Mexico Swine Flu, New Strain!, Spurs global epidemic fear.

Well, it seems that out of well over 1K confirmed cases in Mexico, now only 461 are "really" confirmed! The "really" confirmed death toll is now 12. So much for the credibility of the press and the Mexican govt.

Mexico deserves the tourism hit they took over this as someone gave the media the numbers.

Slàinte,   

 Patch    

The gene pool needs clorox once in awhile, maybe this is it!

Not to sound crass or anything!

My opinion and not that of CelticRadio!

According to the CDC, for the 1993-94 through the 2002-03 flu seasons there were an estimated 31,171 flu related deaths per year. I don't recall 400 schools being closed around the country or the endless crisis coverage by the news or anyone wearing surgical masks on the street during this time period. Yeah, I'd say the crisis mentality is unjustified and the reaction is extreme. The motive however eludes me as well, except for the profit that comes from media's traditional scare tactic approach - fear = ratings.

Swine flu cases so far in the US have risen to 109.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_fl...ated_deaths.htm

I agree with both of you. I suspect money was involved and it was announced that we sent them tens of thousands of doses of tamiflu.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

This appears to be good news!

Health officials said Wednesday it took only two weeks to identify the genetic characteristics of swine flu. They are now in a good position to quickly produce a vaccine if the flu numbers should make it necessary.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

I did not and will not get myself in a sweat over this. I haven't had the flu in 35 years, and I doubt that this one will be any different than the rest.

The secret is .....WHISKEY, HOT PEPPERS and......STAY AWAY FROM SICK PEOPLE and wash OFTEN!
That, and working outside all year around doesn't hurt either.

I continue to stand by my initial observation. Nevertheless, how tragic for the few victims of this flu which have died from it. Still it is no reason for the Media hysteria that has been going on.

Dogshirts advice is probably good, I mean, afterall, what and who can survive whiskey & hot peppers? That would kill just about anything.

That advice is worth more than all the medication in the world.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

Mistrust of the mexican medical system by it's citizens contributed to the spread of the swine flu.

Mexicans will do anything to avoid a hospital emergency room, where sick patients may languish for hours slumped on worn linoleum floors that smell of sickness and cheap disinfectant.

Many don't see doctors at all, going instead to the corner pharmacy for advice on coping with whatever ailment they my think they have.

It is really no surprise that when a new strain of flu began to appear many waited too long to get professional help or sought none at all. This may in part explain the death rate in Mexico.

Were it not for Carroll Ranch (Smithfield Farms) who followed absolutely NO environmental rules, including plain common sense, it is doubtful that the new strain of flu would have ever occurred. They went to Mexico so they could do just that and avoid restrictive rules in this country. It shows that our industry (all of it) is no longer capable of regulating it's self!

Americans used to believe in Mom, apple pie, Chevrolet and the American way of life! Now it appears to be limited just to Mom and apple pie!

Slàinte,    

Patch    

It's been awhile since we posted on this subject.
Is anyone here going to get the flu vaccine? I haven't made up my mind yet. Slainte

Ouch! Early flu shot season comes with 3 jabs
By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer The Associated Press
Thursday, August 6, 2009 4:48 PM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Get ready to roll up your sleeve three times for flu shots this fall.

That's right, three times. This year's flu season is shaping up to be a very different one. Most people will need one shot for the regular seasonal flu and probably two others to protect against the new swine flu.

Experts suggest you get that first shot as early as this month — if you can find it.

"We'd like to get to Job 1 and get most of it done," said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University flu expert, referring to seasonal flu vaccinations.

"Get it done before we start to tackle Job 2," the more complex task of swine flu vaccinations, he added.

The five vaccine manufacturers that supply the United States are finishing up production of seasonal flu vaccine earlier than usual. Health officials say they expect about half of the more than 120 million doses of seasonal vaccine to be available by the end of this month. Most of the rest are due out by the end of September. Some manufacturers report that distributors are quickly buying up supplies.

Those five companies — including one that makes a nasal spray version of flu vaccine — are the same ones making the new swine flu vaccine. They are on track to start delivering the first batches of that in September, but the bulk of it isn't expected until late October or November, health officials say.

That's sparked questions about how all this is going to work.

Officials want to get as many people as possible vaccinated against both forms of flu, but a lot of that depends on consumers and how many trips they'll be willing to make to get shots.

Why can't you get one shot for all — or maybe just two?

The reasons have to do with logistics and caution.

Scientists believe the swine flu vaccine will be most effective if given in two doses, about three weeks apart. Also, they don't think the seasonal and swine flu vaccines can be combined into one syringe or vial and still be effective, so they've got to be administered as separate doses, even if it's during the same appointment
But it's not a matter of just giving both to whoever comes in. Supplies are expected to be limited, so the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has two different lists for who should be first to get the seasonal flu shot and who should be first to get the swine flu shot.

