Below the case of H1N1 in Austin.
Concerns over H1N1 haven't been talked about in the news lately.
But at Seton they are still seeing cases come in and in some instances it's so severe it's life threatening.
"I was sick - I was so sick," said Cynthia Short.
When Cynthia Short was 35 weeks pregnant she became very sick.
"I was tried and drained and I couldn't get out of bed it was awful," said Short.
She knew this sickness wasn't baby related.
Her doctor said it was allergies but when she went into the emergency room she was admitted immediately.
"We were terrified," said Bill Short, Cynthia's husband.
Cynthia's heart rate was elevated and doctors couldn't figure out why she couldn't breathe.
After an emergency c-section her condition didn't improve so she was transferred to Seton.
Doctors gave a grim outlook.
"She is really in critical condition and there is only one other alternative to what we tried thus far," said Bill Short.
That was a new machine called ECMO.
"We enabled her lungs to rest and get through the disease process," said Dennis Biggan, Perusionist at Seton.
For 17 days Cynthia was mostly unconscious as the machine took her blood out of her body before it reached her heart, pumped it with oxygen, and put it back in so she was able to survive.
"Her lungs were so sick they couldn't transfer that oxygen into the blood or take that carbon dioxide out of the blood," said Biggan.
That sickness turned out to be H1N1.
"H1N1 is still a problem so we know we've heard of a rise of it in the past and it's still present today," said Erin August, Adult ECMO Coordinator.
This year alone three adults between the ages of 29 and 49 have spent weeks on ECMO in order to live.
"It's not the population we would think would be most at risk," said August.
Turns out Cynthia never got her flu shot.
Showing posts with label h1n1 flu fight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label h1n1 flu fight. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Stop The H1N1 Spread
Here's about stop the H1N1 spread.
Influenza virus infection, which is sometimes called the "flu", is a highly contagious viral infection that causes general symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose and cough.
In the past, people living in tropical and subtropical countries, influenza is a problem only in Western countries with colder climates.
However, influenza surveillance systems in Malaysia and neighboring countries consistently show that the flu is an important cause of disease in children. Since 1997, when the deadly strain of bird flu is usually (H5N1) occurred in the East Asian governments have been improved and enhanced influenza surveillance.
In addition to identifying new viral strains, a serious global pandemic, such outbreaks can cause unknown, they provide valuable information on influenza surveillance systems have been given, and during what time of year, most of the infections.
Malaysia, influenza infections all year round with peak times between May and June and August and September.
This knowledge will help meet public health leaders, and doctors make better decisions, both to avoid the flu vaccine, and influenza virus infection, some children who are at high risk for serious complications from the treatment.
Understanding the basics
The widespread belief that influenza is neither common nor severe is something that has to change. Influenza viruses constantly circulate around the world, causing millions of illnesses, and significant economic losses, mainly in terms of missed work and school days and millions of clinic visits.
At unpredictable intervals, a new strain of influenza virus may emerge, to which most people have no immunity. This leads to a global epidemic known as a pandemic.
This is what happened in 2009 when the H1N1 influenza virus emerged. As of August 2010, more than 214 countries have been affected by the H1N1 pandemic influenza strain, with over 18,449 reported deaths. In Malaysia alone, up to May 2010, there have been 14,772 confirmed H1N1 cases, with 87 deaths.
Good hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing, covering one's mouth when sneezing and coughing, and staying home when feeling ill, can help to reduce the spread of influenza. In reality however, these behaviours are difficult to consistently practise, especially with children and in crowded conditions.
By far, the most effective method to prevent influenza infection is annual vaccination.
Influenza virus infection, which is sometimes called the "flu", is a highly contagious viral infection that causes general symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose and cough.
In the past, people living in tropical and subtropical countries, influenza is a problem only in Western countries with colder climates.
However, influenza surveillance systems in Malaysia and neighboring countries consistently show that the flu is an important cause of disease in children. Since 1997, when the deadly strain of bird flu is usually (H5N1) occurred in the East Asian governments have been improved and enhanced influenza surveillance.
In addition to identifying new viral strains, a serious global pandemic, such outbreaks can cause unknown, they provide valuable information on influenza surveillance systems have been given, and during what time of year, most of the infections.
Malaysia, influenza infections all year round with peak times between May and June and August and September.
This knowledge will help meet public health leaders, and doctors make better decisions, both to avoid the flu vaccine, and influenza virus infection, some children who are at high risk for serious complications from the treatment.
Understanding the basics
The widespread belief that influenza is neither common nor severe is something that has to change. Influenza viruses constantly circulate around the world, causing millions of illnesses, and significant economic losses, mainly in terms of missed work and school days and millions of clinic visits.
