Yikes! H1N1 Flu in Texas!

[3113]

HOUSTON – At least one of the eight patients being treated for a mysterious illness at Conroe Regional Medical Center has tested positive for H1N1, according to Montgomery County health officials.

More here.

Yikes.

Stay safe and healthy Texas AH-ers!

 

[Handley_Page]

More here.

Yikes.

Stay safe and healthy Texas AH-ers!

I hope that the treatment is better than the Tamiflu we got a year or three ago.
That was almost as bad as the infection.
Best Wishes to all!

 

[SamScribble]

I can't help feeling that the reports are far worse than the disease.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

More here.

Yikes.

Stay safe and healthy Texas AH-ers!

Isn't hini American for bum? What is bum flu?

 

[patientlee]

Isn't hini American for bum? What is bum flu?

I think that's what is making the rounds through my house. Three down, two to go.

 

[TxRad]

It ain't no joke as my resent stay in the hospital will attest.

It's been over ten days and I still feel like death warmed over.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

It ain't no joke as my resent stay in the hospital will attest.

It's been over ten days and I still feel like death warmed over.

Sorry to hear of your recent illness. It isn't a joke. It's related to the 1919 flu epidemic that killed more people than World War 1. If there is a good thing about HIV/Aids it is that it caused a big increase in virus research. Still a way to go though. I guess with the increase in population and easier travel these things now spread faster and further. We're beginning to see bacteria that is resistant to everything now too.

A man died in New Zealand recently and there was nothing that could kill his infection. That, it was said (and I would have thought it had happened before), was the first ever. I find it interesting that preventative measures have changed little since Semmelwiess apart from antibiotics. I think there is a lot that could be done. It surprises me that hospitals have had an unchanged approach for so long. They always seem to trot out the same old things and there is little thought about what is actually happening. After the Bali bombing about 10 years ago, we had its victims brought here and they brought with them a new bug, It's every where now and it illustrated how vulnerable we in hospitals are with the current management strategies.

 

[Handley_Page]

I can't help feeling that the reports are far worse than the disease.

Only to the ears.
I can promise you that it is a most uncomfortable and painful illness.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

It's God's judgement on all those rabid Tea Party-ites, that's what it is.

 

[3113]

I can't help feeling that the reports are far worse than the disease.

Well, so far the numbers are modest (eight dead is nothing to cheer about, but it's still a small number). These things do start small, however. I remember AIDs and the first reported deaths were small there, too.

Here's hoping that the reports do turn out to be worse than the disease (i.e. that this is isolated and there aren't many more deaths). TX, however, is being hit hard and early by the flu along with, I believe, New Mexico; and young adults are unusually susceptible this time around.

It is still alarming and the more so because they're not yet certain that it's H1N1. Once they know if that's the strain for sure, it'll be easier to contain.

 

[Hypoxia]

It's God's judgement on all those rabid Tea Party-ites, that's what it is.

Kali's vengeance is indeed awesome. (Remember, 'god' is a job title, not a proper name.)

 

[patientlee]

Well, so far the numbers are modest (eight dead is nothing to cheer about, but it's still a small number). These things do start small, however. I remember AIDs and the first reported deaths were small there, too.

Here's hoping that the reports do turn out to be worse than the disease (i.e. that this is isolated and there aren't many more deaths). TX, however, is being hit hard and early by the flu along with, I believe, New Mexico; and young adults are unusually susceptible this time around.

It is still alarming and the more so because they're not yet certain that it's H1N1. Once they know if that's the strain for sure, it'll be easier to contain.

Here's hoping whatever it is was covered by the flu shot. They had said it did cover H1N1, I thought. Two of my kids weren't vaccinated though because they're allergic to eggs. We've been hit pretty hard with the stomach virus. Let's hope that counts as paying our dues, so we can skip the flu.

 

[patientlee]

It ain't no joke as my resent stay in the hospital will attest.

It's been over ten days and I still feel like death warmed over.

Sorry to hear it. I'm almost afraid to ask if you had a flu shot. If you did, and you still got hit that hard, we're all screwed.

Feel better.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Well, it's time to stay indoors and batten down the hatches.

Although the last time I had the flu was 1974.

And just a coincidence, the last time I had a flu shot was 1974.

Damn thing was mandatory. I was in the Air Force at the time and they thought by giving me a flu shot I wouldn't get the flu. Fooled them. I was down with not only the flu, but strep throat, a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy.

