Swine Flu News

[Jentill]

I'm terrified of getting swine flu, I keep reading that in obese people it can be very, very serious and I'm obese, I'm on a diet but its gonna take time!

I am the same and I guess its because we don't really know what we are dealing with which makes it worse. Our only prevention to wash our hands does not seem enough to me. Here in the UK today a little girl and a doctor have died and this is very scary for me.

 

[DVCLiz]

So how far have you planned? My DH is driving me absolutely INSANE with planning. I could cheerfully choke him. Truly, this whole stupid flu thing is damaging OUR relationship!

And, believe me, I'm not saying no planning is necessary. I'm asking how far out have you thought? DH is talking about withdrawing our 2 DD's from school! The older one will be a senior in high school!

I'm good with stockpiling food, limiting contact with groups AS MUCH AS IS REASONABLE (and it would take a LOT for me to think that withdrawing the girls from school is reasonable), washing hands/hand sanitizers, etc. But his constant watching the internet for new news, constantly trying to "educate" me, belittling people who aren't planning like he is is truly making me crazy.

He is very well-read on the 1918 pandemic, and is sure that is where we're headed. Our medical knowledge nearly a hundred years later alone puts us in better shape than the people of 1918.

So, pardon my rant, but how far out have you planned?

Sorry your DH is going overboard - it's easy to feel scared and wonder what to do but it sounds like he is a little over the edge in the panic department. Could you get him to talk to a medical professional or a counselor about what is realistic and what is too much?

Anyway, as far as what I'm going to do - my oldest daughter will be a senior in college and my youngest a sophmore in high school. They will both attend as scheduled and I will just go with the flow as far as any school closings that are announced. They are both in private schools so I don't have a public school-wide system to deal with - but if our county makes decisions I am sure our school will abide by it. My college daughter will be told to follow the recommendations on campus, and I will make sure she has access to the medical care she might need. I know the school will prepare for a way for students with flu-like symptoms to be treated. I'll be sending her with a box of supplies - in fact, last semester while she was abroad in Ecuador I put together a "flu kit" in case she needed things she couldn't get abroad, and I think I will send that with her to school. Just basics - a couple of face masks, cleaning supplies, and Tylenol, etc recommended for flu.

At home, I'll try to stock up on the things I would normally get at Target every week or two. I did this in the spring, too. I enjoy a good Target run but I'll try to avoid places like Target and the grocery store. I can stock up most of what I need and I could easily go two weeks if I had to without shopping - I would just need to get bread and milk. I'll go ahead and get some flu medicines - only because I think people will stockpile if it gets bad. I'll have a full bottle of Motrin, Tylenol, etc., some good cough medicine, and a few bags of throat lozenges. That's really all I'll do at home. Oh, and I'll make sure we have our doctors lined up and ask them to keep us posted on any recommendations they get for their patients.

 

[ElizK]

Sorry your DH is going overboard - it's easy to feel scared and wonder what to do but it sounds like he is a little over the edge in the panic department. Could you get him to talk to a medical professional or a counselor about what is realistic and what is too much?

He's not acting panicked or fearful. He truly believes he is protecting his family! That's the one thing I have to keep reminding myself.

How do you get someone who believes they are being sane and rational by getting prepared to talk to a counselor? It may be me seeking medical help because of the hives and the pain in my stomach every time he brings it up!

 

[DVCLiz]

He's not acting panicked or fearful. He truly believes he is protecting his family! That's the one thing I have to keep reminding myself.

How do you get someone who believes they are being sane and rational by getting prepared to talk to a counselor? It may be me seeking medical help because of the hives and the pain in my stomach every time he brings it up!

If you are at the hive and pain stage then I do think it's time for you to get some help. Go see a counselor or someone who can help - it's not just your husband being affected. I'd say to him, "Your behavior is causing me to feel stress and I am going to find someone who can help me deal with it. If you would like to come, that would be great, but I am going to get help for myself." And then I would say, "You are not going to be allowed to make all the choices for our children. I am going to seek professional help so I can make a rational choice. I think your behavior is not rational at this point so I am going to get a professional opinion before I agree to your ideas." And I would stick to it.

