Swine Flu News

[ElizK]

Back to school time in DH's fear, too. He asked me yesterday to find home schooling materials. DD17 is a senior, DD14 a freshman. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I don't see things changing for the better much in the next 3 weeks before school starts. DD17 has asthma, mostly allergy-induced, so it's something to be concerned about. Heck, I have asthma, too.

 

[crusoe2]

I think we will most likely see some flare ups of it when school starts back. There have been several reports of new cases around us and all seem to be related to kids getting together for some reason - church activities, baseball tournaments, camp, etc. I'm going shopping today to restock my pantry. Not an "end of the world" kind of shopping but just to make sure we have plenty of OTC meds, soup, crackers, and such in case we get sick. And probably some extra canned stuff and basic household supplies, just in case. We live in a small town that doesn't have much of anywhere to shop but Walmart and they don't do a real great job of keeping their shelves stocked under normal circumstances. I'd hate to think how many empty shelves there would be if about half the workforce is out with the flu (either sick with it or taking care of sick kids). I remember that actually happening once when I was in middle school. We had days that there were only about 5-10 kids in class when normally there would be about 30. Translate those kinds of percentages to the general population and you have a lot of folks missing work. So it doesn't have to be a deadly flu to cause problems - just a very contagious one will do it.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

School starts here on Aug. 13. I always hate the end of summer because I just enjoy having my kids home all day, but I really don't want the summer to be over this year because of the uncertainty. I am sure there will be flare ups. I am just hopeful the worst of it will wait until a vaccine is available.

 

[XTinabell]

Just found out that one of dh's coworkers spouse has swine flu. They sent home the coworker, but as I understand it she could have it and spread it around before she shows signs right? Or do you think we should be fairly safe? This is scarier than I thought.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Just found out that one of dh's coworkers spouse has swine flu. They sent home the coworker, but as I understand it she could have it and spread it around before she shows signs right? Or do you think we should be fairly safe? This is scarier than I thought.

I'm curious about this too. Do the signs of the flu show pretty quick? How quickly is someone contagious?

Like a previous poster said, I plan on stocking up flu stuff, soups, etc. but then we do that every year. I'll also be hunting down some elderberry tea.

 

[2bearsmom]

It's more likely they simply won't be able to attend school if they haven't been vaccinated.

My son is contraindicated from getting most flu vaccines because of his egg allergy.

I'll be getting a flu vaccine once it comes around, though.

The FLU KILLS; it's no joke.

He will attend school without getting the swine flu shot. We have the statement of exemption to immunization form filled out and signed and will be taken into the school office on the first day of school. If the school has a swine flu vaccine clinic he will stay home that day as we do not trust that he wouldn't be given one without our consent. We have talked to him about our views on shots and what they contain and once he found out he stated that stuff is now in my body? Maybe a lot of people think just the flu strain is in a shot, not the chemicals and animal proteins that are also added. Vaccines kill too. Just read about the swine flu pandemic from 1976 in which the pandemic never materialized. More people died from the vaccine (and became paralized from the vaccine)than the swine flu.

 

[sbell111]

... Just read about the swine flu pandemic from 1976 in which the pandemic never materialized. More people died from the vaccine (and became paralized from the vaccine)than the swine flu.

I'll bite.

40 million people were immunized. 3 senior citizens died. No link between the deaths and the vaccine were ever found. If a link was made (which it was not), the odds of death would have been 0.0000075%. I'll take these odds.

There is also a very small incidence of GBS among vaccine recipients. It is about 1 in a million.

Therefore, your total risk of the mystery death that hasn't been linked to that thirty-year old vaccine and GBS would be less than 2 in a million. That's some really good odds.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Just found out that one of dh's coworkers spouse has swine flu. They sent home the coworker, but as I understand it she could have it and spread it around before she shows signs right? Or do you think we should be fairly safe? This is scarier than I thought.

I'm curious about this too. Do the signs of the flu show pretty quick? How quickly is someone contagious?

Like a previous poster said, I plan on stocking up flu stuff, soups, etc. but then we do that every year. I'll also be hunting down some elderberry tea.

Most people shed virus {the virus is making copies of itself in your cells for you to spread every time you sneeze, cough, wipe your moth-that spreading is called shed} 1 to 2 days BEFORE showing symptoms. This is normal with all flu viruses, seasonal and this novel one. The incubation period is still not known for absolute. It could be anywhere from 1 to 10 days from first contact of a shedded virus.

This is why you should be washing your hands often. Avoiding touching your nose, eyes or mouth even if you don't think you've been around a sick person. That person standing next to you in the check out line, the person who pumped their gas before, the person who sat in your seat on the train, etc, they all feel perfectly fine now, but in two days they could begin to show symptoms. It isn't fool proof. You could still catch stuff. So wash your hands often and follow the other guidelines at the CDC site.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Thanks for the follow-up.

