Just a reminder to Texans to keep yourself as healthy as possible and watch out for symptoms.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/26/swin.flu.risks/index.html
OT: Swine Flu
My dad told me tonight that my nephew's school is closed for the week. He's in New Braunfels.
I was at a hospital today because of DH's appointment and saw a few people wearing masks. Of course, the policy for the ER/Urgent Care there has always been that people who have certain symptoms (like coughs, for example) are advised to wear masks while waiting to be seen.
Right now this is a lot of media hype. Do you realize that the number of cases of Swine Flu is about 1 in a million in Mexico. I don't think that is a cause for deep concern.
Ann
The number of people that actually have swine flu in Mexico and the US as well as other countries to which it has now spread is really undetermined. Only known cases have been reported.The first death in the US has just been reported and it was in Texas. Around San Antonio, it is of deep concern especially because of our Fiesta (April 16 - 27) which many visitors from Mexico attend. Some schools in outlying areas have been closed due to students having this flu. The schools are being "washed down" and students are staying home in case that they have swine flu that is in its incubation stage and they are unaware that they have it. Because it is a new strain of influenza, the flu vaccine for this past flu season offers no protection. Anti-flu vaccines developed for this strain are being prepared; however, they will not be available to the general public for quite sometime. If you or members of your family have any flu-like symptoms, I would advise you to seek medical attention immediately to determine its cause. Tell the medical staff your symptoms so that you can be isolated from other patients and wear a surgical mask just in case so that you are not spreading it. It is much better to be safe than sorry. The only way to prevent a pandemic is to stop the spread of swine flu in its early stages of transmission.
quote "The AP also reported Texas recorded its first swine flu death on Wednesday. The 2-year-old boy from Mexico was visiting relatives in Brownsville when he became critically ill. That led to his air transfer to Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital, where he died."
http://baytownsun.com/story.lasso?ewcd=789c0e26aa47264e
This is terrible to here of so many people affected. God Bless the family of this little boy.
I am not going to let this be something that shakes me up a lot. But I will take all the precautions I can. I am taking my 8 yr old DGD to the dr. I am praying for it not to be.
htop wow the is scary about the Fiesta and people who traveled in from Mexico. Only time will tell what is going to happen.
Love to all,
Sandy
And before Fiesta was the people from Mexico who came here to shop before Easter...that happens every year. And of course, some U.S. spring breakers went down there in spite of all the violence and kidnappings reported. I have to say...even if they quickly throw together a vaccine for this strain of H1N1, I won't be taking it now. The last time a SF pandemic was feared...back in the 70's, a new vaccine was put out. But the pandemic never came about and the brand new vaccine gave 500 people Guillian Barre Syndrome, killing 25 people. I'd just as soon wait until they have enough time to test the vaccine for safety, even if it means I catch the flu in the meantime.
Yes, I had told my husband that Easter is when we have a lot of visitors from Mexico that come here to shop. The malls usually have have groups shopping together not counting individuals. I had forgotten about the vaccine being worse than the flu in the 70s.
I am glad to get the news about the vaccine in the 70's as I won't be in the line for it this time. Not till proven safe which may take yrs.
They say it is growing a lot slower than the reg flu vaccine does.
Thanks for the info.
Blessings,
Sandy
I think we'll all have a chance to see how this flu mutates and how much progress is made on developing a vaccine over the next several months. If this strain follows historical cycles, there will be fewer cases over the summer months, then a resurgence in the fall and winter.
I don't think we can compare this or any new strain of the flu virus to former outbreaks - this one is different from the swine flu variant in 1976. If this one begins to mutate into a virulent strain, I'll be first in line for a vaccine if we're lucky enough to be able to get one developed anytime soon.
PS: I doubt that it matters at this point where the visitors come from - the outbreak is now in 14+ countries and, with air travel and mass transit, any new contagious disease is virtually impossible to contain. Let's all just be calm and PLEASE don't go out in the community if you feel ill. I think that's the best advice of all.