Fortunately, since I had that flu shot back in 1974 and subsequently got the flu, I have never had the flu again. Head colds, yes. Flu, no.

Tx, get better.

Isn't H1N1 the strain that hits young people harder than older people?

 

[TxRad]

Sorry to hear it. I'm almost afraid to ask if you had a flu shot. If you did, and you still got hit that hard, we're all screwed.

Feel better.

No flu shot. If I get one of those I might as well head straight to the hospital. Something in them doesn't like me at all. I've had three over the last ten years and all three times I was in the hospital within three days. This is only the second time since the early 70's I've had anything like the flu not related to the vaccine.

As for what type flu it was, no one is saying. That or they don't know or care. I'm much better and that's what matters to me. They changed out one of my crew and sent me a young replacement from N. Houston who was hacking and coughing when he got there. I ended up in the hospital and two others were down for the count for a couple of days.

Montgomery County is just N of Houston for any who don't know. We were in College Station, a hundred miles away. So this shit does travel well.

 

[carlieplum]

This year's vaccine does include H1N1.

I had H1N1 when they had the outbreak in 2009 and there wasn't enough vaccine, so they were only giving it to little kids, the elderly and pregnant ladies. My fever went up to 105. I was hallucinating. I slept on the floor because it hurt for Mr. Plum to touch me and I couldn't get in the bed by myself. Thank goodness for friends because Mr. Plum had to take care of the little Plums AND try to work from home. We would have been on short rations without friends bringing meals.

If you think you might have it, go get tested right away it. Is no joke. And Tamiflu is only effective if they start it within 24 to 48 hours of going symptomatic.

To the guy who said he only got the flu the year he got vaxxed (and anyone else who wants some basic flu vaccine info):
1. The vax doesn't cover every strain, just the ones they think will hit. So you can get vaxed, and catch a different strain of flu you weren't vaxed for. It's a quickly mutating virus. Some years they get it better than others.
2. You don't get flu immunity until about two weeks after you get the shot, so if you get vaxed on Monday and exposed on Tuesday, you're hosed.
3. The immunity provided by the flu vaccine doesn't last as long as the full coast-to-coast flu season. If you get the shot in October, and it's a late flu season, peaking in late March or early April, you have virtually no immunity left.

(Vaccine info provided to me by a pediatrician at one of the top-rated children's hospitals in the country.)

Oh, and if you've been told in the past that you can't get the flu vaccine because of an egg allergy, check back with your doctor. The CDC has revised its guidelines, and people with egg allergies have been getting the flu vaccine safely for a few years now.

 

[carlieplum]

TxRad, they didn't type you at all, not even to say Influenza A or B? You didn't get the fun experience of having an extra long q-tip stuck up your nose until it feels like they hit brain matter?

 

[carlieplum]

I find it interesting that preventative measures have changed little since Semmelwiess apart from antibiotics. I think there is a lot that could be done. It surprises me that hospitals have had an unchanged approach for so long. They always seem to trot out the same old things and there is little thought about what is actually happening. After the Bali bombing about 10 years ago, we had its victims brought here and they brought with them a new bug, It's every where now and it illustrated how vulnerable we in hospitals are with the current management strategies.

Can't speak for anywhere but here, but after the 2009 H1N1 outbreak in the U.S., the hospital system we use changed visitation rules during flu season. On pediatric, maternity, and other sensitive wards, immediate family only and no visitors under the age of 12 even if they are family. (I guess they figure kids are more likely to be carrying the flu around.) Lots and lots of signs that if you have a cough or don't feel well, you should leave the hospital without visiting.

All the practices affiliated with the hospital systems have signs regarding how to reduce chances of flu transmission and offer face masks for patients to wear in the waiting/exam room if they have coughing or sneezing.

But we are vulnerable. Measles is on the rise, and pertussis is reaching epidemic proportions in some states. I will not be surprised when wild polio, which hasn't been seen in the U.S. since 1993, makes a comeback here, as well. There's Valley Virus in the Western U.S. and West Nile in the Eastern U.S. I suspect things are a lot worse health-wise in Syria than we are hearing about, since it's hard to run a good vaccine and health system in the middle of a civil war. It's a germy ass world out there.

 

[patientlee]

This year's vaccine does include H1N1.

