Swine Flu in Idaho

[Mtn. States Resident]

I believe the title is a bit misleading, given the amount of deaths WA state has experienced due to H1N1. Nonetheless, this is the first infant to die in WA from H1N1.

From KIMA/KEPR Action New:
"Franklin County Baby is First to Die From Swine Flu in State"

"FRANKLIN COUNTY, WA -- A five-month old baby from Franklin County has died, with H1N1 influenza complications contributing to the death, the Benton-Franklin Health District announced Wednesday."

"This is the first Washington pediatric death of the 2009-2010 flu season."

"With vaccine in short supply, people are urged to continue with personal precautions to protect themselves and their families including washington
( I wonder if that should have been 'WASHING') hands, cover your cough, and stay home when you are ill."

We've seen those recommendations for months.

My condolences to the grieving parents, family and friends of this child.

The remainder of the story is in the link below:

Franklin County Baby is First to Die From Swine Flu in State | KEPR CBS 19 - News, Weather and Sports - Pasco, WA - Pasco, Washington | Local & Regional

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

From NPR and many other national and Colorado new organizations,

"Study Finds H1N1 Virus Lives Longer Than Expected"

"The current public health recommendation is that if you've been sick, you can go back to work or school 24 hours after your fever goes away, but a new study published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine says you might still be contagious."

"Witkop says 19 percent of cadets who had been symptom-free for more than 24 hours still had the live virus."

"She says the findings suggest people who are going to be in high-risk settings — like hospitals or day care centers or around pregnant women — should stay home longer or keep their distance."

Here's the NPR link for the remaining information about the 167 Air Force Cadets who were studied. You are able to listen to the story from this link, if you prefer.

Study Finds H1N1 Virus Lives Longer Than Expected : NPR

Notice the difference between this story and the KMVT one I posted earlier. Physicians are quoted. Exact timeframes and numbers of patients studied are listed. Additionally, the results of this trial were published in a medical journal. As I mentioned before, don't hesitate to question the media's sources.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

From MSNBC News (and several other news services):

"Swine flu scams lurk on the Web, FDA warns"
"Government warns makers of more than 140 fradulent products"

Headlines like these make me angry. I can't stand people trying to get rich quick off of the genuince c"oncerns/fears of others, or even worse when one family member has had H1N1 and the family/friends will buy most anything to prevent the same happening to others.

To quote Tom Petty, albeit about a different situation, "I'm sure there is a special place in HELL for people like these who hurt others during times of need." (Not word for word direct quote, but close enough to what he did say about another situation.

"Air " 'sterilizers.' " A photon machine. Supplement pills to boost the immune system. Protective shampoos and face masks. Even fake Tamiflu."

"These and other products making bogus claims to prevent or treat swine flu are flooding the Internet as scam artists prey on the public's fears while the vaccine is delayed and real Tamiflu is rationed."

"Every problem, it would seem, is a sales opportunity. Some of the products appear to have been pitched for other emergencies, such as one called
" ' Quake Kare' " and masks and purifiers sold during the SARS scare. "

"Federal officials have sent warning letters to promoters of more than 140 swine flu-related products, including well-known alternative medicine advocate Dr. Andrew Weil for his " 'Immune Support Formula.' "

"Most worrisome: sites that claim to sell Tamiflu without a prescription. The FDA bought and tested five such products. One contained powdered talc and generic Tylenol — no Tamiflu. Several others contained some Tamiflu but were not approved for sale in the U.S."

Please remember Tamiflu requires a prescription in the U.S. Some Internet sites may advertise no prescription needed as what they are selling isn't Tamiflu, or it has expired etc.

If it seems like a "bargain," please be cautious. I am disgusted by people who make money off of the fears and misery of others. However, some do not seem to share my ethic belief system. If something seems too good to be true, please think about the source, length of time in business and where they are lcated, among other factors.

You can read the rest of the article at this link:

Swine flu scams lurk on the Web, FDA warns - Swine flu- msnbc.com

Be the wise consumers for H1N1 like you are for other goods and products. It is hard to try to detach yourself from the emotion and fear. However, one must to make sure valid supplies are being obtained.

Take care,

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

This information is also available from multiple news outlets.

From MSNBC:

"1 in 5 U.S. kids had flu so far this month"
"Most cases were likely swine flu strain, CDC survey says"

"ATLANTA - About 1 in 5 U.S. children had a flu-like illness earlier this month — and most of those cases likely were swine flu, according to a new government health survey."