They're saying if you think you might have it, call your doctor, don't just go to the office. Sounds like good advice. That way they can tell people beforehand what might be the best thing to do. VA hospitals are handing out flyers to everyone coming through their doors with slist of SF symptoms. It says to wear a mask (available there) and use the hand sanitizers if having any of the listed symptoms. I live out in the country, but had to take DH to VA hospital in the city for an appointment.
Just spoke with someone who obtained information from a doctor who was meeting with city government officials and health officials from San Antonio and outlying cities who stated that the outbreak numbers being reported to the news media are much lower than the actual number of cases that are presently in hospitals. Hopefully, the US is better prepared to handle this type of thing now than in the past. Much training has been provided through Homeland Security since 9/11 due to fear of terrorist germ warfare. I hope that the folks in Mexico and other countries are seeking and being provided the care that they need.
Well Fort Worth and other cities around have closed schools, cancelled May 5th celebrations, and other events, sports, etc. They are cancelled until Monday the 11th per a neighborhood child. The kids are all out playing in the streets together and at each others homes. I am sure they will all be in the malls, and movie theaters the whole week they are out. I am sure it is a hardship on parents.
The Governor has called it catastropic so Texas can get federal money to help. I am glad he did as FEMA was a joke for IKE. I have arounf 10,000 damage and they said 500. They said I was eligible for emergency food but then told me they don't supply any or the money for it. They really dropped the ball on that.
Our schools cancelled field trips and things till atleast the 11th.
My DGD has a viral infection not that though. Thank God. The dr. office said the phones and people would not stop calling and asking for the prescription for tamiflu but they would not do it. Some ppl would be taking it everyday because of stress caused symptoms.
He did a strep test to be back monday on My DGD.
My daughter called me right after I made the above post. She lives in Plano. She scared me at first because I could tell by her voice that she was ill. Due to several factors including having had chemo, her immune system is not functioning very well and I had been worrying about her after this new flu started spreading especially because she is a health care professional and is exposed to hospital patients.
Two of her co-workers came to work with flu-like symptoms and she "caught their bug". She was very upset that they exposed people to whatever they had. She became ill on Saturday and sought medical help on Sunday. After being tested, luckily, she found out that she does not have swine flu. However, she is staying home to keep others (patients and co-workers) from being exposed to whatever she has. All of the workers at her place of employment now have been directed to stay home if they are ill due to her complaint to the director. Also, triple cleaning of the facilities and equipment are being carried out. She too told me that the number of confirmed swine flu cases being reported are lower than the actual number of people who have been confirmed as having it. One reason is because if the tests are not done by CDC (Center for Disease Control) personnel, the confirmed cases are not in the count.
Sheila_FW, the school kids here have been told to stay home and isolated from each other. The whole idea of closing the schools was to keep them from being exposed and not exposing others if they had already contracted the disease. So, I guess closing the schools has been pointless except for the facilities being scrubbed down.
Like Sheila, I'm also in Fort Worth. The only way the school kids are going to stay home is if everything closes down, and even then, they'd still be outside playing and visiting friends. Martial law might keep people inside and at their own homes and that's not going to happen anytime soon.
The number of cases reported is interesting, since the national news says that "over 100" cases reported in the US. The local news in Austin detailed about 45 positive tests in Austin alone last night based on testing at local hospitals.
Still, no news of any severe cases or deaths other than the infant in Houston.
David
The government is distributing test kits to the states...until that's up and running in Texas only test samples sent to the CDC and later confirmed by them are counted. And that accounts for the time lag when "suspected" cases were being reported in this country. In Mexico, the percent of flu-like cases actually tested at all has been extremely low and the number officially confirmed even lower. Nobody has much of a clue how many actual H1N1 cases they had. I've heard that many times by those who know.
