642 confirmed cases of swine flu!!!

stanb999 · #1 05/06/09, 05:17 PM

The article says that 35 had to be hospitalized... out of 642 So lets see how "mild" this is shall we...

Well there is 642 cases two of which have died. So that means 640 are presumed to be living... right.

Well 35/642 X 100 = 5.45% of the people that are getting this end up in the hospital.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N06404939.htm

U.S. reports 642 cases of new H1N1 flu
06 May 2009 19:12:04 GMT
Source: Reuters
* 1,487 confirmed and probable cases

* Most patients unusually young for flu (Updates throughout with quotes from CDC briefing)

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The United States now has 642 confirmed cases of the new H1N1 flu, with two deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Wednesday.

And officials are puzzled because most of the 35 people who have been hospitalized with the new swine flu are young -- 53 and younger.

However most cases are mild and work is going ahead on a new vaccine, although it is not clear if one will be offered in the autumn.

AngieM2 · #2 05/06/09, 05:19 PM

And how are you making sure that you're not one of them?

stanb999 · #3 05/06/09, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

And how are you making sure that you're not one of them?

Well Angie,

I work at a plant where I'm basically alone for most of the day... Even when I do interact with folks it's for very short periods and tho it's inside it's a very open area.

My DW is a stay at home mom...

My two little ones that go to school are in a very small school in a small district in a hidden corner of the state.

We are staying out of public places, ect.

AngieM2 · #4 05/06/09, 05:30 PM

stan - that sounds good. Are all of you that go out noticing where you go and who you are around more?
Are you watching the foods you eat for their extra nutritional values?
Extra Vitamin C and D, just to ward of any flu germs?

Angie

hintonlady · #5 05/06/09, 05:34 PM

I'm noticing how seriously, frustratingly, obnoxiously rude and close people like to get to new babies without actually touching them.

I stay home a lot but I do have basic needs to go out for. It's like a free for all. I'm all for the "community" celebrating a new member but seriously............

I don't let best friends or much loved family members get that close to me.........PERSONAL SPACE VIOLATION!!!! *grrrrrr*

stanb999 · #6 05/06/09, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

stan - that sounds good. Are all of you that go out noticing where you go and who you are around more?
Are you watching the foods you eat for their extra nutritional values?
Extra Vitamin C and D, just to ward of any flu germs?

Angie

Nope,

We are eating cheese steak hoggies/grinders/Submarines (Depends on your location) with large helpings of french fries. Also, lots of beer for us and soda for the kids...

Or absolutely... I went and got some vitamin D too. We had the rest. Just trying to keep on keeping on.

stanb999 · #7 05/06/09, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hintonlady

I'm noticing how seriously, frustratingly, obnoxiously rude and close people like to get to new babies without actually touching them.

I stay home a lot but I do have basic needs to go out for. It's like a free for all. I'm all for the "community" celebrating a new member but seriously............

I don't let best friends or much loved family members get that close to me.........PERSONAL SPACE VIOLATION!!!! *grrrrrr*

Our family is catholic (tho we aren't) We used the excuse that the baby couldn't go out till baptized..... That worked for almost a year. lol

Just do your best... They aren't trying to aggravate the momma bear.

Ernie · #8 05/06/09, 10:14 PM

I'm doing a very poor job of maintaining a quarantine. Too much stuff luring me off the farm, I guess.

AngieM2 · #9 05/06/09, 10:52 PM

Other than taking a few more Vitamin D and C - I've not changed a thing. I don't like to 'shop' that much. Still going to work. The lady that is having chemo for breast cancer (found early and lumpectomied) is still coming to work but being a bit careful of who she's around.

And Stan - I think a meal or two of the CheeseSteak sandwich and fries sounds yummy (I've been doing low carb so that's a carb treat.)

I've been watching the news, my area of living/working and Huntsville area has 4 confirmed 20 probable - and most are under 13 except one elementary school teacher.

Oh well,
Angie

#10 05/06/09, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie

I'm doing a very poor job of maintaining a quarantine. Too much stuff luring me off the farm, I guess.

I'm right there with you, Ernie. We just bought a new farm last week and you know how TSC sings your name when you have to get the new place up and running.....

Someone pointed out that these are the cases that have been reported. Think of how many folks get the flu and don't go to the doc. I mean, when was the last time you got a tummy bug? Did you run to the doc? Most sensible folks realize that you just have to take plenty of fluids and rest to get over a bug unless you're running out to get a drug that may or may not work. I don't think I've ever gone to a doc or ER for the flu. Makes you wonder how many folk really do have it.

Bearfootfarm · #11 05/07/09, 12:51 AM

Many of those "hospitalized" had OTHER health issues in addition to the flu.