Otherwise you are going to find yourself locked in your house this fall with the windows taped shut...really.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

Another death in my county just this week but the person had underlying health issues.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

Yes- I am nervous about --especially when we fly to Disney in November--but washing hands and coughing into your sleeve and sneezing into a tissue I think prevent a lot. One of DH employees was out sick with "flu symtoms" 2 wks ago for 5 days--high fever and I don't know what else. Then she had a cough that she couldn't get rid of for DAYS and it was so bad that she broke a couple of ribs with coughing! Then she went on a business trip with top boss & got "flu like systoms" again -fly home, was admitted to hospital with kidney stones--I think there is more that she isn't telling him!! I have sent in hand sanitzer with & STRESSED to wipe down the keyboards & other things people touch-- maybe I"m a freak -- but I would rather bleach down the "community areas" then get sick!

 

[Tinijocaro]

He's not acting panicked or fearful. He truly believes he is protecting his family! That's the one thing I have to keep reminding myself.

How do you get someone who believes they are being sane and rational by getting prepared to talk to a counselor? It may be me seeking medical help because of the hives and the pain in my stomach every time he brings it up!

Put it this way: If nothing comes of this pandemic and it goes away without much fuss, then you can say he was overreacting. If this turns bad and your family decides to try to stay home for a couple weeks, won't you be so grateful for all your dh's efforts?

Lots of harm could come by not being prepared. Unless he is totally breaking the bank by stockpiling-let him. It isn't harming anyone, he feels he is helping his family which is what every woman should want in a husband.

BTW, your dh sounds a lot like me. I've got a nice stock of food that I started back in April when this virus first was in the news. A little extra here, a little extra there-it all adds up. I read a lot online too-I want to know what is happening with this virus-certainly not going to get any info by watching the news. I'm not belittling people who aren't preparing, but I will say I am surprised that people are just laughing this thing off. I really don't think your dh needs counseling (cause that would mean I do!) He's very interested in keeping current on this subject-we are living through a pandemic-we still don't know which way it is going to go or how bad it will be.

What harm is he doing?

 

[DVCLiz]

Put it this way: If nothing comes of this pandemic and it goes away without much fuss, then you can say he was overreacting. If this turns bad and your family decides to try to stay home for a couple weeks, won't you be so grateful for all your dh's efforts?

Lots of harm could come by not being prepared. Unless he is totally breaking the bank by stockpiling-let him. It isn't harming anyone, he feels he is helping his family which is what every woman should want in a husband.

BTW, your dh sounds a lot like me. I've got a nice stock of food that I started back in April when this virus first was in the news. A little extra here, a little extra there-it all adds up. I read a lot online too-I want to know what is happening with this virus-certainly not going to get any info by watching the news. I'm not belittling people who aren't preparing, but I will say I am surprised that people are just laughing this thing off. I really don't think your dh needs counseling (cause that would mean I do!) He's very interested in keeping current on this subject-we are living through a pandemic-we still don't know which way it is going to go or how bad it will be.

What harm is he doing?

Stockpiling food and reading on the internet is one thing - insisting NOW that his children be taken out of school - or even putting the thought into words - is extreme in my opinion. Also, it's causing extreme stress for his wife. At that point, it becomes bigger than "just let him do it."

 

[ElizK]

What harm is he doing?

He's alienating me and his older daughter. He's spending every second on the internet, so he's immersed in this stuff 24-7. There's no balance like that! If necessary, we could live for probably 2-3 months without ever leaving the house (including water barrels). What more does he need to do? We're ready! Why can't we go on with living until there is an actual reason to be alarmed. I'm not saying it can't/won't happen, I'm saying we're not there yet!

At what point will you pull your kids out of school? Will you wait until the government closes the school or try to stay further ahead of it than that? We're talking about the difference between DD17 graduating or not! Of course her life is more important than graduating, but at this point the fatality rate is about 0.7%, am I right? Isn't that fairly close to the "regular" flu fatality rate?

He's sure that now that the swine flu is in Indonesia that it will mutate along with the bird flu, and we'll all be screwed. Could be. Maybe not.

 

[Trish Bessette]

He's alienating me and his older daughter. He's spending every second on the internet, so he's immersed in this stuff 24-7. There's no balance like that! If necessary, we could live for probably 2-3 months without ever leaving the house (including water barrels). What more does he need to do? We're ready! Why can't we go on with living until there is an actual reason to be alarmed. I'm not saying it can't/won't happen, I'm saying we're not there yet!

At what point will you pull your kids out of school? Will you wait until the government closes the school or try to stay further ahead of it than that? We're talking about the difference between DD17 graduating or not! Of course her life is more important than graduating, but at this point the fatality rate is about 0.7%, am I right? Isn't that fairly close to the "regular" flu fatality rate?

He's sure that now that the swine flu is in Indonesia that it will mutate along with the bird flu, and we'll all be screwed. Could be. Maybe not.

