94 replies to this topic

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

most of those people had other complications that the news agencies are purposely not reporting in order to make this story headline news

So you know the health histories of all of the people who have died from this flu? LOL

[bordercolliefan]

There are cases in the news of people who did not have compromised health issues who have died of this flu. I don't think the patterns of who is most at risk are clear yet.

Correct. Also, the range of so-called "pre-existing conditions" in people who died is, itself, sobering. It's not like all these people had something serious like AIDS or cancer. A lot of them are very common things -- overweight; asthma; diabetes. When you add all these together, it probably covers > 50% of the population.

It seems like every elementary school class has a kid or two with an inhaler for asthma. It is terrible to think of these kids potentially having a bad time with this flu.

[lvbnmommy]

QUOTE (Moon over my Hammy @ Aug 11 2009, 04:09 PM)
Do we know what elementary school the Vista's sibling goes to?
Empire Oaks, Russell Ranch, Oak Chan....not sure of the rest.

I am wondering too. Has THAT school/class been notified that the child's sibling has H1N1? I would think that is important. I know that there are issues with privacy ... if aware the teacher could monitor more closely... just a thought

[sunnyCA]

QUOTE (Moon over my Hammy @ Aug 11 2009, 04:09 PM)
Do we know what elementary school the Vista's sibling goes to?
Empire Oaks, Russell Ranch, Oak Chan....not sure of the rest.

I am wondering too. Has THAT school/class been notified that the child's sibling has H1N1? I would think that is important. I know that there are issues with privacy ... if aware the teacher could monitor more closely... just a thought

I am also wondering...the first grader might not have tested positive yet but isnt' there an incubation period before the test would show positive? That would seem to be very important.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Don't know them all, but yes smarty pants, I took time to look into several of the cases beyond just going entirely by sensational news headlines

As a smarty pants, I know that a few examples does not equal all of the cases. I do not deny that some of the people being hit hard by this flu have compromised health issues. But according to various health organizations reporting on this (not sensationalized news stations) many who die are not only healthy, but under 55 (whereas with other flu viruses the elderly are prime targets).

[Baldguy]

Don't know them all, but yes smarty pants, I took time to look into several of the cases beyond just going entirely by sensational news headlines

Example of hyped news headlines: lets take the case of baldguy, we heard the truth directly from him (read his post and compare it with this made up news) the news would have reported his case as follows

Fox News Reports a severe case of swine flu in Folsom. A local man became infected while at work on Tuesday, most likely getting the flu from a co-worker who might have just returned from a vacation to Mexico. The very next day on Wednesday, he nearly dies from extreme fever and massive breathing problems. Thursday his wife, probably thinking he was near death might have called 911 and was instructed to go immediately the the emergency room. His wife takes him to a local hospital risking thousands of people's lives, they too now will probably die in the future. Friday the man under heavy medication begins to stabilize and breath again. Saturday the man is removed from the intensive care unit at the hospital or maybe at his house and his condition is upgraded. Sunday the man barely clinging to life eats for the first time since the outbreak. Monday he opens his eyes and starts to react to family and friends. Tuesday he insanely risks the lives of thousands of people and goes out in public again infuriating the up in arms community.

This cracked me the heck up.

Funny reading about myself like this and I don't think you're too far off base......

[curiousity]

I am also wondering...the first grader might not have tested positive yet but isnt' there an incubation period before the test would show positive? That would seem to be very important.

just because you are incubating and not showing symptoms doesn't mean a culture test will show negative. If the virus was present where they swabbed or took a blood sample, the test should show positive regardless of your symptoms.

[Brightside]

Hi Baldguy,

Very glad to hear you got over the flu & are doing better! I'm curious to know about which inhaler they gave you. Was it a prescription strength or over the counter, like Primatine Mist (ie)?

It's remarkable to me that no one in your family contracted the flu from you... did you quarantine yourself or take any specific measures so that they wouldn't get sick?

Thank you for sharing your experiences here. I'm sorry you had to have it at all, but you've really helped put the process into perspective.

[Baldguy]

Thanks Brightside. I appreciate your comments.

It was a prescription inhaler, but I don't recall the brand name of it. It definitely wasn't Primatine Mist. The Dr. indicated that the inhaler was for asthmatics, but she was prescribing it to me to free me up to breathe since I was very tight in the chest.

My wife quarantined me to the bedroom, where our bathroom, sinks, shower are all private from the rest of the hourse. The kids and wife washed their hands when leaving the room after providing me with food or liquids. They spent very little time in the room. Dr. office required me to wear a surgical mask. When on the nebulizer, anyone in the room wore a surgical mask.