The flu that went around earlier this year hit faster and spread quickly and didn't get nearly as much press. There were school closings for that as well. As a teacher, I clean my students desks (and mine) several times a day and insist that they go wash their hands (high schoolers) and I wash mine to lead by example. But that's pretty much what I did the last time flu was going around. We didn't shut down because 2 students were suspected of having it. I don't know how many people have to have it to label it "epidemic" but I'm betting we're not there yet. As tragic as these deaths are thousands die of unnamed flus every year and don't get nearly this much press. Just my .02
Anne
Considering the unsanitary conditions in parts of Mexico, I am sure that is possibly the reason for the multiple deaths there. The one death in Tx from what DH heard was a child that had come from Mexico.
We went to pick up some items today and other errands. Everywhere we went we saw groups of high school age groups. In my area we saw a 10 year old neighbor on his way back home with a pillow and blanket. Evidentally he had spent the night at a friends house. I expect a lot of high schoolers are faking sick to get to stay home in Dallas where the schools aren't closed, so it is all a mess either way.
....LOL I just heard some local call in line on Fox....one guy said of the tv coverage..."Y'all just don't miss a chance to pedal the panic, do you?" Oh so true, weather wise also!
here are a few things that i have learned or "heard" from when i took my DS to the dr a couple of days ago. he never gets sick and then he wakes up Thurs with fever, sore throat and an upset stomach! of course i took him in the first appt! i figured he had strep and i was right, thank goodness.
anyway, one of the reasons that so many died initially in Mexico was because they didnt realize it was a flu until it was too late to give the anit-viral meds. those have to be started within 24 to 48 hrs of the onset of symptoms. of course, there is horrible overcrowding, little health care (for many), poor nutrition (for many), etc.
also, antibiotics are over the counter in Mexico. so, many strains of bacteria are resisant to them. the flu is not what typically kills, it is the secondary infection, usually pneumonia. that is what killed the toddler in Houston that was life flighted there from Brownsville. as someone stated, the child was actually from Mexico and was visiting family in the US.
when i asked the dr why the CDC was taking this so seriously. she stated that is mainly that they do not know what this flu is going to do and how bad it will get. it may get my virulent. over 30,000 people die from complications from the regular flu and that is WITH a vaccination available!
we are in East Texas and they have closed all the public celebration (including Cinco de Mayo), the Science Fair, all ball games (my 2 play t-ball and soft ball). however, the kids are still in school! how does that make any sense? where are they going to be exposed more, playing t ball for an hour or sitting in a classroom with 20 other kids for 7 hrs? using the same bathrooms, breathing the same air, eating together, using the same playground equipment, etc. i am not saying they should close the schools, but i am expecting that next. as soon as there is a confirmed case in our area.
sorry this is so long, just thought i would share. :)
tracie
They have not closed our schools but there is no field trips and I believe all games are canceled under that due to traveling. I think the reason the schools are not canceled is because there are no confirmed cases here. But for the kids to travel out of the area or others in is taking a big risk of exposing the children to it. My 6 yr old DGD is so heartbroken but I tried to explain it is for her safety they are doing this.
The schools can keep an eye on what goes on here but they do not know what they would be taking the kids into or bringing into them. The incubation period is a time when no one knows they have it and I have read it is highly contagious like the reg flu. I caught it this yr not taking time to get the shot and I will be taking the regular flu shot next yr. May still take this yrs now. Even though it won't help with swine flu I was told I can get the flu again as it mutates.
I think they are just trying to do the best guessing they can. I am glad the Governor jumped so quick to get federal money to help.
I pray the spread is very slow and people are more dilegent if they have it or think they do to stay home. The flu has been spread to every corner every yr and it seems we really need to take it as serious due to secondary infections. I got bronchitis but the Dr was betting I had pneumonia. I was sick enough and got an eye infection on top of it.
kinda long sorry.
