Swine Flu News

[N.Bailey]

What's not true?

None of your post actually disagreed with anything in my post.

My point was, unless the doctors are running further testing on patients (and most are not), they're no more qualified to diagnose swine than posters playing the same guessing game here.

 

[N.Bailey]

It's cool how you started your post with it not being conjecture and followed that with a ton of conjecture.

It may be conjecture, but it absolutely has to be true when every case is not being tested.

 

[sbell111]

My point was, unless the doctors are running further testing on patients (and most are not), they're no more qualified to diagnose swine than posters playing the same guessing game here.

I'll still go with the guy that went through medical school and has years of experience.

It may be conjecture, but it absolutely has to be true when every case is not being tested.

Logically, that does not follow, at all.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I'm wondering (read this somewhere just can't remember where) if getting the pneumonia vac NOW would relieve some of the problem or concern with the H1N1 turning deadly.

 

[N.Bailey]

I'll still go with the guy that went through medical school and has years of experience.

Logically, that does not follow, at all.

Well you go with the guy who has been thru medical school all you want, but if you show up at his office with flu like symptoms and he doesn't test you for swine, I'll insist that under those circumstances, he's no more qualified than I in determining if you've got swine flu. Unless of course, you can show that he's got some sort of crystal ball, or perhaps he holds the magic 8 ball?

As for it not being logical. I believe it's illogical to insinuate that every case of swine flu has been diagnosed. That is what you're saying if you believe it's conjecture that there are unaccounted for cases out there.

 

[NikitaZee]

I'm wondering (read this somewhere just can't remember where) if getting the pneumonia vac NOW would relieve some of the problem or concern with the H1N1 turning deadly.

The CDC is indeed recommending that persons aged 2-64 with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease and diabetes, among others, get the Pneumovax shot. My 8 year old has asthma and I'd like him to have it, as well as my 5 year old daughter, but my pediatrician pooh-poohed that, citing the Prevnar immunizations kids get before age 2 as partial protection. Anyone have any more specific knowledge about the Pneumovax shot? I'd just as soon have all my kids get the shot (my husband and I already have been) if it wouldn't hurt.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

It's cool how you started your post with it not being conjecture and followed that with a ton of conjecture.

What in my post is conjecture?

FACT: My doctor has seen very mild cases that have, in fact, been flu. (My sister-in-law had a bad headache and tested positive for the flu--she didn't see that coming). The truth is, there are flu cases that present in a similar way to allergies, bronchitis, and stomach flu. This is documented fact.

FACT: The CDC is only counting hospitalized cases and deaths, leaving many, and according to the CDC, potentially millions, of cases uncounted.

FACT: Many people discount their own illnesses and go out in public.

FACT: The official number of swine flu cases in this country is much lower than the real total.

I could back up all of these claims with articles from reputable sources. Where can you find a source that states the cases of swine flu are overestimated or that people with mild symptoms could not have the flu?

I think you have posted some valuable and accurate information on this thread, but it seems to me that your posts tend to be sarcastic and belittling. While you certainly have that right, I am not sure what purpose that serves when discussing a topic that has many people worried. If you feel that there is so much conjecture and misinformation on this thread, perhaps you could go elsewhere.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm wondering (read this somewhere just can't remember where) if getting the pneumonia vac NOW would relieve some of the problem or concern with the H1N1 turning deadly.

I think its a definite maybe whether the pneumonia vaccine may help limit swine flu deaths.

Some doctors say it may help some say it may not but overall many believe it can't hurt. I thought this whole article was interesting. There is much more that I didnt copy and paste.

"We would certainly like to see the vaccine used more extensively," said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the preventive medicine department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and president-elect of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

U.S. sales of Pneumovax have not increased since June, according to John D. Grabenstein, senior director of Adult Vaccine Medical Affairs for Merck Vaccines and Infectious Diseases. Sales in Europe have risen, however, in response to similar recommendations by health authorities there.

Further, the vaccine provides protection against pneumonia for up to 10 years, meaning one vaccination provides at least some safeguard not just this year but for future flu seasons as well.

Some physicians are more skeptical about the pneumococcal vaccine's potential to limit flu deaths.

The problem is that there are many causes of pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs that interferes with breathing and can be fatal. The influenza virus itself can cause pneumonia, as can many others. Or the lungs can be invaded by a bacterium such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus when the patient is weakened by a viral infection. Pneumovax protects against 23 strains of S. pneumoniae.

It is not yet clear what proportion of swine-flu-related pneumonia is caused by S. pneumoniae and thus could be prevented or ameliorated by immunization.

