10/24/09

Sound off time! what are you thinking about the H1N1 Flu?

Im over the hype, not that Im not scared out of my socks, but Im also starting to feel a bit played by the media. Is it really that bad?

What do you think?

11 comments:

Summer said...

I'm not nearly as worried about it now as I was in the spring when I first heard about it. My husband already had it, and he was fine within a few days. I know it can be severe for some people, but I'm thinking for the most part it isn't as big of a deal as the media is making it out to be. I don't know how my kids and I avoided getting it when my husband had it. I'm sure we'll get it from somewhere though since it's running so rampant right now, and I'm not freaking out about it.

Leah said...

well said :)

Anonymous said...

I am with you Leah. As time goes on I am getting more and more worried about my very pregnant daughter. She got her 'shot' yesterday at the arena. I am not concerned about the rest of us.

Michele said...

I think it's to early to say. The actual Flu season has not even begun. I am taking every precaution to make sure my family or I do not get it. I know of three different families that have had the H1N1 and it has taken them quite a while to get over it. I believe the media is extremly one sided but if this illness is killing people we should all be taking a few more precautions. I'm sure everyone knows someone with underlying health concerns and would not want them to contract an illness that could kill them.

Leah said...

That is what scares me, the people with health issues, like my son who has athsma, and the lack of available vaccine for those people. Spokane Health district only has 800 injectable doses for yesterday's mass vaccination and those went in a heart beat. Im glad your pregnant daughter was able to get one Anon. I was sick yesterday and could not take my son in, so we are just keeping our fingers crossed that more will come for either the next vaccination clinic or the Dr. office - because they haven't been given any vaccine yet, for either the seasonal or H1N1.

I read an article that said that the vaccine is grown in chicken eggs, but the yield has been much lower then anticipated. I could give up a few omelets if it meant enough vaccine could be produced for everyone who needs it.

Anonymous said...

Leah I hope your son is able to get immunized soon.

Cathy said...

I am just now getting over it - it took out four of my five family members last week - and I'm telling you, it's a BAD bug. When I add up the hours of lost productivity between all of us - it took quite a toll. I still don't feel anywhere near normal yet... I haven't been affected by an illness this bad since I had mono in 1989.

I think people need to take it very seriously. It's a nasty illness.

Leah said...

Cathy, Wow, as bad as Mono? That is awful! Im glad your starting to feel better. Would you mind sharing with us anything that you found helped you feel better and manage the symptoms? Anything to avoid while sick?

I want to thank everyone who has left a comment. I hope that I didn't leave the impression in my post that I didn't think this is a serious illness, because I do. With all the media "mania" that is virtually pushing us to panic over it, I wanted to find out what real people were thinking and doing about it.

Cathy said...

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's as bad as mono - but it's going to run a close second for me... Granted, I am generally very healthy and seldom get sick. I haven't had even a cold for over three years - so sick is unusual for me. I think what makes me compare it to mono is my lack of energy. Even today, I feel like I'm only running at about 65% of my current energy level. All my other symptoms are gone - but I'm just worn out. Not sure when that will return to normal.

As far as managing it, I really just slept as much as possible. I really couldn't do much else. I tried my darndest to avoid it - even sleeping in another room as my husband when he had it, but it got me. Only my high schooler avoided it - and I think that's because he's never home.

Anonymous said...

If memory serves, the media tends to blow things out of proportion to scare people...remember Y2K?

Here are some statistics from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control): Over the course of a year there are about 36,000 flu related deaths in the U.S. That averages to 3,000 deaths per month. Since H1N1 arrived, the average per month has been about 1,610 deaths. The statistics don't warrant a pandemic.

It's sad that anyone dies from flu, but it is a fact of life.

Leah said...

Gosh, do I ever remember Y2K, were still eating off all the rice I stocked up on! Thank goodness that stuff has a long shelf live :)

Im relieved that the Spokane Health District decided to start making the Flu vaccination clinics appointment only. I feel that it will make it much easier for the people who truely need the vaccine to be able to get it, without having to stand in line outside in the cold. Now, Im just praying that they get more of the injectable vaccine.