The UIL events have been cancelled or delayed. Some community events have been as well. The kids were supposed to go to an FFA event on Tuesday and it was called off. In the farming community where I teach that's a very big deal. So we're partying in the room on Tuesday. Being a Spanish teacher on Cinco de Mayo is always fun. Great excuse to party. lol
Anne
That's a great silver lining, AuntAnne! Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!!!
i flew over the weekend and only saw 2 folks with masks--didn't go far and wasn't going to mexico (thank goodness!) -didn't seem to be a panic at airport
I woke up April 10th with a sore throat and lots of congestion. Within a few days I was running low grade fever and coughing. My grandson drowned on April 14th and we had over 200 people go through my home over a few days time. On the 16th I was in a dr. office and took antibiotic for 7 days. Because of my emotional state things only got worse. Back to the doctor on April 22nd. Severe sinus infection and bronchitis. Still taking another antibiotic and a nasal inhalant, and ventolin. Little improvement as yet.
Dr. said it is not flu. My best friends and now my neighbor are also sick with the same thing. No telling how many more were exposed to whatever I have but IT IS NOT THE FLU. I am still coughing and wheezing now on May 4th. No doubt my immune system is compromised because of the grief that is so intense I think I cannot breathe.
I say all of this because I believe a lot of people are sick but DO NOT HAVE THE FLU.
The flu virus mutates every few weeks. I am old enough to remember many different names it has been called. None of the names are good for very long because by then the virus has mutated in yet again another strain.
I am going into the 5th week and am still sick. I pray you miss this episode.
WASH YOUR HANDS long enough to sing Happy Birthday all the way through. Grocery carts are the worst offenders. WASH YOUR HANDS.
Please take care of yourself. I know it's an extremely hard time for you. I hope you'll give yourself time to rest and heal. I know there are many things that go around that aren't flu. We had a a couple of bugs that were going around last fall...not flu, but lots of people had them. I was at a VA hospital today for DH's appointment. Everybody entering the building was screened for flu...not a big deal, just a few questions and temperature taken. Still, it seemed strange.
In the paper today was a story on the pandemic in 1918. They mentioned a song that kids made up to jump rope to.
"I had a little bird...
it's name was Enza ...
I opened the window and in-flew-Enza".
Kids make up all sorts of rhymes to sing to. I guess one hear an adult say it and that is what it sounded like to them.
ha on the rhyme. And one of the elementaries here in College Station shut down today.
First "probable" case in Brazos county
I think it's funny that on the local news, the collapse of the Cowboys' training facility trumps news of the Swine Flu. Last night, an 'update' on the training facility was the lead story on at least 2 stations.
well, our headline today was that there were 30 suspected cases in our small town, but, they will not be able to confirm for several weeks due to the backlog of samples at the lab they send them to. GREAT....that makes all of us feel better! lol
tracie
DH said he hear one report say that the buildings at WinStar Casinos are of the same type that the bubble was. Don't even want to think how many people that would have injured. I won't plan a trip there in the stormy season!
well, a 33 yr old teacher up near Dallas died of the swine flu today. very sad.
tracie
She was a 33 yo pregnant teacher from Harlingen, not quite near Dallas!
She was from near Mexico border and she had just given birth from what one station reports. Sad situation for anyone.
They also mentioned she had some other on-going medical conditions. It's very sad.
oops, sorry. i must have read it wrong.
tracie
Both she and the two year old had other "chronic" underlying conditions. Be alert, but don't buy into the panic mode. My husband has surgical masks, but that is because of his chemotherapy...and low WBC. Wash your hands often, keep hand sanitizer with you at all times, and take disinfectant cloths with you to wipe surfaces, especially places where they are not offered as a convenience. This you should do anyway....Flu or no flu. Most people die from this because they DO NOT seek medical attention before they are 48 hrs. or more into it. Stop and think, in the Pandemic of 1918, there were no antibiotics, no vaccines, and very precious few ERs....most of the countries where fatalities occur are not as progressed as the US. If you run a temp of over 100 for more than 24 hours, of course you would go to the doctor...if you did this and had respiratory difficulties you would go to the nearest ER, wouldn't you?
"eyes"
This message was edited May 6, 2009 9:19 AM
well, our town reopened the parks yesterday. got a call from my son's t ball coach 2 hrs before the game. the kids were ready though!
tracie