Well guys there are 5 suspected cases of swine flu in New Jersey and they are all in my county. Time to hit the panic button? And I didnt read the headline of todays paper till after Jenna went to school
(((((((((I don't know if you can hear me above the noise! I just lifted the switch cover and pushed the button! Others may disagree but Jenna is still a toddler and a fragile one at that! Sorry for the blaring, but it had to be done.))))))))))))))
My husband and I have been planning a month long trip to Mexico. We were to leave this June 13. Sadly I think we will cancel our trip but it is better to be safe than sorry. Fortunately, I bought travel insurance because I never know what might happen with my health. Prior to two years ago, I never bought travel insurance. Now I add it to my ticket each time.
I think I would keep Jenna out of school for awhile.
Hi :)
I saw a news report today which said that 30,000 to 40,000 Americans die every year from the 'normal' flu - the one we are 'used' to. They didn't predict that this flu was going to behave any differently. In outbreaks in the past they haven't had anti-virals like there are now and the good news is that this strain of flu responds well to anti virals.
In fact if one so much suspects contact with this flu the anti virals will be on offer (well in the UK they will be anyway) whereas with the normal flu that doesn't happen.
I think panicking is totally counter productive. This is liable to run for a while yet.
Take care - Scottie :)
Scottie you are right. I just think that scary part is not knowing. Hopefully we will all stay well. Hugs and Kissses Jonnell and Jenna
Jonell-
I agree with Scottie that panciking is not going to help anything, but I also agree that, given that your daughter is in preschool and that she already has immune issues, I'd probably keep her home. At least until they sort out where the outbreak in your county took root and who has it. No need to put your dear Jenna at risk, especially this early in her schooling. I would think the teacher would understand and give you things you can work on at home for a few days til things settle down a bit.
Hi again :)
Actually, the more I hear about this - and it does look as though it's going to spread - the more I hope I catch it now - rather than when it returns in the autumn!! Whatever its like by then - I'd have built up antibodies!! I wouldn't wish it on a four year old though.
The only thing on the news that gladdened my heart today though, was seeing the little boy, who is pretty young, who was the first 'victim' of it, up and about and looking pretty good. He'd apparently spent three days in bed and then was up again.
I don't think the news is helpful sometimes because - over here at least - they are verging on scaremongering rather than being factual and balanced. I did here one report that said that although there had been over 100 deaths in Mexico - only 7 of them could be directly attributed to the flu alone.
Like others have said - pre-school isn't compulsory. Better safe than sorry - but don't panic!!
Take care - Scottie :)
I wouldn't panic either, but I do believe this should be taken seriously. We have meetings every 6 months at the hospital I work at about pandemic flu. I also know that as of this afternoon signs were posted all over the women's & children's hospital I work at about not to come in if you have any sneezing, coughing, chills, fever, etc. We also have boxes of masks and pandemic flu DHEC pamphlets out. We have limited visitors to only 2 per room. I think this is all part of our action plan for level 5 pandemic flu. I am calm. but I did see our director walking around with DHEC explaining our action plan for pandemic flu....that made me a little nervous.
The hospital has also cancelled the Teddy Bear Clinic for kids this Saturday. We normally have 300-400 kids come through and show them what happens if they broke their arm, needed a breathing treatment, surgery, etc. but we do it to their teddy bear. It is so much fun and a bummer it is cancelled, but I can understand why.
We have 10 confirmed cases about 2 hours from here, although I don't think it has hit the news yet. We also have nearly 60 people isolated because it is suspected and probable to be the swine flu. They have also said that a local high school is closing tomorrow about 30 minutes from where I live.
Is anyone else hearing on the local news/hospitals that there are suspected cases not being reported yet?
Vicky
The one doctor who I really pay attention to is Doctor Osterholm. I think I spelled that right. He was our state epidemiologist in Minnesota for many years. In fact I read about him and he is pretty much in the genius level and started working with our state health department when he was 18 and part time all the way through college and then when he finished college and had his doctorate he was hired by the state. He is truly a gifted man.
He quit the state job 10 years or more ago and has a private business that deals with world wide infections and does consulting---really big time issues in all over the world. If you get a chance to hear him make sure to take it. He is not a fear monger, but has predicted a pandemic for many years cause we are overdue.
The problem we are having with this epidemic is that the doctors do not know what they are dealing with. They have no clue really as to how fast it could possibly spread or how severe it will be over the long haul. They are trying to be very proactive and protect us. If it peters out they will say everyone over reacted and if it gets really bad they can be blamed for not being proactive enough.
