On the Vaccine Front
Kathleen Sebelius and the CDC expect between 6 and 7 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine during the first week of October. Looks like those will be the spray version, with injections to follow by the middle of the month. Protection is supposed to start kicking in within eight days.
Regarding the seasonal flu vaccine, I hesitate to post this link since it contains so many variables and your family’s probably already gotten shots, anyway, but the story’s worth keeping an eye on for the future.
On the Prevention Front
Does frequent hand washing help stop the spread of flu? Maybe not.
On the Treatment Front
CBS reports shortages in the kid’s liquid form of Tamiflu. Apparently, children can take Tamiflu pills, although that form is a little less straightforward.
On the Personal Front
I’m headed to the doctor this afternoon, but not for me, since I’m recovering even if fighting this seasonal flu or H1N1 or flulike virus all week has taken its toll on my energy and my sinus passages.
No, this appointment is for AG, whom I’ve apparently infected. She’s doing okay, other than using her fast-acting inhaler round the clock and feeling like a truck ran over her, but I’d like to get her on Tamiflu for obvious reasons.
Can you appreciate this irony?
After all that writing about flu prevention and kids, I’m pretty sure my kid is the first one to come down with this at her very small school.
As of this morning in the drop-off lane, the Steadfast Sidekick is still going strong and symptom-free.
So sorry to hear about you and your daughter. You mentioned in a post in August that you were going to be wearing N95 masks in your house if someone became sick to try to prevent the spread of the flu. Did it not work to stop the spread? I just don’t know what we’re going to do at my house when someone gets the flu. All of us are at high risk except for my husband and unfortunately he is the least capable of dealing with meds and general nursing duties so I guess it’s up to me (with asthma and a heart problem) to be first string caregiver. I swear if I could find a hazmat suit I’d use it! Let us know how you all are doing.. Did you have trouble getting Tamiflu prescribed and were you advised to keep up the steroid inhaler use during the active infection peroid? I’m so sorry you have to go through this but at least you can help educate the rest of us. Small comfort to you though
Hope you feel better soon. Oh, just came across this tonight. Not very encouraging. http://www.canada.com/health/issues+caution+over+monitoring+swine+cases/1924069/story.html
Oh no! I hope they got her right on Tamiflu and that you both recover quickly and uneventfully.
Here’s the silver lining: Once you’re recovered, you can stop worrying as much.
Seriously, though, sending get well thoughts your direction. What state are you in again? The new CDC map shows SO many states “widespread” with flu.
I have several friends/relatives who I think have had it over the last couple weeks, but everyone says, “Oh, but there’s no way it’s the swine flu.” I’m not sure why they all think it’s so exotic looking at that map!
Take care.