H1N1 (Swine Flu): What are you doing about it?

I had it. Its nothing different than regular flu. You just get over it. I don’t understand all the hype.

Same stuff I always do. Wash my hands often, try to avoid touching public objects as much as possible (door knobs etc), drink a lot of fluids. And when our school gets the H1N1 shot in November, I’ll be getting that too.

Ah, were that only the cure for all disease: two naps and a bag of baby carrots…

I’m at home most of the time right now. And fortunately at the moment, I’m pretty fit and of robust constitution. I know that there’s a vaccine, but I probably won’t be getting it unless it’s absolutely insisted upon. I have no health insurance and couldn’t afford the doctor’s visit to get a shot.

First of all, it’s NOT, I repeat NOT swine flu. It has nothing to do with pigs. The hog farmers are taking a hit on their investments there because everyone keeps calling it that. Everyone thinks pork is infected. It’s not! The H1N1 is just another strain of flu. The media is at fault for this because they aren’t smart enough to know the difference & report on it correctly..

@aprilsimnel I know, how dumb am I? Like a doctor would prescribe carrots as medicine…

@jbfletcherfan I know, but that’s what it is (was) called.

I am taking precautions with regard to maintaining a very high level of hygiene and trying to avoid exposure to potential carriers. Aside from that – nothing.

@jbfletcherfan
this strain of virus comes from a pig.

I am not gettig the vaccine. My eight year old did however recieve it. Almost half of her school is out with it. Fingers crossed that it does not mutate.

I will get the vaccination and am also taking the recommended precautions.

Picture this scenario:

1) Too many people are scared of the vaccine because they trust the dubious anti-vaccine movement more than the highest ranking health officials and medical advisers.

2) Winter is approaching in the northern hemisphere. Immune systems are getting a little weaker. H1N1 is still highly contagious. More and more hosts, some treated with Tamiflu etc.

3) Even more hosts to try out new evolutionary possibilities.

4) A cosmic accident: a significant mutation occurs but vaccinated people are protected. The virus keeps spreading.

5) The mortality rate triples. People get scared. Many change their minds and want the vaccine. But there are long waiting lists.

6) The mutated virus is spreading to many countries. The problem gets very serious. In some countries there’s panic.

7) Is it 1918 all over again?

Still too worried about side effects? Yes, there are some. But it’s a matter of comparing risks and benefits. Try to understand what’s at stake here. We are talking H1N1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_flu_pandemic

@mattbrowne 1) Too many people are scared of the vaccine because they trust the dubious anti-vaccine movement more than the highest ranking health officials and medical advisers.

Why are so many medical professionals very publicly refusing the vaccine? They are not “the anti-vaccine movement”. They are having far more effect than any anti-vaccine lobby.

@mattbrowne It’s people like you that have got this country whipped up into a frenzy over this.

Nothing. I never get sick.
Unless I want to take a day off from work.

The people who are worried about the vaccine aren’t the same ones who are worried about every other vaccine. This was developed very very rapidly, and some very smart people do not now for sure that it is safe yet.

I have made my peace with God and I’m distributing my earthly possessions to anyone who wants them you can let me know if you want anything at my website. Other than that, I have been apologizing to everyone I’ve ever wronged and casket shopping.

Nothing really. It’s a flu, no more no less but media have made a feather out of a hen…or was it the other way round…?

@jaketheripper I am doing the same, I put mine on ebay found here.

@J0E Arrrrgh! :)

@J0E
I disagree with you and the others. It is not people like mattbrowne who have the public scared. It’s the media playing up an accident and everyone buying in to it. The 70’s vaccine created a huge scare yet no one questions the seasonal flu shot, no one seems to question new vaccines that come out often. My daughter, my doctor, a good grip of people I work with have all had the vaccine and guess what? They are perfectly fine. No side effects, no swine flu, no knocking on deaths door. I wish that I could
get the vaccine. The ony reason I am not is that I do not belive in manufactured medicine however it does not mean that I can’t see benefits to it. It’s a personal thing for myself but to knock someone for beig pro-vaccine is wrong. H1N1 is not seasonal and it WILL eventually mutate and by the end of this year everyone on this site will have atleast known someone personally that has had it and/or fighting complications from it. Godspeed to all of
us who are not getting the vaccine. Keep your hands washed and wear a mask if you get sick.

@DarkScribe – I’ve heard that some medical professionals and also some soldiers (especially those serving abroad) have to deal with the issue of multiple vaccinations.

