H1N1 "Panicdemic", are you getting the shot?

[rubio]

I work as quality manager at a microbiological hospital lab where we analyse most of the potential H1N1 samples in Oslo, Norway. The doctors here are quite knowledgeable when it comes to viral diseases ,and I think all of them are going to take the vaccine. It's also about solidarity with the people who are in the risk groups. The more people who take the vaccine the less risk it will be for the people with heart diseases, diabetes, lung dieseases etc. catching the disease. About 1/3 of the people who get severe complications/die are not in any risk group, and are young people with perfect health. So it seems to bear a resemblance with the Spanish flu in that way. It also can be become more lethal after mutation, so why not take the vaccine (which is next to free anyway in Norway). The potential side effects of the flu vaccine are much lower than the risk associated with the flu (which also still is low, of course). I don't think any casualties has been registrered due to flue vaccination through it's exsitence.

Statistically, we can also expect a serious viral disease in the world very soon (even if this is probably not it); especially due to the population growth that are getting out of control.

[drogulus]

The more people who take the vaccine the less risk it will be for the people with heart diseases, diabetes, lung dieseases etc. catching the disease.

      This is an excellent point. You stop an epidemic by the firebreak principle. This is why the idiots who say condoms aren't effective against STDs shouldn't be listened to. Even at 50% effectiveness the odds that you will be exposed are dramatically reduced. I don't know the math but if the person who infected the person who infected the person who infected the person next to you is not infected, one branch of the epidemic has been halted and you are safer.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

I don't care. And once again, I will survive this media spectacle. It's ridiculous. We've got 80 million flu experts in germany. Except me. It's a big time waster.

[springrite]

Hundreds of students and staff have the flu in Vanessa's school in the past week, with some confirmed as H1N1. The school is still open. But Vanessa has been ordered to stay at my work studio (a studio apartment) for the time being to protect Kimi and to call in sick for a few days by decree of the Family Headmaster (yours truly).

[Harry]

A few days ago, a girl of 14 years, perfectly healthy, died of this flu within 2 days. So it can kill, and it will.
Whether to take the vaccine or not is still a question of debate in the Netherlands.
I am extremely confused by all the media hype, and the governmental mis information.   

[Valentino]

I'm getting it.
I'm one of those weird guys who believe in science...

[Scarpia]

The internet can be a wonderful thing, but one of the bad side-effects is it puts crack-pots on a level playing field with true experts, particularly in science.  This is why it has become a common belief the measles vaccine causes autism, even though there is no more evidence for this than for the hypothesis that listening to Haydn causes pancreatic cancer.  

As mentioned by several above, No vaccine is 100% effective, the reason they work is that if a certain fraction of the population is vaccinated epidemics will fizzle rather than grow and people will not be exposed to the disease.  People have to have enough community feeling to be vaccinated because they are protecting their fellow citizens in addition to themselves.  There is a basic unfairness when parents decide that they will not vaccinate their kids because "why should I, no one gets measles anymore."  If everyone followed that reasoning and vaccination rates fell significantly kids would be dying of measles again.

[bwv 1080]

The internet can be a wonderful thing, but one of the bad side-effects is it puts crack-pots on a level playing field with true experts, particularly in science.  This is why it has become a common belief the measles vaccine causes autism, even though there is no more evidence for this than for the hypothesis that listening to Haydn causes pancreatic cancer.  

in the UK its the live virus measles vaccine blamed for autism while in the US it was dead virus vaccines preserved with thimerisol, the mercury-based preservative that was eliminated in 2001.  Most antivaxers don't even know the difference

[Bogey]

I'm getting it.
I'm one of those weird guys who believe in science...

[secondwind]

I learned today of a young woman (33) in our community who contracted H1N1 from her daughter, who caught it at school.  This woman has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks already with pneumonia.  She is in a medically induced coma, which her doctors feel gives her the best chance of recovery.  Yikes!  I continue to believe that the virus is far more dangerous than the vaccine.  When the vaccine becomes generally available, I'll get it. 

[Anne]

I have severe copd and diabetes.  My doctor wrote a note to that effect to give the people giving the H1N1 shot(s?).  I am anxious to get it.  Have had the bacterial pneumonia shot but there's always the viral pneumonia one.  I fear that last one.

Last week in the space of 20 minutes I went from breathing ok to labored breathing with mouth open.  Had to stop at the oxygen store to have sleep apnea mask repaired.  The owner waited on me.  I was talking about the mask but he couldn't stop commenting on my breathing.  Finally he brought over a blood oxygen tester (is like a clothespin that attaches to one's index finger).  My blood oxygen was 77 and heartbeat was 111.  That is very low for the oxygen.  It should be in the 90's.  He told me to go to my doctor's office right away which I did.  The EKG was fine but he prescribed Prednisone for the lungs and said to take a dose of it that same night.  I found out from a different doctor and 2 other people that it is a very strong anti-inflammatory drug.