We were just talking about how it has spread so quickly here at work and I realized how this illness is getting around so quickly. That initial Tuesday I was probably contagious but didn't realize it as I attributed my symptoms (cough, etc) to seasonal allergies. People are out and about, like I was, spreading this around thinking that they have allergies or something else.

[curiousity]

This is some pretty interesting information (Qs and As) out of Northwestern University:

http://news.medill.n....aspx?id=131077

That was pretty good informational wise, but even it still lacked saying exactly how & why the people that are dying died. But it sounds like they implied ultimately it is lung failure.

[wreathlady]

"You were very lucky and your immune system handled it. She did die of pneumonia and so did the 30 year old in Woodland. It is a VIRAL pneumonia not bacterial and no antibiotic will touch it. this is a very serious flu for some people and for others it is not. Thank you for sharing. It seems like it is making its way up the hill from Folsom. Was anyone at work sick? Had you been on any trips? Just curious. The tamilful probably gave you some side effects. they are warning people not to give it to children now, many side effects and really only lessens the virus by 1 day. but in some cases it may stop the pneumonia Please people do not be complacent. If you cant breathe go to the ER."

I am lucky and feel the need to inform others that this flu is not as bad as the media seems to depict it for NORMALLY HEALTHY people like me.

Unfortunately, and I didn't realize it at the time, I was probably contagious at the time I went to work that first Tuesday with no fever and a cough. Several people in our office suffered the same symptoms after me, but no one else was tested. I don't know if the non testing was due to the Dr. not wanting to (as I've heard can be the case) or they didn't go to the Dr at all. I'm big on not going to work when ill and spreading the wealth so to speak.

I've not been on any trips lately and my only known contact with a known case was as I stated in my post.

I feel the Tamilflu did give me the side effects, but I feel they were tolerable considering it seemed to knock the virus down right away and lessen the time Iwas ill.

My co-worker had the same symptoms and was not confirmed. He recovered and has since relapsed it appears. He is asthmatic.

I also found out that a friend of mine (who I haven't seen in quite awhile) is hopitalized with the flu in Lodi. He is a smoker and diabetic.

So, my thoughts here are if you are not perfectly healthy...this could turn into something more serious. It's also interesting to note that I'm usually the one that does not get sick as I seem to have a robust immune system....

thanks for sharing your information. Also, this is hitting people the hardest in your category, the healthy robust ones. I am very sorry for your friend. Is he in ICU? This flu really hits you
if you have any type of breathing problem or underlying condition. It also kills very healthy individuals. Stay safe and keep us posted on your friends recovery.

[wreathlady]

Correct. Also, the range of so-called "pre-existing conditions" in people who died is, itself, sobering. It's not like all these people had something serious like AIDS or cancer. A lot of them are very common things -- overweight; asthma; diabetes. When you add all these together, it probably covers > 50% of the population.

It seems like every elementary school class has a kid or two with an inhaler for asthma. It is terrible to think of these kids potentially having a bad time with this flu.

I agree. Alot of people have most of the pre existing conditons. Personally, I think it is a cover up, so that the US Government makes sure we all get the new flu shot. I do believe it is bad, but the media is really going for it.. Why do they not teach us how to prevent with common sense measures rather that just say you need the shot to prevent this.

[wreathlady]

[quote name='The Dude' date='Aug 12 2009, 10:42 AM' post='343227']
Don't know them all, but yes smarty pants, I took time to look into several of the cases beyond just going entirely by sensational news headlines

Example of hyped news headlines: lets take the case of baldguy, we heard the truth directly from him (read his post and compare it with this made up news) the news would have reported his case as follows

Fox News Reports a severe case of swine flu in Folsom. A local man became infected while at work on Tuesday, most likely getting the flu from a co-worker who might have just returned from a vacation to Mexico. The very next day on Wednesday, he nearly dies from extreme fever and massive breathing problems. Thursday his wife, probably thinking he was near death might have called 911 and was instructed to go immediately the the emergency room. His wife takes him to a local hospital risking thousands of people's lives, they too now will probably die in the future. Friday the man under heavy medication begins to stabilize and breath again. Saturday the man is removed from the intensive care unit at the hospital or maybe at his house and his condition is upgraded. Sunday the man barely clinging to life eats for the first time since the outbreak. Monday he opens his eyes and starts to react to family and friends. Tuesday he insanely risks the lives of thousands of people and goes out in public again infuriating the up in arms community.
That is what it sounds like. Are you a reporter for the BEE?