Swine Flu in Idaho (Pocatello, Idaho Falls: deal, nursing, area)

[Mtn. States Resident]

This article may have help for parents who are trying to encourage their kids from not locking lips too early.

From MSNBC's "8 Ways Swine Flu Is Changing Society"

"1. People are reconsidering cultural greetings"

The French are well known for offering la bise, a quick peck on each cheek, as a way of saying hello and goodbye. But with the fear of transmitting the H1N1 virus, some schools and companies—and even the health ministry’s swine flu hotline—recommend avoiding this practice. One mayor in a small French town in the province of Brittany has actually banned the kisses, telling National Public Radio, “ 'What’s the point in the preventative hand washing when people are still kissing each other all the time?' ”

Some of this article is funny. Some is serious. Maybe you'll find something to help your family in one way or another.

8 Ways Swine Flu Is Changing Society - MSN Health & Fitness - Cold and Flu

Enjoy what you can, and learn if there is anything you want to learn from the other contents of this article.

Take care of yourselves and others who matter to you!

MSR

[brokencrayola]

I cannot believe how hard it is to even get the H1N1 vaccine. My doctor doesn't have it, my oldest son's doctor doesn't have it, my kids pediatrician doesn't have it either. I was going to get them at the local high school on Nov. 5th and they just delayed that a month because of a shortage of the vaccine. At this rate we will all get it before we can find the vaccine.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I cannot believe how hard it is to even get the H1N1 vaccine. My doctor doesn't have it, my oldest son's doctor doesn't have it, my kids pediatrician doesn't have it either. I was going to get them at the local high school on Nov. 5th and they just delayed that a month because of a shortage of the vaccine. At this rate we will all get it before we can find the vaccine.

Crayola,
I know you got a really good explanation of what Tamiflu is, but I just wanted to add my perspective--maybe somewhat reassuring. I hope that's not premature. I'm writing this in SoCal where H1N1 is hitting really hard now, but I don't even hear Tamiflu mentioned anymore except in cases where patients have "preexistent conditions," and see their doctor when they experience flu symptoms, because the virus is considered to be generally mild, for most people. My students are coming down with H1N1 left and right, but most of them come back after 5-6 days, tired but okay. They don't even see a doctor unless the fever persists more than 3-4 days--they're beginning to treat this as any other flu (perhaps a tad prematurely, too). The occasional severe health issues resulting from H1N1 are definitely present--SoCal has had multiple deaths--but overall this is still not any worse than a regular flu, except children seem to be more susceptible, and need to be watched more carefully. Kids, pregnant women and people with health issues have been receiving the H1N1 vaccine down here all last week, and we're expecting the mass vaccination of the gen pop at the end of November. But down here doctors are already talking about the epidemic possibly petering out by then.

In other words, it's time for concern, but it's not a time for panic. An article I posted a while back pointed out something really valuable: that stressing out and worrying about the flu may actually lower one's immune system's defenses. So let's do ourselves a favor and keep up the good habits of washing hands, keeping a 6-ft distance to others, etc, but let's also try not to worry too much. This is not the plague. Most of us will not get the swine flu. Of those of us that get it, most will recover, and that goes for the children, too. Statistics are in our favor. Let's all think positive. Every website that MSR has posted supports the same approach: Be vigilant, but don't panic.

Another thing: the season flu vaccine (the regular one) is not as easily available as it usually is, but if you can find it (and if you approve of vaccines), then get it. I got my regular flu shot today, first batch available for weeks. Reports out of Mexico (another article I posted) suggest that the regular flu vaccine may have a component that offers a small amount of protection against H1N1. I myself believe that the reason my (supposed) case of H1N1 in May was so mild was because I'd had the regular flu shot only 3 months before. But I'll never know for sure, will I?

Stockmama, we need to hear from you: How are your kids?

[brokencrayola]

I did get the seasonal flu shot already and so has one of my 3 sons. I'll keep moving ahead and not panic. Thanks.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I did get the seasonal flu shot already and so has one of my 3 sons. I'll keep moving ahead and not panic. Thanks.

brokencrayola,

Glad you got your seasonal flu shot. It is very frustrating to try to find the
H1N1 vaccine (and the appropriate types: mist vs. injection) for those who desire it. I saw a news clip today of parents standing in a storm with their little ones to get their vaccines. The local health department had to do something rather than leave those little children exposed.

