Flu Deaths in the States

[Olaf]

Yikes, this doesn't look good.

Flu

 

[Minniespal]

JIngs that doesn't sound too good.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

We've got very similar problems over here Steph, 7 children dead.

It doesn't seem possible that something like the flu can kill - whilst flu makes us feel really bad we're still in the 21st Century

 

[Mskanga]

My oldest daughter used to whine because since she was 3 years old she's been getting the flu shot ( she's almost 11 now ) and after hearing this , she said to me , mom thank God we got the flu shot . I did not know what the heck she was talking about and then she told me about the news. I don't think she will ever whine again.
Both of my children have been getting the flu shot for years and I cannot say enough , how much that has made a difference.
The flu is much worse than some people think, I had a flu re-lapse years ago, and I don't wish it to the worst of my enemies!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Thats terrible.
It is dreadful here too, in the paper theres been little ones dying of it,etc its worrying as a parent of a 4year old and the children dying are younger or a little older than mine, its very scary, at the moment she has a little cold, and im full of one too...

Im considering the flu jab but would they give one to my 4year old? ive heard of them giving them to the elderly? but not to people younger?

 

[Feralpeg]

Over here, they are recommending flu shots for anyone over 6 months old. Initially, people didn't take it very seriously. Now that it has hit so hard, everyone wants the shot. There is now a shortage of the vacine. Fortunately DD and I got our shots. The hospitals in our area are turning away those who are not in serious condition and don't have some underlying condition. There is a shortage of hospital beds because of the number of very sick people. They are recommending that you only visit the hospital if you are seriously dehydrated or in respiratory distress. Very sad. This reminds me of the Spanish Influenza during WWI.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Over here, it does vary from health authority to health authority, but the general rule is that you aren't given it unless you are in an 'at risk' group i.e. asthmatic, diabetic, over 60 (or is it 65?). You could get the vaccine privately (pay for it).

My son (14) was given the jab, I asked about my other son having it, but the nurse said that as he was not in the 'at risk' group, he did not qualify.

 

[moohammy]

Adults, beware as well!

My brother (who is 30!) was recently diagnosed with this recent flu virus ... the doctor said he'll be fine eventually because he's an adult and his immune system is stronger; but he was bed ridden for days.

 

[drennan]

No it's not good, i've just got back to work after having 4 weeks off

I collapsed with severe shivering, and terrible chest pains, thinking i was having a heart attack at the grand old age of 34 !!!! Anyway i was rushed to hospital put on an ECG told it wasn't my heart and was rushed down to xray, my left lung was solid with fluid which turned out to pleurisy and i had shadowing over both lungs which was pneumonia, and the shivering turned out to be blood poisioning, i had a temperature of 41.2 and my blood pressure was 81 over 50 !! NOT GOOD !!, which basically all stemed from having the flu like symptoms a week before and not getting properly over it, which led me to spend 4 days in hospital getting anti biotics pumped through me, but i'm one of the lucky ones, it could have been a lot worse!!!!

Lets hope it starts to get better !!!

ttfn

Sharon x

 

[Olaf]

That's awful Drennan. I'm glad you're better now.

Just heard on the news this morning that a college student in MA has succumbed to the flu as well. That's what's scary about this year. Normally, it's just the really young and really old who die from the flu.

My father-in-law got the shot, but he's come down with it. He's very ill. Makes you wonder.