just hit home for me and I now have a fear of this bug... never feared a flu before...

a friend of mine in S. CA got hit with this. symptoms started three weeks ago, was on a ventilator before the first weeks end. had a lung collapse due to fluid build-up and in the third week went into full kidney failure... she was taken off life support this afternoon and died a few hours later. she was a fighter and battle fluctuated up and down, just a few days ago, things were looking good and she was responsive, then, just a total systematic failure is the only way I can describe it...

see, the thing is, she was not in any of the at risk groups, she was in her late twenties if I remember right, girls never like to give their real age, and in good health, good condition, no underlying medical conditions, nothing to acerbate this bug... and it came, and it hit her like a loaded freight train and now she is gone... just like that, she is gone...

So, with this sorrow, now comes fear... For I am in a risk group, have suffered asthma since the day I came into this world...

if it can do this to her, what can it do to people like myself???

I have never gotten a flu shot my entire adult life, have suffered through the occasional seasonal bug, but not in any recent years... rarely even get a cold anymore... but do I go by that track record and keep thinking I will not get this bug and risk it, or do I get the Vaccination... I somewhat fear the Vac itself, seeing how it was rushed through production and limited testing, but it looks now to be the lesser of two evils...

I think I am going to get the Vac... and I have never done this, but I am suggesting that any of you that have ANY risk, get it too...

if it can do this to her... ... ...my lord, just how bad is it going to be???

I know thousands die a year of seasonal flu, just in the U.S., but this bug is getting strong, healthy people too...

Yeah, I am scared now, wasn't before, but now I am...

God Bless Us All, Look Over Us, and Keep Us Safe...

Rest now In Peace Kitty, you were loved and will be remembered always... ... ...

Sorry to hear and take care of your self bud.

RIP Kitty and prayers to her family

worry is interest on a debt you may not owe.

^very wise words........if only we could live by them.

But Rick, the chances of owing this debt is increasing with every case and every death... think you can survive this?... this is not the Bird Flue Scare IMHO, this is realy hitting here, and the season is not yet upon us...

the bird flu was hitting in my end of the world. it WAS real!

So sorry to hear about your friend. I feel the same way about the flue shots. I don't trust them. I don't trust anybody that holds a political position to tell me the straight truth anymore. It's a tough decision because I know in the past that flu shots have caused complications despite the media and officials claiming that it's impossible.

I've found that it's about 50/50 between those who always get a flu shot and those who would never get it.

Hey Burgess. not saying the Bird Flu did not hit anywhere but it was not the pandemnic as everyone was claiming. it was pretty isolated. it was a woldwide Scare, though real in some places... in this case it is world wide and the strain is quite a bit more dangerous than the Bird Flu was...

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.

My Mom's best friend got it too, and trust me she has many risk factors, but she survived. She was in the hospital for a bit but she is fine now. You never know.

As far as the vaccine goes. I am taking my chances without it. I don't trust it especially since this one got pushed through so fast. There have been deaths from the vaccines too. As horrible as it is to lose a friend it is a chance I am willing to take. I may regret that decisions one day but I am playing the odds.

There are always people that think they do not need to evacuate a fire or earthquake zone. Sometimes they are correct. Sometimes they are not.

We are all individuals and deserve the right to make our own decisions.

I have real reservations about immunizations. I have for a long time. I can understand why some will not get the flu shot and respect it. I am going to.

I get briefed a minimum of once a week on this either verbally or in writing. Ususally by the CDC. Yesterday it was with a RADM who is really plugged in to this.

This is a real concern. We all need to balance our risks and make our own decisions. Trust no single site or source of information if you must, but look at them all and form your decision.

http://www.flu.gov/ 

^ We already know .gov's opinion!

Get shots.

there is more than that on that site HD.

Come on now! You post that big wind up and then end with the government's site.

That's like debating the pros and cons of abortion and then posting a link to planned parenthood!

it has links to other sites. I like the maps.

*shrug* don't go to it if you don't want to

shrug

IE even if you choose to not get immunized that site has good info on it.

Other prevention measures, tracking of thre flu etc.

It's not as if you decide not to get the shot so you must avoid all contrary info about the shot or the flu as a whole.

By the way, my wife gets the same breifings I do and has chosen not to get the shot.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

Get a written record of the kind of chronic disease(s) you have and the treatment you are receiving. Keep this information with you at all times.

Prepare a typed or printed list of all medications usually taken and the times of day they are taken. Also include necessary medical supplies or equipment such as syringes, strips, lancets if you have diabetes, or oxygen if you have COPD

Keep the name, phone number, and office address of your doctor or health care provider with you at all times.

If you use medications for your condition, continue taking those medications even if you become sick with the flu, unless your doctor or health care provider says otherwise

Be alert to changes in your breathing, especially if you have heart failure, congestive heart disease or COPD. Promptly report changes to your doctor or health care provider

Inform family members or close friends of your medical condition.

Its not all about the shot.... there is some good (arguably common sense) info out there

My company sent out an announcement that if you have the flu you are to stay home--and they are paying you. They are giving 5 additional days of sick time. No doctors notes needed or anything. I'm sure some people will abuse it but it is nice they are doing that.