For the regular flu vaccine, elderly people, health care workers and pregnant women are among the priority groups. For the swine flu vaccine, health care workers and pregnant women are on the list but not older people, who seem to have some immunity to swine flu.

If all the flu shots were given at about the same time, it could mean a mash of people, some of whom should be among the first to get one shot and not the other.

"I think it's safe to say we expect some confusion," said Kristine Sheedy, a CDC communications specialist.

Then, there are safety questions.

Health officials are haunted by the swine flu vaccine campaign in 1976, which was stopped after unexpectedly high numbers of patients suffered a paralyzing condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome. While it's not clear the vaccine was to blame, health officials want to carefully monitor people who get the new swine flu vaccine for any problems.

Scientists are just beginning to test the safety and effectiveness of the new swine flu vaccine, work that is expected to take months. If the seasonal flu and swine flu vaccines were given at the same sitting and some people developed health problems, it would be hard to single out which vaccine caused the problem, or whether it was the combination of them.

"How you're going to separate that out — that's a doozer," said Dr. Samuel Katz, a Duke University vaccines expert, who was a developer of the measles vaccine.

So the government is looking at three shots, preferably over three visits.

That's daunting. Over the years, the public hasn't been great about getting even one flu shot: Just one in three U.S. adults got flu shots last year, CDC data indicate.

"To come two or three times? That's expecting a lot, of public response," said Katz.

Health officials traditionally kick off an autumn vaccine campaign against seasonal flu in late September or October with a news conference in Washington D.C. But this year, the news conference — which features the CDC director — has been moved up to Sept. 10.

Unofficially, the push for seasonal vaccinations begins even sooner, some health officials said.

"As soon as it becomes available, we'll be encouraging people to get it," said Carol Schriber, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

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Rapid tests often wrong about swine flu
The Associated Press
Thursday, August 6, 2009 12:16 PM EDT

NewsATLANTA (AP) — The government's first study of how well rapid tests diagnose swine flu finds they're wrong at least half the time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at rapid tests made by three companies. The tests correctly confirmed swine flu infections only 10 percent to 51 percent of the time. The tests were better at diagnosing seasonal flu.

What should doctors do if a test comes back negative for a patient they think has the flu? The CDC says doctors should order a more precise lab test but in the meantime prescribe medicines like Tamiflu.

The results of the study were released Thursday

I am going to get it if I qualify. Since there will be a shortage, I may just have to "suck it in."

If it becomes a shifting antigen flu, we finally may have managed to destroy the human race. My brother deals with the animal part of the equation and says that the constantly shifting antigen is the medical profession's worst fear. We are not there yet but is is cause for concern. No changes have been made in sanitation in dealing with the waste from large concentrations of farm animals so the danger continues.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

I'm in the 65 or over group that is not on the list to receive the swine flu vaccine due to probably already having immunity, but cannot help recalling the last time a vaccine was rushed out to prevent an epidemic. IIRC, the vaccine caused more problems than the flu did.

School will be starting here in about 2 weeks. Alot could change between that time and when the vaccine will be available. As of right now I am very leery about a vaccine that has been so rushed. We usually don't get flu vaccines. I've made sure my grandson has been taking a vitamin complex with immune boosters. It can't hurt.

Flora

Caution is wise, especially with children. It is my understanding that the flu vaccine will require a total of three shots this year. Two for the swine flu.

Haste does create problems. If I get the vaccination I am not worried as I am tired, not in the best health, my wife has been gone over 30 years now and it is nearing the time for us to meet again.

Not every one sees things the way I do though.

I do carry hand sanitizer and wash my hands often. The pharmacy I use maintains Tamiflu and that may be my protection.

Oh, I heard the cut off for govt programs will be 60!

Slàinte,   

 Patch    

The best thing of all is looking to your own immune system. There are people in the population who have existing conditions that compromise their immune systems, but the vast majority will ride it out fine with precautionary things like hand washing, and then letting the body be at its best to fight off anything that comes in: really healthy nutrition, enough sleep, reasonable exercise, minimizing stress as if you really mean it (most people don't take this seriously or don't identify their own stressors). There cannot always be vaccines tailored for every virus -- they mutate faster than we can develop remedies. But the body itself will do a custom antibody that has a fair fighting chance against most invaders, if the body is in reasonable shape.

Dogshirt's remedy makes me smile -- I would add to the whiskey and hot peppers a good big chunk of raw ginger every day, grated into the food or juiced with raw carrots and fresh grapefruit (delicious!)