There have been a couple of other threads about the flu, but I wanted to post this also.
Please wash your hands after contacting other people (handshakes, doorknobs, whatever).
Holly has the flu, and I've never seen her this sick. Other people at work are coming back from it, and they still sound sick. It is just awful this year.
Again, handwashing is one of the best things to prevent disease transmission. In addition, I'm spraying Lysol periodically throughout the house, and using Clorox wipes on doorknobs, fridge handles, sink levers, etc.
Please keep Holly in your thoughts. She's missing a lot of school (and I miss her, as I'm living upstairs for the time being).
Larry
Brainpause,
We'll keep Holly in our prayers. I know what she is going through. I'm on my fourth day with this stuff. I've had no more that 5/6 hours of good rest since Saturday. This morning, I couldn't sleep so I thought I would play on the puter for a minute. Good idea to wipe/wash everything. When I can drink, I dring bottles water and immediatley throw the bottle away. I use the same bowl for chicken soup and it is washed by itself to keep it away from the other dishes. Better safe than sorry. Do not want Pam to get this suff. One of us feeling lousy :( is enough.
We spent a few hours in the ER tonight, from 230 am to 500 am. Now I'm at work on almost no sleep. :(
How would you like for ME to look at your EKG today? :eek:
Larry
Larry, I'm so sorry to learn that Holly has been struck by this stuff. She has my prayers for a quick recovery. I sure hope you dont get hit by it. Obviously being young and healthy and taking all the sensible precautions possible does not always help. Please let us know how you both are doing.
Unfortunately, we're all going to be paying the price eventually for all those who constantly went running to their doctors at the first sign of illness (like my BIL & SIL) and whined to the doc "just gimme some penicillin for this." (Sometimes they just called up and said they didnt feel good and wanted him to call the pharmacy with an antibiotic order.) Didnt matter that it was usually a cold and antibiotics do NOTHING for that--the jerk (and he IS) gave it to them anyhow.
All over the country over the years this was repeated a few million times and now we have all these really hideous strains of anti-biotic resistent bugs. And now we ALL have to pay the price for the stupidity and selfishness of such people. (And I mainly blame the doctors for this--many lay people didnt know about this until recently but any decent doctor ought to know that anti-biotics do nothing for a cold virus and has a duty to tell his patients so.)
Did you hear the report about the accompanying staph problem in kids now who can come out of this flu season (if they live) with permanent brain, heart, and lung damage? How is THAT for scarey!
Everytime some fool sneezes or coughs in my face I want to behead them. They obviously have no brains to lose anyhow and would never know the difference if I lopped them off at the neck.
Just for clarification, overusage of antibiotics makes bacterial strains of "bugs" more resistant. Influenza is a viral infection. This year's flu shot isn't working very well, because the strain is different. Viruses replicate fast, and it has replicated fast enough to be different from the shot's strain.
That said, I agree with your comments about antibiotics, except that they don't apply to the flu!
Microbiology class dismissed! :p
Larry
Quote from: brainpauseJust for clarification, overusage of antibiotics makes bacterial strains of "bugs" more resistant. Influenza is a viral infection. This year's flu shot isn't working very well, because the strain is different. Viruses replicate fast, and it has replicated fast enough to be different from the shot's strain.
That said, I agree with your comments about antibiotics, except that they don't apply to the flu!
Microbiology class dismissed! :p
Larry
:confused:
darn... class dismissed and I didn't even catch on. Hope it's not on the final exam :J I used to get strep throat constantly growing up and was alway given penecillin for it, and eventually, it stopped working. I'm starting with something, and I just wish it would come and get over with. I have stomach problems for the past 2 weeks (just contantly feeling like nothing wants to stay in - one way or the other). I've been having really bad migraines the last 2 days. Over the weekend spent 90% in bed (alone!). Sorry to hear about Holly, hope things start to go better
Quote from: brainpauseJust for clarification, overusage of antibiotics makes bacterial strains of "bugs" more resistant. Influenza is a viral infection. This year's flu shot isn't working very well, because the strain is different. Viruses replicate fast, and it has replicated fast enough to be different from the shot's strain.
That said, I agree with your comments about antibiotics, except that they don't apply to the flu!
Microbiology class dismissed! :p
Larry
Larry, sorry, I wasnt clearer--didnt intend to give the impression of connecting the current anit-biotic mess with the flu & the question of "curing" or preventing it. Most people dont know that anti-biotics dont kill viruses of any kind--unless there is some exception I havent head of and I admit it wouldnt surprise me at all.)
And, yes, indeed, one of the major warnings of this flu season is that there are other nasty strains making the rounds which are NOT prevented by the flu current vaccine. My understanding is that this year's vaccine was created based on educated "guesses" made by preventive health professionals many months ago according to what was showing up then in the orient (China?).
Okay, Larry, microbiologic corrections? additions? (Great thing about this board is how much useful information, not camping-related, is available here for us from having someone like Larry around!)
Make sure you take care of yourself if you come down with this too. I tried to keep working and such and ended up with pneumonia. Now after several weeks I'm still not feeling 100%
QuoteWe spent a few hours in the ER tonight, from 230 am to 500 am.
In the ER because of the flu? This is to scary, I really hope we escape this year
Yes, in the ER for the flu.
Nightowl, I don't want to give the impression that I correct everything on here! (I can't stand it when that happens to ME)
Anyway, most of medicine is "odds" and educated guesses!
Larry
I think Holly needs lots of cards to make her feel better! ;)
Please tell Holly to get well soon and I pray you do not get it.
Wednesday of last week my 3yr old was diagnosed with the flu, Friday my 10yr was diagnosed along with me and I was put in the hospital for dehydration and flu. Got out Sunday.
Everyone please take Larry's advice, because this flu is the worst I've ever seen.