All you can do is follow the public information of where vaccines will be held. To the best of my knowledge, I only know ONE group of Private OB/GYNs who vaccinating their own high risk patients (in Idaho). Otherwise, all patients are being referred to the health departments.

That doesn't mean other private providers might have decided to offer the vaccine, but I'm not very hopeful about finding more. Most don't want the liability or even having a live vaccine in their office.

FWIW, new shipments are arriving every week. Keep trying.

I do like what CFF posted about keeping a positive attitude. My view is: plan for the worst (in other words, get the necessary supplies your family would need), hope for the best (balance the fear/concern with the health status of members of your family) and deal with what you get.

One thing you can do, which it sounds like you've already done, is make sure you keep in touch with the various doctors who care for your family. Then you will know what their instructions are, should one of your children, or a parent get ill.

Experts project the peak of this multi-modal flu (the second wave truly has not hit yet) to peak next week. That would be the first week of Nov. Good nutrition, making sure your family members are sleeping and spend time relaxing as well as whatever physical activities help to release physical stress will help.

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but feel it would be highly irresponsible of me given documentation I've been sent throughout the week to not mention a different subject for some to consider. I'll use myself as an example. I'm scheduled for an elective orthopedic procedure on 12/14. I'm told now that many area hospitals are at their highest levels of contigency plans for pandemics. Some hospitals are already asking surgeons to cancel all elective surgeries through the end of 2009 to free up nursing staff to help care for patients.

Will I have the surgery on 12/14? I honestly don't know. Hospitals will have to have their employees return to work at levels that are able to care for many types of patients.

CFF - I suspect there is a little more to the story in SoCal, but I have not read the CA Hospital Association Disaster Plan for Pandemic Infections. However, I think your observations are invaluable. Seeing how most of your students or colleagues have done after being out with H1N1 is helpful to many. That is why I have always encouraged readers to stock up on supplies they would use for any severe flu, I think back on Page 1 I suggested that. It's important to make sure that age-appropriate supplies are kept in each person's home. Additionally, you never know if it will be a neighbor or family member etc. who is too ill to go to the grocery store. So you may want to get extra juice, broth, Jell-O etc., Pop Sickles, Pedialyte, Gatorade etc. - all the clear liquid type supplies many use during a severe viral infection. Even if we can't control whether or not we have access to vaccine, we do have control if we supply our own homes with supplies our families would need.

Also, even though those who have gotten the vaccine are not your children, I'd encourage all to try to look at this a different way. Each child vaccinate, will help decrease the passage of this infection to other children. Certainly, we would all rather it be our own children who received the vaccine. However, for medical reasons, priorities were established. With some of the most severely at risk patients vaccinated, there is less chance of a severe infection spreading to as many others. Every time 2,000 doses of vaccine are given, a health department becomes 2,000 people more in the plus column of less people who should be carriers or infected with the virus.

Sharing information will help all of us get through this together. Just know if you or someone in your family is planning an elective surgery before 12/31/09, it may not be possible this year. It's not news I'm happy to hear myself, but I certainly don't want feverish, sick RNs caring for me in the PACU or a sick surgeon operating during a bone graft and major repair.

Hang in there everyone. I'm glad we have this thread to share our thoughts/feelings with each other.

And yes, we absolutely need to hear from Stockmama. I've been wondering how her little guy is and hopeful her little girl has avoided the virus. If anyone has any connections to or knows Stockmama, please ask for an update for those of us who care.

Take care of yourselves and your families!

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

It's been a couple of bad weeks for the southeastern ID and northern UT area for H1N1 deaths.

From Lynn Arave of the Deseret News:

"There were three new deaths in Utah last week from the H1N1 flu virus, according to the latest report from the Utah Department of Health."

