Swine Flu in Idaho (Hope: pool, farm, classroom)

[blue8ewe]

I did post some of what you ask but it was deleted. I also posted that regardless of all this it is a very personal decision that each person must ask.
And as for how they were diagnosed (I think thats what you were asking) it was by a Dr and we have had many come down with it but I only know of one death and he actually died of a heart attach not the flu...but he had the flu. And he was vaccinated.

[Sage of Sagle]

Blue8ewe,

Perhaps it was the way you went about posting. Jumping into a thread that has 370 posts over 6+ months in the manner you did was not good etiquette.

I have a sibling who is a physician specializing in geriatric medicine. Based on discussions with him I am NOT doing the vax...or at least willing to be "last in line". So understand that I'm not "silencing beliefs other than my own" as a moderator.

I'm not saying you cannot be skeptical or an anti-vax person. What I'm saying is that this thread, in tone and content directed by the OP, is NOT a debate thread. Act and post accordingly.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by blue8ewe

I did post some of what you ask but it was deleted. I also posted that regardless of all this it is a very personal decision that each person must ask.
And as for how they were diagnosed (I think thats what you were asking) it was by a Dr and we have had many come down with it but I only know of one death and he actually died of a heart attach not the flu...but he had the flu. And he was vaccinated.

I'm sorry to hear you've lost someone recently. It is really tricky, unless one is a cardiologist who has seen hundreds of H1N1 cases, to state what was due to the infection vs. the heart disease. Timing would be important to know. Cardiac and pulmonary patients are at the top of the high priority list to get vaccine. It sounds like the one close to you was exposed to H1N1 along the way. Vaccines won't help those who have already been exposed.

I am glad that you recently lost someone with cardiac and H1N1 diagnoses, because that needs emphasized again. H1N1 lives in the deep tissues of the lung. Anyone with a chronic cardiac or pulmonary condition is at much higher risk given how much harder those system have to work in them compared to people who don't have heart or lung problems and just fight the infection. It is a good reminder. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Also, I'm sure you can empathize much more than some can with parents who are very worried about their sick children, or finding vaccine for their children (if that is what they and their children's doctors have decided would be best). You may even know where in NID some may be able to be vaccinated, if they wish. If you look back a few pages ago we were alerted Latah County hadn't posted much information. If you know any of any vaccine clinics you may be able to help some here who wish to be vaccinated by posting.

I totally respect your opinion not to vaccine for you and your family. Others have to decide what is right for them and those around them.

I'd like to ask you, blue8ewe, to join those of us here who are concerned about the sick children and adults to help us keep up with how they are doing and what we can do to help. I hope your answer is yes.

MSR

[brokencrayola]

I am sorry I did not post earlier. My daughter is fine, she had a stomach flu going around her classroom. We were not sure what it was for a few days though, but she is doing fine now. Thank you all for asking about her.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I am sorry I did not post earlier. My daughter is fine, she had a stomach flu going around her classroom. We were not sure what it was for a few days though, but she is doing fine now. Thank you all for asking about her.

Glad to hear your good news brokencrayola. Now if some extra H1N1 vaccine would just appear in your neck of the woods.

I don't know in NID what Kroger stores (if any) that you have. There are so many different brand names I can't keep up with them all. However, I heard an ad on an eastern ID radio station today (and found the same in UT media) that Kroeger stores will be giving both Seasonal and H1N1 injections for those over 13 (I think that was the lowest age). The Utah press release said they were out currently and didn't expect more in for 2 weeks. But, it is another avenue to try.

Additionally, Walgreen's has arranged for the same deal in SOME pharmacies. You would need to check with the various Walgreens (or look online) of which stores will be administering the two vaccines when they have it in stock. Sometimes answers come from odd places.

Here's the link to the Utah media. Since it was Smith's Marketplace, eastern and southeastern ID are in the UT regional area (hope that makes sense, I'm tired).

"Salt Lake County pharmacies newest option for H1N1 vaccine"

[I]"High demand » 3,600 county appointments were gone in 14 minutes."

