Flu Prompts Boston to Declare Public Health Emergency

[killarney rose]

Thanks HC. I wasn't sure if you meant the swine flu or a different year.

 

[believe09]

The flu can be dangerous, but so can the panic that is happening right now. I think this is why the hospitals ore overrun, frankly.

Common sense, common sense....stay home, wash hands, fluids, lysol, fluids,, lysol...

 

[legalmania]

The flu is viral. Antibiotics won't help. It's not only the US but worldwide. What really upsets me the most is we had that H1N1 pandemic scare a couple of years ago and everyone got their flu shots. People lining up for hours but this time there were no warnings. Does anybody understand why the public wasn't warned? I sure as heck don't.

Actually I get infections of the lungs, so my viral flu can turn bacterial so they give me antibiotics as an precaution. I have always noticed when tourist season starts so does flu .\season. So every year when you start to see those out of state license plates be prepared. I always have lots of Orange Juice, chewable C's, hand sterilizer and if I see someone coughing or sneezing I stay away.

 

[Snick1946]

I live in NE- terrible here as well. Wife and I both retired we have a 16 year old son still at home. Oddly my wife who doesn't work came down with it first, she thinks she caught it while visiting her mom in a nursing home. My son missed school the first time Friday, has fever and cough but feels ok otherwise. I have been in and out of it, feel nearly ok much of the time but have had a lot of indigestion with some aches. So, we have been lucky thus far. We are not going out at all unless we have to. My trip to the store last night was the first trip in public in over a week. I stopped going to the gym early last week, no sense asking for trouble. I have been able to get out and walk which helps with the cabin fever. Real tired of this routine but have little to complain about.

 

[Reader]

Flu emergency declared in NY; 20K cases in state

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...D43GRA?docId=e4b6c471cd9d466c91401b3ed8667f67

NEW YORK (AP) — New York's governor has declared a public health emergency for the state because of the severity of the flu season.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo made the announcement Saturday. His executive order suspends for the next month the state law that limits the authority of pharmacists to administer immunizing agents only to individuals 18 years of age or older.

Pharmacists will also be allowed to administer flu vaccinations to patients between 6 months and 18 years of age...............

 

[T4Tide]

People will call me uneducated, and they will be correct in that I am not a scientist who has studied in depth illnesses, vaccines, etc. However, I am kinda confused as to why we have a "flu epidemic" when there are more people than ever receiving vaccinations and early treatment. I worked in a hospital setting for 17 years....10 years as a registered nurse. I have never had the flu vaccination, nor have I ever had the flu. None of my four siblings ever had the flu while we were growing up. My mother has had it once in her 58 years. None of my children get the flu vaccination, either. One of my boys had the flu four or so years ago, and i probably would not have taken him to the doctor had he not needed a school excuse and some prescription cough medicine. I haven't even had to take one of my four to the doctor for any other illness in over 3 years. My husband of 14 years has never had the flu.

What's so different about us? Can't be diet, as we are full of McDonald's and Chik-fil-A. lol We try our best to stay far, far away from doctor's offices. Are there more reported cases because people are panicked and run to the doctor because they don't want to be a "statistic?" Is it because our schools, employers, and various other institutions require medical excuses? When I was a kid, if someone was sick, their mom just wrote a note when they returned. That can't happen these days, so the offices are filled with the sick, spreading germs that would have probably otherwise been contained to their home. People are in public 24/7, and no one respects the general public anymore. If you are sick, STAY HOME!!

If vaccination worked, there would be LESS flu, not more. (Not talking about polio, pertussis, etc. We do vax for those.) However, I am not a fan of chasing these viruses with vaccines. Stepping back, using common sense and not science, we haven't fixed anything. We are only making it worse.

Just my unscientific, flu-less two cents...

 

[BeginnersLuck]

I don't know what strain my family has, but it is awful. I don't want anyone else to have to feel this way if it can be prevented. I know people that have been sick for over a month. My daughter was the only one that got the flu shot and she hasn't caught it. I have been sick for a week now and wish I would have paid the small price to get the vaccine.

Unfortunately, people can not take off work and school for the great length of time that it takes to get through this virus. That's just the way our society is. I wish it was different but employers don't allow for lengthy absences and people have to pay bills. I am concerned about those working in the food industry and spreading it to others.

I'm just giving my 2 cents, in hopes that others will do whatever they can to prevent getting and spreading this awful flu.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

A snapshot of influenza activity in all 50 states

By The Associated Press, AP
10 hours ago

Map shows frequency of reported influenza-like illnesses by state.

