Swine flu

[jonnell]

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 

[JannaLee]

(((((((((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.))))))))))))))

[lindar]

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. 

[Scottietottie]

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 

[jonnell]

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

[ktfabian]

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.

[Scottietottie]

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 

[Victoria05202000]

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

[irish]

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

[Net]

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

[HL in NY]

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.

[Scottietottie]

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 

[irish]

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

[Victoria05202000]

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

[tired in texas]

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.