Swine Flu in Idaho (Boise, Pocatello: loan, groceries, floors)

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Western gal

Well, too late, it got me. I've had what appears to be the flu the last 2 days pretty good. Body aches, headache, dry, scratchy throat, nasty cough. Very tired too. I'm not going in to be checked, I'm hearing varying stories that I won't be tested if I'm not a pregnant female or a child, so I guess I'll stay in. Thought I was being pretty good with hand gel, avoiding sick people, washing, etc. - but someone somewhere gave it to me. Stay well all, this one of the nastier coughs I've ever had.

Someone also told me the regular flu isn't going around this area right now, only swine flu. Any truth to this statement?

Westerngal,
Hope you're feeling better by now. Let us know how you're doing. Most of my students who have come down with the flu are feeling okay, if tired, after 5-6 days. Just being cautious is unfortunately no guarantee: I may have had the flu in May, and nobody could have been more conscientious than I was/am, with hand gels, washing hands, using Saline nasal spray, Lysol'ing doorknobs and keyboards, etc.

Here are two interesting websites, which should be read with cautious optimism and a dose of skepticism:
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-...nt/ci_13509232

Seasonal Flu Shot Some Help vs. H1N1 Swine Flu?

[Western gal]

Thanks everyone, I'm on the mend. Still have a throat/cough issue and some headaches, but the body aches are gone. Staying home with young kids while you're sick is a good challenge! I have to say, I am SO thankful for Reed's dairy. Having the staples delivered every week saves me a lot of time in the grocery stores, another public place full of sneezing and coughing I'm trying to avoid. And kudos to whoever invented drive-in windows!!!

What's this I read about a Bannock County teen dying of swine flu? News reports are very brief and sketchy.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Western gal

Thanks everyone, I'm on the mend. Still have a throat/cough issue and some headaches, but the body aches are gone. Staying home with young kids while you're sick is a good challenge! I have to say, I am SO thankful for Reed's dairy. Having the staples delivered every week saves me a lot of time in the grocery stores, another public place full of sneezing and coughing I'm trying to avoid. And kudos to whoever invented drive-in windows!!!

What's this I read about a Bannock County teen dying of swine flu? News reports are very brief and sketchy.

Glad to hear you seem to be on the mend Western gal. Did you contact your doctor to get assessed? You are wise to limit as much as contact with others as you can about other things. Reed's Dairy does meet many needs.

Here's the article I saw regarding the Bannock County teenager who died earlier this week from H1N1.

"Bannock County Teen Dies from H1N1"

"The Southeastern District Health Department announced Wednesday the H1N1 virus has contributed to the death of a teenager in Bannock County. This is the second Idaho death related to the H1N1 pandemic flu virus in Idaho. The teen had underlying health conditions that contributed to his death"

The rest of the article is at this link.

Bannock County Teen Dies from H1N1 - KPVI NEWS 6: Pocatello, Idaho Falls-Weather, Sports, News-

My condolensces to the teen's family.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Back to an earlier discussion that Lee and I were having, this news story helps to better define the role of Medical Corps Volunteers and Community Volunteers, in upcoming H1N1 Clinics.

"About 250 volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corp. have been asked to help, but health officials would also like to see 100 community volunteers."

"Health care workers who can administer vaccinations are especially needed, along with non-medical workers to help direct crowds, and assist with paperwork. O'Farrell said, " ' Fifty-percent of our volunteers needed are non-medical. I think we've probably heard from 25 of our volunteers. So we need a lot more to step forward.' "


Extra help needed to administer H1N1 vaccines in SE Idaho | KIDK CBS 3 - News, Weather and Sports - Idaho Falls - Pocatello - Blackfoot, ID - Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot - Idaho | Local & Regional

Please consider whether or not you can help at a vaccination clinic in your health district. If you don't know what specific tasks you might perform, call your local health department and ask what regular citizen volunteers would be doing. You may be surprised how your can help.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

From the Rexburg Standard Journal an article I found a little surprising. See what you think.


"Thus far there have been no major red flags reported since the Food and Drug Administration approved the H1N1 vaccine following drug trials last month. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has started an unprecedented tracking system to monitor swine flu vaccination."

"The hope behind the tracking system is to explain away any coincidences that may cause false alarms."

" 'Every day, bad things happen to people. When you vaccinate a lot of people in a short period of time, some of those things are going to happen to some people by chance alone,' " Dr. Daniel Salmon, a vaccine safety specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services, told The Associated Press."

"Last week the AP reported that the CDC will be working in concert with Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins University to monitor any side effects."

"Locally, many residents have concerns about the new vaccine for various reasons."

"Of 10 people asked, only two said that they would get themselves and their children vaccinated."

"Both declined to give their names."

"Most of those polled were unsure or against the new drug."

I'd encourage you to read the rest of the article. I don't know how the people interviewed in the Rexburg area obtain their information to make decisions.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to vaccinate or not is up to the individual person or parent.

What do you think of this article and the responses of various people?

.: Print Version :.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

In Idaho Falls, about 25 miles south of Rexburg, it appears some have had more education or different education.

This news article answers some of our questions from the past two weeks. At least one private OB/GYN group will be administering H1N1 vaccines in their office for their high risk pregnant patients.

Also, dates and times for immunizations, from the local Health Department are listed.

