I Have The Swine Flu, Now What?...

[littleflower]

i was looking at 10-24 year old statistics when i posted that ... but your point is well-taken.

this overpopulation vs. birth has long bothered me. i don't see easy answers any way you look at it.

[theCryptofishist]

I don't want to go through this argument again.
In the last year or so, I read Jeffrey Sachs' Common Wealth. It was a very optimistic book, and he had some plan to really make those changes. I hope he's right. I'm not certain what to do with it past that.

[theCryptofishist]

A new study shows that molecular similarities exist between the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and other strains of seasonal H1N1 virus that have been circulating in the population since 1988. These results suggest that healthy adults may have a level of protective immune memory that can blunt the severity of infection caused by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

[gyre]

I finally was able to get the piggy flu shot.
It still takes some time to reach full immunity, about six weeks.

I suspect I had it previously, but they didn't test for it.
I thought I was dying one night, then never got any worse.
But it took over a month to full recover, if I have.
Others I speak to have had a similar experience.
It did not feel like other flus I have had.

And I still had enough reaction to the vaccine to know I wasn't fully immune.


If you want to know why you should get the vaccine, learn about the spanish epizoodic, and how it abruptly changed.

It's worth noting that getting a flu shot every year provides some immunity to new types of flu.
Every year helps.
And I seem to be immune to all viruses unless I am exposed to someone very sick, including colds.
No one will promise those results, but it seems to be fairly common.

[theCryptofishist]

I suppose you're doing fine again Rabbi? One thing people should know is that the so called swine flu basically has the same symptoms as the normal flu. Which makes the hype around it so much more questionable...

While the media circus has been overblown, I don't blame the CDCP (except maybe the press release people) for being on this. If we have a repeat of 1918-19 then we are in for some serious problems, and much of everything slows down, if not an out and out halts. "Just in time" ordering will leave store shelves empty, if we don't have the truckers to move things. Shortage of hospital beds will lead to all sorts of improvisation. usw.
Again, this strain is not so bad. Viruses mutate easily, it could change to something that will retain the spreads even in summer quality but is more virulent.
It could get pretty fucking ugly.

But, that fact now that this thread is active, let's talk hand-washing!

[theCryptofishist]

As the evil government burocracy says

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water:

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
When should you wash your hands?

Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after tending to someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Apply product to the palm of one hand
Rub hands together
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

I'm hoping someone comes up with a better song than "happy birthday." Nothing makes you feel more like a total loser than having someone walk in on you in a public restroom while you're singing "happy birthday" off key. That's the sort of moment that gets a lot of attention around the water fountain.

[theCryptofishist]

And the rest of it.

Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs
Fact Sheet
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.*

Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

*Very Important but Covered Above.

[Dennis4422]

There was a similar flu media hype in the late 70s for some spanish influenza I believe - and in the end more more people died from the vaccinations than from the flu itself. If you want good protection against viruses just eat raw organic fruits and vegggies, especially garlic. People in eastern Europe do this a lot and effectively - there maybe something to the whole fending off vampires thing after all..

[mdmf007]

No matter how you spin it - the numbers speak for themselves.

many more people will die from the flu, than from the vaccine. Problem is no one knows who the vaccine will kill or cripple.

Its a personnal decision, but I always get the vaccine and rarey get sick. It sucks that some will be injured by the shot, but far more would die without it.

[geospyder]

I've helped at all the free N1H1 clinics that our county has given. With the first few you could see the people were clearly in panic mode - lining up at 4-4:30 am for shots that didn't start until 9am. One lady cut in line and the guy she cut in front of her hit her and knocked her to the ground. That type of mentality - I have to get it or I'm going to die right now.

Last week the health department set aside 2700 doses (number of shooters times hours open) for a Tuesday clinic. Pardon the pun but we couldn't give it away. Very few people showed up - even after school and work hours. The public panic is over and complacency is settling in. That is scarier than the panic.

I'm one of those people that might catch a mild cold maybe every two years. I go to the doctor once a year for a physical. I just don't get sick. BUT I caught the real flu once a few years ago on a plane trip and never, never want to get it again. I was down and out for the count. We had a tri-level house at the time and I didn't have the energy to even go upstairs.

Long story short - I get the seasonal flu shot every year now and this year also got the N1H1 vaccination. I'm not taken any chances.