If the vaccinations are rejected why was the vaccine developed in the first place? Why does the German minister of health ask the population to get the vaccinations? Again, it’s about risks versus benefits. You can’t exit your home because you might be hit by a car.

@jbfletcherfan Actually some pigs in Minn just got H1N1 it is indeed human flu in swines once again!

@mattbrowne The H1N1 vaccine in our area is in such short supply/high demand, I now doubt I’ll even be able to get one for myself or my toddler. :(

@J0E and @SpatzieLover – No frenzy is necessary. At this point in time there’s no need for a rush to get the vaccine. If you get it in 2 weeks or even later and keep up the precautionary hygiene measures you’re fine in my opinion. What bothers me is telling millions of people not getting it at all.

@mattbrowne The second wave of the vaccine is what I am speaking of…the first wave of vaccine is already gone in my area. The second, well, that’ll go to the health care workers that haven’t yet been covered and college students.

@SpatzieLover – Same in Germany. First medical personnel, police, firefighters, chronically-ill people and so forth. No need to worry when you are not in the first wave!! The issue is if too many people refuse the vaccination eventually there could be a global and serious problem. In my earlier post I showed a worst case scenario.

I think the only way to fight the anti-vaccine movement’s scare tactics over side effects is measured counter-scare tactics (like showing a worst case scenario).

@mattbrowne You think the best way to counter scare tactics is to show the worst case scenarios? That’s like telling someone who lost there job “well, the worst that can happen is you lose your house and die on the streets in a box”.

Same things I do the rest of the year.. wash my hands, try not to breathe in other people’s sneeze mist or nasty cough particles, etc.

I had the flu for the first time ever last year and honestly, I never want a repeat of that. It was like being living dead (or maybe I just wished I was dead) for a week, it was horrendous, awful, and horrible. The second-most sick I’ve ever been, at least in terms of infectious disease. I’m seriously considering getting flu shots this year, not because I buy into the swine flu hype or am particularly afraid of it, but getting the flu twice or even three times in a year is unacceptable!!

@MissAnthrope
sneeze mist, thats gross

It’s gross, but very, very true. Until you see it with your own eyes, you have no idea just how much crap gets sneezed out in micro-fine particles that stay aloft in the air for some time after the sneeze.

In fact, the flu I caught last year was from some jackass in class that I sat next to. He sneezed constantly and didn’t cover his mouth. In hindsight, I should have moved, but it was the middle of class and I didn’t want to cause a scene.

@MissAnthrope
I saw a time warp where the showed a sneeze in slow motion. It was life changing

@jackm – LOL.. exactly!!

@J0E – Normally I hate resorting to this measure. But given the damage the anti-vaccine movement (using the media) is doing right now, I see no other option. We can’t force anyone to take the vaccine. We need to enlighten people about the consequences. And the stakes are high and I fear if only 10 or 20% get vaccinated as @judochop pointed out… well, let’s hope the young-earth creationist are right and evolution is wrong.

@mattbrowne You are aware it’s possible to survive it without a vaccine, right?

@J0E – Are you talking about the current virus infection people?

I’m talking about H1N1, better known as the swine flu.

I have it, it’s the same as the regular flu, this broke ass country is just trying to make some money, what a joke!

@J0E – And I’m talking about strains of H1N1 and potential future strains and variations of H1N1. Creationists might not like it, but we’ve got evolution at work here.

How about you have a look at this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H1N1

My school is predicting 50% of the students will contract swine flu. It’s craziness. However, they totally made my year when they installed touchless antibacterial liquid dispensers all over the place. I know it’s bad in the long run, but OMG I am so glad I can freely clean my hands wherever and whenever, because I don’t trust the students I go to school with to wash their hands. And, as I said, I am really trying to not catch the flu again this year. (my first post, I meant ‘last semester’, not ‘last year’)

I just read online that a friend of mine just got over the Swine Flu. What the heck? I am high-risk pregnancy and was just around her. I got a bit pissed she didn’t tell anyone she was sick. I don’t want to be exposed to that. So I’m just assuming she didn’t know when she was around me. Ugh.

I have been using hand sanitizer religiously and trying my best to stay away from anyone who looks sick. However I am employed in the social work field. So dealing with people on a daily basis is what I do. A lot of the people I deal with don’t even understand the basics of healthy living.

I’m not a fan of vaccines. But recently I convinced myself that I am going to get them. I just got the seasonal flu shot and other than feeling a bit lethargic and having a sore arm there have been no ill affects, not that I expected any. I am on the first-call list for when the H1N1 vaccine comes back out but until then I’m going to be a worry wart.

