream from others (remember that chemical spill in W.Va?), this might become more urgent.

    Knowing symptoms and treatment takes one into the realm of heavy-duty medical knowledge/terminology, but dealing with these diseases' vectors seems do-able without as much expertise.

    Re-Waterborne diseases
    Ensuring clean water and proper latrines takes care many disease. Doing so is always a first concern in dealing with refugees and post-disaster scenarios.

    The clean water issue seems pretty well covered in prepping sites/info.

    The 'latrine' issue--sort of: how to do so on a short-term household-basis with toilet seats, 5-gal. buckets, and so on.

    But longer-term, when the kitty litter is gone and/or you have a pit full of what-hit-the-fan, then what? If (unexpectedly) dealing with large numbers of people, that would happen quickly.

    Out-houses, yeah, of course (they cover a multitude of sins, heh, heh--and Myaka, thanks in the past for a link on how-to of latrines) but how/where to safely locate one? A little food for thought on that from the typhoid article:

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    (here's a larger version of that image if the small is hard to see--this larger version on wikipedia.)

    Or this:

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    Maybe info about providing proper latrines for large numbers of people comes from military service and living in/setting up a camp. If so, would the military's version carry over to how to live post-SHTF, given the resources available then?

    Re Insect-borne diseases
    But typhus is carried by lice. Other contagious diseases are also insect-vectored, though with different bugs. What info is there on de-lousing? Could be just a matter of doing your self or a small group, but could be a larger number of people. As with most things, what might work with a dozen or so people may not be the best answer for dealing with scores or hundreds, especially if there is a disease already among them and a quick response is necessary.

    Or, about eradicating other such vectors--mosquitos, or rodents that carry the fleas that carry the germs, etc.--what traps, sprays, procedures etc. would be of use?

    I realize this way of thinking goes against the isolation-aspect of most bug-out plans--the main idea of which is to get away from populated areas and their post-SHTF problems--but seems post-apocalyptic books/movies often--realistically?--depict that sort of isolation as not completely working as a means of avoiding diseases.

    And most plans do call for stocking of anti-biotics, having multiple means of purifying water, and staying clear of people as much as possible, which all make sense in terms of avoiding contagions. But if anyone's doing more on this, I'd be glad to hear.

    (interesting little bit of data as far as how much coverage there may be on this: there are no 'tags' for 'contagion', 'disease', 'public health', or 'hygiene'--not meaning that as a criticism or anything, but seems like maybe this is a topic that needs to be explored a bit further. Then again, maybe those are the wrong key words to look for, or maybe tags aren't the best measure of a topic's coverage.)
    Last edited by Schneb; 06-28-2014, 02:50 PM. Reason: images didn't show in final version
    Been there, done that. Then been there again several times, because apparently I never learn.

  • #2
    One of the unique things I ever did while working in the local county jail, was finding new inmates with head lice.

    1. We had to shave their heads and all the people who were held in the same cell. All clothing was either washed in hot water with soap and bleach, or taken out and burned.

    2. All the bedding was taken out and sent to the garbage dumb. Dumb was notified about the lice problem, so they had a ditch dug and burnt everything.

    3. All the ceiling, walls, and floors, were washed with soap, followed by a bleach water rinse.

    4. Finely the county had a company come in and sprayed for head lice.

    This happened every spring for the 7 years I worked as a Deputy Sheriff. I believe that the people involved were mostly drug users who spent their time in areas were lice breed!

    Will it happen to us after SHTF? Yes unless you keep your hair short! That means ALL HAIR!

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    • #3
      We had lice once--kids brought 'em back from the family summer camp one year (the next year the camp had all kids get a lice check upon arrival).

      We gave 'em all SHORT haircuts using the pet trimming electric trimmer.

      Also the special shampoo and combing/checking for nits.

      YUCK!

      ...but more of an annoyance than anything more serious.

      Good to know about the more thorough procedures--thanks!

      Interesting that your experience related to them occurring in a jail as the wikipedia account described several instances when jails--which were full of lousy people (not meaning that as description of the people's character, but...) often caused the deadly outbreaks of typhus (a.k.a. 'gaol fever' or 'jail fever') when there was a session of court. Often the judges and court officials--if I recall correctly, also 'sherifs', as it so happens--were victims.

      If only they knew then what we do now.
      Been there, done that. Then been there again several times, because apparently I never learn.

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      • #4
        Schneb,

        You may want to consider getting a copy of : Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook. http://www.amazon.com/Special-Operat...ations+medical

        A very good resource book. I got it for Christmas so I could get the family to read it.

        Dale

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        • #5
          Thanks Dale, I'm seeing a way to get it through a library so I can check into it a bit--but I'm assuming it's something I'll want to own.

          It'll be interesting to see the bits about veterinary care--just to try to get a sense of how that fits into Special Forces operations. I vaguely recall hearing about mules (or was it burros or donkeys?) being used in Afghanistan, to carry gear. I suppose even if the animals aren't used by U.S. personnel, being in areas where animals are used by locals, it'd be useful to know a bit about them.

          And if the book speaks to the question of contagions, as well as animals, that'll be interesting too.

