Swine flu is hitting in force. My friend just told me her son has it & 150 kids absent

[debbierlus]

From his middle school today....

Scary stuff.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. yep

[Oregone]

2. Kids may be absent to avoid getting it

[mattvermont]

4. My 8 yr old stayed home

for just that reason. Two weeks ago, she spent 5 days in pediatric ICU with asthma/pneumonia.
I have been advised to keep her isolated until she builds antibodies to her vaccine.
I would have been the first to not get excited about all this... all it takes is a week at the hospital
watching your daughter struggle to breath.

[Oregone]

5. Good luck to you both

[debbierlus]

6. This is true.

[Speck Tater]

3. My granddaughter and her boyfriend had it last week. They're fine now. nt

[AnneD]

7. We are getting it in waves here....

I am pissed that parents are still giving their kids tylenol and sending them to school with fevers. I am pissed that the kids come to school sidk because they want to see their friends. Talked to a friend yesterday. Her grandsons playmate just died from it last week in Chicago. You don't need to panic, just be prudent.

[debbierlus]

9. I think some parents don't have any childcare...

The parents I have known who sent sick kids to school didn't have childcare.

It is a major problem when you can't get time off work and in this climate, calling in can mean job loss.

I am sure there are some who are just ignorant, but it is important to remember the situation a lot of parents are in...

[AnneD]

14. I am aware......

but this is in Middle school. They are more self sufficient. And it shouldn't be ignorance.......I have taught classes to the kids and spoken to the parents, given letters and it is posted on the website.

[timtom]

35. Childcare

Especially in this sort of crisis. Now, THAT'S something that should have been factored in during all these so-called "healthcare" "debates."

If only we had a responsible and well-informed and wise body of representatives...

[AnneD]

54. Hospitals have finally recognized it.....

they won't be able to get staff, esp Nursing if they don't consider the staff's children. Just ask my daughter the time she spent Christmas snowed in at the county hospital. Only way I could work for them as I was a single working mom and it was the only reason I could show up. We got a room in the hospital and meals. The kid loved it but did get bored at the end. I put her to work as a 'candy striper' and paid her out of my pocket. The patients loved her.

[Lisa0825]

8. Our employee Health dept at the med school where I work said they expect 40% absenteeism at peak.nt

[dysfunctional press]

10. they had free inoculations at three high schools in our county yesterday...

they were done AFTER school(4-9pm) and were for the general public(mainly those that were in the priority groups).
i got in line at 3:30, and i was about 60-70 people back. by the time i got out of the auditorium at 4:20, there were news-copters in the air, and the line stretched down the street, then around the corner on the street i had parked on, and then stretched on to the point that i couldn't even see the end of it.

btw- i'm a 48 year-old white male with an autoimmune disorder that also causes me to have a lung dysfunction- so my dr. told me that i'm in the priority group to get the first round of shots- but his office has no idea when they MIGHT get the vaccine, so i went to the free innoculation. i called beforehand to see if i'd need any special paperwork- but they said no, that they wouldn't be turning anyone away. and nobody in charge ever asked me about it while i was there. but- i did get some dirty looks from parents who were there with their kids. you can't really tell my condition- ankylosing spondylitis(which most people haven't heard of) by looking at me.

[backscatter712]

11. Bacon Lung's been hitting my college campus pretty hard.

Lots of coughing and hacking in my classes, lots of fellow students out (though hard to tell whether that's bacon lung or just hooky...)

A couple of my professors ended up getting sick, and the health center on campus has been flooded.

I'm pretty damn certain I've been at least exposed.

[dysfunctional press]

13. not just some harsh weed going around?

:hippie:

[tekisui]

58. I know I gat a bad case of the hippie cough.

:smoke:

[mzteris]

12. it's just MEDIA HYPE! and "big pharma" trying

to make the big bucks, doncha know?

[MissMarple]

15. Schools have been closed in Colorado. The worst seems to be over.

Fewer people are coming in to clinics. School closings have stopped. So....I wonder if there will be a round two. I'm getting a shot, if I can. Don't panic, watch your symptoms. Please.

[HughMoran]

16. Uggh, you're in Mass too. I found out tonight my youngest daughter may have it

:(

I can't decide if I should go visit on Thursday (divorced) as I've have issues with my sinuses and also chronic bronchitis. I really don't want to get pneumonia. OTOH, I'm concerned about my daughter as well. Arrgh!!!

Tons of kids in her town have it now - neighbors, friends etc...

[BolivarianHero]

17. B-But...RUSH HANNIITYYY BECK TOLD ME ITS TEH HOAX!!!!

TEH VACCEEN WILL GIVE ME TEH MARK OF THE BEEST AND TURN ME INTO A MAGIC NEGRO MUSLIN COMMIE NATZY!!! IF U DISAGRE U R A HUGH MORAN!

