94 replies to this topic

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

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.

While I don't have full confidence in the flu shot, I have even less confidence that people will use common sense. I mean, why start now?

[wreathlady]

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.

Unfortunately, the swab test are not showing this. I cannot remember the percentage, but I want to say 45 percent show negative when they are in deed positive. So, again, there is a problem in the system.

[wreathlady]

While I don't have full confidence in the flu shot, I have even less confidence that people will use common sense. I mean, why start now?

I sanitize my hands alot. Actually, too much. I think there is a middle ground. But then I know people who just do not care. Maybe they are better off. I do not know. But I am with you on the shot. NO thanks

[ducky]

I sanitize my hands alot. Actually, too much. I think there is a middle ground. But then I know people who just do not care. Maybe they are better off. I do not know. But I am with you on the shot. NO thanks

I hope you don't use this brand of sanitizer

"Hand sanitizer is supposed to get rid of bacteria -- not spread the seeds of disease. But that's what the Food and Drug Administration found anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and lotions made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. to be doing."
Go here for the rest of the article.

http://latimesblogs....shals-raid.html

[wreathlady]

I hope you don't use this brand of sanitizer

"Hand sanitizer is supposed to get rid of bacteria -- not spread the seeds of disease. But that's what the Food and Drug Administration found anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and lotions made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. to be doing."
Go here for the rest of the article.

http://latimesblogs....shals-raid.html

No I use either Purell or Germ x. Thanks, I read about that one. Not good.

[stacycam]

Soap and water is the best thing. Sanitizer is second best if there is no soap and water.

[cw68]

Soap and water is the best thing. Sanitizer is second best if there is no soap and water.

Exactly. Hand sanitizers create super-bacteria.

[Darthvader]

Exactly. Hand sanitizers create super-bacteria.

Kids need to toughen up. All I ever hear and see is super anal Moms touting "Clean Wipes" this and "Sanitize everything" that.

How about a few germs in life so that the body can grow an immune system that isn't so wimpy.

[cw68]

Kids need to toughen up. All I ever hear and see is super anal Moms touting "Clean Wipes" this and "Sanitize everything" that.

How about a few germs in life so that the body can grow an immune system that isn't so wimpy.

You betcha.

[Brightside]

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

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

Thank you for posting this link! It's great information, but I wish they would have expanded to include people who have autoimmune diseases and how virilant we need to be. While they mention asthmatics, diabetics, etc., it would have been equally important to inform the public about how dangerous the flu (either one) is to patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Vasculitis, etc. as well as Cancer. It isn't the label of autoimmune diseases or cancer per se, it's the medication we take to manage them that put us at risk. The article mentions cytokines and how the white cells malfunction with this flu that they don't yet fully understand. Well, anyone taking medications for above said diseases already have abnormalities within their white cell levels. If you have loved ones taking immunosuppressant medications, please take extra precautions by not exposing yourself & them as much as possible, especially in public. I'll mention Prednisone because it is widely prescribed for a whole host of inflammatory conditions. Usually for short courses at a time, but it still gives your immune system a "hit" by making you more susceptible to bacterial & viral infections. Depending on how long you're on it, it could take upwards of a year for it to be out of your system, and yes, it suppresses your natural ability to fight other illnesses off.

IMHO, anyone that is taking immunosuppressive medications should have a direct bee-line to thier doctors to get a protocol of what do to if they get the flu. That's why I asked Mr. Baldguy about what regimen he & his family took while he was sick. That's also why I wondered if the inhaler he got was prescription strength or not. They tend to use a stronger dose of steriods in them to combat the lung inflammation, which is a good thing.

I'm not assuming that people who have these issues aren't already aware of what they need to do if they get sick, but maybe someone on the forum knows of an older person or has a family member that they could help in advance by knowing this.

My own Rheumatologist and his office staff will be taking the new vaccine when it becomes available. Wreathlady*** I'm not at all sure it's mandated by the AMA/CDC or WHO that doctors & medical personnel get vaccinated. I just know my doctor was very clear that he & his staff would be doing so as a precaution for them, as well as his patients.
I'll be checking in with them, A LOT, once they do get vaccinated.

