swine flu hits home

[Erika]

I went to the doc for a regular flu shot this week and the nurse told me that nobody in the office plans on getting the swine flu vaccine because they feel that there is not enough testing and that more people are expected to die from side effects of the vaccine than from the flu itself. They are using live virus in the nasal spray version of the vaccine and I heard that you are actually contagious for several days after getting it. It seems to me that more people are going to be exposed just for that fact alone. They'll get the vaccine and go about their day, exposing tons of people.

The swine flu is milder than the regular seasonal flu as far as symptoms, it's just more contagious. The majority of people who are succumbing to the flu, are actually dying from secondary infections like pneumonia. I think the key is to REALLY take care of yourself if you do get sick and get right to the doc for antibiotics if you feel you have a chest or sinus infection developing.

[niciburns_1]

I am so sorry to hear about that.

[lswheatly]

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your nephew.

[Coupon_Queen]

Originally Posted by Erika

I went to the doc for a regular flu shot this week and the nurse told me that nobody in the office plans on getting the swine flu vaccine because they feel that there is not enough testing and that more people are expected to die from side effects of the vaccine than from the flu itself. They are using live virus in the nasal spray version of the vaccine and I heard that you are actually contagious for several days after getting it. It seems to me that more people are going to be exposed just for that fact alone. They'll get the vaccine and go about their day, exposing tons of people.

The swine flu is milder than the regular seasonal flu as far as symptoms, it's just more contagious. The majority of people who are succumbing to the flu, are actually dying from secondary infections like pneumonia. I think the key is to REALLY take care of yourself if you do get sick and get right to the doc for antibiotics if you feel you have a chest or sinus infection developing.

I totally agree and feel that we do not need to get shots. I stay at hom and our son is not in daycare or school so we just do what we can to wash our hands and use purell. We hardly ever get sick at our house anyways. I am very leary of a live virus vaccine being given. You may as well just get the virus and develop antibodies to it. As for the severity of this flu, I am shocked and saddened its getting this out of hand and people are dying.

[JustCallMeJune]

Smarch, so sorry to hear about your nephew... my prayers are with you and your family!!! It's a scary thing... latest on the news is that several schools in MIchigan are closing due to swine flu....I got the regular flu shot at my drs office since I was there for a medication refill and they were offering it cheaper than anywhere else I knew of....hadn't planned on getting at all since I'm not "high risk"---my dr said that it would also reduce the severity of swine flu if I got it, even tho it was just a regular flu vaccine not specifically for H1N1... hope he's right!!

[LaraFamily]

Sorry for your loss.

Quick note: I attended a flu vaccination clinic today through Kaiser Permanente insurance in the Denver, CO metro area and they informed me that if/when they recieve the H1N1 vaccine they will be notifying members by levels of health risk. The pediatrician said healthy adults will probably not be allowed to get the vaccine until all other patients have been served.

So, everyone please wash your hands! Stay away from sick people/family members, wipe down grocery carts and lysol spray it down before use!!!!!

[nerdycoupongirl]

Sorry for your loss.

[r2short]

I am deeply sorry for your family's loss. My 21 yr old son is now recovering from a bout with the swine flu as well. I can only imagine what heartbreak your family must be going through. God Bless.

[dmsajs]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss -- you are in my prayers.

I work at a school -- we saw a dramatic increase in the number of cases of flu like symptoms. We had 2 confirmed/confined cases and were notified by the school. However, we had over 110 children out on Friday (school has 430children) with mild to severe symptoms. 25% of the school is sick, but still open.

I just keep washing my hands and using sanatizer like a mad woman. I have 3 elementary age school children, and I hoping that it doesn't hit my house. My son is sick right now with a very runny nose and cough (he has asthma as well). Soooo, I'm keeping him home tomorrow and getting him to the pediatrician first thing in the morning.

As for the swine flu vaccine, I'm on the fence. I was told that my son should get it because of his asthma. I have MS and in the category of a compromised immune system. I wouldn't give something to my child if I would take it myself.

Dawn

[momSLP]

I am so sorry for your loss. Both my 8 year old and 2 year old have it right now. Every few hours you can see me walking through the house lysoling (thank you stockpile) everything that they may have touched. They mainly have high fevers and nasty coughs. Stay well everyone.