Comments on: H1N1 or Swine Flu Preparedness

By: Karen/'ReadyMom'

Karen/'ReadyMom' — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:06:32 +0000

@ Judith: Unless you are officially tested, you don’t know for 100% certain that you have had H1N1 flu. BUT… it’s a good possibility, since the H1N1 flu is the dominant flu circulating, right now. You just won’t know for sure, and it’s good that you are feeling better.

RE transmission of the virus: Be aware of this (Source: CDC; http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm ):

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

By: Judith

Judith — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:51:32 +0000

I am now recovering from being ill with something that matches the description of H1N1. I became ill last Saturday, a week ago today, ran a fever until Tuesday night, had a dry cough, and major body aches. I was totally down with it, staying in bed for most of a few days, very unusual for me. My husband began the same symptoms 3 days later. I am now gradually feeling better, still weak and some cough. He is now coming along also.

My question is this; have we had H1N1, and does it matter? Ought we to have gone in to a doctor, if only to be counted? The thought of going out was awful, it felt better to stay in, rest, and drink lots of water/tea/juice. Also, I did not see the sense in possibly spreading it. After the fever stopped Tuesday night, I returned to work Thursday, well past 24 hours. Have I perhaps spread it there? I work in a public high school. I am 51 and my husband is 54. Any info would be appreciated.

By: Seth

Seth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:56:27 +0000

My question is similar to the one raised by the gentleman who is working as a mall Santa. How is vaccination distribution to other high-risk populations being prioritized? I am 24 and travel for business on a regular basis and therefore consider myself high-risk, not only for contracting the flu but–probably more importantly–spreading it around the country. Have public health officials identified other types of high-risk populations and is there any intent to make the vaccine available to such populations?

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:38:44 +0000

I am totally frustrated. I have two young children who attend day care. My pediatrician’s office claimed that they would have swine flu clinics. They had one clinic, which I missed because it was scheduled from one day to the next, and where they ran out of the vaccine. They had another clinic that was only for the sickest patients so we could not attend. I have small children and cannot wait on line for four hours to get vaccinated. I am amazed at how poorly this has been handled, and how after all the hype about how important it is to get vaccinated how impossible it has been to get the vaccine. I want to vaccinate my family and have been unable to do.

By: Bernard Biales

Bernard Biales — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:19:38 +0000

The statement that H1N1 “is morphing by the day” smacks of vapid sensationalism Human beings, flies, roses and corn are morphing by the day. So far as I know, H1N1 has been reasonably stable in its characteristics since the early large scale human outbreaks.
Also, this is not particularly more of a killer than the nominal annual outbreak, so reportage, even when superficially scientific, tends to have an element of pandering. Or the normal non coverage of flu has an element of blindness.
Anyhow, it has become kind of boring.

By: Karen/'ReadyMom'

Karen/'ReadyMom' — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:22:18 +0000

The vaccine is short is getting to all those who need it. In order to help curb the spread, families need to consider the following home preparations. These suggestions marked (**) are even more important, since kids are getting the opportunity to get the vaccine, leaving their parents vulnerable to getting ill, which will leave the kids in charge of the house for a few days, as the parent recover. Parents need to put a plan in place. It is suggested that you put these plans in place, NOW.
• (**)Have alternative child care options, if the adult members still have to report to work. Those options should be for SMALL groups of 6 or less children
• (**)Have a well stocked pantry of AT LEAST two-weeks of ADDITIONAL groceries (in addition to what is already in stock in their homes!).
o Parents may not be able to shop due to illness in their family (taking care of a sick child or the adult member becoming sick)
o Stores *may* have reduced hours, if illness starts to affect employees
o Families may decide NOT to shop, if the have a child or other family member at home in the ‘high risk’ category that makes getting the virus more dangerous to their health/life
• (**)Have all the necessary ‘over-the-counter’ meds necessary for home treatment of the flu already purchased.
o Hospitals and Doctor offices will be overwhelmed with more serious cases
o Stores may run out of the needed meds & supplies (just look at England & Australia for examples of that!)
o Pharmacies are generally smaller stores than grocery stores and number of employee are smaller. Those stores may have reduced hours due to employee shortage due to illness.
• (**)Have a ‘Flu Buddy’, having another adult available to care for the children of their household, should one or both adults in a household become ill.
• Make a ‘Flu Kit’ for your college student to keep in their dorm. (Especially important, if your student does NOT get vaccinated)
o Not all campus health centers are open 24/7
• Looking in on the Elderly or Infirmed
o They may be ill with the flu and need help
o They may have other health issues that they could not get help with, if our hospitals and doctors become overwhelmed with flu patients
o They may need you to shop for them, if they are afraid to go out