Health Discussions

My 7 year old nephew and cousin's 5 year old both had H1N1. They weren't sick for very long. My nephew had a 104.5 temperature at one point but both are better now.

H1N1 is going around my childs school district. I hope they get the vaccine available here soon. I'm patiently waiting. Everytime my toddler gets a temperature I freak out and think he's getting the flu. I'm petrified...I have 3 kids...2 are in school and they seem to catch everything.

I've placed hand sanitizer all over my house, I know that sounds a bit obsessive but it's one small way to keep germs to a minimum and remind everyone to hopefully use it.  One of the best tips I've heard so far is when washing your hands, do it to the tune of one verse of Happy Birthday, being very efficient to cover front and backs of hands up to the wrists. I heard this from Dr. Oz when he was here at our local Fox station promoting his new show. Maybe we'll be hearing a lot of "happy birthday" all over the place, if we're lucky lol.

Nope {crosses fingers} not yet.  They sent 500 doses of the vaccine in mist form to San Antonio yesterday and on the news they said they were already set aside for certain ppl.

I got my regular flu shot, I don't plan on getting the H1N1 flu shot.

500 doses here.  They were supposed to send 1,000's more. 

We are using 3 different spray bottles with 91% alcohol, one on my work desk, one in my husband's shop and one in his briefcase when he goes on IT calls.  It's stronger than the hand sanitizers and cheaper. 

ApriBambino said…

Being that it's in the news daily, the H1N1 (swine) Flu vaccines have begun to get distributed in certain areas of the country and to certain groups like Health Care workers and such. Has anyone been affected by this as yet?. Do you know anyone who's come down with this flu strain?

My nephew is currently battling a bad case of the regular flu, thankfully feeling better today but, it frightens me to think we're all so vulnerable and how the news media is scaring us with conflicting reports about this vaccine.  What's everyone's opinion about this and have you gotten a regular flu shot yet?

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The news media is not trying to scare anyone.  It's simply passing on information that everyone needs to know so that we can protect ourselves from the H1N1 virus.

Fortunately, the virus is not as lethal as the Spanish flu variety of 1918.  It seems to be weaker in some ways when compared to "regular flu," even though it has killed quite a few people in various states.

The bad thing about this strain is that it's easier to catch/spread.

And who knows what it could mutate into Fardreamer, if anything?  I'm a little concerned about that. 

Nancy44 said…

And who knows what it could mutate into Fardreamer, if anything?  I'm a little concerned about that. 

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Hopefully it won't mutate this year.  And let's hope that it doesn't mutate into the "Captain Trips" superflu of Stephen King's The Stand.

Well they seem to be keeping up with the 'death counts" from this flu on our local news, that's pretty scary to hear either way you look at it.  My sister's son had a 105 fever over the weekend and the first thing we thought about was H1N1.  Thankfully it was the regular influenza strain and he's starting to feel better but school is making any kids stay home until they are not contagious any longer, I think that will be a big help in the long run. Businesses should consider the same with their employees too.  

Nope, no swine flu around here.  I will NOT get a flu vaccine nor a swine flu vaccine.  The latter contains mercury and squalene (which is linked to auto-immune issues and is what caused Gulf War Syndrome).  At this point, the swine flu is no more dangerous than the regular flu.  I trust my immune system more than a brand new and rushed vaccine. 

Something else to keep in mind: the US government has fully indemnified the pharmaceutical companies producing the swine flu vaccines.  If you are harmed as a result of getting the vaccine, there is absolutely NOTHING that you can do about it. 

Nope.  No thanks!

njchicaa said…

Nope, no swine flu around here.  I will NOT get a flu vaccine nor a swine flu vaccine.  The latter contains mercury and squalene (which is linked to auto-immune issues and is what caused Gulf War Syndrome).  At this point, the swine flu is no more dangerous than the regular flu.  I trust my immune system more than a brand new and rushed vaccine. 

Something else to keep in mind: the US government has fully indemnified the pharmaceutical companies producing the swine flu vaccines.  If you are harmed as a result of getting the vaccine, there is absolutely NOTHING that you can do about it. 

Nope.  No thanks!

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This is good information, I'm going to be more diligent with avoiding getting sick as much as possible.

ApriBambino said…

I've placed hand sanitizer all over my house, I know that sounds a bit obsessive but it's one small way to keep germs to a minimum and remind everyone to hopefully use it.  One of the best tips I've heard so far is when washing your hands, do it to the tune of one verse of Happy Birthday, being very efficient to cover front and backs of hands up to the wrists. I heard this from Dr. Oz when he was here at our local Fox station promoting his new show. Maybe we'll be hearing a lot of "happy birthday" all over the place, if we're lucky lol.

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You'd do better to skip the Purell and just wash your hands.  Purell dries out skin, especially continuous use, which actually makes cracks in the skin lovely spots for bacteria to creep into your body.

It won't help much anyway in preventing swine flu or regular influenza as those viruses are transmitted via aerosol "spray" like sneezing, coughing, etc. in the general direction of another person.  A face mask would be better protection than hand sanitizer.

Like NJChica said, Purell isn't meant for every time you wash your hands.  Instead, save the purell for times when you absolutely cannot wash your hands, or if you are in a busy public place.  Don't over do it.

My cousin was put in the hospital for something else, he has a weak immune system, and while there they said he had the Swine Flu but was at the ending stages of it.  No one else in my family caught it even though many of them visited him before knowing that he had it. 

