Flu pandemic alert raised to highest level

[C.Ann]

If H1N1 is the only flu circulating the earth right now, why would they make another flu shot.

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But it isn't the "only" type of flu circulating the earth right now - or at least here in the U.S. - there are two "types".. A few weeks back my son-in-law and DGD were swabbed for H1N1 and found to have the "regular" flu - so is the H1N1 expected to cover both types?

If there are two types now - how have they come to the conclusion there will only be "one" later?

 

[Tinijocaro]

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But it isn't the "only" type of flu circulating the earth right now - or at least here in the U.S. - there are two "types".. A few weeks back my son-in-law and DGD were swabbed for H1N1 and found to have the "regular" flu - so is the H1N1 expected to cover both types?

If there are two types now - how have they come to the conclusion there will only be "one" later?

A few weeks ago was still regular flu season. Flu season has ended now. Pretty much the only influenza A in circulation right now is the swine flu. That's why testing has dropped off considerably-any influenza A is assumed to be swine flu since the regular flu season has ended.

 

[C.Ann]

A few weeks ago was still regular flu season. Flu season has ended now. Pretty much the only influenza A in circulation right now is the swine flu. That's why testing has dropped off considerably-any influenza A is assumed to be swine flu since the regular flu season has ended.

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I understand what you're saying, but if you back up to several weeks ago, there were still "two" types of flu occuring at the same time - correct? Let's call it the "old" flu and the "new" flu.. What I'm trying to get at is why would it not be possible to have two different types of flu going around next year (during flu season) as well - H1N1 and the "old" flu?

Lord knows I don't want that, but if it were to occur, would the H1N1 vaccine protect against both? As I previously stated, I get very sick every single time I get the flu shot.. I don't know what to expect from this H1N1 vaccine because according to the link posted here, it seems to have been manufactured in a different way.. So again - is it presumed that it will protect (or minimize) any type of flu?

Obviously I don't want this vaccine - LOL - but for me, the responsible thing to do is to get it - like it or not..

 

[bumbershoot]

We are all taking tamiflu and the girls and I are also taking prednisone to help with the coughing situation.

They are giving an immunosuppressive drug, just when you want your immune system to kick in to high gear????

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I thought it was gone

Gone? They are still closing down schools in Boston as of this week. DH also learned an employee at work has it, though not someone he works closely with.

 

[DawnCt1]

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I understand what you're saying, but if you back up to several weeks ago, there were still "two" types of flu occuring at the same time - correct? Let's call it the "old" flu and the "new" flu.. What I'm trying to get at is why would it not be possible to have two different types of flu going around next year (during flu season) as well - H1N1 and the "old" flu?

Lord knows I don't want that, but if it were to occur, would the H1N1 vaccine protect against both? As I previously stated, I get very sick every single time I get the flu shot.. I don't know what to expect from this H1N1 vaccine because according to the link posted here, it seems to have been manufactured in a different way.. So again - is it presumed that it will protect (or minimize) any type of flu?

Obviously I don't want this vaccine - LOL - but for me, the responsible thing to do is to get it - like it or not..

Bad news Ann. You will need THREE shots. The seasonal flu shot and H1N1. Two shots are required for novel flu viruses.

 

[C.Ann]

Bad news Ann. You will need THREE shots. The seasonal flu shot and H1N1. Two shots are required for novel flu viruses.

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Are you serious?? Please tell me you're not serious..

 

[DawnCt1]

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Are you serious?? Please tell me you're not serious..

DH pointed out that is why infants and children are given two flu shots; because they haven't been exposed before. So same shot, twice.

 

[C.Ann]

DH pointed out that is why infants and children are given two flu shots; because they haven't been exposed before. So same shot, twice.

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Great.. Where did I put that bucket of mine??

 

[luvmy3]

In the paper today there was a blurb about our school district having 2 cases of confirmed swine flu, so no its definitely not gone. Dd had the flu this past week but we never got tested for H1N1 but on friday 63 kids were out of school and another 25 went home early due to fevers above 100. If even half of those kids have the flu I'm willing to bet there are going to be some positive H1N1s in that group. There is also a Tamilflu (childrens dose) shortage in my area.

 

[Tinijocaro]

If even half of those kids have the flu I'm willing to bet there are going to be some positive H1N1s in that group. There is also a Tamilflu (childrens dose) shortage in my area.

I'd be willing to bet that all who have the flu have swine flu. C Ann- from what I have read, the swine flu is crowding out the regular seasonal flu in places like Australia who are in their flu season right now. I don't believe there will be two flues circulating at the same time. I have heard that the h1n1 shot will require two doses.

At ds's middle school, there were loads of kids out with flu-like symptoms, doctors around here aren't sending out for confirmation though, so it appears as if there is only one case in our area-my sons. We know there are many, many more.

Dawn-am I mistaken in saying that once h1n1 shots are being made, they will not be making regular seasonal shots? I've read that many times. I'm guessing that is because the h1n1 virus has crowded out the seasonal flu, and because they will be hard pressed to come up with enough vaccine for everyone. How could they possibly come up with two different types of vaccine?

 

[C.Ann]

I'd be willing to bet that all who have the flu have swine flu. C Ann- from what I have read, the swine flu is crowding out the regular seasonal flu in places like Australia who are in their flu season right now. I don't believe there will be two flues circulating at the same time. I have heard that the h1n1 shot will require two doses.

At ds's middle school, there were loads of kids out with flu-like symptoms, doctors around here aren't sending out for confirmation though, so it appears as if there is only one case in our area-my sons. We know there are many, many more.