Bottom line is I think we all have to take responsibility for ourselves and our family. We will know in our gut how to react. Just do not do the denial thing because that could get you in trouble. If you or anyone in your family has immune problems then they need to take special care. Remember, even with the flu that the docs know about it is the old and very young and those with asthma and immune problems that must be careful.
Jonnell, I have to say that if it was my child who was having problems like Jenna I would most likely keep her home. You will only change a few weeks/months out of her life that she will hardly remember. It will be a hardship for any family I would think but better safe than sorry.
I remembered today that in 1968 there was a severe epidemic that they made reference to on TV today. I had my middle son in August that year and was going to take off till after Christmas. The hospital called me back to work the end of October because the flu was so bad. We had a small 45 bed hospital and I usually worked OB. They called me back to work the medical/surgical floor because every bed was full with sick people. I took my baby to day care and he ended up with a runny nose and low grade fever and I was scared to death. I called my doc and he put the baby on antibiotic to prevent him from getting pneumonia. Everyone was so sick with that flu and there were a lot of deaths.
Also, in 1964 or so I worked in a 100 bed hospital and flu was bad and had every bed full and beds in the hall. More kinds of weird secondary infections that you don't see very often. Another really hard time for everyone. I don't think some of you younger people have ever seen a really bad flu because I have kids older than a lot of you. It can get nasty.
My mother was born in 1906 and lived through the bad flu that they had where 50,000,000 people died worldwide. She told me some things about it and it was devastating. Obviously, they did not have the medications, etc then but still it was just a terrible flu---people also bled from the ears and nose from that swine flu.
Hope I didn't scare you all, but we need to remain very vigilant. Thanks for putting up with my rambling. Irish ;D
Kinda with the rest of you on trying not to panic but doing the watch out for your own family issues thing. My twins are supposed to have an allergy testing asthma checkup next week at the peds office thru their specialist. I decided this a.m. that's it's pretty silly to keep this appt just out of convenience when it is something that can wait. I'm sure they'll understand when I cancel. I think I read somewhere on the internet this a.m. that the Texas schools have chosen to stay closed til May sometime and hope that other schools will follow suit. First I thought, wow, how drastic, then, it sunk it how serious things really must be getting and how we must contain this with our lack of knowledge and oh well if the kids have to go to school a little later into summer. In the end I'm sure they'll be people hopefully telling us how we can thank our lucky stars. And hey a little more family time for everyone will do us all good right? Take care all. Stay Healthy OK--Net
Quote from: Scottietottie on April 29, 2009, 05:12:03 PM
Hi again :)
Actually, the more I hear about this - and it does look as though it's going to spread - the more I hope I catch it now - rather than when it returns in the autumn!! Whatever its like by then - I'd have built up antibodies!! I wouldn't wish it on a four year old though.
Take care - Scottie :)
Scottie: complete agreement with you! At least in my case. I live a couple hours due north of NYC, and the flu there has been very mild. I'd prefer my big, strong teenage sons and husband get it now, and get some good, fresh antibodies to this thing, to be ready for the Fall. As for me? I have no idea. I don't really know what my immunity system currently is. I've had a cough most of April, and even after a Z-pack, it's not going anywhere. I'm going in for a chest X-ray tomorrow. Plus, I'm back on the Pred, so really, I'd prefer to avoid the whole flu issue. Too bad I can't make it happen. :D
Hi - First case in my town dxd today. She'd been on holiday in Mexico though. She shares a house with students apparently. Hubby works at the Uni. It'll be interesting to see whether it's 'contained' or not.
Take care - Scottie :)
It is Fort Worth, Texas that closed school until the 10th of May or so. They just had their first case of documented(by blood test) swine flu and by the next day or so there were about 3 more kids with it. This means that it is being spread human to human within their school district of 80,000 students. I think they are being prudent to close schools as this could really raise havoc among the young people are more prone. Irish ;D
We have a mandatory meeting at work tomorrow at the hospital I work at. We have up numerous signs, boxes of masks, boxes of gloves, pandemic flu pamphlets, and "clinical" personel that will be in contact for a suspected patient have to wear a full mask as well as ER/minor care facilities. Non-clinical are being asked to wear surgical masks. I am alittle worried, but not scared.
I am hearing alot of "gossip" and not sure what is true and what isn't at this point. The meeting should tell me how serious I need to prepare...it may be alittle...it may be alot. Regardless, I do believe it should be taken seriously.
Vicky
I am a teacher in Fort Worth, TX. We have a few confirmed cases in our schools and so many suspected cases reported by the health department that we have shut down the entire school district. The earliest they think we will return is May 11th.
The Governor declared it a state of emergency. Closing was done upon long consultation with state health department. Safer than sorry is a better choice.