[wreathlady]

Thank you for posting this link! It's great information, but I wish they would have expanded to include people who have autoimmune diseases and how virilant we need to be. While they mention asthmatics, diabetics, etc., it would have been equally important to inform the public about how dangerous the flu (either one) is to patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Vasculitis, etc. as well as Cancer. It isn't the label of autoimmune diseases or cancer per se, it's the medication we take to manage them that put us at risk. The article mentions cytokines and how the white cells malfunction with this flu that they don't yet fully understand. Well, anyone taking medications for above said diseases already have abnormalities within their white cell levels. If you have loved ones taking immunosuppressant medications, please take extra precautions by not exposing yourself & them as much as possible, especially in public. I'll mention Prednisone because it is widely prescribed for a whole host of inflammatory conditions. Usually for short courses at a time, but it still gives your immune system a "hit" by making you more susceptible to bacterial & viral infections. Depending on how long you're on it, it could take upwards of a year for it to be out of your system, and yes, it suppresses your natural ability to fight other illnesses off.

IMHO, anyone that is taking immunosuppressive medications should have a direct bee-line to thier doctors to get a protocol of what do to if they get the flu. That's why I asked Mr. Baldguy about what regimen he & his family took while he was sick. That's also why I wondered if the inhaler he got was prescription strength or not. They tend to use a stronger dose of steriods in them to combat the lung inflammation, which is a good thing.

I'm not assuming that people who have these issues aren't already aware of what they need to do if they get sick, but maybe someone on the forum knows of an older person or has a family member that they could help in advance by knowing this.

My own Rheumatologist and his office staff will be taking the new vaccine when it becomes available. Wreathlady*** I'm not at all sure it's mandated by the AMA/CDC or WHO that doctors & medical personnel get vaccinated. I just know my doctor was very clear that he & his staff would be doing so as a precaution for them, as well as his patients.
I'll be checking in with them, A LOT, once they do get vaccinated.

This was such a great story you posted. I do believe, that people just are blowing this off. they have to understand that there are people who have very compromised immune systems and really need to wash their hands, cover their cough and sneeze. I watch people all the time in stores when they sneeze and it is in their hand and then their hands go on the cart so there you go. I hope more stores will be putting up wipes so people can wipe of f their carts. I know about the hand sanitizers and their antibacterial properties. But at this time it is important to use them rather than to get sick. I do agree with the notion of some germs for sure. The CDC recommends them, if you cannot wash your hands. Also, if you want to PM, instead of putting on this site, if your Rhemotologist is in private practice or with a certain group, like Kaiser, Sutter etc. Thanks for the great info

[wreathlady]

Kids need to toughen up. All I ever hear and see is super anal Moms touting "Clean Wipes" this and "Sanitize everything" that.

How about a few germs in life so that the body can grow an immune system that isn't so wimpy.

Do you have kids? If you do not,then quit talking. If you do, it is your own thing whether to have them wash their hands or not. But think about other people when then have gross snotty hands.

[Darthvader]

Do you have kids? If you do not,then quit talking. If you do, it is your own thing whether to have them wash their hands or not. But think about other people when then have gross snotty hands.

It's not about gross snotty hands, it's about complete over-reaction and being duped into thinking that your house and kids need to be sterilized 24hrs a day.

[bordercolliefan]

Thanks Brightside and Wreathlady. There are still a lot of people who are not paying attention to this swine flu.

Yesterday I talked to a mom whose child has asthma. She said she "hadn't really followed the swine flu story" and she didn't know that her child might be at increased risk.

I did not want to panic her, but I did let her know that swine flu is now THE most common circulating flu, so if her child gets a high fever or (god forbid) trouble breathing, she needs to consult a dr. asap. We all need to look out for each other as information becomes available.

[bordercolliefan]

it's about complete over-reaction and being duped into thinking that your house and kids need to be sterilized 24hrs a day.

Ha, not a problem at my house. With 2 kids who love making "mud pies" and "rescuing" bugs, a dog, a cat, and a stray cat the kids bring inside...we have germs galore.

Despite the (censored) and span houses in t.v. commercials, I imagine most real families have plenty of germs.