Also a question if anyone knows the answer. Someone recently told me that the H1N1 vaccine has less mercury in it than eating tuna fish. Is this true?? They told me this when I asked if they will be carrying the preservative free version of the vaccine, lol. Now I know that mercury in shots is not linked scientifically to any problems but I’m pregnant and vulnerable so I thought I’d ask, never hurts to ask right?

Nothing out of the ordinary. I wash my hands, take vitamins, don’t get sneezed on or hang out with sick people. If I get it, I’ll deal with it.

@RedPowerLady The only article I could find referencing the Tuna Sandwich comparison for you. Personally, if I were pregnant, I’d get the vaccine. BUT, I have contracted pneumonia from the flu as a child and know how bad the flu can really be…so I have an insight you may not have.

Also., I have 2 nephews that were born to a mom refusing the vaccine. She had the flu during their birth and both were hospitalized for RSV and have trouble shedding mucus from the common cold now.

@RedPowerLady – If I were you, I’d invest in a box of those paper face masks. I’ve been toying with the idea myself, but I’m in a lower-risk setting than you, so it just feels alarmist and weird. :P

@MissAnthrope Bought my boxes of them on eBay last flu season ;P

Nothing special. It’s just the flu. Don’t believe the hype.

I work with pregnant women on a daily basis, so I fall into one of those high priority groups for vaccination. I got vaccinated last week and no side effects.

We’re fielding calls from pregnant women on a daily basis either with possible symptoms or with worries about a family member or a contact of a family member with flu. We don’t have H1N1 vaccine to offer our pregnant patients yet, but will hopefully have it soon.

Most people even if they fall into a “high risk” category who come down with H1N1 are going to have a routine case of the flu and recover within a few days. But pregnant women who get H1N1 are particularly vulnerable to getting dangerously ill with this. The first H1N1 hospitalization in our community was a pregnant women who was 30 weeks more than 2 months premature. She was in the ICU and on a respirator and they still couldn’t keep oxygen levels in her blood stream at a reasonable level. They had to do an emergency C-section in the ICU because she was not stable enough to take her to the OR. Both mother and baby have survived, but we’ve seen firsthand how serious this can be. ICU nurses have told me about healthy young men in their early 20s who have needed to be on respirators for 6 weeks.

@RedPowerLady and any other pregnant flutherites, if you start having any flu type symptoms, call your doctor or midwife ASAP. They’ll most likely start you on tamiflu which reduces the risks of a serious illness. If you have a household contact with the flu, call and ask about prophylaxis with tamiflu.

@jbfletcherfan H1N1 Is swine flu. The virus is found in swine populations and has jumped to humans. They quickly changed to calling it H1N1 because people were afraid to buy and eat pork, so to help the pork industry the media switched. Here is a wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

@J0E I’m not doing anything about the flu, except what I always do. Try not to touch my face, and if I do it is with the back of my hand. If I can get away without shaking and hand I don’t. If people are noticeably sick, I ask them if they are sick and I stay clear.

Yeah I also already had Swine09. No big deal unless of course you’re an infant or pregnant then you’re dead for sure…

@JONESGH Your not dead for sure. It’s still a small percentage of people who get the flu are hospitalized, it’s just that the swine flu seems to be affecting young people more than older people. But, again, it is still a small percentage.

@JLeslie I was only kidding :)

@JONESGH I detected sarcasm in your “voice” but people are so freaked I like to put out the real info also. :)

@JLeslie Considering only 27 states are reporting info to the CDC here in the states, the “real” information and “actual” statistics are at question

@SpatzieLover Oh ya I’ve finally decided that I’m going to get it. I just can’t go around expecting to get the flu, it’s too much stress. And I wouldn’t want to deal with it if I did get it. Yuck

@MagsRags Thanx for the advice. If I get flu symptoms I will certainly see a doctor asap.

@MissAnthrope From what I heard those are not effective against the flu virus.

The colleague I share an office with had it in the summer. She was off work for at least a week. Unfortunately for her she was suffering with glandular fever at the time so her immune system was weaker than normal. No one else around me has had it yet but my mum, who works in a hospital, says that if someone has the symptoms they are automatically diagnosed with swine flu regardless of whether that is the case or not. I’m all for “better safe than sorry” but I also don’t see the point in paranoia. By all means remain hygenic and try and eat and drink properly in order to keep your general health at it’s best but I hope people would do this regardless of whether there is a flu pandemic.

I will be getting the vaccination shot some time in the next couple weeks. I already wash my hands and disinfect my equipment at work per Infection Control protocols, so that doesn’t need to change. I just bought some hand-sanitizer spray to keep in my purse and gave one to my son. He’s a bigger concern to me, because it is the healthy teenagers and young adults that seem to be getting worse cases of H1N1 and co-infections, according to recent reports.