I am so sorry for the stress you are going through. I am concerned as well about what this fall/winter will bring however all I'm doing now is keeping myself well educated with any news updates. I will get some extra food stocked and I'm a freak about always telling my girls to wash their hands, sneeze into their "wing" as I call it

My Dad on the other hand is EXTREMELY worried about this!!!

 

[Tinijocaro]

He's alienating me and his older daughter. He's spending every second on the internet, so he's immersed in this stuff 24-7. There's no balance like that! If necessary, we could live for probably 2-3 months without ever leaving the house (including water barrels). What more does he need to do? We're ready! Why can't we go on with living until there is an actual reason to be alarmed. I'm not saying it can't/won't happen, I'm saying we're not there yet!

At what point will you pull your kids out of school? Will you wait until the government closes the school or try to stay further ahead of it than that? We're talking about the difference between DD17 graduating or not! Of course her life is more important than graduating, but at this point the fatality rate is about 0.7%, am I right? Isn't that fairly close to the "regular" flu fatality rate?

He's sure that now that the swine flu is in Indonesia that it will mutate along with the bird flu, and we'll all be screwed. Could be. Maybe not.

Sounds like he is online too much. I'm not ready to think too hard about when to pull kids out of school, but I do know that if things were to get bad, I wouldn't hesitate. The think is, with your husband-he is getting information by reading online that the average person is not getting. So many of the cases I'm reading about from legitimate sites are not even mentioned in the news. So many of the changes in this virus are not mentioned in the news. The virus has mutated in London. Three totally healthy people have died quite suddenly this week (I forget where). Also, a boy (19) died of H1N1 and pneumonia and kidney failure and his sister also has pneumonia and is on dialysis. A 6 year old girl named Chloe died recently-she had no other conditions.

This virus is changing, there are now clusters of severe illness (small, but they are there) which indicates that the virus is changing.

It's not just your dh that thinks that H1N1 will combine with H5N2-the experts are very concerned about it-especially in Egypt where there are a growing number of Bird flu cases right along with swine flu in the same area. It's a real possibility and yes, that would be serious trouble.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/14/content_11704482.htm

Our media keeps telling us that this is the same thing as seasonal flu-it's not. Seasonal flu doesn't strike in the summer and doesn't typically attack healthy people in the prime of their life. So far, for most people who get it, it's mild, but things are changing and this virus is going to be around for at least a couple years-viruses mutate-that's what they do. They can become weaker or stronger. No one knows but so far this one is not getting weaker.

I think the media does us a huge disservice by downplaying this whole thing. We can't handle the truth-WE MIGHT PANIC. Any time we're told not to panic, you know that there is something very serious going on. What would happen if we panic-what would that look like? For me, lay ALL the cards on the table, give me the truth so I can decide for my self, with all the facts, how to react. Don't coddle me and tell me it's nothing. So many people have a "this is ridiculous over-hype" attitude.

While I am following this virus closely, I am absolutely living my life and enjoying being a teacher in the summer. Who know what life will bring-I wouldn't have wanted to spend time worrying and not living-that's where it sounds as if your dh could use some help. I understand his need for information-I have it too, but there has to be a balance. I have kids who need my attention, a house that needs cleaning, and my own life to live. If any of us got seriously ill or died, I hate myself knowing I spent the last few months glued to the computer instead of enjoying my life and that of those around me.

 

[Tinijocaro]

So, I'm back from the doctor. Swine flu was not mentioned but he did do a chest xray which told him I do have pneumonia. How worried should I be at this moment? (no need to answer, I guess.)

Are you feeling any better? Watch out for rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing. Let us know how you're doing.

 

[sbell111]

... I think the media does us a huge disservice by downplaying this whole thing. We can't handle the truth-WE MIGHT PANIC. Any time we're told not to panic, you know that there is something very serious going on. What would happen if we panic-what would that look like? For me, lay ALL the cards on the table, give me the truth so I can decide for my self, with all the facts, how to react. Don't coddle me and tell me it's nothing. So many people have a "this is ridiculous over-hype" attitude. ...

You know, many of us who have taken the position that there is no need to panic and that we should, for now, treat it as just another flu are actually completely informed. For many of us, our jobs require us to stay informed. We know what is going on, what might happen, and the plans to deal with for the various scenarios.

Still I have seen no reason to panic.