Both of those who DIED in the US were sick BEFORE they got it.

Pink_Carnation · #12 05/07/09, 12:54 AM

The number of official cases is going to keep going up for a while just because of the number of tests that they are pushing through. Here the number "more than doubled" but really they just got the results of 20 more tests.

stanb999 · #13 05/07/09, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink_Carnation

The number of official cases is going to keep going up for a while just because of the number of tests that they are pushing through. Here the number "more than doubled" but really they just got the results of 20 more tests.

Don't forget as well that they aren't testing everyone... Only the likely cases. I read that they are having 99% positive results. I don't know that it is true tho. So there are a bunch that are going untested. The CDC even came out the other day and said it's time to stop worrying about the numbers and worry if you have it and to get the medicine if you need it. Of course it seems that the people are dieing at 2 weeks out. So by the time you realize you need it. It's most likely too late to have any affect. I think they are reccomending the medicine to anyone with flu symptoms now.

Just like they do with every flu... You know it's mild and all.

edcopp · #14 05/07/09, 09:42 AM

Makes one wonder...

Of those who managed to get admitted to the hospital, how many had insurance?

Jonaspear · #15 05/07/09, 11:10 AM

"Well 35/642 X 100 = 5.45% of the people that are getting this end up in the hospital"

Actually no. There is no way to tell how many people actually have the disease unless everyone is tested.

There is likely to be bias in that people who have severe cases are more likley to seek or require treatment and therefore be tested.

50calray · #16 05/08/09, 01:08 AM

wow...the Swine is pushing 700 infections with what...200 deaths or less? That isn't anything close to the people infected yearly by our annual flu. Anyhow, I would argue with you all more about it but I've been sick off my butt for a week now. The Swine and or the common cold can kiss my you know what

cowboy joe · #17 05/08/09, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanb999

The article says that 35 had to be hospitalized... out of 642 So lets see how "mild" this is shall we...

Well there is 642 cases two of which have died. So that means 640 are presumed to be living... right.

Well 35/642 X 100 = 5.45% of the people that are getting this end up in the hospital.

Not really. There is no way, short of testing everyone on the planet, of knowing how many people have the H1N1 flu. The long & short of it is the testing facilities can not handle the volume. Basically, those who are very sick are being tested, including those who are hospitalized. As a result, targeting of a specific population disportionally skews the numbers. As Mark Twain once said, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, ----ed lies and statistics." Sadly, much of what is reported in the news is either junk science or poorly formulated statistics that is cherry picked out of the actual data.

Gary in ohio · #18 05/08/09, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50calray

wow...the Swine is pushing 700 infections with what...200 deaths or less? That isn't anything close to the people infected yearly by our annual flu. Anyhow, I would argue with you all more about it but I've been sick off my butt for a week now. The Swine and or the common cold can kiss my you know what

According to the World Health Org as of 8 May 2009, 24 countries have officially reported (lab confirmed) 2384 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. There have been a total of 42 deaths in Mexico and 2 in the US.

Wisconsin Ann · #19 05/08/09, 09:41 AM

Wisconsin has something over 200 confirmed cases now. A couple of schools closed, but since the flu that the people are getting is a simple fever, cough, tummy flu, the closings are totally up to the local system..they're treating it like a normal run of the mill tummy flu. Most cases here are 4-16year old range.

they did find that closing a school in Milwaukee was a disaster, quarantine-wise. The kids just all went to the malls or the ballparks and hung around

gotta love hind-sight, eh?

Interestingly, and along the lines of preparing, our local grocery store manager told me yesterday (when I found they were out of #10 cans of tomato sauce) that he's having a hard time keeping the larger sizes..what they call commercial size...of products in stock. He's upped his orders of such by 300% for the coming month.

pickapeppa · #20 05/08/09, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edcopp

Makes one wonder...

Of those who managed to get admitted to the hospital, how many had insurance?

Which ups the number of people in the younger categories. The only people getting tested are the more severe cases being admitted. It would be interesting to know how those numbers correlate with how many are walking around with it not seeking treatment. Have there been any public surveys on who does and does not seek treatment for a flu bug?

Most bugs we don't go to the doc. Severe coughing (the kind that interferes with sleep), the initial chest pain in the beginning of a bad lower respiratory infection of any kind (to get a prescription expectorant/cough suppressant and nip that fluid build up in the bud), uncontrollable fevers (rare), uncontrollable asthma flare up for our son, or have the infection drag out for weeks are the instances where we will go to the doc. For some reason, those stomach/intestinal bugs don't really affect us too badly.

I'm assuming most people have the same set of 'symptoms' before they'll seek treatment. We're all pretty familiar with the seasonal flu bugs and know when it's time to get professional help clearing things up.