60 Minutes on H1N1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never wish a hospital experience on ANY parent. I will do whatever I can do avoid my child ever going to the hospital again.

Ditto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't get is why the moms on this board who have decided not to vaccinate are just condesending and rude to the moms who are vaccinating. The CDC is recommending the vaccine--are you all so high and mighty about ignoring this advice because you all conducted some independent DCUM frau study that I'm not aware of?

Because our arguments are so superior to "would you shut up already" maybe?

Please share what is your reason for not getting the vaccine for your child? I can accept that some people are afraid of the vaccine because they don't understand how it works/what's in it, etc. But, I think the vast majority of the anti-vax people aren't afraid of the vaccine at all. So what is your personal reason for not getting it? Is it just that you don't want to be bothered? Is it just that you're so sure nothing will happen that you're taking some kind of moral stand against it?

NP here, I'm not getting the vax because H1N1 has already made its rounds through our family, and guess what? None of us are dead. We recovered very easily. The regular flu was a much worse experience for us a few years ago.

Furthermore, this flu is supposed to peak next week. The vax kicks in after 2 weeks. I'm confident that mankind will survive this. But, go ahead and focus on the negative, extremely rare stories. You know crocks can get caught in escalators and take your child's foot with it.

I really don't care who gets vax'd or not. However, most of you sound very foolish and seemt to suffer from some form of panic disorder. You really need to stop watching so much CNN, I think it much worse for your health than the swine flu.

[Anonymous]

Now that h1n1 is in my daughter's school, my attitude has changed. I thought I'd wait until the shot is more available, but since she is in school and aftercare, I am becoming more concerned. Really, she is small for her age, and too small to be wracked with a bad flu if we can do something to avoid it.

As for the neti pot and listerine, good luck. How does that kill the virus once it's in your nasal passages?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't get is why the moms on this board who have decided not to vaccinate are just condesending and rude to the moms who are vaccinating. The CDC is recommending the vaccine--are you all so high and mighty about ignoring this advice because you all conducted some independent DCUM frau study that I'm not aware of?

Because our arguments are so superior to "would you shut up already" maybe?

Please share what is your reason for not getting the vaccine for your child? I can accept that some people are afraid of the vaccine because they don't understand how it works/what's in it, etc. But, I think the vast majority of the anti-vax people aren't afraid of the vaccine at all. So what is your personal reason for not getting it? Is it just that you don't want to be bothered? Is it just that you're so sure nothing will happen that you're taking some kind of moral stand against it?

NP here, I'm not getting the vax because H1N1 has already made its rounds through our family, and guess what? None of us are dead. We recovered very easily. The regular flu was a much worse experience for us a few years ago.

Furthermore, this flu is supposed to peak next week. The vax kicks in after 2 weeks. I'm confident that mankind will survive this. But, go ahead and focus on the negative, extremely rare stories. You know crocks can get caught in escalators and take your child's foot with it.

I really don't care who gets vax'd or not. However, most of you sound very foolish and seemt to suffer from some form of panic disorder. You really need to stop watching so much CNN, I think it much worse for your health than the swine flu.

Can you reference where you got the information that H1N1 is peaking next week? I have not heard that, and in fact, the CDC is stating the exact opposite. According to the CDC call I was on at the end of last week, the CDC anticipates that 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses will co-circulate with regular seasonal influenza viruses during this flu season. The timing, spread and severity of 2009 H1N1 virus – in addition to regular seasonal influenza viruses – remain uncertain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't care who gets vax'd or not. However, most of you sound very foolish and seemt to suffer from some form of panic disorder. You really need to stop watching so much CNN, I think it much worse for your health than the swine flu.

This is quite amusing. You have a strong taste for how much risk you want in your life and then run around castigating people with a different taste for risk. It would make equal sense to rant at people who wear red because you like blue.

Look, I have been getting seasonal flu shots for last 10-15 years. Until now I had not even given any thought to the possibility that flu could kill me --- I just don't like being sick for even 3-4 days. So, if a shot prevents or shortens a flu episode, or even in 10 years of shots while having my annual check-up prevent one flu episode, I think I am ahead. You may not, but that does not make you (or me) foolish --- we just have different tastes.

And, I don't like the 1/1000 or so risk of ending up in an ICU either. If you get in the habit of taking lots of such insignificant seeming risks, then over the years one of them is going to bite you. I wouldn't bend my life out of shape to avoid it, but it is certainly worth a trip to get a free vaccine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't care who gets vax'd or not. However, most of you sound very foolish and seemt to suffer from some form of panic disorder. You really need to stop watching so much CNN, I think it much worse for your health than the swine flu.

This is quite amusing. You have a strong taste for how much risk you want in your life and then run around castigating people with a different taste for risk. It would make equal sense to rant at people who wear red because you like blue.