 

[LuvOrlando]

He's alienating me and his older daughter. He's spending every second on the internet, so he's immersed in this stuff 24-7. There's no balance like that! If necessary, we could live for probably 2-3 months without ever leaving the house (including water barrels). What more does he need to do? We're ready! Why can't we go on with living until there is an actual reason to be alarmed. I'm not saying it can't/won't happen, I'm saying we're not there yet!

At what point will you pull your kids out of school? Will you wait until the government closes the school or try to stay further ahead of it than that? We're talking about the difference between DD17 graduating or not! Of course her life is more important than graduating, but at this point the fatality rate is about 0.7%, am I right? Isn't that fairly close to the "regular" flu fatality rate?

He's sure that now that the swine flu is in Indonesia that it will mutate along with the bird flu, and we'll all be screwed. Could be. Maybe not.

I feel for you and your DH. I personally flip flop between fear and calm because of my children's health. At this point I have stopped most outings that would put us in large indoor groups, we will be seeing Harry Potter at the earliest matinee on a weekday we can get into. I have also warned my kids about the possibility that they may be home schooled for a while if we #1, don't have access to a vaccine or if #2, things get worse. I do not want to do this, it is a last resort because DS is beginning middle school this year and I don't want to pull him from his friends... but being out sick for a month is just as disruptive and infinitely more dangerous so I'm playing it by ear. I am trying very hard to walk that fine line between making my children aware and going too far, so far I think I am keeping in the lines.

For the record, when I get upset my DH talks me down by listening calmly first and then gently asking for multiple contingency plans. For me, having a plan of action is calming because the unknown is upsetting to me. Find out if this would calm your DH's worries, then come up with a plan you can both live with and settle down. Let him read, it may make him feel empowered. Sooner or later this whole situation will resolve itself and in a few months this will all be over and done, good or bad... this won't be forever

For me, I have sort of accepted that there is no way for me to keep my children from coming in contact with this Flu. At this point I am just making sure I have absolutely everything I need at home to take care of them here. The only thing I do not have is oxygen and anti-virals but I'm going to talk to my kids' Dr. about that stuff at their well child visits in August. I don't know if there would be a way for me to care for them if they can't get into a hospital but I am going to find out before the summer is over and then hope for the best. My MIL next door is a recently retired RN so I think we will be better prepared than most... I can only hope it will be enough.

 

[Tinijocaro]

There's no vaccine, says WHO chief


London - The world's top health official cast doubt on Wednesday over plans to vaccinate millions of people against the "unstoppable" swine flu pandemic, saying immunisations would not be available for months.

The comments by World Health Organisation chief Margaret Chan came as Australia reported a spike in cases and Argentina dramatically upped its toll of those killed by the virus from 94 to 137 over the last three days.

Chan told the Guardian newspaper that a vaccine would not be available for several months, despite statements from health officials in Britain that the first stocks would start arriving in August.

"There's no vaccine. One should be available soon, in August. But having a vaccine available is not the same as having a vaccine that has proven safe," Chan said."Clinical trial data will not be available for another two to three months," she added.

With the global death toll from A(H1N1) now reaching at least 429, WHO director of vaccine research Marie-Paul Kieny had said Monday that a swine flu vaccine should be available as early as September.

Chan's comments cast doubt on plans announced by countries around the world to start vaccinating those most at risk of contracting swine flu as early as next month.

Germany said it envisioned having to order some 25 million doses of a vaccine now under development to immunise nearly a third of its population.

Australia, the Asia-Pacific region's worst-hit country, was bracing to immunise the entire population against swine flu and has already placed an advance order for 21 million courses of a vaccine.

Currently in the southern hemisphere's traditional winter flu season, Australia said its number of cases had risen to over 10 000 and warned that the real number could be much higher.

Meanwhile, Italy predicted it may have to deal with between three and four million cases of swine flu by March 2010, the country's deputy health minister Ferruccio Fazio said.

He added that by the end of this year about 8,6 million Italians would have been vaccinated against the A(H1N1) virus, with the most vulnerable and those working in the emergency services given priority.

Argentina said its death toll rose to 137, making it the worst-hit in terms of fatalities after the United States, which has 211 fatalities and 37 000 confirmed infections according to the latest tally by US health officials.

Mexico, the third worst-hit country with 124 deaths and 12 521 infections according to the latest numbers, said late Tuesday that swine flu cases were picking up in the southeast, especially in Chiapas state near Guatemala.

Health ministers from six South American countries were to meet on Wednesday to seek a coordinated response to fighting the epidemic. Argentina will host the meeting of ministers from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Elsewhere on the continent, now in its winter season, Ecuador reported the disease has spread to 14 of the country's 24 provinces, with the total number of infections at 264 with three deaths.