Here is a snapshot of flu activity in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130113/US.MED.Flu.50.States/

 

[LimeCola]

People will call me uneducated, and they will be correct in that I am not a scientist who has studied in depth illnesses, vaccines, etc. However, I am kinda confused as to why we have a "flu epidemic" when there are more people than ever receiving vaccinations and early treatment. I worked in a hospital setting for 17 years....10 years as a registered nurse. I have never had the flu vaccination, nor have I ever had the flu. None of my four siblings ever had the flu while we were growing up. My mother has had it once in her 58 years. None of my children get the flu vaccination, either. One of my boys had the flu four or so years ago, and i probably would not have taken him to the doctor had he not needed a school excuse and some prescription cough medicine. I haven't even had to take one of my four to the doctor for any other illness in over 3 years. My husband of 14 years has never had the flu.

What's so different about us? Can't be diet, as we are full of McDonald's and Chik-fil-A. lol We try our best to stay far, far away from doctor's offices. Are there more reported cases because people are panicked and run to the doctor because they don't want to be a "statistic?" Is it because our schools, employers, and various other institutions require medical excuses? When I was a kid, if someone was sick, their mom just wrote a note when they returned. That can't happen these days, so the offices are filled with the sick, spreading germs that would have probably otherwise been contained to their home. People are in public 24/7, and no one respects the general public anymore. If you are sick, STAY HOME!!

If vaccination worked, there would be LESS flu, not more. (Not talking about polio, pertussis, etc. We do vax for those.) However, I am not a fan of chasing these viruses with vaccines. Stepping back, using common sense and not science, we haven't fixed anything. We are only making it worse.

Just my unscientific, flu-less two cents...

I think that your family has been very fortunate...which is a good thing!

One thing some people don't realize is that you can actually spread the flu once you've contracted it - even when you still appear healthy.

As you noted, vaccination has been a major force in eliminating infectious diseases. Polio, smallpox...these don't even flag on our radar today due to the success of vaccination programs. So I think it's not fair to say that we haven't fixed anything with vaccines.

The problem with the flu vaccine is that it changes every year, and even at that it is not always a perfect match. Also, the percentage of the general population who get the flu shot overall is fairly low. A lot of people don't want to get a shot when they can't be 100% sure that it is going to work in any given year.

I do however completely agree with you that people who are sick should stay home!

 

[killarney rose]

I believe there are two things causing the high incidence of flu .

First, I believe many just have a bad cold or one that has turned to a secondary infection and they are saying they have flu w/o actually being tested. And many have a stomach virus that goes on several days and they are saying the same thing.


The other thing is that as has been said, people will not STAY HOME when they are sick. They just go about their lives sick and spread it everywhere.

The real flu will knock you on your butt. It can last 2 weeks and take another 3 or 4 to recover from. BTDT. I probably mentioned this, but when that happened to me my GP diagnosed it as a bad stomach virus and said all I could do was take Phenergen and Immodium ans let it run it's course. Day 15 at the ER they did a flu swab test and I got an accurate diagnosis. It isn't common but it is possible to have the flu with NOT A SINGLE respiratory cold like symptom . Only GI along with fever, weakness and aches. It was 16 days of he77 and I'll never miss a flu shot again! I don't care what people say about them not beng good......uh-uh- no way- front of the line for this girl!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

...The problem with the flu vaccine is that it changes every year, and even at that it is not always a perfect match. Also, the percentage of the general population who get the flu shot overall is fairly low. A lot of people don't want to get a shot when they can't be 100% sure that it is going to work in any given year...

Respectfully <snipped>

I heard a health report yesterday on the local CBS radio station (WWJ - Detroit) indicating that the flu vaccine is about 62% effective. This means that out of 8 people who get the vaccine, 5 are protected, but 3 people will likely get some strain of influenza.

After having a bad reaction to the one and only flu shot that I got about 15 years ago - I fainted following the injection and felt miserable for about 48 hours afterwards - I do my best to stay healthy and hope that I don't get the flu.

 

[Herding Cats]

BDE, creating the flu vax is a guessing game; it's based on what *has* been circulating, what is known to be around but maybe not circulating widely, and other factors (weather, time of year, and so on) that I basically don't know of. It's a prediction based on an educated guess, and that's why it's not 100% effective.

And the vax, once made, takes something like 4-6 months to get into the public arena.

This is the reason the swine flu/2009 flu from Mexico was so devastating (it was a pandemic)...it was a "new" strain, no vax made for it at all, and it took 6 months for the vax to be developed and made available. It was also strange in that it began circulating later in the '09 season than normal.

This is why there is *always* a concern when a new flu shows up - because of the length of time it takes to get a vax to the public. In 6 months, a new strain can wreak havoc on any population...and why many people fear a new 1917 Flu event.

In the mean time, stay as healthy as possible; drink fluids, stay home and rest if ill, and follow all rules when it comes to sneezing/coughing in public. Carry hand sanitizer, and use it regularly.