"I am not aware of any data suggesting that . . . pregnant women are at increased risk of pneumonia, whether during a pandemic or not," Moore said. In fact, most of the pregnant women who have died from pandemic flu have suffered viral pneumonia, for which Pneumovax offers no protection.

Dr. Linda Rosenstock, dean of UCLA's School of Public Health, speculates that Pneumovax has not been promoted more heavily because the H1N1 pandemic has so far been perceived to be milder than seasonal flu. If the virus mutates to become more deadly, then the recommendations will become stronger, she believes.

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-pneumonia4-2009aug04,0,6872284.story

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

According to this article, and another one that I read yesterday, most of the deaths of otherwise healthy people have been due to coinfections (swine flu + something else). The "something else" has often been strep A and/or bacterial pneumonia. The pneumonia vaccine would be helpful in some of these cases, and according to the second article (that I will try to find), the CDC is considering recommending that people in their 30-40s consider the pneumonia vaccine because they seem to be among the hardest hit. When I find the second article, I will add it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090904...5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNjZGNzdHVkeXN3aW4-

ETA: Here's the other article.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...lungs_090903/20090903?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

The Pneumovax will help with some of the secondary pneumonia infections that follow influenza. However, not all pneumonia is caused by bacteria. Some of it has been viral, as in caused by the H1N1 itself.

Do not get this vaccine with the assumption that you will now be fine. Know that there are increased side effects the more you get this vaccine, the older you become.

All that said, I did get the vaccine in July. I am 41. I know that when I get the booster later on in my 60's I could suffer consequences from this decision. I weighed my pros and cons and discussed it with my health care provider. Each of us will need to make our own decision based on our own unique situations. Research the facts and talk to your doctor.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I got pneumonia vac 3 years ago when I was 43. I'd had pneumonia probably 6 or 7 times until I got the shot. I had whopping cough 3 years ago and when I was better I asked for the flu shot and a pneumonia vac. I didn't want to ever be that sick again. There were nights that I thought "this is it". I

 

[luvwinnie]

Article by woman who had swine flu, so did her kids
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/04/AR2009090403477.html?referrer%3Demailarticlepg

 

[luvwinnie]

I also got the pneumonia vaccine due to my asthma.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Article by woman who had swine flu, so did her kids
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/04/AR2009090403477.html?referrer%3Demailarticlepg

FYI, it's not the drinking from the glass that got her sick with influenza. It was probably because she TOUCHED the glass after him and touched her eyes/nose/ears or she inhaled the virus he was shedding during the car ride.

 

[luvwinnie]

Anyone grossed out by the article I posted? Why are they throwing used tissues ON THE FLOOR?

 

[N.Bailey]

Anyone grossed out by the article I posted? Why are they throwing used tissues ON THE FLOOR?

Because they were kids and sick kids at that?

Oh, and mamma is a writer, so she was probably trying to stress a point. She may very well have exaggerated on how many were there.

 

[luvwinnie]

Because they were kids and sick kids at that?

Oh, and mamma is a writer, so she was probably trying to stress a point. She may very well have exaggerated on how many were there.

They are ten, not three. I certainly knew not to throw garbage on the floor at that age. My mom would not have appreciated that. She kept a little trash bag by the bed or couch for tissues when I was sick. I mean, if you are trying not to spread disease, proper disposal of used tissues would be a good start.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Good article - thanks for posting.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I am so stressed out about this swine flu!!
I will be student teaching in a kindergarten classroom, school starts Sept 9th. I am honestly not worried about my health (although I should be, I only have the school health insurance which isn't all that great) I am really worried about DD. She's only 4 and I am scared that I will bring this home to her. I keep reading all this stuff about the possibility of thousands dying and millions being hospitalized and I am scared.

I am also scared to be vaccinated as I don't think much testing has been done, we dont know the long term side effects of this vaccine.

Also, is swine flu like chicken pox or something? I have read about people having "swing flu parties" like chicken pox parties.

 

[N.Bailey]

They are ten, not three. I certainly knew not to throw garbage on the floor at that age. My mom would not have appreciated that. She kept a little trash bag by the bed or couch for tissues when I was sick. I mean, if you are trying not to spread disease, proper disposal of used tissues would be a good start.

All I can do is speculate since I've not spoken with the mother, but perhaps the kids were using them and dropped them off the side of the bed rather than getting out of bed to throw it away?

At the very least, I would get a grocery bag and put it at each child's side, but if mom didn't do that, I see nothing wrong with the kids setting them alongside the bed if they were sick.