And in Peru, about 15 000 doctors called for a nationwide protest on Wednesday to demand better prevention against swine flu, which has claimed at least five lives and infected around 2 000 people there.

"We demand addressing adequately the needs of hospitals in order to prevent further mistakes in the treatment of swine flu and to avoid more deaths," Leoncio Diaz, president of the Peruvian Medical Federation (FMP), told AFP.

A boy died in a Madrid hospital due to a medical error after his mother died from swine flu. She was Spain's first fatality from the disease.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I just went through my kids' vaccination schedules and realized that although they've had the Prevnar PVV (which by the way ended almost all of their ear infections) the had never received the PPSV which is for Pneumonia. I KNOW I asked for this in the past and was poo pooed (my DS had pneumonia at 5 years old) but this time around I insisted because it is right there on the CDC's website that people 2-64 with lung disease should have it. I called the Pediatrician and they are ordering it in for me. My DH and I have both had this already, but we my be due for another dose.

Maybe I can't keep my kids from getting this but I'll do my best to protect them from secondary infections when I can

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A guy who works in my building got it bad. He's been in intensive care for weeks. He's got months to go. For a while, it looked like he might not make it. They had to do some funky thing where they pumped out his blood, put oxygene in it, and pumped it back in. They had him on kidney dialysis machines. They have him breathing through a trach. It's been brutal.

I had something last week. Minor fever. Felt like a cold. Our company doctor wouldn't see me because of the potential that it was H1N1. Told me to go to a flu testing clinic.

I get the sense that it isn't a huge problem (relative to other diseases) now, but people are really nervous about where it might lead.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

The fall is going to be brutal

 

[Tinijocaro]

The fall is going to be brutal

If you are following what is going on in Argentina, New Zealand, or Australia, it really gives us a glimpse of what we are in for in the fall-pray it doesn't further mutate before it gets to us. They are finding clusters of more severe illness over there of perfectly healthy young people-this usually indicates mutation.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

This makes me really nervous. We're travelling across seas to visit my family that I haven't seen in a year. A trip I'm not going to reschedule unless I absolutely have to, but this really makes me nervous about being in the airports and in the stupid airplane.

You need to know about this:

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Announcement-Possible Novel H1N1 Flu Screening for International Travelers
This information is current as of today, July 15, 2009 at 14:18 EDT
Updated: July 14, 2009

http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2009/07/announcement-possible-novel-h1n1-flu.html

Current Situation
Due to the outbreak of novel H1N1 flu occurring in the United States and many other countries, airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers. Many countries, including Japan and China, are screening arriving passengers for illness due to novel H1N1 flu. These health screenings are being used to reduce the spread of novel H1N1 flu.

If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Since the novel H1N1 flu outbreak is occurring in the United States, flights from the United States arriving in other countries may be specifically targeted for screening. Travelers coming from the United States may be checked for fever and other symptoms of novel H1N1 flu, and their travel may be delayed.

Consult the embassy of the country, or countries, in your travel itinerary for information about entry screening procedures (see Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions for contact information).

If you travel internationally from the United States, you may be asked to:

•Pass through a scanning device that checks your temperature. (The device may look like an airport metal detector, a camera, or a handheld device.)
•Have your temperature taken with an oral or ear thermometer
•Fill out a sheet of questions about your health
•Review information about the symptoms of novel H1N1 flu
•Give your address, phone number, and other contact information
•Be quarantined for a period of time if a passenger on your flight is found to have symptoms of novel H1N1 flu
•Contact health authorities in the country you are visiting to let them know if you become ill
If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms or are suspected to have novel H1N1 flu based on screening, you may be asked to:

•Be isolated from other people until you are well
•Have a medical examination
•Take a rapid flu test (which consists of a nasal swab sample)
•Be hospitalized and given medical treatment, if you test positive for novel H1N1 flu
Please note that the U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the rights of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries, nor can it influence the number of days in quarantine.

Because these outbreak-related delays, which could include several days of quarantine, may affect planned activities and lead to unexpected costs, CDC strongly recommends that travelers consider purchasing travel insurance. To find a list of possible travel health and medical evacuation insurance companies, visit Medical Information for Americans Abroad (U.S. Department of State).

Updates to this notice will be posted as information becomes available.

For More Information
U.S. Department of State

•Travel Alert: China - H1N1 Quarantine Measures (July 9, 2009)
•Travel-related information
•General website
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

•Homepage
•Novel H1N1 Flu website
U.S. Government Pandemic Influenza website