Swine Flu in Idaho (Boise, Pocatello: calculation, camper, allergy)

[Mtn. States Resident]

Reuters has posted various scenarios for which age groups would get vaccinated first when a vaccine is available. Also, very other important questions are written in this piece.

"SCENARIOS-Children go to front of flu vaccine line"

SCENARIOS-Children go to front of flu vaccine line | Reuters

One of the major reasons I'm posting this article now, is increasing number of publications, real case risk factors are being listed for people to read, instead of the standard "underlying illness etc.". One doesn't have to subscribe, be a member of a society etc. to learn from this information.

Two key paragraphs I want to highlight:

"Between 250,000 and 500,000 people die every year from seasonal flu, but this new virus targets older children, young adults and people with conditions such as asthma, pregnancy and heart disease."

Finally, the general public can read that pregnant women have been infected disproportionately. Whether or not that is because they have other young children, care for others who have been ill, or are in the workforce and something is different, I don't know. What I hope is anyone woman who is pregnant and not feeling like she should will contact her healthcare provider ASAP.

Also, thanks to Reuters Health & Science Editor, Maggie Fox, for writing why some of us don't necessarily want to be at the front of the line, but will get advanced placement anyway.

In addition, people with underlying conditions, including pregnant women, are among groups that would be at the head of the line, as well as healthcare workers who must stay healthy to care for the sick and administer vaccines.

Pimit2, I guess that is one way to judge for yourself more about having a vaccination. Ask your physician what s/he experienced when vaccinated and for how many days. However, it should always be remembered each person's individual health history will be a factor with how well s/he does with any vaccine or clinical course of A/H1N1.

Keep searching for more information. I was encouraged today when searching for information about A/H1N1 in ID finding more ID resources.

Stay safe and well

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Now I will post a recent post, given that Reuters has posted that those with ASTHMA has been one of the most identifiable risk factors for getting A/H1N1. Every pulmonologist, with whom I've discussed this - besides having enough Tamiflu for their own family- has agreed with me the risk factors for A/H1N1 are different than we were originally advised in May. Maybe this is the reason "NOVEL" is often included when A/H1N1 is written.

"H1N1 flu fears cancel popular Utah asthma camp,"


H1N1 flu fears cancel popular Utah asthma camp - Salt Lake Tribune

I had actually read other press releases, which I didn't feel provided as much information as this one. When asthma is a major risk factor for A/H1N1, why aren't the parents paying more attention? Is the spelling of Southwest director's last name of importance to any parents?

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

The University of Wisconsin released some very key data today from research they've done on A/H1N1.


Of critical importance is the information,

" WASHINGTON - The new H1N1 influenza virus bears a disturbing resemblance to the virus strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic, with a greater ability to infect the lungs than common seasonal flu viruses, researchers reported on Monday."

H1N1 infects into deeper layers of lung tissue, not just the upper respiratory tract like we see with seasonal flu. That would make sense to me of why asthma patients and those with other respiratory problems have struggled with this virus as one of the unique groups, of patients the most severely ill, hospitalized or even lost their life to this viral infection.

Continuining on with the article from MSNB:

"Tests in several animals confirmed other studies that have shown the new swine flu strain can spread beyond the upper respiratory tract to go deep into the lungs — making it more likely to cause pneumonia.


"When we conducted the experiments in ferrets and monkeys, the seasonal virus did not replicate in the lungs," said Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin, who led the study.

"The H1N1 virus replicates significantly better in the lungs."
,

Please read the rest of the article. If you know anyone who has asthma, COPD or other lung diseases, or is immunologically compromised due to an auto-immune disease, or being a cancer survivor who lost immunity due to the treatment, PLEASE, PLEASE, read this information. Those who matter to you who are at risk need to know. Their doctors need to know, if they aren't following this like I am (and others are, based on what we've clinically observed).

Study: Swine flu resembles feared 1918 flu - Swine flu- msnbc.com

PLEASE READ, I"M BEGGING YOU TO READ WHY THIS IS LIKE THE 1918 FLU and it does matter how far into lung tissue this virus goes. Something about this virus likes to replicate in deep lung tissue. This confirmation, while what I was thinking, is still frightening as H*ll to me!