Et cetera.

TBH, flu scares me more than any other contagious illness....it can, and does, kill, and it's so freakin' unpredictable. Scary stuff, that flu is...scary indeed.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[21merc7]

Theory one of the bosses had on the flu, now that the last couple of years the statistics finally say the shots are not for the virus that everyone gets:

By giving shots for one type, you are creating another. Much like trying to poison roaches and they grow stronger and resist the poison. That is the short version. Not my theory, but sounds plausible. We have become an overkill nation with pills, shots, patches, what have you though. I was given triple, yes 3 kinds of antibiotics and a shot, twice, for allergies through a season once. This happened twice in a couple of months, I stopped going to that doctor after that, and did not take the second prescriptions given me. I knew that was making me more vulnerable to other things than allergies!


Other thoughts:

As far as the cough in your elbow, I still disagree. Teaching children to do so, means they will as adults and spread even more germs as adults. We all know children touch everything, but we also all know if you have children, they are bringing germs home.

I, personally, do not touch any outside doorknobs to bathrooms, if I cannot enter freely or without kicking it, I use a tissue I have or just don't go. I wait. Fortunately, at work it is a sliding door, so I don't have to touch until I get in there and grab a paper towel if I need to go, or just wash my hands with the door open if I do not need to go. I do not touch public door knobs without a barrier of at least tissue.

I also know that when I worked in restaurants and touching peoples glasses, plates, silverware, and where they sat, I did not get sick. Guess the more I was exposed a little at a time, the more I built up a tolerance.

Some people cannot call in sick to work. It is not allowed, if you do even with a note, there can be consequences. When your bosses come in sick, you are expected to also. In fact, you probably got it from them. The bosses can decide if you seem sick enough to go home, note from a doctor or not. It is a fact. Wish the benefits of "personal days" or "sick days" spread to all, but they don't. Then there are those that cannot afford to go get a doctor note even if it is allowed.

Don't know what to say or think, but it is flu season. I did notice that DD lives in the Mid-West, I live on the East coast. It hit Nebraska a few months before it did here. Are the viruses simply living in the air and travel in that manner?

 

[CarmelEyesD]

I am 60 and have never had the flu as an adult. I don't remember ever being sick as a child. I do take Vit. C and a multi vitamin every day and I eat well...mostly vegetarian and rarely fast food. I figured that as a child I was exposed to many of the 'bugs' going around today. I assumed my immunity was because these 'bugs' cycle and I had either already had or become immune to them...I have only had a flu shot 2 times. Anyone else 55 or older that doesn't seem to get sick? Just wondering if there is anything to my 'theory'...that we have already been exposed and become immune as children..

 

[killarney rose]

I am 60 and have never had the flu as an adult. I don't remember ever being sick as a child. I do take Vit. C and a multi vitamin every day and I eat well...mostly vegetarian and rarely fast food. I figured that as a child I was exposed to many of the 'bugs' going around today. I assumed my immunity was because these 'bugs' cycle and I had either already had or become immune to them...I have only had a flu shot 2 times. Anyone else 55 or older that doesn't seem to get sick? Just wondering if there is anything to my 'theory'...that we have already been exposed and become immune as children..

I am 56 and I am not ofen sick either, nor was I as a child. But the time I mentioned I had the flu really threw me for a loop. I have never been so sick! There were a couple of days that I really was frightened that DH would come home and find me dead- I was that sick.

My kids make fun of me and call me germ nazi. But I caught it anyway. I think I have a good immune system. I used to get a cold about once a year but since I started being more careful, I go several years between them. I wash my hands before I eat, try not to touch my face if I'm in public and avoid touching doorknobs and shaking hands . Thats about it. And this time of year I try to avoid crowds and eating out.

 

[Trident]

I am 60 and have never had the flu as an adult. I don't remember ever being sick as a child. I do take Vit. C and a multi vitamin every day and I eat well...mostly vegetarian and rarely fast food. I figured that as a child I was exposed to many of the 'bugs' going around today. I assumed my immunity was because these 'bugs' cycle and I had either already had or become immune to them...I have only had a flu shot 2 times. Anyone else 55 or older that doesn't seem to get sick? Just wondering if there is anything to my 'theory'...that we have already been exposed and become immune as children..

I'm older than 60 and only had the flu once, about 20 years ago; I'm not even sure it was the flu, but I was sick. I never get a flu shot although everyone says I should because of my COPD. What I have to watch out for is bronchitis.

Way back when, if you got sick you either recovered or you died - medicine wasn't as modern as it is now. Those of us who recovered came out stronger for it. I believe all the antibiotics and flu shots are weakening the gene pool exposing all of us to more germs/viruses/disease than ever before, especially since no one is forced and/or allowed to stay home and stop spreading germs.