I hope Holly is feeling better, it is scary to have to visit ER for FLU. When I was a kid, I was thinking that with the advances in technology and medical field, most of the diseases would be pretty easly defetad, cured etc. I now know otherwise.
Larry take absolutely good care of yourself, the last thing you two need is both of you to get it.
Poor Holly, but what a terrific husband you are to be this concerned about how SHE feels. :> I too got my flu shot and normally this makes me feel protected...but not this year! Already several people in our office (that got the same shot I did) have been out with the flu. I just pray a lot, take Echinacea even though I know scientifically it does nothing....wash my hands (keep the anti-bacterial hand gel at my desk) and just hope not to get it.
Tell Holly we're all thinking of her and hope she feels better really soon!!! Also...tell her this is one time she does NOT need to share with her hubby!
Quote from: brainpauseYes, in the ER for the flu.
Nightowl, I don't want to give the impression that I correct everything on here! (I can't stand it when that happens to ME)
Anyway, most of medicine is "odds" and educated guesses!
Larry
Larry, I NEVER got that impression from you, but after all, health care IS your field and I respect that, and feel you have always cared more for being sure information is as accurate as possible than for tooting your own horn. And my wording could easily have been misunderstood by someone not as knowledgeable as you are.
Your remark about medicine being mostly "odds and educated guesses" struck a chord of remembrance of a very similar remark. Some years ago, the life of our youngest DD was saved by a man at UMich Hospital named George Morley, Jr. (later became President of The American College of Ob/Gyn) For a weekour baby's life life hung in the balance. After it was clear she would live, I thanked him profusely for the knowledge and experience he had dedicated to saving her ..
He was quiet for a minute and then said thoughtfully , " Well, actually, the practice of medicine is still really more of an art than a science--sometimes you just have to go with your best guess and leave the rest to prayer and luck."
Local health providers are all out of vaccine and DH and I did NOT get flu shots so you can imagine we will be as careful as we can. (We had colds & sore throats when it was time to get the vaccine and so last week when we were well and began to try to locate a source, we were told by everyone--"sorry, we are out and they cant send us any more."
Reading of our friends here who have already been seriously struck by this is a sobering experience. I just pray that everyone will soon be well.
I normally don't bother with the shots instead relying on common sense and good habits to keep us healthy. With all the bugs going around almost half of the girls school has been out I finally broke down and took us to the clinic and got us shots. DH unfortunately is allergic to eggs so cannot get one. I am hoping they help keep us healthy. After having Norwalk walk through our house last year I am becoming more and more paranoid about these bugs floating around. We rarely take antibiotics in fact I refuse to see our family dr anymore because he thinks give them a pill they go away instead of taking time to educate. Here in our area thankfully the vacine is still available!
Oh no! I hope Holly is feeling better soon!
Update:
It appears that Holly is on the mend. After a full 14 hours post-ER, she is still able to eat and drink. In fact, she almost overdid it today, by eating TOO MUCH chicken noodle soup! :eek:
She still has a pretty bad cough, but I think she'll remain among the living! :D
Larry
Glad to hear Holly is feeling better.
Well, crap, I spoke too soon.
She started all over again this AM. I had really rather be at home taking care of her (even though the house is unbearably HOT ;) ), instead of at work.
This stuff is tough! I wouldn't wish this on Saddam! Well....
Larry
I'm sending best wishes and hugs for Holly, and of course for you, too. Here's hoping tht things are going to be on the upswing soon.
Last week my DGD had some kind of viral infection, started with vomiting and lethargy, fever of 101. After a few days the fever went up to 104, so into the ER they went. They were told just to give her children's Motrin and keep her warm, with lots of fluids. They said there was nothing else they could do for it. They actually suggested Gatorade rather than pedialyte. She was sick for 8 days before it finally went away. 104 is a very scary number to hear when it's a child's temperature.
T
;)
I hope Holly is better soon.
For parents I ask you to do what I did today. I contacted the school and asked that they be particularly vigilant in sending sick children home. Unfortunately some parents can't take the time off from work or won't take the time off from work to tend to a sick child, so they send them off to school figuring it's just a cold or cough and they'll be fine tomorrow. Personally, I would never let my employer dictate how I care for my family...but I realize others might feel tremendous pressure from some tyrant boss, but speak up and put them in their place if they so much as hiccup at you for taking care of your child. This flu is so severe, that it is imperative that any child with fever symptoms, cough, vomiting,etc., STAY HOME. It is not just your child at risk, but you would be risking the health of other children and their families too along with the teachers and their families. My child's school has sent home a notice informing parents that any child showing any symptoms of illness will be immediately removed from the classroom and brought to the nurse where the parents will be called to pick up the child. Teachers are also wiping down desks at the end of the day to be ready for the next day (they stay at their own desks during the school day)
Vigilant handwashing is key as well as keeping hand sanitizer tucked in your handbag or car after coming out of a grocery store, office, etc. Keep your hands away from your face until your hands are clean. That's so hard to do when you think about it. How many times do you rub an eye, itch a nose, wipe a little lipstick off your lip after being somewhere? If you are stuck next to someone who is coughing alot, don't hesitate to pull your scarf,coat or shirt up around your nose and mouth to protect you, don't worry about offending the cougher!!
Be well everyone!!
FYI! Yesterday on our local news, they were talking to an ER Dr about the flu shots and he said that normally they expect them to work about 70-80% of the time, however this year, the shots are only expected to work about 50% of the time. Also, they are saying that the nose spray shot seems to work better.
I also heard at a Christmas party last night that the shot does not inFLUence the strain that is deadly. (I know, bad pun!) I volenteered at DS#! school Thursday and almost every child in the class, except three were sneezing, coughing, etc. 'Tis the season. Take your vitamin C :XMas