Tips for H1N1 | Arthritis Information

 

I attended a meeting yesterday about H1N1 and I just wanted to share some basic information I learned so that you will know if you have H1N1 and can get in quickly. First of all, no one is testing positive for A and B yet (that will happen soon) but the classic features of H1N1 right now is a rapidly rising high fever (around 103-104) Doc told us that people will feel well one hour and the next they have a high fever and chills. The other main symptom is a very loud barky cough, very distinct. It is important that Tamiflu be started in this first 24 hour period for optimal effectiveness. Tamiflu does not destroy the virus. What it does do is stop its replication inside the body. The vaccine is very important to get this year. Swine flu normally takes the lives of about 50 children a year. This year so far, 120 children have already died. They are dying of secondary bacterial infections...and the flu itself. She stressed this is very serious and we all need to be looking out for ways to prevent this. Eventually we will all get this as it is the nature of the beast but if we can prevent transmission, that is the key. She said phase one has passed as we are in kind of a slow period right now but as this virus mutates and travels, it will get worse. I hope all of you are able to stay well through this season. I hope some of this info helps. I know it helped me become more familiar with these bugs.Lorster, my daughter had the swine flu 2 weeks ago, she had the temperature and the cough and as you say it is a very distinctive cough. If she has had it once can it reoccur or is she  immune to it now.

Pin, she is immune to it now, but it does not mean she cannot get one that mutates by next year. The other thing, Tamiflu is very hard on the stomach and is not tolerated well by most people. It is best taken with food and if it can stay down for 20 minutes, most of it will be absorbed.The food thing is important as the first dose of tamiflu she took on an empty stomach as she couldnt eat, this made her violently sick, the rest of it she ate first left it 15 mins then took the tamiflu and she was ok ...Thanks Sudden fever & barky cough- I will definitely tuck this into my brain- thanks!This is good information to have, thanks!  I though I remembered that with a cold - no fever - with flu - fever.  It seems to be the sudden onset that is the key, huh?  I will take the vaccine if it becomes available.  I dread anything effecting my lung function!

Lorster - are you going to get the H1N1 vaccine?  I know you were leaning against it before.

My boys have their annual checkup this Friday; we'll see what the doc has to say.  I know that right now there is no H1N1 vaccine available in this area, but I believe we're supposed to be getting more in the county soon.
Jas, I'm seriously considering it right now. I'm actually for the first time in 21 years of doing this, afraid of catching something. I'm seeing how sick these people are that are coming in. And it is healthy people that are really sick. Our state has lost two children in the past two weeks. Not sure about the adults. I know it is bad nationwide. One nurse asked the doctor if she felt this was just a lot of hype.   This doctor replied that at first, she felt it was hype but is now seeing these children and they are very sick. This is not something any of us should pass off lightly. Make sure people wash their hands around you and just try to stay as healthy as possible. Keep your body in as optimal of shape as possible during this season. I don't think it is going to end soon.


Two of our nurses had allergic reactions to the nasal swine vaccine. Their throats and lips swelled up. I think if I do get it, I will opt for the injectable form.Bump................
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