Look, I have been getting seasonal flu shots for last 10-15 years. Until now I had not even given any thought to the possibility that flu could kill me --- I just don't like being sick for even 3-4 days. So, if a shot prevents or shortens a flu episode, or even in 10 years of shots while having my annual check-up prevent one flu episode, I think I am ahead. You may not, but that does not make you (or me) foolish --- we just have different tastes.

And, I don't like the 1/1000 or so risk of ending up in an ICU either. If you get in the habit of taking lots of such insignificant seeming risks, then over the years one of them is going to bite you. I wouldn't bend my life out of shape to avoid it, but it is certainly worth a trip to get a free vaccine.

Have you been to any of the clinics? They are mobbed. It's not as simple as walking in and getting a shot; it takes hours of standing in line with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't care who gets vax'd or not. However, most of you sound very foolish and seemt to suffer from some form of panic disorder. You really need to stop watching so much CNN, I think it much worse for your health than the swine flu.

This is quite amusing. You have a strong taste for how much risk you want in your life and then run around castigating people with a different taste for risk. It would make equal sense to rant at people who wear red because you like blue.

Look, I have been getting seasonal flu shots for last 10-15 years. Until now I had not even given any thought to the possibility that flu could kill me --- I just don't like being sick for even 3-4 days. So, if a shot prevents or shortens a flu episode, or even in 10 years of shots while having my annual check-up prevent one flu episode, I think I am ahead. You may not, but that does not make you (or me) foolish --- we just have different tastes.

And, I don't like the 1/1000 or so risk of ending up in an ICU either. If you get in the habit of taking lots of such insignificant seeming risks, then over the years one of them is going to bite you. I wouldn't bend my life out of shape to avoid it, but it is certainly worth a trip to get a free vaccine.

Have you been to any of the clinics? They are mobbed. It's not as simple as walking in and getting a shot; it takes hours of standing in line with your kids.

That should change soon - the vaccines have only been out a week, and in Mont. Co, N VA, DC, really only a couple of days.

I know my pediatrician will be doing flu clinics much like the seasonal flu, and that was really painless. Plus it's just kids from the practice and not everyone under the sun. My SIL just got her shot at her obgyn (she's pregnant) - so not everyone has been waiting in line for hours.

People who want to get the vaccine NOW are willing to stand in line. I would like my kid to get it, but am willing to wait.

FWIW, there is an honor system, so if you are a healthy adult with out risk factors, you really shouldn't be getting a shot yet. There will be plenty of vaccines to go around in the coming weeks, this first wave is aimed at pregnant women, kids, high risk folks, but since it's an honor system there is no way of knowing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that h1n1 is in my daughter's school, my attitude has changed. I thought I'd wait until the shot is more available, but since she is in school and aftercare, I am becoming more concerned. Really, she is small for her age, and too small to be wracked with a bad flu if we can do something to avoid it.

As for the neti pot and listerine, good luck. How does that kill the virus once it's in your nasal passages?

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4... Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*


5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

[Anonymous]

I'd hate to be in a locked room with many of you and the LAST vial of the vax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't get is why the moms on this board who have decided not to vaccinate are just condesending and rude to the moms who are vaccinating. The CDC is recommending the vaccine--are you all so high and mighty about ignoring this advice because you all conducted some independent DCUM frau study that I'm not aware of?

Because our arguments are so superior to "would you shut up already" maybe?

Please share what is your reason for not getting the vaccine for your child? I can accept that some people are afraid of the vaccine because they don't understand how it works/what's in it, etc. But, I think the vast majority of the anti-vax people aren't afraid of the vaccine at all. So what is your personal reason for not getting it? Is it just that you don't want to be bothered? Is it just that you're so sure nothing will happen that you're taking some kind of moral stand against it?

NP here, I'm not getting the vax because H1N1 has already made its rounds through our family, and guess what? None of us are dead. We recovered very easily. The regular flu was a much worse experience for us a few years ago.

Furthermore, this flu is supposed to peak next week. The vax kicks in after 2 weeks. I'm confident that mankind will survive this. But, go ahead and focus on the negative, extremely rare stories. You know crocks can get caught in escalators and take your child's foot with it.

I really don't care who gets vax'd or not. However, most of you sound very foolish and seemt to suffer from some form of panic disorder. You really need to stop watching so much CNN, I think it much worse for your health than the swine flu.

1. Your anecdote does not provide meaningful insight into the overall outcome for the population.

2. Your information about the influenza peak defies the behavior of influenzas since as long as they have been tracked. Check the graphs out for them yourself.

3. You wrongly imply that anxiety is driving us to become vaccinated, when for some of us it is an easy tradeoff.

4. The cost of obtaining the vaccine in time and money is far less than a single lost day of pay / vacation time or for that matter just the aggravation of having to work from home while tending to a sick kid. And as for risks, the risk of death or serious injury from H1N1 is far greater than the risk of injury from a vaccine. The numbers are what they are.

So watch who you call disordered. I would argue that you are advocating a statistically, medically and financially unsound point of view.