"That brings the number of deaths in the state to 12 since Sept. 1, including one death not reported more than one week ago. The deaths were of a Salt Lake County woman over age 65; a female age 5 to 24 in southwestern Utah; and a 24- to 49-year-old man in the Weber-Morgan Health District. The previously unreported death from several weeks ago was a Utah County female age 5 to 24. The state health department doesn't release any more identifying information."

(Eighteen other Utahns died from H1N1 in 2009, prior to the flu season that started Sept. 1.)"

"The new report also reveals that 404 people have been hospitalized since Sept. 1 after contracting either H1N1 or the seasonal flu, 130 more than reported last week. The health department releases new statistics every Wednesday."

"The good news Wednesday, Hudachko said, is that Utah has received another 72,500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, more than a third of the 217,600 total doses the state has received to date."

"Meanwhile, the circulation rate of influenza this past week rose to 9.4 percent from 6.6 percent."

The rest of the article can be found at this link:

Deseret News | 3 more H1N1 deaths last week in Utah

My condolences to the families, friends and others who knew the victims.

Please stay aware and prepared should anyone in your house become infected with H1N1.

Take care everyone,

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

From the Idaho Statesman, questions about whether those who have had
H1N1 need to be vaccinate, to which high risk groups are getting vaccinated first to why private doctors offices aren't giving the vaccine instead of only the state health clinics is examined. Specifically, this article focuses on the Boise Metro Area. However, I believe the answers are consisten, with the exception of how much vaccine each health department will receive.

I encourage those of you seeking vaccines for family members to read the section especially about when private physicians/clinics will get H1N1 vaccine to administer to patients. You may want to ask your doctors not IF they have the vaccine NOW, rather WHEN or WILL they be a private clinic/facility to get it from the state.

Answers to Treasure Valley residents' questions about the H1N1 vaccine (Wednesday evening update) | Health & Fitness | Idaho Statesman

I hope the article is useful or gives you new ideas to pursue.

Take care,

MSR

[Western gal]

Well, finally hitting closer to home. We've been through the flu once already, now 3 of my kid's little friends (5 and under) are down with the flu. High fevers, coughs and exhaustion are the top symptoms. Additionally, have another friend who has stood in line twice (albeit towards the end) at swine flu shot clinics, only to be turned away because of a shortage (last one in Shelley). My friends all said when they get the flu, it's usually later in the year, but has hit earlier this year. Thanks for the info MSR. Let's hope people with half a brain don't fall for the "swine flu parties" hoopla featured on the news again today.

[Mtn. States Resident]

"Most H1N1 deaths caused by fatal one-two punch"

"SALT LAKE CITY -- State health officials say it's only a small subset of those who get sick with H1N1 who die. Those fatal cases often involve the one-two punch of the H1N1 virus combined with a bacterial infection, just like the illness that claimed the life of a popular Weber State University teacher this week."

I believe the data that showed the same results as what is quoted below from London, in the NEJM July 16, 2009 Edition. If readers look back to 07/16, I had already listed the fact that researchers at Pittsburgh had found one of the major differences of H1N1 was it lives in the deep lung tissue, not in the nose or upper respiratory areas, like most flu and viruses do.

Still, it is good to see that England concluded the same information in their work.

"A side note to this story: Researchers in London recently confirmed that the H1N1 virus goes deeper into the lungs than the seasonal flu, which could explain why it can be more severe. "

ksl.com - Most H1N1 deaths caused by fatal one-two punch

I hope this article helps some understand better how a healthy person can die from H1N1.

Take care of yourselves and those you love.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

This is another article that helps kind of sum up some of the pieces we've been discussing off and on.

From KTVB: "Ten Idahoans have now died from swine flu."

"During the past week, 92 additional lab-confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported in Idaho."

"Only a small number of flu cases receive laboratory testing."


The rest of the article is at this link:

Ten Idahoans have now died from swine flu | Idaho News from KTVB.COM | Boise news, Idaho weather, sports, traffic & events | Health News

I wish someone would tell KTVB "Swine Flu" is not the name to use. There is a specific reason CDC moved to H1N1 and away from Swine FLu!

I hope this article helps give you a bit of a summary about what is and isn't happening in Idaho.

MSR