" After Salt Lake County's health department was swamped with appointment requests for its 3,600 doses of H1N1 vaccine Tuesday, it announced another avenue for shot-seeking residents: three pharmacy chains will administer 10,000 injections starting this week. "

"Fifty Harmons Grocery, Smith's Food & Drug and Walgreens pharmacies in the county will receive 200 doses each, for the priority groups defined by the federal government."[/i]

While the article only mentions pharmacies in Salt Lake County, the ad I heard mentioned others. I'd encourage anyone interested to call your local pharmacies from these chains, or look online to see if any in the Kroeger chain, potentially Associated Foods (their various brand names) and Walgreen's in your area may offer the vaccines some are seeking.

And please do verify the age limit, as I recall very clearly small children and those I believe it was under 13 (but perhaps 12 - it's late) would NOT be given vaccinations at the pharmacies. What other rules/guidelines they have for who they will or won't vaccinate, I don't know. It would make an excellent post if someone would like to follow up with it. In some ways, Walgreen's - one of two designated national pharmacy chains to stay supplied with Tamiflu- may have the most information. However, that depends on your local Walgreens.

I hope this option may help some who are searching for vaccines. Also, at least from what I read in the Salt Lake Tribune, it didn't sound like the pharmacies were going to be checking for what states those they vaccinate live. I'm thinking or maybe it is hoping that for those of you in NID near Spokane, MAYBE you could access vaccine in Spokane. I don't know, I'm just trying to help you problem solve for those who have decided they wish to utilize the vaccine.

http://www.sltrib.com/portlet/articl...983&siteId=297

I hope this is a useful post to those searching for vaccine. PLEASE post if you contact one of these chain pharmacies, so others can benefit from the information you are told. It is equally as useful to know what pharmacies WON'T be participating as which ones will.

Good luck - I hope this helps some families.

As always, take care, stay aware and prepare. Your brain is your best defense in avoiding or treating H1N1 if you or a family member is infected.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Dear Western Gal,

I want to apologize to you for something I wrote earlier which I recently learned is NOT correct. You mentioned you were talking with friends and someone commented about this being flu season. I wrote it was not flu season as we know it. I should have checked how the local health departments split the year up before I wrote that as indeed you were correct, given how they define the start of flu season.

I checked the CDC and local health departments. The truth is H1N1 is being counted many ways and I was thinking about it a different way. Nonetheless, your post and what your friend said are technically correct. Essentially, per the health departments, the influenza season starts when school starts.

It's not quite how we see the patterns in hospitals and medical offices. Nonetheless, I apologize for my remark without researching it further. And good for you and your friends that you are discussing this information.

I have friends in Idaho Falls who have been diagnosed with H1N1. Most people responded asking how they could help with their little ones etc. One person suggested they host all of their friends' kids to come and spend the day. A real "Pig party," or so he wrote. Everyone knows what I think about that idea! I was impressed with how many adults offered to help both parents. It is reading information like that reminds me why Idaho is different and people really can be counted on to help, even if it may put them at some risk of becoming ill.

I'm glad, Western Gal, that you and your friends are talking about what you can do pro-actively, instead of just waiting to see what happens to you and your children.

Hope everyone in your household is over the virus now, or at least on the mend. It does take time and so many people have complained of feeling weak for a while afterwards.

Take care,

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

"Two more Utah deaths linked to swine flu"

From ABC4News in Salt Lake City,

"SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Two more deaths have been confirmed in Utah, believed to be associated with the swine flu."


"Health officials say 116 new flu-related hospitalizations occurred since last week, and the severity of the H1N1 pandemic has not changed."


Here is the link:

Two more Utah deaths linked to swine flu - ABC 4.com - Salt Lake City, Utah News

That would make 18 people from April to Aug. who died in Utah from H1N1 and now 14 in the "new flu year," which started 09/01/09. Or, 32 people in about six months.

I have been given information I cannot share at this time, but I have strong reasons to believe there were more than two deaths this last week in UT from H1N1. Not all tissue samples are back, or families haven't been told. I can tell you the illnesses that claimed the lives of the other people have their communities very nervous and uptight. I have a close relative who lives next door to one of the victims.