PLEASE MAKE SURE THOSE YOU KNOW WHO HAVE SMOKED, HAD PULMONARY EMBOLI, COPD, ASTHMA etc. - pulmonary problems, are aware of this information and can take it to their doctors.

For every rep point I've received, if there were a way to "reverse rep" those who gave me positive feedback on something I wrote, I'd like to give all the ability to learn this new key evidence about H1N1. If we have 200 deaths in the U.S. in the non-flu season, can you imagine how many we'll have during flu season? I'll take a risk and say I think it will be beyond the normal 36K/year. I hope and I do pray (yes, I do pray about things like this, for guidance, the best information available), and that somehow projections of lives lost are wrong.

If this article doesn't get your attention about our risks for normal flu season, I'm not sure any publication/article will.


If you share this information with even one other person, you are helping some who may be facing death in the first or second wave. Please encourage all the people you know and love who are having respiratory symptoms, to promptly see a physician! Precautions, medications and isolation may all help save lives from this pandemic.

Thank you for being willing to inform others as well as learn your ownself.

MSR

[pimit2]

I saw a CBS News story this morning reporting that at least 50 summer camps around the country have been shut down because of outbreaks or the fear of outbreaks of H1N1 flu. If you have plans for sending your kids to camp this summer, this might give you second thoughts. Here's the story:

(CBS) A study out today says that the H1N1, or swine flu, virus is very similar to the strain that caused the 1918 pandemic. Researchers say this latest strain thrives in the lungs. But anti-viral medications can be effective against it.

People born before 1918, it appears, are immune. But there's concern about the very young, especially as they go to summer camp, reports CBS News medical correspondent Jennifer Ashton.

Kids have been coming to North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains for the Blue Star camp experience for 60 years. But this year 13-year-old Nikki Jaffe experienced something she never expected.

"I had a really bad headache. I just didn't feel good overall, and I was coughing a lot," Jaffe said.

Eleven-year-old Jessica Bachner says she'd never felt so bad.

"It felt different than having a fever," she said. "It was more."

it was, in fact, likely H1N1 or swine flu, now spreading through summer camps across America. At least 50 have reported outbreaks and the Centers for Disease Control is urging all camps to take precautions. Since the new flu is affecting people between the ages of 5 and 24 more than any other group, campers and counselors are especially vulnerable.

At Blue Star, two campers tested positive and 35 others were believed to be infected, but none of the cases were serious. They were given anti-viral medication and isolated.

"They'd come in the first day with about 101, take their Tamiflu," said Rodger Popkin, owner and director of Blue Star Camps. "By the third day they wanted to go back to camp."

This session, Blue Star isn't taking any chances. Kids showing up with fevers are sent home. At the mess hall, sharing is out and hand sanitizer is in.

"Always use the antibacterial and wash your hands before you eat," recited camper Mason Redler. "I'll try my best."

Camps for kids with health conditions like muscular dystrophy or asthma have shut down altogether so as not to put more vulnerable children at risk.

pimit2(Bob)

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by pimit2

I saw a CBS News story this morning reporting that at least 50 summer camps around the country have been shut down because of outbreaks or the fear of outbreaks of H1N1 flu. If you have plans for sending your kids to camp this summer, this might give you second thoughts. Here's the story:




pimit2(Bob)

Absolutely correct, pimit2. I've been reading headlines like these all summer. Thus, why I posted the asthma camp being closed in UT a couple of days ago and me totally not understanding the parents who were unhappy ( I didn't post those links). When the risks factors are clearly showing pulmonary problems as one of the big 3 risk factors, the parents who are blowing off the potential for this illness just surprise me greatly.

The only thing I can think of, is maybe all of their kids were put on prophylactic Tamiflu. Even then, being higher risk, if it were my child, I completely back those who closed the camps. I'd rather have a disappointed kiddo alive, than have my kiddo fighting this virus in a hospital.

A lot of people want to make this about politics, and I've tried very carefully to not post anything from any political sites (although they do often report information days before other main stream media). I strongly think certain things in D.C. are totally political; however, I can't stress enough no physician or scientist's thoughts or publications or personal conversations I've had with any, believe there is one ounce of politics involved here. I don't either.