I'm trying to stay out of crowds this year and doing a lot more hand washing.

 

[Reader]

Hospitals crack down on workers refusing flu shots

http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?id=19252660&ps=1011&cat=&cps=0&lang=en

CHICAGO (AP) — Patients can refuse a flu shot. Should doctors and nurses have that right, too? That is the thorny question surfacing as U.S. hospitals increasingly crack down on employees who won't get flu shots, with some workers losing their jobs over their refusal.

"Where does it say that I am no longer a patient if I'm a nurse," wondered Carrie Calhoun, a longtime critical care nurse in suburban Chicago who was fired last month after she refused a flu shot.

Hospitals' get-tougher measures coincide with an earlier-than-usual flu season hitting harder than in recent mild seasons. Flu is widespread in most states, and at least 20 children have died.

Most doctors and nurses do get flu shots. But in the past two months, at least 15 nurses and other hospital staffers in four states have been fired for refusing, and several others have resigned, according to affected workers, hospital authorities and published reports.

More at link........

 

[Herding Cats]

I am 60 and have never had the flu as an adult. I don't remember ever being sick as a child. I do take Vit. C and a multi vitamin every day and I eat well...mostly vegetarian and rarely fast food. I figured that as a child I was exposed to many of the 'bugs' going around today. I assumed my immunity was because these 'bugs' cycle and I had either already had or become immune to them...I have only had a flu shot 2 times. Anyone else 55 or older that doesn't seem to get sick? Just wondering if there is anything to my 'theory'...that we have already been exposed and become immune as children..

I don't know specifically regarding flu, but a strong immune system is one of the MOST important things we can ever have.

I find that there are whole segments of the population that have cruddy immune systems, and I think it's because they've been very protected from playing at the park, roughhousing with animals, or just in general not exposed to dirt, grime, germs and viruses and just overall "cooties."

I firmly advocate stepping in horse/cow poo. Playing at the park. Sitting on the ground. Sharing cups (as long as it's not hepatitis or herpes stuff). Playing hard. Falling down. Getting a colorful bruise once a month.

I think a strong body *and* a strong immune system come from lots of exposure to things...and eating right, getting exercise, taking a multivitamin, and drinking enough non-soda/non-junk drinks; juices, water, milk, water, tea/coffee, water...water, water, water...water.

BTW, did I mention "water"?? LOL.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[T4Tide]

I, personally, do not touch any outside doorknobs to bathrooms, if I cannot enter freely or without kicking it, I use a tissue I have or just don't go. I wait. Fortunately, at work it is a sliding door, so I don't have to touch until I get in there and grab a paper towel if I need to go, or just wash my hands with the door open if I do not need to go. I do not touch public door knobs without a barrier of at least tissue.

Snipped by me... I do have a pretty strong public bathroom phobia, that I am sure I've handed down to my kids. We avoid them at all costs, and if we absolutely have to go in one, they under a strict no touch mandate!! We don't wash our hands in public places, unless they are no touch sinks and dispensers. The germs are on the sinks!! Most people do not get the water hot enough, or scrub long enough to actually remove germs, therefore you've completely wasted your time washing if you are going to reach up and turn the water off with your hand. Might as well just lick the faucet! lol. No door handles... flush with your foot. (Watch out.... Don't lose flip flops in the toilet! Ha!)

As crazy as all that sounds, I don't consider myself a germaphobe. I shake hands, go into public often, etc. It's mainly public bathrooms.

I have friends who have admitted to me they will go in the bathroom at church and throw up, and go right about their day. People who throw up....who even burp up vomit....should be quarantined for at least 48-72 hours! Ha!

 

[Trident]

I don't know specifically regarding flu, but a strong immune system is one of the MOST important things we can ever have.

I find that there are whole segments of the population that have cruddy immune systems, and I think it's because they've been very protected from playing at the park, roughhousing with animals, or just in general not exposed to dirt, grime, germs and viruses and just overall "cooties."

I firmly advocate stepping in horse/cow poo. Playing at the park. Sitting on the ground. Sharing cups (as long as it's not hepatitis or herpes stuff). Playing hard. Falling down. Getting a colorful bruise once a month.

I think a strong body *and* a strong immune system come from lots of exposure to things...and eating right, getting exercise, taking a multivitamin, and drinking enough non-soda/non-junk drinks; juices, water, milk, water, tea/coffee, water...water, water, water...water.

BTW, did I mention "water"?? LOL.

Best-
Herding Cats

"Water, water..." Yep, I drink a LOT of water, but it's bottled. The water around here is enough to kill you without any help from viruses or germs.