Swine Flu

Yikes,
I was going to start phoning around to get our family the shots - now I am reluctant... My son's pediatrician and the docs in Oakland encouraged us to get the flu shot and the H1N1 shot, but I don't want to take any unnecessary risks with the kids 

Sharmin

I know tihis sounds selfish, but I want to see the vaccine tested on someone else before I take it. My doctor told me in June that he wants to give me the shots. I don't want to panic anyone but we should all push for thorough testing before this is widely used.

Sharmin

encouraged us to get the flu shot and the H1N1 shot,

I am now very reluctant about any vaccinations after reading the posts by Bigg that where disscussing the presence of mercurey (thimerosal) in vaccines and how these are wide spread in the USA, Canda and exported to developing countries except some of the Eurepean countries and Japan that by law prevent usage of such vaccines. As Andy said, this thimerasol is the responsible for triggering Austism

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=2951.msg29473#msg29473

http://www.thinktwice.com/fraud2.htm


Anyway it seems that there will be no long terms study for the side effect of the swine flu vaccine if it will be available in such short time

manal

Exactly Manal,

no long term study for the side effects, the drug companies are in a hurry to provide this vaccine in the market. Consequently they do not have adequate time to cope with the side effects and the question that arises is: which one is more dangerous for our health, the swine flu or the vaccine itself?

I am very sceptical about the swine flu vaccine.  I have only had the vaccine for the lungs (is "silicosis" the medical term?) which helps against swine flu and I am going to have the usual annual flu vaccine. For the rest we'll see.

Lena.

All the schools have been closed down for one week.  Let us hope this reduces the spread of the flu and also that by next week, the climate changes, that is summer sets in for good.  There is also the threat of Chikungunia since Reunion island which is very near has it.  If only that flu would stop, Chikungunia is manageable because it comes from mosquitoes and we managed that successfully a few years ago.  but the two together will be disastrous.
Take care
Jade

Jade,

I really really hope this tough situation will resolve soon,please keep observing the safety measures and stay safe  .

Zaini.

Hoping for the best to all of us

manal

Hoping for the best to all of us

manal

Me too.

Hi Zahra

I read that your son contracted the H1N1 flu.  Is he ok now? How did you know it was H1N1 and not seasonal flu, was the test carried out or was it the symptoms? What medication did you use?

i hope the little guy is better now.
Take care
Jade

Jade

I remember that Zahra said that she did the test for her little baby.

manal

Manal

Thank you.

 I just wanted to know how they treat people with H1N1 in other countries.  I like being informed beforehand. You know with that allergy (cough) I am worried because the complication of H1N1 is pneumonia.
You know here, the test is performed only when the person has died.  Frankly what is the purpose of doing it at all? It baffles me.  If a person does not know what he has how can he treat himself?apparently, the test is too expensive and only 6 tests can be carried out in day.

How is it in Egypt? Are there many cases? Be careful with the children.

I am very glad to hear that Zahra's son has fully recovered.Alhamdulilla
Take care
Jade

Yes Jade i am worried too but not from the H1N1 alone but from any mutation that can appear especially we have bird flu too (mainly in villages) and autumn is around the corners.

I agree with you about doing the tests after a person dies, very strange...no point

In Egypt, last thing i read in the news was that around 200 to 250 were infected (mainly coming from abroad)but one or two only died. Here when anyone is suspected either in airports or through symptoms, a blood test is done to check whether it is the H1N1 virus or not and if yes, the person is taken to a special government hospital and given the tami-flu. Also all the family members around him/her get tested too.

But people are now demending that the government would let other private labs conduct the test espeically that they expect numbers of patients to increase by winter and they are also demand that private hospitals would receive patients with swine flu instead of this just one hospital which i believe they will if it spreads more.

Also the government restricted pilgrimage to everyone except people between the age of 25 to 60 and with no serious illness like heart or lung problems.

So i hope things can be controllred

manal

We have been reading that people around the age of 40 years, who are otherwise healthy are most likely to become seriously ill from H1N1. 

I hope that everyone is able to stay safe,

Sharmin

Sharmin

It is the same case here too.  Some people with no known complications beforehand and around 20-40 yrs have died but there are also children of 2 and 4 years.  It seems that there is no exact age group, it can be any.  I wanted to point out that a doctor said that tamiflu has more side effects than benefits(it causes delirium).  He also suggested to increase the intake of vegetables and fruits(yellow and red).

The vaccine has reached France and England.  Is it being distributed to Americans too?

Take care
Jade

Concerned about Swine Flu? Here is a nice article i read on CNN. Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares some good points.

From: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/01/parents.h1n1.flu.guide.gupta/index.html

Point 1. As things stand now, the vast majority of children who develop flu-like symptoms this fall will have a few miserable days, and nothing more. And those days are best spent at home -- not in the ER or a doctor's office.

Point 2. If you are worried, you should call your pediatrician's office first. Don't take your child in without calling. Two reasons: Your child may not have H1N1, but could become exposed by being around sick children. And, after several hours of waiting, you are still likely to be told the basics -- plenty of fluids, rest and dose-appropriate acetaminophen for a fever. After all, it is still the flu we are talking about.

Point 3. One doctor told me a way to think about things that was helpful. He said "remove the term H1N1 from the equation." If your child had regular flu, would you take him to the hospital? If the answer is no, then don't take him/her to the hospital now.

Point 4. Yes, hearing between 30,000 and 90,000 could die from H1N1 is scary, but keep in mind -- around 40,000 people die from the regular or seasonal flu every year. The numbers may not be that much different, yet there is not panic about the regular flu. As things look now, H1N1 is causing only mild to moderate illness, not the widespread deaths people are worried about.

Point 4. There are some children who should be seen by their doctor. Call your doctor if:

•  A baby younger than 12 weeks has a fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

• A child, older than 12 weeks has a fever for three days

• A child's fever returns after a 12-24 hour time period

• A child is not passing urine or making tears for more than six hours

A child does not smile or show interest in playing for several hours

Dial 911 if:

• A child cannot speak while trying to breathe

• Has a blue or dark purple color to the nail beds, lips or gums

• Is not responding to you because he is too tired or weak

One point that was reinforced to me over and over again by the pediatricians is the best place for a sick child is at home. And, with regard to school -- after 24 fever-free hours without the aid of medications, he or she can go back.