[HughMoran]

18. ...and don't forget those on DU saying same just a few months ago

Hugh Moran :rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. I don't and this fear of vaccines and lack of scientific literacy is a problem

[seabeyond]

25. so is the fear fear fear... we are all gonna die and if you arent vacc'ing you are murdering

people by getting flu and then killing those vulnerable.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. If you are over 60 chances are you do not need it

solid reasons for that

But this fear is not just hinie... and it speaks highly of the lack of scientific education and literacy in this country.

By the way, I am getting my jab... I AM in a high risk group. I get that.

[BolivarianHero]

50. I'm not scared of the swine flu, actually...

The main reason I'm getting the vaccine is to spite all the birther and Alex Jones morans who are polluting us with ignorance and paranoia.

When you get the vaccine, you're spitting in the faces of everyone stupid enough to believe in the Rapture, in right-wing talk radio, or in personalist celebrity cults.

[seabeyond]

51. thats fine. i dont care who gets or who doesnt. i dont have a pony in the show.

i just dont like the unreasonable on either side. or the ugly

posters have said "i hope all that dont get vac get swine flu." and what, they die? what is a person wishing on another. what kind of person hopes for anothers illness. just ugly to me

especially seeing how vac isnt in this area yet, but swine is, and even when it gets here, wont be enough for everyone who wants it.

just mean, ugly, not reasonable

[BolivarianHero]

52. I don't hope bad things happen...

But when anti-science, anti-progress cranks reach the apex of power, you get Cambodia under Pol Pot.

[seabeyond]

53. it isnt black and white, all or nothing. and that is the argument on du with vacs.

if a person says anything that questions the vac, to be informed, gather info, look at different angles, look at risk.... anything

they are labeled

holy hell

"anti-science, anti-progress cranks"

at the point that discussion and conversation and a search for info and knowledge is forbidden, is the time there is truly an extreme.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. You do tea bagger good

:-)

[SpiralHawk]

36. Ya gotta wonder if these Republicon chickenhawk bibos got the shot themselves

out of FEAR -- while advising everyone else not to get the shot.

That would be about par for their level of Republicon hypocrisy.

[neverforget]

19. My daughter who is 5 missed kindergarten for a week because of the flu.

She had a fever for 6 days.

[seabeyond]

20. wiped out 30% of classes last two weeks in my sons middle school. not so scary

further, it was less scary than other illnesses the kids have had. low grade fever, sleep and cough. BUT i did talk to two teachers today that said it has leveled out this week in school

so seems like swept thru and then on out. interesting.

[debbierlus]

28. Well, that is hopeful. I hope it just keeps following that pattern

[liberal_at_heart]

23. I'm not sure either camp has it right

Getting the H1N1 vaccine isn't any different than getting the regular seasonal flu vaccine. That being said. 35,000 people die from the regular seasonal flu every year and we don't force people to get the vaccine for it. Some people get an annual seasonal flu vaccine. Some don't. I suspect it will be the same with the H1N1 vaccine.

[seabeyond]

24. especially since a lot of areas are being hit with swine, but no vacs. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Show me where people are being forced to get the H1N1

and how do you force people to get something we don't have enough off?

[liberal_at_heart]

29. They are not being forced but they are being rediculed

Some people will get the H1N1 vaccine and some won't. Same with the seasonal flu vaccine. I don't see why people are giving others such a hard time because they don't plan on getting the vaccine. If you want to ge the vaccine. That is great. Get it. Personally, I don't think the H1N1 vaccine is any different than getting a seasonal flu vaccine. I don't think it is any more dangerous, but why is it such a big deal if some people chose not to get the vaccine?

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. If you are over 60

Or you are NOT in the HIGH RISK groups per CDC, by all means, DON'T.

If you are in the High Risk groups and your provider recommends you do, you are being a fool. And if you are A MEDICAL PROVIDER i have other more colorful language.

[liberal_at_heart]

31. I agree

Those in the high risk groups and those who work in the medical field should get the vaccine.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. But that is the point, nobody is forcing anybody to get it

oh and welcome to DU.

(At least not the people with the theoretical authority to do such, aka HHS)

[cabluedem]

33. You can have mine. High Cholesterol wards off virus born illness. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

56. HOW?

Serious question, because that would be a DISCOVERY worthy of a Nobel...

[cabluedem]

59. I dont know how. I did read some studies indicating that people with a genetic disposition to.......

high levels of cholesterol, seem have the ability to ward of common cold and flu better then folks who do not. I have found that to be true in my case, which is why I never take the flu shot.

I have never had the flu even once, only common colds, and not very often. When I do they are mild and go away quickly.

My fathers' side of the family all seem to be the same way. I agree there needs to be more studies done, as there might be an immunity factor of some kind, that normal non-genetic people don't have.

[seabeyond]

34. "you are being a fool". and here is the ridicule. fool? high risk group would be?

anyone under 60, correct? so you are saying all people under 60 would eb a fool not to get vaccination.

swine flu just went thru my community. the vac isn't available yet. over a month here, and no one died. no one got vaccinated either. and we are all "fools"? because death is immanent?

also, there are not that many available doses even when it does come to town. so all the people that dont stampede, push and shove others to the side to get that vac, are fools?

this... is the bullshit that pisses me off. not the vac, but this kind of talk.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

40. "this... is the bullshit that pisses me off. not the vac, but this kind of talk."