Our area I live at is expecting it to get worse, although we are told to make commen sense decisions with the whole flu thing. You know...what you should already be doing...the most important would be washing your hands! It was explained by work (hospital) that different areas will experience a pandemic and others will remain untouched. I live in SC and we have 16 confirmed cases, 7 probable, and nearly 60 suspected. (as of this morning) I am also to be fit for a N- 95 mask since a big part of my job is working with kids and their boogie noses.
We were told it may reach level 6 by DHEC in the next few days, but it will be towards certain areas that have been affected the most.
I still plan on letting my kids go to a birthday party tomorrow at a bouncey toy place, but I plan to bring a bottle of hand sanitizer...which I would have done anyways. ;)
Also, some think WHO, DHEC, and whomever else is over-reacting...it is better for people to think that then for them to think that those agencies didn't do enough...especially when lives....children's lives are involved.
Vicky
We have 2 unconfirmed cases in Iowa. At work everyone even got two emails regarding the H1N1 flu.
Here is the Strange thing though!!! In my work email they told everyone if you were sick to stay home.
BUT, we only get so many unscheduled times (5 per rolling year) to be out for whatever reason (you are sick, sick kids, etc.) . 6th and 7th event you get written up and 8th - you are out the door. Soooo what you supposed to do if you get sick???? I asked a "higher up" at the office and was told they were monitoring the situation. If they have a high instance of people getting sick they will decide then. ::)
So we all have to make decisions whether to come in sick and affect everyone else or lose our jobs.
Nice Huh???? :-\ That is corporate america!!!!!! >:(
Hi guys well I kept Jenna home today. We have 5 confirmed cases and many more unconfirmed cases. I have a question do u think I should request tamiflu from Jennas peditrician or doesnt that work. Nervous but staying calm. Hugs and kissess Jonnell and Jenna
Jonnell, You might want to talk to your pediatrician to let him know what you are planning as far as Jenna's activities, etc.
I seriously doubt if he would give you Tamaflu. That is a drug that is to be given only when people have gotten the flu. It is an antiviral and if people take it when they don't have the flu it will help enable the virus to become resistant to the Tamaflu. Tamaflu is not to prevent the flu, it is to lessen the severity of the diseases symptoms. Irish ;D
Jonnell-Yes, I remember when my sisters family had the influenza go thru their house the Dr. gave them the med. to start at the first sign of the symptoms, being they were exposed by the 1st son that got it. It basically just lessened the severity of the symptoms.Take care and be as cautious as you can be, but of course call your ped. Dr. if you are worrying too much though. Take Care..... So I have a ?? to anyone else...before this swine-flu came to be talked about were there any wierd viruses going around that it could have been around here longer? My sisters coworkers daughter 2 wks ago had a terrible influenza type illness, high temp(1 yr old) -105 I think back and forth to the ER mixed messages with her bloodwork, neg for influenza but a type of pneumonia.( And I guess Gramma had taken a cruise by Mexico earlier) Also in our area another friend at a small catholic school had 3 kids out with walking pneumonia out of a class of 11. All different Dr.s so nobody thought nothing of it. Anything else odd where you live in weeks prior? Take Care All--Net
Jonnell, What Irish said is true. It won't prevent her from getting it, but will help treat symptoms if she gets it....as long as it is administered within the first 48 hours from the start of first symptom.
I would keep doing what you would normally do. It isn't anymore contagious then any other flu. Just use the precautions you would use during a bad flu season. You see someone sneezing, coughing, etc. move away from them asap. Regular masks don't work and hand sanitizer needs to have 60% or more alcohol content to be effective. Just keep an eye on the H1N1 progression the next week or two. I sometimes work with sick children, so I have to take extra precautions at work...just in case. We have another mandatory meeting on Monday morning to get an update.
If it makes you feel any better, all of my co-workers that I talked to are doing what they would normally do with their children. (and some have health concerns)They just are treating it like a bad flu season and we have I think 16 confirmed cases the CDC has recognized...although that number I think should be 23.
Take Care!
Vicky
Well Jennas dad brought her home this morning vomitting and having diaharrea, Im trying to be calm I think it might of been something she ate because so far no fever. We also had her doing a lot of walking yesterday and it was warm and were in several stores with flourscent lights so it could be a flare. We are going to keep a eye one her and if fever develops its off to dupont. Thank all of you with advice if calmed me down a lot. Hugs and Kisses Jonnell and Jenna
Hi :)
If its of any reassurance to anybody, there was an interview on TV today with a man who is at presently recovering from swine flu. He picked up a week last Friday from a colleague who'd been in Mexico. (He's in England) He never mentioned nausea or vomitting. He said that last Saturday he was fine. Sunday lunch time he developed chest pains and then a fever. He started aching all over, contacted NHS Direct to get advice. A doctor came to see him on the Monday but he didn't get any Tamiflu until Thursday by which time he reckons he'd turned the corner himself.