Several of my professors and colleagues have had it. I have had class canceled twice this term as a result of a professor being sick. Fortunately, I have not caught the H1N1 virus, but did have the other type of flu a few weeks ago.

Rumor has it they are going to be giving the vaccine to graduate and undergrads at Pitt. I hope so. I'll definitely be in line for one because I really don't want deal with H1N1. 

The school district where my sister teaches, Huntsville ISD, had to shut down for two days to scrub. Over 245 students and teachers were out ill. They didn't test for swine flu because the treatment is the same as regular flu.

I was bummed because my niece had a singing recital scheduled for last Thursday and I looked forward to attending. At least none of her kids - 4 are in the district - got it.

At work I've stopped filling my giant glass from the water fountain. I bring in a gallon jug from home. And I wash my hands when I can and try to open doors with my foot when I come in and go out. 

I think my water-fountain days are over for good. It was always a bad habit.

As I posted earlier, my daughter was diagnosed wit swine flu a few weeks ago.  A treatment with Tamiflu took care of it and she's good as new.

I just got back from my Dr's. office for a pre-op check-up and he strongly suggested that after my operation I should get vaccinated.  He's an extremely conservative MD, so when he talks, I generally listen.

I'm glad to hear your daughter is better and I hope your operation goes well and you get on the fast track to recovery. Take care :)

I was so sure that I would get the shot. Now I'm not. I have an autoimmune disease and though I am in the category to get one others Sjogren's people are not so sure. It hasn't been around long enouth to know if the shot will do us more harm than good. I know others have medical issues. What is your doc saying?

RudiXeno said…

As I posted earlier, my daughter was diagnosed wit swine flu a few weeks ago.  A treatment with Tamiflu took care of it and she's good as new.

I just got back from my Dr's. office for a pre-op check-up and he strongly suggested that after my operation I should get vaccinated.  He's an extremely conservative MD, so when he talks, I generally listen.

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I missed your operation?? What is it and when so I can send you virtual flowers?

Rudi-- good luck with the operation, glad your daughter is on the mend.

I think my father and his wife had Swine flu a few weeks ago, he is 71 and he seems to be fine now, he said it was pretty bad for a while.

We have it here at work and people are going wild with lysol. Sigh. I had a fever (mild) a few days this week so I worked from home, so I could get better and so if it was the flu I did not give it to others.

It's so crazy, it seems even regular old head colds are getting worse too. I've had one since last week and it just keeps lingering and lingering.  I'm beginning to turn orange with all the OJ I've been drinking lately lol  it might be a good idea to buy stock in the LYSOL company too ;)

Seems that the H1N1 flu is killing lots of children; this week alone, 76 kids have died as a result of this strain of influenza.  Yikes.

I wonder how long it's going to keep going around even though many people are taking precautions to lessen the spread.  I mean, this has been going on for a while now.

Thing is, though, not everyone takes precautions.  Some people either don't have access to news or information (yes, it happens!), or some people are too confident that that "cold" they have is nothing serious and go to work/school/public places and spread the flu virus when they sneeze, handle doors or objects, or touch someone else.

Makes one want to walk around with a can of Lysol

It's a repair of a double hernia.  How did I get a double hernia?  I have absolutely no idea!  All I know is that one moment I was standing comfortably at a cocktail reception and the next I was being taken to the ER with a strangulated hernia. 

My son was one of the early cases this season. The college had me pick him up and bring him home the 2nd week of classes. I was careful - wipes, hand washing, only paper products and plastic for him. So, no one else here got it.

My college kid was real sick for one day and then fever and draggy for 2 more. It was not as bad as the flu he had prior - a few yrs back. He is athletic and healthy, and he kicked swine flu fast.

I teach at a very small college. Four profs were out with it last week. I think (never told for sure) that I've had about 6 students with it. Again, precautions. I have 75 kids in classes and passing around papers and so on. I have been hand washing etc big times and have a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Well, today . . . I feel awful. Runny nose. Aches. Cough. That could all signal swine flu but other stuff as well. I'm prone to sinus infections but rarely get a runny nose with those (just sop up tight). Could be a cold also.

I'm waiting until tomorrow morning to make the call on going out of the house. Fever is the kicker, and mine is about 99 with aspirin. After sleeping all night, I should have a better read on that. If in doubt, I'll call in and cancel classes, although I always hate to do that. Can't sub in public speaking.

It seems most folks don't want to talk on this with all the news. We've had it here (my kid) and none of his suitemates got it (8) or any of the fam. I hope I'm just dealing with a cold or something, but if it's swine flu, I'm willing to talk. It's not like anyone goes out looking for it or trying to spread it. Or, I'm sure not.  

My employer is going overboard on flu information - sending e mails every day with news stories, urging everyone to get a flu shot, and having a clean crew go around wiping down all surfaces. I don't plan to get a flu shot though - I never catch the flu for some reason.

  I'm with you njchicaa.  Nope,  I'm not getting any either.

WoW..   I would love to have  your  immune  system.

Fardreamer said…

Seems that the H1N1 flu is killing lots of children; this week alone, 76 kids have died as a result of this strain of influenza.  Yikes.

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Actually only 19 have died for a TOTAL of 76.  Still bad and horrible for the families, but it's 76 total, not 76 this week :)