I had H1N1 when they had the outbreak in 2009 and there wasn't enough vaccine, so they were only giving it to little kids, the elderly and pregnant ladies. My fever went up to 105. I was hallucinating. I slept on the floor because it hurt for Mr. Plum to touch me and I couldn't get in the bed by myself. Thank goodness for friends because Mr. Plum had to take care of the little Plums AND try to work from home. We would have been on short rations without friends bringing meals.

If you think you might have it, go get tested right away it. Is no joke. And Tamiflu is only effective if they start it within 24 to 48 hours of going symptomatic.

To the guy who said he only got the flu the year he got vaxxed (and anyone else who wants some basic flu vaccine info):
1. The vax doesn't cover every strain, just the ones they think will hit. Some years they get it better than others.
2. You don't get flu immunity until about two weeks after you get the shot, so if you get vaxed on Monday and exposed on Tuesday, you're hosed.
3. The immunity provided by the flu vaccine doesn't last as long as the full coast-to-coast flu season. If you get the shot in October, and it's a late flu season, peaking in late March or early April, you have virtually no immunity left.

(Vaccine info provided to me by a pediatrician at one of the top-rated children's hospitals in the country.)

Oh, and if you've been told in the past that you can't get the flu vaccine because of an egg allergy, check back with your doctor. The CDC has revised its guidelines, and people with egg allergies have been getting the flu vaccine safely for a few years now.

I will check with our doctor about the egg allergy. I'm surprised she hasn't mentioned it.

 

[carlieplum]

There's a new flu vaccine out that doesn't even use egg in production. See bullet point 4:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm

Here's the safety guidelines for egg allergic persons:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6033a3.htm?s_cid=mm6033a3_w

The guts are down at the bottom of the report.

It isn't safe for everybody with an egg allergy and there are additional precautions your pediatrician will have to take.

 

[3113]

Isn't H1N1 the strain that hits young people harder than older people?

Yes, especially otherwise healthy adults like 30-40 year olds.

Scary!

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

Can't speak for anywhere but here, but after the 2009 H1N1 outbreak in the U.S., the hospital system we use changed visitation rules during flu season. On pediatric, maternity, and other sensitive wards, immediate family only and no visitors under the age of 12 even if they are family. (I guess they figure kids are more likely to be carrying the flu around.) Lots and lots of signs that if you have a cough or don't feel well, you should leave the hospital without visiting.

All the practices affiliated with the hospital systems have signs regarding how to reduce chances of flu transmission and offer face masks for patients to wear in the waiting/exam room if they have coughing or sneezing.

But we are vulnerable. Measles is on the rise, and pertussis is reaching epidemic proportions in some states. I will not be surprised when wild polio, which hasn't been seen in the U.S. since 1993, makes a comeback here, as well. There's Valley Virus in the Western U.S. and West Nile in the Eastern U.S. I suspect things are a lot worse health-wise in Syria than we are hearing about, since it's hard to run a good vaccine and health system in the middle of a civil war. It's a germy ass world out there.

It sure is and it's disturbing. I suspect antibiotics aren't the answer in the longer term, even if they do come up with new ones. For a long time I thought surgery would be removed from hospitals and done in people's homes where no new bugs would be present to cause terrible infections. I don't think mobile surgical units would work though. One couldn't trust the staff to change their attire between each case for a start. My Grandma used to talk about the surgery done on her kitchen table. It would be easier now with things other than ether and using video conferencing. It is interesting to think about. Hospitals are very dangerous places.
Here, 16% of all admissions leave unnecessarily worse off than when they entered. That is acknowledged as conservative and it's the same in most hospitals. There are lots of reasons. Tired staff because of the ridiculous expectations of shift work is one. I don't know why there isn't more attention paid to the failure of hospitals to deliver. It would save the hospitals a fortune and stop a lot of unnecessary suffering.

 

[LadyVer]

I live in the area this is taking place in. I don't usually specify where I live, but this is scary. The medical center is the one that treated my son when he survived a life-threatening bacterial infection when he was under two.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Yes, especially otherwise healthy adults like 30-40 year olds.

Scary!

No worries for me, I'm an old fart 60 - 65 years old.

I wonder if Lit caught the flu. Half the site is down.

 

[carlieplum]

Yes, especially otherwise healthy adults like 30-40 year olds.

Scary!

The 1919 "Spanish Influenza" also disproportionately killed healthy people 20-40. On some Army bases they were stacking bodies up like cord wood.

Something about the strains that transmit animal to human makes them more virulent. Don't understand enough about biology to know why though.