          [on edit: looking at it again, given the reviews and for the price, it looks good--so added it to my 'wish list' on Amazon]
          Last edited by Schneb; 07-03-2014, 01:25 AM.
          Been there, done that. Then been there again several times, because apparently I never learn.

          Comment


          • #6
            As far as yellow fever and malaria and West Nile--and any other mosquito-borne diseases, or if you just want a more comfortable camp site or cabin/bug-out environment, here's some tips via Mother Earth News, from 2003:

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            How to Keep Mosquitoes Away
            Barbara Pleasant shares how to keep mosquitoes away, including helpful methods for controlling mosquitoes, using natural remedies in the garden to repel them and what you need to know about West Nile virus.
            http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/how-to-keep-mosquitoes-away-zmaz03aszgoe.aspx
            Last edited by Schneb; 07-04-2014, 11:48 AM. Reason: (blueing my link)
            Been there, done that. Then been there again several times, because apparently I never learn.

            Comment


            • #7
              here's another golden oldie with good content and relevant to add the following prepper article on biological warfare .....

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              • #8
                Good info to know.. Will be studying up on this when I have more time.

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                • #9
                  The one thing I forgot to mention is that we have many threads dealing with this type of problem its called a Pandemic.

                  Pandemics are the number one disaster we will never have any control over. When a new virus appears, and enters your body you have no defense for it. Example was the 1918 Spanish Flu which killed over 65 million people world wide. The flu virus we get now yearly, is mutated from that 1918 virus. Why do I know this? My great uncle was returning from the trenches in France, and died on board ship of the flu.

                  I worked while in college on the Bird Flu problem, and helped organize the observers teams in each state. Their job was to find wild birds that were found dead and turn them in for testing. They also tested chicken, duck, turkey farms for the H1N5-7 virus.

                  In 2005 we had no bird flu virus found in the USA. But with the migration of wild birds within 10 years it was found in every state, and at various bird farms, which had to destroy over 5 million birds in 2012 alone. The fight continues.

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                  • #10
                    Rich or anyone else, please correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Spanish flu was the strain that more so impacted young healthy adults. Something about the way it attacked the immune system a 20 somethings immune system would fight hard against the strain to the point it would destroy the persons body and organs and end up killing them where as a child or senior that contracted it, the flu would roll over their weaker system and they'd pop out the other end not much worse than any other flu.

                    Speaking of potential pandemic sources, I just saw a headline the other day that there were some cases of Marsburg that have popped up again somewhere in Africa.
                    I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you!

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                    • #11
                      CG you are exactly right. The Spanish Flu did seem to attack healthy young adults, and for much the way you described. The young adults immune system worked harder to fight the flu, and they simply wore out. A couple of other factors were significant contributors. One was general hygiene, which at the time was no where near todays levels. Poor hygiene in general was a contributing factor. Another factor was troop movement. The entire world was preparing for war. Troops were moving everywhere (healthy, young adults). A diminished immune system traveling around the world, on crowded ships, where hygiene is poor to begin with - recipe for disaster or pandemic.

                      There were three recent victims of Marburg Disease in Uganda. They have not seen Marburg since 2014.

                      We had a strain of bird flu that passed through here 12-15 years ago. Didn't seem to affect people but 80% of the crow population in the state died. Just some oddball bug that nobody ever saw. You never know.
                      The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

                      Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is you are stupid, and make bad decisions.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Pandemic is the true scare the crap thing out there as there is no way to guarantee you and your family will be safe. Like Morg said you never see, you never know until its to late
                        I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          here's an article from the SurvivalBlog - like many of the contributions over there the author has a professional edge to add to the information level and overall content ....

                          While there are many good articles out there on preparing for pandemics, there is little information that really breaks down infectious diseases and how to alter your actions depending on the disease. There are also conflicting reports on exactly what actions to take and if/when to take antibiotics and in what dosages. I hope this article will provide you with the tools you will need to decide what actions to take. This article will cover some basic infectious disease terms and patterns and then two resources you can use to decide what actions to take and when. Infectious Diseases When …

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                          • #14
                            Illini, that is a good article. I'm bookmarking survivalblog.com.

                            I'm also thinking of how to use that article in class (World History, high school).

                            We just covered the 1348 plague, but in doing so looked at other outbreaks and also at how plague can still be a factor now.

                            I didn't know about the vaccine for it. I though vaccines were more for viruses, not bacteria, but a vaccine would be good. I'll have to bring that info up with students.

                            Seems like there's a pretty regular updating of info as far as the plague--both historically and in current-day contexts. Here's a bit I found about how/when the plague is more likely to be a factor in the U.S.

                            The Plague Is Still Alive And Well In The American West

                            Short version:
                            "The researchers determined that plague cases in the United States tend to happen in areas that have large populations of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), rainy weather, moderate elevations and ground largely covered with man-made surfaces, such as roads and buildings."
                            Last edited by Schneb; 01-03-2018, 01:32 PM. Reason: adding link to article
                            Been there, done that. Then been there again several times, because apparently I never learn.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.



                              interesting Utube documentary on the 1918 Influenza outbreak .... couple of interesting parts - manure burning?

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