Check out the news story and then please post what you think of the personal experience and information given.

Pregnant Women Fear Swine Flu Virus - KIFI - Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Jackson WY - Weather News Sports-

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Sometimes I think it is interesting to see what other countries are telling their citizens. Canada is of particular interest to me, given that it borders with NID.

For those who don't understand my "Great White North" reference, it was the "McKenzie Brothers," (who weren't brothers, but recorded a single featuring Geddy Lee from Rush). Rick Maranos is one of the Mckenzie Brothers and both originated from Canadian SCTV.

A little humor helps serious situations. I like this vid the best of those I could rapidly find. Although I do miss the dialogue of Geddy Lee being asked if he was paid for singing and Geddy replies, "Yah, $10 buck is $10 bucks." Some say the word, "Hoser," official became a word added to certain dictionaries after this song was released from SCTV.

Enjoy the comedy as the Canadian article has some statistics that may be difficult for some to read.


YouTube - Great White North

Now for the data printed in the All Headline News:

"Majority Of H1N1 Deaths In Canada Are Younger Women"

Read more: Majority Of H1N1 Deaths In Canada Are Younger Women | AHN

Might want to listen to "Great White North" again after that article.

MSR


Majority Of H1N1 Deaths In Canada Are Younger Women | AHN

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Westerngal,
Hope you're feeling better by now. Let us know how you're doing. Most of my students who have come down with the flu are feeling okay, if tired, after 5-6 days. Just being cautious is unfortunately no guarantee: I may have had the flu in May, and nobody could have been more conscientious than I was/am, with hand gels, washing hands, using Saline nasal spray, Lysol'ing doorknobs and keyboards, etc.

Here are two interesting websites, which should be read with cautious optimism and a dose of skepticism:
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-...nt/ci_13509232

Seasonal Flu Shot Some Help vs. H1N1 Swine Flu?

Somehow I didn't see this before CFF. Thanks for including it. I really like your wording, "Here are two interesting websites, which should be read with cautious optimism and a dose of skepticism."

Some accussed the media of "hype" in the spring/summer to sell newspapers. That was never my personal or professional thought, but we all see things differently.

NOW, it's difficult to pick up any publications, watch any news broadcast or go to a news website and not read/hear something about H1N1.

Recently, there has been much talk about school closures, due to illness, and where to vaccinate so those who want vaccinated hopefully don't have to travel too far from home or wait too long

From the Idaho Statesman, "Children in Boise and Meridian schools will get FluMist for H1N1 for free next week"

Not only students but staff too have been out. As high as 30% in some schools.

Here's information and dozens of personal opinons about this article. I hope it helps you and your family.

Children in Boise and Meridian schools will get FluMist for H1N1 for free next week | Local News | Idaho Statesman

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Chris had asked a couple of pages back that I share my own experiences of vaccination with H1N1 and the 2009 influenze injection.

My reality is I haven't had them yet. I was scheduled for them, then the person I was taking to be evaluated at Cleveland Clinic, who has severe immuno-compromise, being a cancer survivor, got sick. This person was admitted in a regional hospital and has been very, very ill. Consequently, we've had to put Cleveland on hold until a couple of other issues are cleared up first.

It's been advised I not get the vaccinations yet, given the entire picture.

All that being said, I have asked MANY RNs, MDs and others about their own vaccinations and vaccinations of their children.

Yesterday, I spoke with an RN who had her two children vaccinated with the mist H1H1 vaccine, along with herself. I might be a year off on each of their ages, but it gives you a general idea. She has a child that is 6 and one that is 11. Additionally, this nurse had H1H1 during the spring stop of the virus.

As a mother and an RN who has seen more complications of H1N1 than most, she had her children vaccinated the morning after the vaccine arrived. I specifically asked about different side effects or problems both in her children as well as herself. She said the mist went well, the kids had no issues and weren't even sub-clinically sick. The same is true for her.

From what I know, none of them have underlying medical problems, but mom has had H1N1 and works in a hospital that has had a lot of H1N1 patients in it, including many of the sickest who have died from this virus.

I asked if she had any words to advice for other parents whose children would be around the same ages. She said, "Check with your pediatrician first, but if he says it's ok, get it done. Don't delay it."

I do realize this isn't my own personal experience, but wanted to share it as she told me I could and I also think many parents don't know what to do. I'm still amazed at what the Rexburg printed a couple of days back.

I hope anyone who has symptoms gets feeling better. Prevention and preparation will help, even those who get sick.

Any news what is happening in Latah County??

Take care of yourselves and your families.

MRS

[Mtn. States Resident]

I was sad to read this story.........

But, after my own mother minutes ago, told me how "H1N1 was media made story," and I told her just because she wasn't on the highest risk of candidates to become infected and/or die from this virus, that doesn't mean this virus isn't dangerous or even deadly for others, I knew I had to post this story.

Pretty sad when you have to cut and paste stories for your own parent to read.

Utah health officials say three people with swine flu have died in the last week. The Utah Department of Health also says 127 people have been hospitalized either with the H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu. Officials say that number is unusual so early in the flu season.



Injectable H1N1 Vaccine Arrives In Utah | Utah News, KUTV, 2News, Utah Community


My Condolenscences to the three families and all who knew these people.

MSR