It was reported last week on the local news that last Monday, 2500 school kids missed because of swine flu, and on Wednesday 65,000 (!!!!!) were out sick with it. Several school districts across the state have simply closed down until it gets under control to some degree.
The local health depts are giving out H1N1 vaccinations when they have them, but only to "high risk" individuals. I am currently 3.5 mos pregnant, so I fit into the high risk category. I went last Thursday and got both the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots. It won't eliminate my risk totally, but should I contract it, I would be MUCH less likely to have complications, risk my baby, or endanger my own life. I work in a very public setting and handle a lot of cash (which is probably the nastiest thing you can touch, in case you didn't know), so while I am vigilant about washing my hands and never touching my face at work, there is still a risk. I can't gamble with my life or the life of my baby. So I got the vaccination.
From what I understand, people with confirmed cases are being told to stay home until they are no longer deemed contagious - which if I remember correctly, means they must go a minimum of 24 hours without a fever. Problem is, I think people can be asymptomatic but contagious for several days after they are first exposed, and caregivers of those who are ill are at high risk. Basically, it's the same guidelines as the regular seasonal flu; it just happens to be the H1N1 strain that is so affluent right now.
Good luck to you. Eat lots of chicken noodle soup. I hope you feel better soon!
The local health depts are giving out H1N1 vaccinations when they have them, but only to "high risk" individuals. I am currently 3.5 mos pregnant, so I fit into the high risk category. I went last Thursday and got both the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots. It won't eliminate my risk totally, but should I contract it, I would be MUCH less likely to have complications, risk my baby, or endanger my own life. I work in a very public setting and handle a lot of cash (which is probably the nastiest thing you can touch, in case you didn't know), so while I am vigilant about washing my hands and never touching my face at work, there is still a risk. I can't gamble with my life or the life of my baby. So I got the vaccination.
From what I understand, people with confirmed cases are being told to stay home until they are no longer deemed contagious - which if I remember correctly, means they must go a minimum of 24 hours without a fever. Problem is, I think people can be asymptomatic but contagious for several days after they are first exposed, and caregivers of those who are ill are at high risk. Basically, it's the same guidelines as the regular seasonal flu; it just happens to be the H1N1 strain that is so affluent right now.
Good luck to you. Eat lots of chicken noodle soup. I hope you feel better soon!
/Survey: So... is swine flu affecting you/people you know yet?
27/10/2009 11:29:51 PM
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It is raging here
27/10/2009 11:42:41 PM
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Good on you for getting vaccinated.
27/10/2009 11:58:06 PM
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Get better soon!
27/10/2009 11:53:27 PM
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Re: /Survey: So... is swine flu affecting you/people you know yet?
28/10/2009 01:42:05 AM
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Re: /Survey: So... is swine flu affecting you/people you know yet?
28/10/2009 01:48:58 AM
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I almost feel like I'm coming down with something, but I'm not sure.
28/10/2009 03:26:26 AM
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Re: I almost feel like I'm coming down with something, but I'm not sure.
28/10/2009 08:40:17 AM
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I think I've had it. Symptoms seemed to match, anyway.
28/10/2009 05:31:46 AM
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Odd.
28/10/2009 08:27:42 AM
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A final note on my experience with the flu (since all the rest is here).
30/10/2009 12:15:40 AM
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I feel I am getting ill this week
28/10/2009 08:45:33 AM
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Drink tea, eat oranges.
28/10/2009 08:54:44 AM
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We've had 7 people die from it at my hospital.
28/10/2009 09:21:45 AM
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I suspect that working at a hospital gives you a rather biased sample of the populace. *NM*
29/10/2009 12:16:16 AM
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According to the CDC, on average 36,000 die from the flu each year in the US.
28/10/2009 01:53:35 PM
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Thank you, Greg. Finally, someone points out what it seems the general populace has forgotten!
30/10/2009 12:06:23 PM
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I think the worry is just that it's more contagious, which would be bad if a fiercer strain
30/10/2009 01:32:00 PM
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