[ygmir]

I don't know that the issue, with some of us anyway, is the immunization effect, or fear of same........or an immediate reaction, or allergy.

It's more, how they make it, what they put in it, and, how it will effect us, long term.........( I understand it's the same process for regular flu shots, and, that's why I don't do them, either)

Getting it just for convenience, to me, is counterproductive........the natural route, for me, seems safest, long term. Meaning: getting sick, getting well, being immune......

I understand, if a person has issues that may well cause death or close, by getting a flu.......well, you've got nothing to lose, then.
But, IMHO, if you're otherwise healthy......leave it for those who can't risk it.....

[Ugly Dougly]

http://cbs5.com/local/gijima.cheetah.h1 ... 60633.html

Santa Rosa Cheetah Tests Positive For H1N1

A cheetah at a Santa Rosa wildlife preserve has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, marking what wildlife officials believe is the first reported case of the virus in a zoological setting in the United States.

Poor little pussycat.

[ygmir]

maybe you can kiss it and make it better?

[gyre]

People continue to die here from the piggy flu.

Get your shot.

[ragabashpup]

I dunno I don't mind getting the shot for myself but not for my kid. When she was born she was 5 weeks premature. That fall they recommended for her to get a seasonal flu shot due to the fact she was so early. I got her the first dose she was sick for two weeks. She is now 5 and has gotten all of her regular immunization shots and boosters but I refuse after that experience to ever get another flu shot for her. Since that shot induced illness she has only gotten sick twice beyond the regular sniffles.
I must say the child abuse thing early on made me twitch a bit...well that is a lie..a lot.
I really dont know how I feel on this topic though for other people. I go with the theory its up to you. Its your body its your child its your choice..

[gyre]

The thing is, it isn't just your body if other people get sick.
This is already happening with many traditional vaccinations.
And it is now proven that children can be contagious for weeks after they "recover" from an illness, due to their different immune systems.

Do you know why she got sick?
Was it the shot?
Was it unusual?

I would expect a child to have a strong reaction due to their weaker immune system, as the body tries to build an immunity to the three flu viruses in the shot.
It took me a few days the first time I got one.
Barely noticeable now.

Most people don't seem to realize you can get sick from something else after a shot, and many children are sick quite often.
And you don't have full immunity for about six weeks.
But you cannot catch the flu from a flu shot.
If the reaction was abnormal, it's important to know why.
If it was normal for her age, I'd say it's a small price to pay to avoid three different types of the flu.
We have to build these immune systems, one way or another.
Getting sick is the hard way.
And by that, I mean several months in pain, which is what the flu can mean each time, if not worse.
A 12 year old boy died here yesterday and a 14 year old girl early this week.

I'll put up with a lot more trouble than the shots are, to avoid spreading that to other people.
And getting sick less often is nice too.

I had a tired couple of days after the flu shot this year, which means they picked flu variants I haven't been exposed to, or that I was weak when I got the shot so my immune system had to work harder.
I barely had any reaction at all to the H1N1 vaccine.


Who do you know that is around older people, or kids with weakened systems?
Any of your friends visit anyone who might not handle flu?
Any of your child's classmate's? And their families?

We have two large children's hospitals here and many of the early deaths were children with issues that weakened them.
Now that's not the case.
But when people aren't exposed, they don't get sick.

If a child has immune system or other genetic issues that prevent them getting vaccines, it would be wise to find out and address these issues rapidly.
I don't know what is normal for a child, but two weeks ill is not a serious case of the flu, if it was the flu or even connected to the shot.
And it is certainly possible to come down with something you're already fighting when you get the shot, which is why they tell you not to get it when you have a fever or might be sick.

It is also better to get all vaccines at separate times for the best results.


I hope you'll look into this.

[ygmir]

The thing is, it isn't just your body if other people get sick.
This is already happening with many traditional vaccinations.
And it is now proven that children can be contagious for weeks after they "recover" from an illness, due to their different immune systems.

Do you know why she got sick?
Was it the shot?
Was it unusual?

I would expect a child to have a strong reaction due to their weaker immune system, as the body tries to build an immunity to the three flu viruses in the shot.
It took me a few days the first time I got one.
Barely noticeable now.