He offered me the choice of going home or to the hospital.  I chose home.  He was going out of town for the next 4 days.  There were 2 evenings when I wished I had gone to the hospital.  It's the first time I had to do it but I used oxygen all the time.  That helped some but was not enough.  I'd forgotten he'd said to use the nebulizer 4 times a day.  The need for air finally reminded me.  Sitting was ok but if I even stood up, I had not enough air.  I hope from this story, everyone can understand why I am anxious to get the shot.

It has taken a long time but the town is finally full of H1N1 virus.  Schools closed today and won't reopen until a week from tomorrow.

Something happened today that really bothers me.  Everyone says to call the county health department to find out where the shots are being given which I tried to do.  They had their answering machine set up in such a way that there was no way to speak to a human being.  I listened 3 times to be sure I had not missed something.  I know they are very busy and probably the phone rings off the hook but there should be some way to talk to them even if one has to wait in line to talk.  I live close to their offices and am going to go there in person.  I hope they have not locked the door also!    

[Harry]

I have severe copd and diabetes.  My doctor wrote a note to that effect to give the people giving the H1N1 shot(s?).  I am anxious to get it.  Have had the bacterial pneumonia shot but there's always the viral pneumonia one.  I fear that last one.

Last week in the space of 20 minutes I went from breathing ok to labored breathing with mouth open.  Had to stop at the oxygen store to have sleep apnea mask repaired.  The owner waited on me.  I was talking about the mask but he couldn't stop commenting on my breathing.  Finally he brought over a blood oxygen tester (is like a clothespin that attaches to one's index finger).  My blood oxygen was 77 and heartbeat was 111.  That is very low for the oxygen.  It should be in the 90's.  He told me to go to my doctor's office right away which I did.  The EKG was fine but he prescribed Prednisone for the lungs and said to take a dose of it that same night.  I found out from a different doctor and 2 other people that it is a very strong anti-inflammatory drug.

He offered me the choice of going home or to the hospital.  I chose home.  He was going out of town for the next 4 days.  There were 2 evenings when I wished I had gone to the hospital.  It's the first time I had to do it but I used oxygen all the time.  That helped some but was not enough.  I'd forgotten he'd said to use the nebulizer 4 times a day.  The need for air finally reminded me.  Sitting was ok but if I even stood up, I had not enough air.  I hope from this story, everyone can understand why I am anxious to get the shot.

It has taken a long time but the town is finally full of H1N1 virus.  Schools closed today and won't reopen until a week from tomorrow.

Something happened today that really bothers me.  Everyone says to call the county health department to find out where the shots are being given which I tried to do.  They had their answering machine set up in such a way that there was no way to speak to a human being.  I listened 3 times to be sure I had not missed something.  I know they are very busy and probably the phone rings off the hook but there should be some way to talk to them even if one has to wait in line to talk.  I live close to their offices and am going to go there in person.  I hope they have not locked the door also!    

You have my compassion Anne, much of what ails you, is also ailing my wife, so I have to alert the doctor to the fact that she needs her shots too.
I think I take them myself too, wouldn't want to infect my wife, for obvious reasons.
Take care.

[SonicMan46]

I have severe copd and diabetes.  My doctor wrote a note to that effect to give the people giving the H1N1 shot(s?).  I am anxious to get it.  Have had the bacterial pneumonia shot but there's always the viral pneumonia one.  I fear that last one.............................
 

Hello Anne - boy, that was certainly a scare - I hope that you'll be feeding better soon!

The shortage of the H1N1 vaccine is just filling the news/radio these days; NPR this morning had a short interview session w/ 3 or 4 health care officials on the line from different large metro areas - current dosage allocations seem to just be none to only thousands of doses!  Hope that your doctors can get you in on a priority list for the shot.  Luckily for folks like us (i.e. > 60 y/o), the infection rate from the swine flu virus has been quite low - mainly hitting kids & people in their 20s (USA Today this morning had a nice bar chart - H1N1 was their feature article).  In fact, Susan's internist is not even going to get the vaccine in her office - risky?  Not sure, but w/ the demand, priority lists must be used.

Please keep us informed and best of wishes - P.S. Prednisone is a steroid drug often used for a variety of reasons, including as an anti-inflammatory agent - should not be a problem, esp. w/ 'short-term' use.  Dave

[springrite]

Vanessa is still living in my "office" across the street. I delivered diner to her tonight -- a four course meal at that! Today at her school, scores of parents protested demanding temporary school closure. Don't know what might come of that. Vanessa has some coughing yesterday but she is better today. We are hoping it is nothing. Time will tell. If she continue to improve that means she probably just needed a little reprieve from being a working mother. Then she might come home in a couple of days, which would be a good thing since I am going to Shanghai on Friday to give some training for General Motors.

[Anne]

You have my compassion Anne, much of what ails you, is also ailing my wife, so I have to alert the doctor to the fact that she needs her shots too.
I think I take them myself too, wouldn't want to infect my wife, for obvious reasons.
Take care.