I do fear some people are blowing this virus off as a political issue currently, thus why they aren't paying attention to increasing data and increasing deaths.

Want to read something frightening, read about the pregnant women in S. Florida right now who are sick enough to be hospitalized. One of them recently died after her baby was taken by C section. Another pregnant woman in the area is now being treated. The pregnant woman who died isn't the first in the U.S. or the world. Pregnant women more susceptible to H1N1

I try really hard to limit what I write or link here either to national info which may change vaccination or treatment patterns based on new information learned, or regional info, or info specific to ID. My goal is not to create fear, but to educate and encourage others to keep learning, keep using protective measures as the first line of defense against this deadly virus, and keep asking questions.

Read the BBC of other news sources. Having a physicain die in England, given his exposure, is not exactly positive news. This headline is also reason for greater concern, IMHO:

UK records first H1N1 death in healthy patient | Reuters

Another situation I've been watching and even talked to colleagues in NC about has now resulted in an infant death about 3 weeks after exposure. Second death linked to swine flu : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis If you want to read more about that one, search online about the NICU and the infected respiratory therapist, who had earlier provided care for a child with asthma who was struggling to breathe, then later was in the NICU with 33 infants at the hospital mentioned. I read a headline last night that two states in Mexico are now seeing a dramatic increase in cases. Perhaps what your business contact/friend was mentioning to you a couple of weeks ago is now being released to the media.

The information is so available and could be overwhelming to anyone. I think what I post normally can be overwhelming to someone who has no knowledge of how a virus replicates and continues to infect other hosts. Or why an increasing number of us are getting more concerned seeing which patients haven't survived, despite U.S. deaths being around 200 people. They shouldn't be dying of flu in the summer, and the wrong age groups who die from the flu, are dying from A/H1N1. So I break down what I can to hopefully help make the link more understandable for those who are willing to read and learn more.

I do try to keep my posts factual where others can read the same data, I do share some personal communication with colleagues working with patients who have tested positive, without violating patient rights, link info pertaining to the population in Idaho and the region, and anything that is learned about the mechanism of action.

That doesn't mean others can't post information they are learning through credible sources. Others are welcome to post here, ask questions and hopefully generate a larger discussion. This virus is NOT going away anytime soon. I always say knowledge/information gives one far more power to make informed choices and take precautions.

As always, please take care, prepare and be aware of A/H1N1.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Idaho is fitting in with national headlines.

"Military member at Mountain Home Air Force Base tests positive for H1N1 virus"

Military member at Mountain Home Air Force Base tests positive for H1N1 virus | Local News | Idaho Statesman

I liked the questions at the bottom of this article.

It also fits in with national headlines today. The number who are infected depends on the source (it may vary 30 people, depending on the source and how recent their news is).

"AFA H1N1 Cases Rise to 97"

AFA H1N1 Cases Rise to 97

It wouldn't be coincidence or anything that the Air Force Academy is seeing such a high increase in cases currently and Mountain Home has its first, would it?

Probably, just the natural spread of the virus.

At least the cases seem less virulent and cadets service personnel haven't had to be hospitalized like in other areas of the country.

MSR

[Western gal]

Looks like the topic is back on the Fox News front page. Worth reading IMO, especially with local schools starting up next month.

Swine Flu: Why You Should Still Be Worried - Infectious Disease - FOXNews.com

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Western gal

Looks like the topic is back on the Fox News front page. Worth reading IMO, especially with local schools starting up next month.

Swine Flu: Why You Should Still Be Worried - Infectious Disease - FOXNews.com

Absolutely, Western gal. It's finally making its way to many new sources, and even some local hospital websites. There is a lot more data available now for people to read. That isn't to say Fox News hasn't had some of the best information, as they have.

Also, as more people have Swine Flu and see that it can be very mild, especially if treated early, it can also be deadly. More people have observed this virus isn't going away. So more reporters are finding more information to post.

Thanks for posting.

Stay safe,

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Here's the latest data posted by the CDC today.

CDC H1N1 Flu | CDC H1N1 Flu Update: U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection

Today, it was MT that didn't check in. Last week it was NJ. Previously it was UT.

I feel the CDC is doing the best they can with the info they get. However, in talking to folks around the U.S. and Canada, am becoming discouraged about how the various states are reporting data.