Suddenly, this relative has to think about what I've been saying as risk factors and spread of the disease.

My sympathy to the families, friends and others who knew these victims. The college professor is a little tricky as most media outlets counted her death last week. However, it probably had to be confirmed by tissue samples etc.

I wish this wave of H1N1 would get over soon.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

This article doesn't tell anything (at least that I could find) about the location or other details about the latest Idahoan to lose their battle with
H1N1. I don't know if that was the male the Spokesman-Review described as being from Sandpoint, or if someone else has also lost their battle.

That being said, I do think there are some worthwhile points in this article and some humor and equally as good points in the comments that follow.

From the Idaho Statesman:

"H1N1 flu is still spreading in Idaho, and it has claimed at least one more victim in the past week, the state Health and Welfare Department said Wednesday."

"According to the department:

Death toll rises to 11: H1N1 infections have contributed to the reported deaths of 11 Idahoans. Reports of additional deaths are under investigation to determine whether H1N1 is a factor."

Key points listed in this article:

1. "Swine flu is still spreading" "Since Sept. 1, Idaho has had 302 hospitalized cases of influenza."

2. "Young people are affected most:The average age of people H1N1 infections confirmed by lab analysis since Sept. 1 is 18."

3. More vaccines are on the way: " As of Nov. 3, Idaho has been allocated 165,200 doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. School clinics for children around the state are starting up again in some areas. Initial shipments are being distributed directly to full-service hospitals, community health centers and local public health districts. Idaho’s allotment is being distributed statewide on a population basis, with new shipments arriving weekly."

4. "Young children need a 2nd dose"

I encourage all to read the rest of the article at this link:

H1N1 death toll in Idaho rises to 11 as swine flu keeps spreading | News Updates | Idaho Statesman

Hopefully, Idaho can get more vaccine for those residents who want it for themselves and their children.

I like this article as it cuts to the chase. See what you think.

As always, take care of yourselves and those you love. Please be searching for and aware of new information that is put out by health departments, private physicians and others who would have access to information that the general public may not have.. As I've written so many times, information gives you power in that you are more informed and consequently, you have more facts to help you make the best choice for yourself and your family.

This thread is not to promote vaccinating or not. It is to provide scientific infomation along with local and regional facts so residents can make more informed choices and read more about the H1N1 vaccines. And if people do become ill with H1N1, this is also a place to learn more about Tamiflu or the other anti-virals being used (but rarely).

Stay as well as you can, given all the viruses and other bug out there. And cyberhugs to those who have sick children and/or are sick themselves. We are thinking about you and wishing you the best.

MSR

[abbie132]

Confirmed Swine Flu in a cat and 2 ferrets. Just wanted to post this for anyone with those kinds of pets. We have 8 ferrets and 1 cat so this was info to me. So if you or anyone you know with pets have this flu try to minimize your time with them. I know that our fur babies usually get sick every time someone here does. Hope everyone else is doing OK here in Idaho.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by abbie132

Confirmed Swine Flu in a cat and 2 ferrets. Just wanted to post this for anyone with those kinds of pets. We have 8 ferrets and 1 cat so this was info to me. So if you or anyone you know with pets have this flu try to minimize your time with them. I know that our fur babies usually get sick every time someone here does. Hope everyone else is doing OK here in Idaho.

Thanks for the info abbie132. I knew the CDC was following various flues in Canines this year. I saw an article probably 2 days ago about Canines being infected with H3N8: ksl.com - Vets warn dog owners to watch for signs of H3N8

I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly, as animals often have a different combination of Hs and Ns, is are you say the cat and 2 ferrets tested positive for H1N1? Is there something I can read about that? Are you suggesting a possible species jump from H1N1, which is what has been feared about A-H1N1. Or, are you talking about unique influenzas that infect animals only?

Thanks again for your post. PLEASE keep us updated about this. I don't know if this is appropriate to ask, so please feel free to not answer. Is there a particular area of idea where cats and ferrets may be at more risk?

A few of us have talked before about how humans and pets seem to get sick with similar illnesses at the same time. I know I'm not alone in wanting to know more.

We need to keep our pets safe too.

MSR