"About 7 percent of surveyed adults said they’d had a flu-like illness, the survey found."

Of personal interest to me is the vaccination picture in Indianapolis, since I have someone flying in to work with me on Tuesday from Indianapolis.

The rest of the article is here:

1 in 5 U.S. kids had flu so far this month - Swine flu- msnbc.com

Stay safe....

MSR

[norcalmom101]

I recently had another employee come in to tell me they had been exposed to Swine Flu.

For the love of god if you think you have it or have really been exposed will you PLEASE notify people by telephone or email?????????

Duh!!

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by norcalmom101

I recently had another employee come in to tell me they had been exposed to Swine Flu.

For the love of god if you think you have it or have really been exposed will you PLEASE notify people by telephone or email?????????

Duh!!

All the more reason you wouldn't have wanted to help me this week since I spent Monday Am at H1N1 central AKA the ER Chances are I was one of few that day not there for that reason!!

[breer23]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

All the more reason you wouldn't have wanted to help me this week since I spent Monday Am at H1N1 central AKA the ER Chances are I was one of few that day not there for that reason!!

I don't mean to sound crass, but why are folks who suspect that they have the flu (H1N1 or otherwise) going to the ER, unless symptoms are quite severe (i.e. high sustained fever, severe dehydration, and the like)? Chances are these issues can be best addressed by their family doctor, or, in the case of those who do not have insurance or a doctor that they normally visit (a category that I myself fall into), by a walk-in clinic.

This to me is usually (though not always) overkill and a drain on medical resources - ERs are to be used for just that - emergencies. Having the sniffles, chills, sneezing, and aches - while quite uncomfortable (and I can certainly be a crab when I feel ill) - is not an emergency.

Moreover, those who are there for a legitimate emergency (broken limb, car crash, heart attack, etc.) are now at risk of contracting this illness while having compromised immune systems already, not to mention the unsuspecting family member(s) who took them there.

[norcalmom101]

Persons experiencing a fever of 101 or higher, severe body aches, severe chest congestion most certainly SHOULD go to the ER if their family doctor or clinic is not open or able to see them, as administering tamiflu immediately can mean the difference between life and death.

When I recently contacted our doctor's office about sending my son in to be tested, we were referred to the hospital - all the medical staff were absent from the office but present at the hospital due to the volume of visitors there.

Why don't the hospitals here have the drive in triage set up?

Another Duh!

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by norcalmom101

Persons experiencing a fever of 101 or higher, severe body aches, severe chest congestion most certainly SHOULD go to the ER if their family doctor or clinic is not open or able to see them, as administering tamiflu immediately can mean the difference between life and death.

When I recently contacted our doctor's office about sending my son in to be tested, we were referred to the hospital - all the medical staff were absent from the office but present at the hospital due to the volume of visitors there.

Why don't the hospitals here have the drive in triage set up?

Another Duh!

They need to check specific symptoms and tissues. Sometims collect lab samples.

Tamiflu absolutely has saved lives. Relenza has too, but is much more difficult to use.

I hope those "visitors" at the hospital were there as patients and not there to actually visit someone hospitalized.

NCM, did you see the link (I think I used the SL Trib, maybe DesNews here) that quoted Dr. Pavia? It's probably a few pages back. He is someone I always listedn too. Given the ages of your kids, you may be interested.


Good points about emailing/calling vs. coming in. Some people want others to see what they look like....I'm clueless of why. Maybe in your location they were close by seeing their doctor or a child's doctor? Maybe they don't think......... Sorry, I probably shouldn't write that.

One of my pet peeves is why do Home Health Workers think they are NOT Carriers of H1N1, when they care for all sorts of patients. Infection control to some means using gloves they may have forgotten to take off where they were previously. UGH! Oh, don't get me started on this one. I have a draft sitting in my Facebook info about Home Health workers. Some are fabulous, some are............well, unreliable at best.

Everyone take care of yourselves and each other.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

From the Times-News:

"Death of Twin Falls teenager linked to swine flu"

"The region's first confirmed death from swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, occurred in Twin Falls this week - claiming a teenager with underlying health conditions, according to the South Central Public Health District."

"The Twin Falls teen is the eighth person in the state who has succumbed to the illness since Sept. 1 and the first H1N1-related death in southern Idaho, according to the health district."

Anticipated vaccination clinics are listed in this article as well.

Death of Twin Falls teenager linked to swine flu

My sincere sympathies to the family, friends and care providers of this teen.

MSR