@RedPowerLady – Ugh, damn.

@MissAnthrope Hey now you don’t have to go around looking kooky.

Nothing. I don’t care.

@RedPowerLady – True.. though if it kept me flu-free for the rest of the year, I’d take it. If it comes down to it, I’m one for function over appearance and have looked goofy before, but man was I warm, or cool, or whatever. :P

(Tevas, colorful tube socks pulled up to the knee, shorts, fleece… forgot pants and was cold!!)

Well I did it. I took the freaking leap and I got the H1N1 shot.

@MissAnthrope You are cracking me up with your description.

@RedPowerLady applause

@SpatzieLover Thank you very much. now once i get over the minor expected side effects I’ll feel much better, i am one of those people who always experience the side effects

@RedPowerLady I ‘m getting the seasonal flu shot on Fri. I’m dreading the weekend…I experience the side effects, too

@SpatzieLover i’m a freaking hypochondriac so i’m glad they gave me the sheet that clearly lists the side effects or else i’d be freaking out, haha I think it’s a good thing you are getting the shot on Friday, that is great thinking. I should have gone that route.

@RedPowerLady so did you get both flu shots? Or are you just going to do the H1N1?

@JLeslie – In Germany the recommendation is to wait at least 2 weeks between both shots. Vaccines put a certain strain on the body. But considering the benefits…

@mattbrowne Oh, I didn’t mean at the same time, I just wondered if @RedPowerLady was planning on getting both, or maybe already had the other shot a couple of weeks ago.

@JLeslie I got both shots. Two days apart because they told me it was safe.

@mattbrowne I don’t know if there is a difference in the vaccines in Germany vs. the US or not. They were adamant that it didn’t matter when I got the two shots so I ended up getting them only a couple days apart. In fact I didn’t have much of a choice as the H1N1 is running very low here and I had to choose to get it or not vs. wait weeks before the next shipment. But so far I don’t feel anything more than a sore arm and a bit tired. They told me since it was a dead virus (the shot not the spray) that it doesn’t matter. Oh well I guess it’s too late to research that aspect, they told me the only time waiting was necessary is with the live virus (i.e. the spray).

@RedPowerLady I think I read that officials are saying it is ok to get both at once, but if someone has never had a flu shot before I would get one at a time to be sure you don’t have a bad reaction. Also, the seasonal flu was available before the H1N1 from what I understand, so I think some people have already had the seasonal flu shot a few weeks ago and will get the H1N1 later when available in their area. I know people who do not like the idea of taking a lot of vaccine so they are choosing one or the other. From what I understand H1N1 utilizes thimerosal, not sure if the seasonal flu vaccine does, but as you know some people are afraid of it and so I guess they figure the less you inject the better. You seem to be fine, so I am sure you are fine. I wouldn’t be worried.

@JLeslie the multi-dose vials of vaccine do include thimerosal to prevent contamination once the vial has been opened. There are some single-dose units of H1N1 being made that do not contain thimerosal and the nasal mist does not contain it.

For flutherites who live in the US, this site is sponsored by the CDC and is all about the flu, both types. It includes a clickable map if you want to check on vaccine availability in your state.

@MagsRags Your link needs to be edited. It links this page.

@MagsRags so if you get the single dose do you need two doses? Does the “seasonal” flu vaccine still have thimerosal? Not that I am completely convinced people have mal effects from it, but I am just wondering.

Just found this regarding thimerosal in vaccine for those who are interested http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

Oops! Too late for editing – sorry. The site is www.flu.gov

@JLeslie the last information I saw said that those 10 and older would only need one dose. Younger children don’t respond as fully and they were recommending two

@MagsRags Thanks! as I already knew…no H1N1 for me until for awhile Yes, if I can get an H1N1 shot for my 4yr old, he’d need a second one 28 days later.

@JLeslie About the thimersol, I researched this before getting the shot.

Two things helped me out. The seasonal flu shot I asked for thimersol-free and they were happy to give it to me. Didn’t have that option for the H1N1 yet.

And then I found out the amount of mercury in the H1N1 shot is equivalent to a tuna fish sandwich. LOL. Made me feel a lot better.

Well, if you are healthy I guess only a few days apart do not matter that much. A doctor might explain this to you much better.