Dawn-am I mistaken in saying that once h1n1 shots are being made, they will not be making regular seasonal shots? I've read that many times. I'm guessing that is because the h1n1 virus has crowded out the seasonal flu, and because they will be hard pressed to come up with enough vaccine for everyone. How could they possibly come up with two different types of vaccine?

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Thanks! I think you finally "got" what it is that I'm trying to figure out.. I'll have to follow this thread to see what the final answer is.. Two shots is bad enough.. Three? Just shoot me and get it over with - LOL..

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

We received a questionaire from the cruise company we are sailing n next week. Plain & simple they wanted to know if we had any type of flu & flu symptoms the last 5 months.
They have the option to not allow passengers to cruise. I imagine some of it has to do with us finishing our cruise in the UK.

 

[DawnCt1]

I'd be willing to bet that all who have the flu have swine flu. C Ann- from what I have read, the swine flu is crowding out the regular seasonal flu in places like Australia who are in their flu season right now. I don't believe there will be two flues circulating at the same time. I have heard that the h1n1 shot will require two doses.

At ds's middle school, there were loads of kids out with flu-like symptoms, doctors around here aren't sending out for confirmation though, so it appears as if there is only one case in our area-my sons. We know there are many, many more.

Dawn-am I mistaken in saying that once h1n1 shots are being made, they will not be making regular seasonal shots? I've read that many times. I'm guessing that is because the h1n1 virus has crowded out the seasonal flu, and because they will be hard pressed to come up with enough vaccine for everyone. How could they possibly come up with two different types of vaccine?

There is a vaccine that has been made. It has to be tested in animal models and then in small scale human models. If everything goes right, its safe, and immunogenic, they will be ready to start 'batching' it and if everything goes well, it could be ready by Sept. for distribution. DH said that it will depend upon the trials and how much protein they can put in each shot and still get a response. The best case scenario would be the ability to put it all in one shot and still have it work.Then they would have more doses available in less time for the entire world, (1.5 years) If they need to put it in two shots, it could take up to three years to have a world wide supply. The seasonal flu vaccine has already been determined. They decide on that in March.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I'd be willing to bet that all who have the flu have swine flu. C Ann- from what I have read, the swine flu is crowding out the regular seasonal flu in places like Australia who are in their flu season right now.

The ministry of health in Chile is reporting that over 90% of the tests being conducted for flu are coming back as H1N1, and they are believe that the "seasonal" flu this year will continue to be dominated by that strain.

Confirmed cases have risen to over 2300 cases in this country of only 15 million people (it was 1600 just three days ago). Less than half the population has access to "good" healthcare, so the numbers are surely much higher than that. The weather is finally turning cool (we're expecting rain tomorrow finally!)...I am concerned about what will happen to the number of cases as conditions become more and more favourable for the propagation of the virus.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Is anyone concerned about the vaccine? It seems to be whipped together so quickly without much testing to see its safety.

I'm assuming that's how all flu vaccines are made though, correct? They are made a few months before flu season hits?

Just gives me a bit of the creeps that we'll all be running out to get this brand spanking new vaccine without much testing.

 

[DawnCt1]

Is anyone concerned about the vaccine? It seems to be whipped together so quickly without much testing to see its safety.

I'm assuming that's how all flu vaccines are made though, correct? They are made a few months before flu season hits?

Just gives me a bit of the creeps that we'll all be running out to get this brand spanking new vaccine without much testing.

It will be fully tested before it is put on the market. A "new" flu vaccine is put out every year so this is no different.

 

[Tinijocaro]

There is a vaccine that has been made. It has to be tested in animal models and then in small scale human models. If everything goes right, its safe, and immunogenic, they will be ready to start 'batching' it and if everything goes well, it could be ready by Sept. for distribution. DH said that it will depend upon the trials and how much protein they can put in each shot and still get a response. The best case scenario would be the ability to put it all in one shot and still have it work.Then they would have more doses available in less time for the entire world, (1.5 years) If they need to put it in two shots, it could take up to three years to have a world wide supply. The seasonal flu vaccine has already been determined. They decide on that in March.

The seasonal flu vaccine has already been determined, but will they make it while also making the swine vaccine?

Also, will an adjuvant be used in the swine vaccine to get more bang for the buck? Keep in mind that I'm new to all this, but it is thought that part of the reason that otherwise healthy young people are dying is due to "cytokine storms"-the immune system goes into overdrive and ends up killing them. I've read that using adjuvants helps stretch the necessary components of a vaccine so they can make more, but can also create dangerous cytokine storms. I suppose that's a risk that most will be willing to take to get protection if the virus turns deadly.

 

[DawnCt1]

The seasonal flu vaccine has already been determined, but will they make it while also making the swine vaccine?

Also, will an adjuvant be used in the swine vaccine to get more bang for the buck? Keep in mind that I'm new to all this, but it is thought that part of the reason that otherwise healthy young people are dying is due to "cytokine storms"-the immune system goes into overdrive and ends up killing them. I've read that using adjuvants helps stretch the necessary components of a vaccine so they can make more, but can also create dangerous cytokine storms. I suppose that's a risk that most will be willing to take to get protection if the virus turns deadly.

Yes. The seasonal flu is in production. Of course there is more than one vaccine company, and it may not be the same one that is making the swine flu vaccine. I can't answer the rest of your question. DH isn't home. He just left for the gym and then he is leaving for Manchester, England.

 

[yoopermom]

Dawn, I think you could list "consultant" on your resume for all the great info you give us, thank you!!

DS14 is headed downstate to MSU next week and one full week in July for different "camps" attended by teens from all over the state, and we parents just received an email letter outlining how they would handle any children who exhibit flu symptoms, who would be called, isolation/doctoring, etc. I worry, a little, since they're all staying in the dorms and we know those are "germ factories".

Terri