 

[Pennykay]

1976 swine flu outbreak
From Wikipedia

US president Gerald Ford receiving his swine flu vaccinationThe 1976 swine flu outbreak, also known as the swine flu fiasco, or the swine flu debacle, was a strain of H1N1 influenza virus that appeared in 1976. Infections were only detected from January 19 to February 9, and were not found outside Fort Dix.[1] The outbreak is most remembered for the mass immunization that it prompted in the United States. The strain itself killed one person and hospitalized 13. However, side-effects from the vaccine caused 25 deaths.

On February 15, 1976, an army recruit at Fort Dix said he felt tired and weak. He died the next day and four of his fellow soldiers were later hospitalized. Two weeks after his death, health officials announced that swine flu was the cause of death and that this strain of flu appeared to be closely related to the strain involved in the 1918 flu pandemic. Alarmed public-health officials decided that action must be taken to head off another major pandemic, and they urged President Gerald Ford that every person in the U.S. be vaccinated for the disease. The vaccination program was plagued by delays and public relations problems, but about 24% of the population had been vaccinated by the time the program was canceled. Only one person, the Fort Dix army recruit, died from the flu.[2]

There were reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralyzing neuromuscular disorder, affecting some people who had received swine flu immunizations. This syndrome is a rare side-effect of modern influenza vaccines, with an incidence of about one case per million vaccinations.[3] As a result, Di Justo writes that "the public refused to trust a government-operated health program that killed old people and crippled young people." In total, less than 33 percent of the population had been immunized by the end of 1976. The National Influenza Immunization Program was effectively halted on December 16.

Overall, about 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), resulting in death from severe pulmonary complications for 25 people, were probably caused by an immunopathological reaction to the 1976 vaccine. Other influenza vaccines have not been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, though caution is advised for certain individuals, particularly those with a history of GBS.[4][5]

 

[C.Ann]

He will attend school without getting the swine flu shot. We have the statement of exemption to immunization form filled out and signed and will be taken into the school office on the first day of school. If the school has a swine flu vaccine clinic he will stay home that day as we do not trust that he wouldn't be given one without our consent. We have talked to him about our views on shots and what they contain and once he found out he stated that stuff is now in my body? Maybe a lot of people think just the flu strain is in a shot, not the chemicals and animal proteins that are also added. Vaccines kill too. Just read about the swine flu pandemic from 1976 in which the pandemic never materialized. More people died from the vaccine (and became paralized from the vaccine)than the swine flu.

"If" (big if at this point) the predictions pan out and this thing becomes bigger than life, I don't think your statement of exemption to immunization will hold water.. Just in case, I would be stocking up on home schooling materials..

The bolded portion of your post is totally inaccurate.. The numbers in the post below (and the one above) are more in line with what actually occured.. I was an adult with children of my own in 1976.. The death rates and people who became paralyzed from the vaccine were extremely low..

Of course it's your right as a parent to choose not to vaccinate your children..

Whatever your choice, I hope you all stay healthy!

I'll bite.

40 million people were immunized. 3 senior citizens died. No link between the deaths and the vaccine were ever found. If a link was made (which it was not), the odds of death would have been 0.0000075%. I'll take these odds.

There is also a very small incidence of GBS among vaccine recipients. It is about 1 in a million.

Therefore, your total risk of the mystery death that hasn't been linked to that thirty-year old vaccine and GBS would be less than 2 in a million. That's some really good odds.

 

[JessicaR]

Reflections on the 1976 Swine Flu Vaccination Program

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol12no01/05-1007.htm

more than 40 million Americans — almost 25% of the population — received the swine flu vaccine and there were 25 deaths.

I think that whole things was blown out of proportion from start to end. Including the rush to vaccinate.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

It is true that the 1976 pandemic didn't happen, and the vaccine program was obviously rushed for no reason at that time. However, we don't have to worry about that. We are already in a pandemic. As harsh as this sounds, if millions of people had been sickened by that virus, and many people had died, the VERY SMALL number of side effects probably wouldn't have even made it into the news, even though the side effects were serious. We already know that millions of people will be affected this time around, and we know that many people will probably die. The vaccine has the potential to save MANY lives

Every person has to weigh the options and make the choice that is best for their own family, but I also like my chances much better with the vaccine.

 

[Mskanga]

I'm curious about this too. Do the signs of the flu show pretty quick? How quickly is someone contagious?

Like a previous poster said, I plan on stocking up flu stuff, soups, etc. but then we do that every year. I'll also be hunting down some elderberry tea.

Well to answer what happened to us , my youngest who was the first one to get sick , started on friday night , I was the second one to get sick and that was sunday and my oldest who was the last one started symptoms on tuesday.