@RedPowerLady yeah, like I said I am not convinced about the thimerosal concerns. I tend to be reluctant about vaccines, the same reason I am reluctant aboout any medication, and I once had a bad reaction to a vaccination, but I am not anti-vaccine by a long shot. When it comes to the concerns related to autism, I don’t see why they don’t just follow 50,000 children who get their vaccines 6 months – 1 year later and see if the autism rates go wildly down in that group, or if they come down with symptoms of autism following a shot at 30 months rather than the usual detectable onset at 18 months (or whatever the correct numbers are, I am not very well versed on the subject, but you get what I mean). Seems within 3 years we would have a major study that would not significantly negatively impact our nations health. It could be only children who are not in day care, to reduce risk to the public, Many parents are delaying anyway, I think they would be happy to be part of a study.

The reason I’m skeptical about the vaccine-autism link is that people have been getting vaccines for decades now and it seems like autism is a fairly recent problem (not that it hasn’t always existed, just that it seems far more prevalent these days). So, looking at it logically, I have my doubts that vaccines are the cause.. most likely it has to do with environmental toxins, or genes, the environment in the womb, or something else.

@MissAnthrope Well, people argue that children receive many more vaccines now, and it is cumulative. I think the average is 32 shots by 5 years old? But check me on that. I know I did not receive vaccines for hep a or b (which I think are a series, so you get more than one shot of each to be fully protected), chicken pox, or polio (I had the liquid). There may be others I am unnaware of. I would need to ask my mom, she worked for vaccinations at FDA for a while. And, back when I was little I don’t think children were regularly getting flu shots.

@JLeslie – Ah, I guess that’s true. The chicken pox vaccine didn’t exist when I was growing up, and I’m pretty sure I never got a hepatitis vaccination (do they really give those to kids these days? wow.). Had MMR, polio (also the liquid), tetanus, and rabies (multiple shots in the stomach, fun times, fun times).. can’t remember what else, but it based on what you said, probably less than kids get these days.

@MissAnthrope I found this link http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaccines/HQ01629 you can click on the ages, it says Hep B is given before 2 months, that seems insane to me?! Why does an infant need hep B? I gotta ask my mother about this. I would not think about hep B for my child until age 10 probably if not later. Once he/she is possibly going to become sexually active within a few years. I have never had the hep vaccines, bt I think about getting Hep A, since we see it more now. Still I am reluctant for my own reasons. My husband has had the hep vaccines as an adult though. He actually had Hep A as a child, the actual illness, so I wondered if he even needed the vaccine.

@JLeslie Oh ya I’m normally very skeptical as well. I just did it for the baby bump.

@JLeslie I’m with you on the hepatitis B series. The original CDC guidelines said first shot between birth and 1month, the second one 1–2 months later and the 3rd one at I think 6–18 months of age. The pediatricians at our local hospital immediately added the first Hep B shot to the routine newborn orders to be given before discharge from the hospital, sort of in the same way it used to be assumed that baby boys should all get circumcised before going home. Their rationale is to get it started while you have them captive, assuming that some parents won’t follow through with vaccinations and better to get one in while you can. However, it always seemed to me that parents should be informed beforehand to give them a option to postpone that first shot for a couple weeks. I’m an overall believer in vaccination, but unless the mother is a carrier of hepatitis B or family members might be handling the baby with open cuts or sores on their skin, a newborn is not at risk for contracting a disease transmitted via blood and sex. The current CDC guidelines are for the first shot at birth.

Here’s a link to the CDC schedule for all vaccines between birth and 6yo.

@MagsRags Thank you for that. I figure bunches of babies are being vaccinated or have been without their parents even knowing, just as a standard newborn procedure when I read that. The logic of getting the first one in while the baby is “captive” is futile if the mother is not going to complete the series anyway. Do you know the answer to the indirect question I posed…can you get Hep A again if you have already had it?

@JLeslie infection with hepatitis A causes your immune system to develops antibodies that stay with you forever. So once you’ve had it, you’re immune.

@MagsRags That is what I figured, but I did not know if there was a possibilty of various strains within the Hep A family that would make this less foolproof. My husband did not need that vaccine. I had a bad reaction after having a tetunus shot too close to havng had one a few years before, I think it might be related to some physical problems I have, but I cannot be sure. My titer is very high. Although, when I read about extreme adverse reactions the titers were something like 6, I am not close to that, but I have no idea how high it was at the time of the vaccination, because they did not test me…long story, I won’t tell you the whole thing and bore you. From now on I will not get a vaccine without doing a titer. Thanks again.

What many people don’t realize is that getting the H1N1 vaccination is not only about a personal benefit (being protected), it’s also about contributing to the common good. Well, how important is the common good?