At unpredictable intervals, a new strain of influenza virus may emerge, to which most people have no immunity. This leads to a global epidemic known as a pandemic.
This is what happened in 2009 when the H1N1 influenza virus emerged. As of August 2010, more than 214 countries have been affected by the H1N1 pandemic influenza strain, with over 18,449 reported deaths. In Malaysia alone, up to May 2010, there have been 14,772 confirmed H1N1 cases, with 87 deaths.
Good hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing, covering one's mouth when sneezing and coughing, and staying home when feeling ill, can help to reduce the spread of influenza. In reality however, these behaviours are difficult to consistently practise, especially with children and in crowded conditions.
By far, the most effective method to prevent influenza infection is annual vaccination.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Officials wary of H1N1will come
Below abot H1N1.
H1N1 is a major problem in 2009, and health officials warn that people should not assume that it is the story.
"Historically, there are at least two or three waves of flu," Brown County Health Department Director Judy Friederichs said Tuesday. "We've had two: one in the spring and one in the fall. There's still that potential that we could have the third wave, so we're trying to stay ahead of it."
Friederichs and public health officials made vaccination clinic Tuesday at the Lambeau Field Atrium, where several hundred local residents turned out. Who should not have been vaccinated, he said.
"I certainly think there are still quite a few people who need to be immunized," Friederichs said. Her department will sponsor two more clinics next week, with the times and sites announced later this week.
"We certainly don't want to repeat the fall," she said.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is asking public health departments to increase efforts to reach minority communities. State data showed that a higher ratio of minorities were hospitalized with H1N1 during the fall outbreak than nonminorities.
State officials said there were several possible reasons for the disparity, including reduced access to health care for minorities.
Friederichs said reaching minority and diverse populations has been a priority.
"We've tried to focus outreach on those weeks when we've had clinics," Friederichs said, saying 400 to 500 fliers were distributed in targeted areas. The fliers had both English and Spanish translations, urging people to be immunized.
H1N1 is a major problem in 2009, and health officials warn that people should not assume that it is the story.
"Historically, there are at least two or three waves of flu," Brown County Health Department Director Judy Friederichs said Tuesday. "We've had two: one in the spring and one in the fall. There's still that potential that we could have the third wave, so we're trying to stay ahead of it."
Friederichs and public health officials made vaccination clinic Tuesday at the Lambeau Field Atrium, where several hundred local residents turned out. Who should not have been vaccinated, he said.
"I certainly think there are still quite a few people who need to be immunized," Friederichs said. Her department will sponsor two more clinics next week, with the times and sites announced later this week.
"We certainly don't want to repeat the fall," she said.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is asking public health departments to increase efforts to reach minority communities. State data showed that a higher ratio of minorities were hospitalized with H1N1 during the fall outbreak than nonminorities.
State officials said there were several possible reasons for the disparity, including reduced access to health care for minorities.
Friederichs said reaching minority and diverse populations has been a priority.
"We've tried to focus outreach on those weeks when we've had clinics," Friederichs said, saying 400 to 500 fliers were distributed in targeted areas. The fliers had both English and Spanish translations, urging people to be immunized.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
H1N1 : HCMC Resident Dies
These about H1N1 cases.
The 52 year old man was under treatment for fever and cough for the last few days but his condition was not showing any signs of improving. He was moved to the Tropical Diseases Hospital on February 28, as his condition deteriorated with pneumonia and respiratory problems.
Tests proved that he was positive for H1N1 virus. Medical workers tried to save him by giving antibiotics and Tamiflu, but their efforts proved futile and his condition worsened. He died after a day of treatment.
Medics have warned residents not to neglect any case of simple fever or cough as the epidemic conditions for H1N1 virus were prevalent in the city. People must immediately visit nearby medical clinics when they experienced fever and cough.
Source
Please leaves your comment if you have any ideas.
The 52 year old man was under treatment for fever and cough for the last few days but his condition was not showing any signs of improving. He was moved to the Tropical Diseases Hospital on February 28, as his condition deteriorated with pneumonia and respiratory problems.
Tests proved that he was positive for H1N1 virus. Medical workers tried to save him by giving antibiotics and Tamiflu, but their efforts proved futile and his condition worsened. He died after a day of treatment.
Medics have warned residents not to neglect any case of simple fever or cough as the epidemic conditions for H1N1 virus were prevalent in the city. People must immediately visit nearby medical clinics when they experienced fever and cough.
Source
Please leaves your comment if you have any ideas.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Residents line up for H1N1 vaccine
These article about H1N1 vaccine.
PULASKI — John and Amy Matczak of Sobieski decided Wednesday that the close proximity of the H1N1 flu vaccine clinic was worth loading up their four small children and taking the short road trip.