Yep.

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. are you in a high risk group and YOUR PROVIDER TOLD YOU TO GET IT?

and you still refuse... then you are a fool.

If you are NOT in a high risk group... whatever you want to do. You got Asthma, you are an idiot, you got diabetes, you are an idiot... you have HIV or any other medical condition, that puts you in that HIGH RISK GROUP... YOU ARE AN IDIOT.

You don't, do whatever you want.

You are a medical provider... I have more choice language... than just being an idiot.

Clear enough or do you need more translation?

[stray cat]

38. No one against a vaccine should care if people fly while sick or treat patients while sick

People are free not to get vaccinated and free not to take precautions to prevent spread of it - in fact the two are pretty much equivalent as vaccines are just another way of protecting you from infecting others.

[seabeyond]

41. so if a person does not get vaccinated a person doesnt care if others are responsible?

people dont care if health officials, or kids in class, or workers go out and infect others? that a given, that those that dont want vac believe that? there cannot be a position where a person says, not going to get the vac, now, if get sick, stay home and heal? impossible right?

a person doesnt get a vac that means they are anti handwashing? really? that is what that means? you are seeing those that say not getting vac and REFUSE to wash hands too?

[stray cat]

37. I don't think anyone is forced to get H1N1 vaccine - NY went back on it - not enough vaccine

The good news is you can still get sick from medical care personal and patients when you go for treatment! Freedom!

[Junkdrawer]

39. Swine flu or Seasonal Flu or Common Cold?

What kind of testing was done? :shrug:

[seabeyond]

42. in our area they tested at beginning and all they got was swine. no seasonal

so they put out that seasonal isnt here yet, so if down with a flu, gonna be swine.

[Junkdrawer]

46. Nationwide, of doctor diagnosed samples sent to the CDC, only 37.5% were flu....

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

Although it is true that the overwhelming number of flu cases were H1N1...so far...

[Ms. Toad]

43. Too early for the seasonal flu,

although that distinction will be coming to an end within a month or so. The vast majority of people with influenza now have H1N1.

There are also fairly reliable distinctions between influenza and a cold. Fever being one such distinction, as well as overall aches and fatigue.

The only reliable test for H1N1 is a blood test that takes around a week to process - since the transmission time is as short as 24 hours, and Tamiflu is only effective for treatment within the first 48 yours, testing is pretty worthless for either disease prevention or treatment. Even the rapid assay test is worthless, in that it doesn't distinguish between H1N1 and the seasonal flu - and it is only about 50-75% reliable (meaning 25-50% of people who actually have the flu test negative).

For the most part, diagnosis is being made based on symptoms, or symptoms combined with a(n unreliable) rapid assay test. That means unless you are serious enough to require hospitalization (or die) it is unlikely that you will know for sure whether you have had it - and if you are inclined to get the vaccine you should get it even if you have been tentatively diagnosed with H1N1.

[Junkdrawer]

47. See post above...only 37.5% of samples sent to the CDC were flu... n/t

[Ms. Toad]

48. And so? Doctors are being overly cautious.

As I said - if you didn't have a positive blood test, and you are inclined to vaccinate, you shouldn't rely on a diagnosis based on symptoms.

[Junkdrawer]

49. When I read the thread, the overwhelming sense I got was....

"If you think you have the Swine Flu, you probably do."

An THAT is far, far from true.

I'd guess that only 1 in 10 who are sure they have or had the Swine Flu actually have/had it.

[Ms. Toad]

55. Probably 40% or higher.

At least among those who have gone to see a doctor. The CDC isn't clear how sampling was done from the website you linked to - but if it was a random sampling it ought to be representative of the actual population, and if it isn't random, I suspect the doctors were sending a higher proportion of samples from marginal cases where the symptoms didn't clearly distinguish between influenza and something else.

With the H1N1 influenza, at least some people's symptoms seem to be very mild. That makes distinguishing between influenza with a very low fever and minimal aches and pains and a cold difficult.Doctors are being overly cautious in an attempt to keep sick people home (not that it is really working), but any competent doctor should be able to tell the difference between a classic case influenza and a cold, and between influenza and a GI malady. As they gain more experience (i.e. their location becomes a high activity area) they will become better at recognizing how this particular influenza strain looks.

Among the general population including those who haven't gone to the doctor - I would tend to agree with your estimate. Most people thing vomiting = influenza, and for the most part that is not true.

[LWolf]

44. We have more kids out every day.

I sent home 2 kids on Monday, when we already had a 21% absence rate in my classes. Another 3 kids yesterday. We have 12% of our staff out, some with the flu themselves, some with their kids who have the flu.

Our scheduled school-wide vaccination day is next week, but may be pushed back due to availability of the vaccine. A school scheduled 3 days before ours has already been pushed back, so we're expecting it.

[mod mom]

45. My son saw his Ped for bronchitis and he told us the practice saw 500 cases last week.