By the way I was the only one tested and I was possitive for swine , the kids were never tested but suspected to be swine also.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

I had to go to my asthma doctor yesterday. During the visit, he brought up the CDC recommendations about adults 24-64 with health problems needing to be vaccinated. He said they hoped to have the vaccine in his office in October, and he said they would call me when it arrives. I felt very looked after!

Of course, I didn't mention that I already new about the guidelines and that I have been following the news and participating on the Disboards in a thread about swine flu. Since he's looking after me, I'll just pretend I am a carefree patient! (And, he already knows I am Disney crazy--I helped his family plan a trip. No need to let him know I am crazy in other areas as well.)

 

[Va-bear]

It is true that the 1976 pandemic didn't happen, and the vaccine program was obviously rushed for no reason at that time. However, we don't have to worry about that. We are already in a pandemic. As harsh as this sounds, if millions of people had been sickened by that virus, and many people had died, the VERY SMALL number of side effects probably wouldn't have even made it into the news, even though the side effects were serious. We already know that millions of people will be affected this time around, and we know that many people will probably die. The vaccine has the potential to save MANY lives

Every person has to weigh the options and make the choice that is best for their own family, but I also like my chances much better with the vaccine.

I agree 1000%.

We learned a LOT from the mistakes of the 1976 scare. Not only what to do - but what not. Doctors/Scientists know the precautions to take to make a vaccine that is probably quite safe (nothng is guaranteed) - Guillain-Barré is no longer considered a threat of modern vaccines (mainly, because much testing will occur before it's released). One thing not to do is say "well, they were wrong before, so why do anything?" Major outbreaks that killed HUGE numbers of people have happened before and they WILL happen again (if not this time, another). Why would anyone choose to ignore the knowledge we've gained over many, many years, just because sometihg bad *could* happen? You could take advantage of so much brilliant thinking and so many scientific advances that could potentially save your life and your children's lives by getting one simple shot.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I really think I had that vaccine in 1976 from a military hospital, my mother was the sort who would be the first one in line for stuff like that and being we lived in NJ and frequented Ft. Wadsworth, Ft. Monmouth & Ft. Dix I am pretty certain she would have fought for it. I vaguely remember being taken there and getting an education on Polio & Smallpox vaccines and I remember the shot. I would have been 6 and yes, believe me, my mother used to give me lessons on that stuff even at that age. I did not have a reaction, nor did anyone in my household... not then and not subsequently, no GB. I wonder if I still have any latent immunity against it? That would be a good thing I think... I wonder if I can get a hold of my medical history from the time? Does anyone know if military hospitals keep that sort of stuff? I'm about 95% sure but would really like to see it in black & white on paper because I would be completely unworried about my kids getting the vaccine if I knew 100% I had it and was fine.

 

[DVCLiz]

I really think I had that vaccine in 1976 from a military hospital, my mother was the sort who would be the first one in line for stuff like that and being we lived in NJ and frequented Ft. Wadsworth, Ft. Monmouth & Ft. Dix I am pretty certain she would have fought for it. I vaguely remember being taken there and getting an education on Polio & Smallpox vaccines and I remember the shot. I would have been 6 and yes, believe me, my mother used to give me lessons on that stuff even at that age. I did not have a reaction, nor did anyone in my household... not then and not subsequently, no GB. I wonder if I still have any latent immunity against it? That would be a good thing I think... I wonder if I can get a hold of my medical history from the time? Does anyone know if military hospitals keep that sort of stuff? I'm about 95% sure but would really like to see it in black & white on paper.

It's my understanding that this is not the same swine flu virus we had in the 70s. Different virus, different vaccine. I don't think one would protect against the other.

 

[LuvOrlando]

It's my understanding that this is not the same swine flu virus we had in the 70s. Different virus, different vaccine. I don't think one would protect against the other.

That's too bad, I would have liked the comfort of thinking my own experience could be indicative of how my kids would handle the vaccine. Do you think the vaccine is similar somehow though? If not why would people draw conclusions from the 1976 program? Just wondering out loud, I don't want to put you on the spot... anyone have any ideas?

 

[DVCLiz]

That's too bad, I would have liked the comfort of thinking my own experience could be indicative of how my kids would handle the vaccine. Do you think the vaccine is similar somehow though? If not why would people draw conclusions from the 1976 program? Just wondering out loud, I don't want to put you on the spot... anyone have any ideas?

I don't really have any expertise - my assumption is that people are drawing conclusions from the 1976 program because they are predisposed to be anti-vaccine and it's easy to say, "Look what happened the last time..." without really doing any research. It always sounds scary to hear the words vaccine and injury in the same sentence, regardless of the scientific facts of the case.

But as I said, I don't really know, either!!