Among the adults:

• 26% had asthma
• 8% had another chronic lung disease
• 10% had diabetes
• 8% had weakened immune systems
• 6% were pregnant

Among children, 6% had sickle cell disease or a similar blood condition. More analysis needs to be completed in this population though.

These findings reinforce the idea that it is the younger,  healthy adults who are more often affected. However, Canadian records are showing that the deaths to H1N1 are occurring much more frequently among women, so this is another area to be looked at.

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Post from: Blisstree

Almost Half Hospital H1N1 Patients Healthy

Here’s a bit of interesting fun. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services began a contest for the best public service announcement (PSA) about H1N1, often called swine flu. They had about 200 entries and they’ve been narrowed down to 10. You can watch the entries and vote on your favorite. You have until September 16, 2009 to vote.

Not that I’m trying to influence you in any way {grin}, but I think you should check out the one called “H1N1 Rap by Dr. Clarke.” I think you’ll like it.

Dr. John Clarke is the medical director for the Long Island Rail Road and he made this video. Maybe Blisstree readers can help make him become a star – who knows?

Just go to the YouTube USGOVHH Channel to see all the videos.

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Post from: Blisstree

H1N1 PSA Vote – Check Out the Rapping MD

Teachers have been dealing with various dangers in the classroom for quite a while. But with swine flu outbreaks in several schools last year, it has reminded every schoolteacher to be extra cautious. If schoolteachers happen to be pregnant, that makes the risk all the more real.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Swine Flu Dangers for Pregnant Teachers

All parents have gone through the handwashing thing with their children at some point. Some children learn it well and do it, others pay lip service and just run their hands under the water to make them look wet. But, if someone as influential as Elmo tells them how to wash their hands, the little ones may pay a bit more attention. After all,  who’s more interesting and fun – Mom or Dad, or a red, giggly, furry friend with a funny name?

Would any other character have done? Cookie Monster is cute, but he’s got awful manners. Kermit doesn’t seem as popular among the youngest crowd and Miss Piggy, well, don’t forget – people still call this virus the Swine flu. Maybe not the poster child for this particular time. Ernie and Bert seem to have lost their popularity too, although many older generation Sesame Streeters remember them fondly.

So, what do you think? Will having Elmo sing songs about washing your hands and reminding you go sneeze in your elbow have any effect on the children?

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Image: ZumaPress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Muppet Elmo Joins H1N1 Fight

My vote is on the hype part. H1N1 is very easily spread. In fact, it’s being found to be one of the most easily spread viruses we’ve had around for a while. And, yes, while it may be spread through touch, it’s also spread through touching contaminated objects. So, while a school child may elbow bump his classmate, as soon as he opens the locker door that the first child touched, he may have come into contact with the virus.

So, what’s the best solution? It’s what is being promoted all along:

Wash. Your. Hands.

What do you think? Hype or Help?

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Don’t Touch! H1N1 Help or Hype?

The WHO has already identified the people who are highest risk of developing these severe complications should they contract the H1N1 virus. Considering the limited time that doctors have to give the antivirals (within 48 hours of onset of illness), the WHO has recommended that if patients come with signs of influenza, doctors shouldn’t wait for test results but treat the patients with antivirals if they feel it’s necessary. That being said, although 48 hours is the generally accepted time frame, patients with severe illnesses should be treated anyway, no matter how far into the infection, say the experts.

You can read more about the recommendations in the WHO briefing, which explains the recommendations in more detail.

Difference between colds and flus

Despite the news and information going out, there is still a bit of confusion among some people regarding the differences between a common cold and a flu. First of all, there’s no such thing as a stomach flu. If you’re sick with vomiting and diarrhea – you likely don’t have the flu unless you have it at the same time as whatever stomach bug you have. And there’s no 24-hour flu. Influenza lasts considerably longer than that.

If you’re coughing, sneezing, have a stuffy nose and a cough – that’s most likely a cold. If you have a high fever, aches and pains all over, heaviness or pain in your chest, a cough, and weakness – that’s most likely influenza.

Treatments

Other than the antivirals for influenza, there’s not much you can do to treat either colds or flus, other than rest and plenty of fluids. You need to stay hydrated, particularly if you have a fever.

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Post from: Blisstree

Tamiflu Guidelines for H1N1 Virus

Employees are reminded to wash their hands often, stay home if they feel they have the flu, and seek medical attention immediately if their symptoms worsen.

They also encouraged employers to allow telecommuting, as it might help with the spread of the flu. So if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to talk to your boss about working from home, now might be the perfect time to do it.

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3 Flu Shots and Telecommuting

Did it have something to do with the team’s loss? It certainly couldn’t have helped. Donovan says he did feel lethargic and just not himself before the game, but he couldn’t pinpoint the problem. Despite playing in Mexico, Donovan also says he must have caught the disease in the United States.

Donovan appeared tired about halfway through the game, when normally he would have been the fastest player on the team. Donovan was Player of the Month in July, but no news on whether he’ll play in the game against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Hopefully he has just a mild case.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: Blisstree

U.S. Soccer Star Finds Out He Has Swine Flu

There are a lot of issues to take into account when schools are closed en masse. Parents must scramble for child care, stay home and lose income, or leave their children unattended if they’re desperate enough. This can have a domino effect for the families, employees, and ultimately the community.

After watching how the influenza is making its way across the other side of the world, the experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – with the information they have now – feel that if there are no major wide-spread contamination scenarios, schools could stay open for the most part.

Emphasis will be placed on good hygiene (coughing and sneezing into the elbow, hand washing), keeping children home who are sick, and maybe even options of certain parts of some schools reserved for children who are recovering from the flu.

The developed world hasn’t seen a pandemic for the past several decades and much has changed over the years. For this reason, researchers and policy makers are making decisions based on what they are learning, what has been done in the past and what seems to make sense. But, like many things in life, this is also a work in progress, so if the situation changes, so must our reactions. In other words, it’s best to stay informed because the information you receive may change.

The best thing you can do? Take care of yourself. Wash your hands. Don’t go out if you’re sick. Be prepared.

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Post from: Blisstree

Schools Won’t Necessarily Close: H1N1

Developing a vaccine is intense work that can go in the wrong direction at any time. The many steps involved in developing the vaccine and ensuring  its safety and efficacy takes time. The WHO has outlined how this is done in their posting  Pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing process and timeline . It’s interesting to read how the development occurs.

At this point, the process is in the clinical trial phase for some of the manufacturers and once the results of the clinical trials are released, if all is well, the vaccines may be approved for general use.

The H1N1 flu vaccine isn’t the same thing as the seasonal flu vaccine. This vaccine will be in addition to the annual seasonal flu vaccine, which means an extra injection.

Will you be getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available? Do you get the seasonal flu vaccine?

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H1N1 Vaccine Approvals Coming, WHO