Most people don't seem to realize you can get sick from something else after a shot, and many children are sick quite often.
And you don't have full immunity for about six weeks.
But you cannot catch the flu from a flu shot.
If the reaction was abnormal, it's important to know why.
If it was normal for her age, I'd say it's a small price to pay to avoid three different types of the flu.
We have to build these immune systems, one way or another.
Getting sick is the hard way.
And by that, I mean several months in pain, which is what the flu can mean each time, if not worse.
A 12 year old boy died here yesterday and a 14 year old girl early this week.

I'll put up with a lot more trouble than the shots are, to avoid spreading that to other people.
And getting sick less often is nice too.

I had a tired couple of days after the flu shot this year, which means they picked flu variants I haven't been exposed to, or that I was weak when I got the shot so my immune system had to work harder.
I barely had any reaction at all to the H1N1 vaccine.


Who do you know that is around older people, or kids with weakened systems?
Any of your friends visit anyone who might not handle flu?
Any of your child's classmate's? And their families?

We have two large children's hospitals here and many of the early deaths were children with issues that weakened them.
Now that's not the case.
But when people aren't exposed, they don't get sick.

If a child has immune system or other genetic issues that prevent them getting vaccines, it would be wise to find out and address these issues rapidly.
I don't know what is normal for a child, but two weeks ill is not a serious case of the flu, if it was the flu or even connected to the shot.
And it is certainly possible to come down with something you're already fighting when you get the shot, which is why they tell you not to get it when you have a fever or might be sick.

It is also better to get all vaccines at separate times for the best results.


I hope you'll look into this.

..................

[ragabashpup]

She actually had to be hospitalized for her reaction to the shot. We were only in there for about 36 hours but when I talked to her doctor about it she recommended that we don't get the second dose especially since I was so stressed out over what happened during the first dose.

[gyre]

I was curious about how children react to this, so I talked to the head of the health department here.

They start giving shots to children at six months because they don't develop a full immune response before then.
They still need two full shots spaced apart to develop a full response, up to age nine, in the case of the flu vaccines.
She said a flu shot is normal at six months now.

She said children react differently to the flu vaccine, some having no crankiness or tiredness at all and others reacting more.
But it should not last long at all.
So the illness your child suffered was a separate illness unrelated to the shot, or an abnormal reaction.
If you've had no difficulty with other vaccines, a bad reaction seems unlikely, but this is something to ask your doctor about.
He will have the background to understand your child in this particular instance.

I hope this is useful information.

[gyre]

She actually had to be hospitalized for her reaction to the shot. We were only in there for about 36 hours but when I talked to her doctor about it she recommended that we don't get the second dose especially since I was so stressed out over what happened during the first dose.

I didn't see this until I posted.
That sounds a lot more serious than a regular childhood illness.
I'm glad everything is okay now.

You have to do what seems best.
It does seem odd though, if there hasn't been a problem with other types.
The flu is generally the most low risk vaccine.
I have even had the smallpox vaccine, which carries a fairly high risk with it, and I sure remember recovering from that for awhile.


I would say that doctors tend to err on the side of the most simple answers though.
I am at the high end of the normal scale in sensitivity to most drugs, and I have to insist on it to get a precise dosage.
This is much harder to do, so it is understandable that they tend to give the easiest answer, but it may not always be the right answer for each person.
I have been able to reduce dosages from 50% to 80% without losing the desired effect, but eliminating most side effects.
This makes doctors nervous, but they don't live with the side effects. I do.

So the advice you were given, may have been the most conservative for the moment, and the easiest (unless they were able to verify the cause).
It could still be right, of course.

I'm glad things turned out okay.
Sounds scary.

[ragabashpup]

It's interesting that it only happened with the flu vaccine. Since she has gotten all the other vaccines and they worst response she had to that was fever and a mild rash at the injection sight as well as the typical irritability and exaustion.
I honestly should discuss this with her new non state supported doctor. Nothing wrong with clinic doctors except they are so rushed and they have so many people that really truly need their time they just tend to give the easiest answer. Which it sucks but that is what they are forced to do given the time they have and the resources they don't have.
Thank you for your concern though gyre. The little monster has given me a few scares since she was born and I am sure she will give me many more in my lifetime. I swear children are born to test our patience and our emotions.