For example, the man who died in UT last week was not recorded on UT's M and M yesterday. UT shows no increased deaths. He was air lifted from a hospital in Nevada, but NV shows NO DEATHS. He was from California so are we to assume his death was added to others in CA?

It matters a lot to me, both from tracking where he encountered the infection, whom he possibly infected, and why his death wasn't recorded in UT. I'm not a mortician or one who knows about those laws; however, I thought where the person died is where the death from the pandemic was recorded.

It's not just UT. I don't know if I want to go back to find this data or not, but early on - probably late May, a state in the SEC had a patient die and it was noted with an * that the patient was from a different state. Now, that information is missing on this week's update.

Some may say it doesn't matter, and in one sense that is correct. Losing someone close to you is losing someone you can't replace. From a public health perspective, it does matter.

pimit2, you asked me long ago what was happening with the numbers. The truth, for me, is I don't know. Perhaps practitioners are adapting treatment now and so many people have had exposure or clinical symptoms, the only real focus is on the hospitalizations/deaths.

Just today, a serviceman came to my house to repair an alarm system. I asked him, as I ask everyone, what has been their exposure to H1N1. He said his 6 year old had it, and the child's 3 siblings and parents were treated with Tamiflu prophylactically. I told him I hoped that spared his family from much more severe illness this fall/winter with wave 2.

I also spoke to a person in WI yesterday and asked why were WI's numbers so high compared to other states. I was told, "Because unlike many states, whether or not they've told the public, WI still counts new cases. WI wouldn't look disproportionate if every state were testing all the samples." I mentioned UT had stopped testing any samples except those in the hospital. I was told it was more states than UT, it's just the UT State Health Dept. told residents and some states haven't.

Unfortunately, I'm in the dark like everyone else and which states are no longer gathering samples. The best advice I can give anyone, if you have concerns, is first to check with your doctor/healthcare provider, and check with YOUR state's Dept. of Health Main Office to see if YOUR STATE is still running samples for newly diagnosed cases of H1N1.

Ask questions and learn more.

I honestly didn't post new information here that I had yesterday, as I was so discouraged by the info I got from WI. All I can say is I hope states that were vastly under-prepared will be prepared for the more deadly strain when it comes back.

So I plan to join those who are questioning more and more why aren't we being told more about this flu? What states are or are not processing new lab samples for ALL patients vs. just hospitalized patients? Silence frightens people. Most residents are able to adapt once they've been told the truth.

I may be the most niave person in the world, but I don't think the state labs not testing all the samples or reporting numbers in different ways for different states is political move. I do think it is about economic recovery and fear or reporting too much information may deter those who want to take summer vacations to different locations, and that has people of all political opinions in the same boat wanting to encourage tourism. There are other factors, in some states, but I think a lot of delayed information is due to states/businesses wanting to recover from the economic times. I do hope I'm wrong and it's due to population shift from some states etc. that we're seeing reporting done (or not) the way it has been done.

We deserve answers as those trying to prevent the disease from spreading, trying to care for those who have it, and as citizens trying to stay healthy and productive. School starts soon. One headline yesterday said all schoolage children would have to have the A/H1N1 vaccine before school would start. I believe that is from a southern state.

What are you thinking now?

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Western gal

Looks like the topic is back on the Fox News front page. Worth reading IMO, especially with local schools starting up next month.

Swine Flu: Why You Should Still Be Worried - Infectious Disease - FOXNews.com

Western Gal,

As I read this again, I decided to pull out the 2 major factors listed in this piece of what is different between "normal flu virus" vs. H1N1 we're seeing now. These are factors of what is different for a virus strain, not the people who are at higher risk to get the virus. In other words, this is why we haven't been able to get rid of this virus.

From the Fox News story above:

"Virus Behavior"

"World and U.S. health officials have already determined that swine flu behaves differently than seasonal flu in a number of ways. First, it’s able to spread in hot and humid weather, which is not usually the case for the seasonal flu virus."

"Second, the infection appears to be more severe in young people and less severe in the elderly than the typical seasonal flu."

I encourage everyone to read the article, it isn't long. You may have a better understand. There is a discussion about pregnant women in it as well.

Keep finding information and learning.

MSR