STORM2K

http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/12/12/sp ... index.html

Hmmm that word epidemic is not a good one as this flu season in the US is growing fast.But hopefully it is contained before it reaches that level.

Three schools in Missouri were closed yesterday due to this flu; in Cuba, MO (and don't ask me where that is), 1/3 of the kids and 1/10th of the teachers all called in ill, and the district cancellled classes.

Keping a weather-eye on this epidemic's progress...

Ohio had it's first infant death now from the flu - 14 month old baby girl died in Bainsbridge, this past Thursday, Dec. 11. Very sad.

Local Cincinnati hospital ER rooms are almost on diversion. Our local Children's hospital has seen a jump of more than 60% of children coming in with flu symptoms.

Since last Wednesday or so, we've had a handful of schools closed due to flu illnesses. I'm sure more will close next week.

Long lines for flu shots still. And not enough for everyone to get one.

I predict next fall when flu shots start up in October, you will see former non-believers in flu shots, lining up with the rest of us that faithfully get our annual shot. But that's a ways off. If I were in charge of all this, I'd make darn sure they make plenty for next year. In January they will begin working on strains for 2004-05. That's how far ahead they have to work on flu shots. Never knew that until this deadly outbreak.

Here's a local article link:
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2003/local/12/12/flu.html

Mary

streetsoldier wrote:Three schools in Missouri were closed yesterday due to this flu; in Cuba, MO (and don't ask me where that is), 1/3 of the kids and 1/10th of the teachers all called in ill, and the district cancellled classes.

Keping a weather-eye on this epidemic's progress...

Bill... Cuba is about halfway between Rolla and Sullivan on I-44.

Unless you are unable to hold liquids down or are having breathing issues..please do NOT go to the emergency room if you have the flu. There is little to be done except treat the symptoms and in most cases this can be done at home. By going out in public you are making a bad epidemic worse by exposing others.

I do not get flu shots ever and I don't plan on getting them. I'm just waiting and if I get it, I'll worry about it then.

I normally don't get sick too often either..

Betweeen Rolla and Sullivan, huh?

Well, that places it about 125 miles NNW of us here, but I've heard that Arkansas has been hit heavy by the flu bugs...and the IL-KY-TN-AR border is only a half-hour drive away, east to south.

I haven't heard any reports yet from Florida

Yeah... Eureka Springs, Arkansas had about 30% of its school children out on Friday with the flu.

Woah.. 30 percent of it's district's children were sick, that's a lot of parents that stayed home from work too I'm sure..

Besides the new flu, there's also a stomach virus going around. It starts with pain high in the stomach area and as time goes by, you can feel it moving through the bowels and intestines. Unfortunately, and I don't know how to put this delicately, you end up with the "splats". It's lasting 3-4 days. My mother had it last weekend, I had it Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday, and my sister has it now.

janswizard wrote:Besides the new flu, there's also a stomach virus going around. It starts with pain high in the stomach area and as time goes by, you can feel it moving through the bowels and intestines. Unfortunately, and I don't know how to put this delicately, you end up with the "splats". It's lasting 3-4 days. My mother had it last weekend, I had it Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday, and my sister has it now.

Sorry to hear that. Get better soon!

I only hope that there are sufficient vaccines to the public.

I'll pass on the immunization. I have faith in my immune system, and if the vaccine is in short supply, someone out there needs it more than I do.

2 or 3 hospitals in the Raleigh-Durham areas are only allowing immediate family members to visit (especially ICU and Pediatric areas)...a 4th hospital won't allow any kids 12 and under to visit...and a 5th one is passing out nose/mouth masks in it's waiting areas.

Eric

1/2+ of KS has it.. including me. I hate it.

David wrote:1/2+ of KS has it.. including me. I hate it.

Have you covered in prayer, David, for a fast and smooth recovery.

I read on Friday in the local paper that a clinic here has seen at least 100 patients with the flu. In the school system there's even been a couple cases of Scarlet fever.

Eric

Thank you, Eric.

It really doesn't sound good, alot of schools in KS have closed due to lack of students. :o

Out of the blue, 30 minutes ago, I suddenly felt extremely dizzy, lightheaded, very shaky, got a terrible headache and felt very nauseous. Man oh man, is this the flu? Feel slightly better but I really feel sick. I'm trying to talk myself out of the flu......LOL I took the flu shot too. But also just attended a neighborhood party with 30 other people last night. And some of their kids have had it. Dang, wish I had stayed home! Have to much to do......

If someone could run down the symptoms of the flu and if there are really 2 strains out there - one intenstinal and the other cough/cold - that would really help. Thanx.

Mary

My kids received the shot back in October. I just went and got the FluMist. I had a reaction to it.. made my throat sore and raw.