Thanks for your kind words, Harry.  I don't know about your doctor, but mine is not giving the N1H1 shot.  We have to go to the county health department for that, which is why I was piqued when unable to talk to their staff on the phone.  Best wishes for good health to you and your wife.

[Anne]

Hello Anne - boy, that was certainly a scare - I hope that you'll be feeding better soon!

The shortage of the H1N1 vaccine is just filling the news/radio these days; NPR this morning had a short interview session w/ 3 or 4 health care officials on the line from different large metro areas - current dosage allocations seem to just be none to only thousands of doses!  Hope that your doctors can get you in on a priority list for the shot.  Luckily for folks like us (i.e. > 60 y/o), the infection rate from the swine flu virus has been quite low - mainly hitting kids & people in their 20s (USA Today this morning had a nice bar chart - H1N1 was their feature article).  In fact, Susan's internist is not even going to get the vaccine in her office - risky?  Not sure, but w/ the demand, priority lists must be used.

Please keep us informed and best of wishes - P.S. Prednisone is a steroid drug often used for a variety of reasons, including as an anti-inflammatory agent - should not be a problem, esp. w/ 'short-term' use.  Dave

Thanks, Dave.   I hope so too but it does take a while to recuperate.  My doctor is trying to get me in on a priority list which is why he wrote the note.  Good health to you and Susan, too.  In fact, good health to everyone here!

Did you read the book about the 1918-1919 pandemic?  If so, do you remember the title and author?  At one time amazon recommended it to people not familiar with pandemics.  Many times I have wanted to recommend it to others but unfortunately, I gave my copy to a friend who passed it to another, to another, etc., etc., etc.!  I thought it was a terrific book, well-written, and a timely subject.  In fact, I would like to read it again myself.  So interesting to compare then and now - where someone said the differences were a nasty mutation of the virus and the lack of a vaccine then.  Whereas, now we have the vaccine (almost!) and the virus has yet to mutate. 

[Harpo]

Something happened today that really bothers me.  Everyone says to call the county health department to find out where the shots are being given which I tried to do.  They had their answering machine set up in such a way that there was no way to speak to a human being.  I listened 3 times to be sure I had not missed something.  I know they are very busy and probably the phone rings off the hook but there should be some way to talk to them even if one has to wait in line to talk.  I live close to their offices and am going to go there in person.  I hope they have not locked the door also!    

I hope you can break down the door and get that shot! Our age group is supposed to be less susceptible to H1N1, but if I had pre-existing conditions as you have, I too would be demanding the vaccine. Obama has scared a lot of people by declaring a H1N1 national emergency, but there isn't enough vaccine to fight it--what a dilemma. Dave, a hospital employee, may not even get his shot. Hope you feel better and can resolve the problem. 
Meanwhile, we should probably stay away from crowds and stay home as much as we can.

[SonicMan46]

Did you read the book about the 1918-1919 pandemic?  If so, do you remember the title and author?  At one time amazon recommended it to people not familiar with pandemics.  Many times I have wanted to recommend it to others but unfortunately, I gave my copy to a friend who passed it to another, to another, etc., etc., etc.!  I thought it was a terrific book, well-written, and a timely subject.  In fact, I would like to read it again myself.  So interesting to compare then and now - where someone said the differences were a nasty mutation of the virus and the lack of a vaccine then.  Whereas, now we have the vaccine (almost!) and the virus has yet to mutate. 

Hi Anne - can't recall exactly which book(s) on that 1918 epidemic I've read over the years - there are plenty listed on Amazon (I used 'influenza pandemic of 1918' which brought up plenty of hits!); the one pictured below called:  A Cruel Wind: Pandemic Flu in America 1918-1920 by Dorothy Pettit was published in 2008 - have not read that one but may add to my 'wish list' - 4 good ratings there.

Dave

[bwv 1080]

Some recent studies indicated that the majority of the 1918 flu deaths were from secondary bacterial pneumonia, which is of course treatable today with antibiotics (however a substantial portion of recent swine flu deaths have been from bacterial pneumonia as well)

[SonicMan46]

Some recent studies indicated that the majority of the 1918 flu deaths were from secondary bacterial pneumonia, which is of course treatable today with antibiotics (however a substantial portion of recent swine flu deaths have been from bacterial pneumonia as well)

Yes, many of the 'deaths' related to the 'flu' occur because of severe respiratory complications - the virus can cause pulmonary infection which can be complicated by secondary bacterial infection, although both can co-exist; thus, bacterial infection of the lungs is a major issue in morbidity related to influenza; antibiotics certainly will help the latter type of infections and were not available at the time of that early 20th century pandemic.

Interestingly, in the pandemic of 1918-19 (dates quoted vary), H1N1 was the culprit virus which has now returned nearly a century later (and at other times) - the influenza viruses come in different 'lettered' forms, e.g. A, B, & C (not my specialty, so simplified, sorry); A is further classified according to the surface antigens H & N (of which there are a number of combinations) - H1N1 is our current problem, yet again!