They were among several hundred who turned out at the Pulaski Middle School for the first of two public clinics this week sponsored by the Brown County Health Department. The second clinic is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. today at Shopko Hall in Ashwaubenon.
"It's their first one," Amy Matczak said, referring to her 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old twins. "It wasn't a problem. They got the (nasal) mist."
These are the first vaccines available locally to the general public after the health officials determined that target groups — primarily pregnant women, children younger than 10 years, and those with health problems — were adequately covered and more vaccines became available.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say 85 million doses of the vaccine are now available and 10 million more are coming out every week.
Marcee Gohr, a nurse at the Pulaski Middle School, said a line began to form 45 minutes before the clinic opened at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and the traffic remained steady as people of all ages came for vaccinations in the school auditorium.
Gordon Maki of Suamico was one of them. He received a regular flu shot in September but wanted to get the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it became available.
The CDC announced Wednesday that 800,000 doses of the vaccine intended for young children are being recalled because the antigen content is below specified limits. However, the CDC said the vaccine is safe.
Judy Friederichs, director of the Brown County Health Department, said none of the doses have been sent to Green Bay.
"Parents don't need to do anything about it," Friederichs said.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Health Services reported Wednesday that four more people have died from the H1N1 flu, bringing the state death toll to 47 since April.
The new deaths were reported in the last week in Bayfield, Dane, Milwaukee and Polk counties.
The department says the number of H1N1-related hospitalizations has also increased to 854 even though the number of overall cases is declining all over the state at the moment.
Public health officials say another wave of cases could be coming, and now is a good time to get vaccinated.
Source
PULASKI — John and Amy Matczak of Sobieski decided Wednesday that the close proximity of the H1N1 flu vaccine clinic was worth loading up their four small children and taking the short road trip.
They were among several hundred who turned out at the Pulaski Middle School for the first of two public clinics this week sponsored by the Brown County Health Department. The second clinic is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. today at Shopko Hall in Ashwaubenon.
"It's their first one," Amy Matczak said, referring to her 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old twins. "It wasn't a problem. They got the (nasal) mist."
These are the first vaccines available locally to the general public after the health officials determined that target groups — primarily pregnant women, children younger than 10 years, and those with health problems — were adequately covered and more vaccines became available.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say 85 million doses of the vaccine are now available and 10 million more are coming out every week.
Marcee Gohr, a nurse at the Pulaski Middle School, said a line began to form 45 minutes before the clinic opened at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and the traffic remained steady as people of all ages came for vaccinations in the school auditorium.
Gordon Maki of Suamico was one of them. He received a regular flu shot in September but wanted to get the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it became available.
The CDC announced Wednesday that 800,000 doses of the vaccine intended for young children are being recalled because the antigen content is below specified limits. However, the CDC said the vaccine is safe.
Judy Friederichs, director of the Brown County Health Department, said none of the doses have been sent to Green Bay.
"Parents don't need to do anything about it," Friederichs said.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Health Services reported Wednesday that four more people have died from the H1N1 flu, bringing the state death toll to 47 since April.
The new deaths were reported in the last week in Bayfield, Dane, Milwaukee and Polk counties.
The department says the number of H1N1-related hospitalizations has also increased to 854 even though the number of overall cases is declining all over the state at the moment.
Public health officials say another wave of cases could be coming, and now is a good time to get vaccinated.
Source
Friday, March 4, 2011
H1N1 Claims 3 Lives in Malaysia
Article about H1N1 claim 3 lives in Malaysia.
The A/H1N1 flu has claimed three lives this year in Malaysia, while 679 others have been tested positive for the fatal disease.
Malaysian Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai announced the figures in a statement on Thursday.
Liow warned that although it was not the peak of the flu season now, members of the public should be caution as A/H1N1 could be spread easily, particularly at schools.
A school in Malaysia was temporary closed on Wednesday after 166 students showed signs of cough and sore throat.
Liow reminded all schools to abide by the guidelines set by the ministry to prevent the disease from spreading.
The minister also urged school staff and students to seek medical treatment once they did not feel well, and stay at home until they have fully recovered.
The A/H1N1 flu has claimed three lives this year in Malaysia, while 679 others have been tested positive for the fatal disease.
Malaysian Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai announced the figures in a statement on Thursday.
Liow warned that although it was not the peak of the flu season now, members of the public should be caution as A/H1N1 could be spread easily, particularly at schools.
A school in Malaysia was temporary closed on Wednesday after 166 students showed signs of cough and sore throat.
Liow reminded all schools to abide by the guidelines set by the ministry to prevent the disease from spreading.