He was standing at his back door, looking absolutely fine and i found it very reassuring. I've had flu that's lasted for a good two weeks in the past and this seemed to be done and dusted in a week. He said he felt 'grotty' but he's felt worse - and he feels pretty good now.
Take care - Scottie :)
Hubby & I were thinking of updating our passports for a possible trip to Canada.
Not so sure after reading this site it would be a great idea with all the swine flu!
I've been to Canada 4 times, my father is Canadian. Hubby has never been & I'd so much like to take him there as it's such a beautiful country.
Seems it will either be in our dreams or when retired (if we've any $$$$ left).
Oh well, such is life.
Lotus1
What about us Sjoggies who are on drugs that suppress our immune system. Are we at risk being on these drugs? Should we suspend taking them until this is past?
Steve
Billydude, In my own opinion....No, do not stop taking them. (of course, if you are concerned bring it up to your Doc) I work at a hospital and I am on cellcept. I take extra precautions on a normal day already and I am guessing you do to. Just continue to follow them.
Vicky
Steve, withut advice from your doctor, it probably isn't a good idea to "suspend" immunosuppressants...it would take some time for any suppression to reverse anyway, because your body would have to rebuild a normal number of white blood cells, and that wouldn't happen over night.
There are always going to be viruses around, endemic, pandemic or epidemic, and, either because of the drugs or the disease, many of us are more susceptible to them. Careful handwashing, personal protective efforts, and avoiding people with colds or flu are always a good idea, even more so now.
Although H1N1 has tragically caused 17 deaths, there seems to be evidence that the fatalities (all but one in Mexico) follow what WHO refers to as developing countries phenomenon...viral outbreaks seem to hit harder in those areas, while outbreaks of the same virus in less developed areas have less impact because of decreased travel and possible early natural immunization; and in more technologically advanced areas the impact is less possibly because of higher levels of health consciousness, and possibly people being in better physical condition before becoming infected.
Although genetically this flu is similar to both the Spanish influenza of 1918, and the bird flu of a few years ago, it is showing signs of being relatively mild: http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-swine-reality30-2009apr30,0,3606923.story ...possibly even less severe than an average flu season.
Well, it seems everyone has stopped worrying too much about the swine flu but of course I'm still watchful cuz all three of my girls have asthma so any flu outbreak keeps me on my toes. Seems our lovely state is 2nd in confirmed cases now(over 500) and the county next to ours has over 90 I think it was. Seems to be 75% of the young adult population so don't know if it was spring breakers or what? I know last week there were 3 at the college but they chose to stay open cuz of finals. Makes me wonder why all the other countries are being so crazy about it then. Probably just didn't want it in there country and I guess it's too late for ours huh? How's everything where all of you are at? -Net
For everyone's information there is an excellent article in the Newsweek magazine. I could not find the date on the cover but you will see a sentence on the front page referring to the article. I bet you can find it in any doctors office(lol) cause that is where I found it myself.
It is an extremely good article with very good diagrams and explainations regarding the importance and the need for vigilance in this disease. I found the article to give credence to the info about the ability of this flu to spread and to increase in severity. The first confirmed case was in Wisconsin in 2005. At this time the CDC was really blown away because it was the first time they had seen swine/bird/human flu grown in one cell. This is cause for concern according to CDC as these are difficult bugs to deal with.
They did praise Mexico for the great way they closed down there businesses, schools, etc because they feel it really cut down on the spread of the disease. It is worth while reading if you get the chance. I don't think we have heard the last of this flu but I am not going to freak out over it. Come to think of it, with my lousy immune system it would probably kill me faster than you could say "Swiss Family Robinson". I am still not going to worry about it. Be sensible and use good measures plus keep abreast of the news.
One other thing they pointed out about this flu is that it is one of the rare bugs that is spread before people have a temp or symptoms. That is what makes it so tricky to control. Irish ;D
Yeah, I did hear that about the 1st case being in WI in 2005, happens too be my state and the one that has such a high count right now too. Sure glad they kept it controlled back then cuz my kids were that much littler then and the twins had lots of immune issues then. Thank goodness they're almost 7 now and they did figure out along the way that one of their baby shots(prevnar) never took and they had been at risk for pneum. and menegitis. They got reimmunized last year and yea developed antibodies and really have been doing much better now with their asthma, pneum. and sinus infect. I'm really glad to not have little babies anymore. I really am not a worrywort, I just throw a lot of caution to the wind when any flu is around. I've seen how serious my kids have been with some "mock influenzas" that went around and that was tough enough. Take care all--Net