The minister also urged school staff and students to seek medical treatment once they did not feel well, and stay at home until they have fully recovered.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
H1N1 and H9N2 Offspring Can Be More Lethal
Today's talks about H1N1 and H9N2 offspring can be more lethal.
Mar 2, 2011 (CIDRAP News) – Chinese researchers who tested reassortants that combined the 2009 H1N1 virus with H9N2, a subtype that commonly circulates in birds, found that several were more pathogenic then the parent viruses, which they said could pose a pandemic threat.
Their experiments also found that of 127 reassortants between the two viruses, as many as 57.5% had a high ability to replicate, similar to the two parent viruses, which suggests that the two viruses have a high genetic compatibility. The findings appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The report was edited by Dr Peter Palese, a well-known virologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
Though H9N2 is a low-pathogenic virus, it has also been found in pigs, which infectious disease experts have said could be a "mixing vessel" for animal and human flu viruses, producing novel flu viruses with pandemic potential.
Human infections with H9N2 have been reported, and the World Health Organization (WHO) includes the virus alongside H5N1 in its annual recommendations for pandemic flu vaccine candidate viruses.
Unpacking virulence differences
Using reverse genetics, the study group attempted to make all possible 127 reassortants from an avian H9N2 influenza virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus. Then they categorized each into one of four groups based on replication ability.
A total of 73 reassortants showed a high ability to replicate, and the group evaluated the pathogenicity of all of them in mice. Based on those findings, they sorted the viruses into three groups that varied by how sick the mice got. Eight of the reassortants caused more severe disease, based on clinical observation such as ruffled coat, lethargy, and dyspnea, and microscopic signs in lung tissue, which included interstitial pneumonia and bronchopneumonia, edema, hemorrhage, epithelial cell dropout, and infiltration of inflammatory cells.
All eight of the most pathogenic reassortants had the polymerase acid (PA) gene segment from the 2009 H1N1 virus, which the authors suggest is required for the emergence of the most virulent reassortants they tested. Further analysis showed that the basic polymerase 1 (PB1) gene of the 2009 H1N1 virus usually attenuated the pathogenicity of the reassortants, and the neuraminidase of that parent virus typically increased their virulence.
Projecting illness impacts
Though the more virulent reassortants were a major concern, the less pathogenic ones that emerged are also worth noting, the authors state, because they could circulate undetected in mammals, and mutation or further reassortment could also pose a pandemic threat.
Not all of the reassortants that had the PA gene segment from the 2009 H1N1 virus were more virulent that their parent viruses, which the investigators said suggests that other gene segments play a role in pathogenicity.
They said their examination of the sickest mice showed no evidence of systemic spread, but all viruses replicated efficiently in the lungs and showed high polymerase activity. "These results suggested that a high virus load and high polymerase activity were important factors for the virulence of the reassortants in mice," they wrote.
The group concluded that reassortants between H9N2 and pandemic H1N1 could pose a public health threat and that the PA gene segment findings in the most virulent ones could serve as a marker for identifying H9 reassortants that present the greatest risks.
Source...
Mar 2, 2011 (CIDRAP News) – Chinese researchers who tested reassortants that combined the 2009 H1N1 virus with H9N2, a subtype that commonly circulates in birds, found that several were more pathogenic then the parent viruses, which they said could pose a pandemic threat.
Their experiments also found that of 127 reassortants between the two viruses, as many as 57.5% had a high ability to replicate, similar to the two parent viruses, which suggests that the two viruses have a high genetic compatibility. The findings appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The report was edited by Dr Peter Palese, a well-known virologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
Though H9N2 is a low-pathogenic virus, it has also been found in pigs, which infectious disease experts have said could be a "mixing vessel" for animal and human flu viruses, producing novel flu viruses with pandemic potential.
Human infections with H9N2 have been reported, and the World Health Organization (WHO) includes the virus alongside H5N1 in its annual recommendations for pandemic flu vaccine candidate viruses.
Unpacking virulence differences
Using reverse genetics, the study group attempted to make all possible 127 reassortants from an avian H9N2 influenza virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus. Then they categorized each into one of four groups based on replication ability.
A total of 73 reassortants showed a high ability to replicate, and the group evaluated the pathogenicity of all of them in mice. Based on those findings, they sorted the viruses into three groups that varied by how sick the mice got. Eight of the reassortants caused more severe disease, based on clinical observation such as ruffled coat, lethargy, and dyspnea, and microscopic signs in lung tissue, which included interstitial pneumonia and bronchopneumonia, edema, hemorrhage, epithelial cell dropout, and infiltration of inflammatory cells.
All eight of the most pathogenic reassortants had the polymerase acid (PA) gene segment from the 2009 H1N1 virus, which the authors suggest is required for the emergence of the most virulent reassortants they tested. Further analysis showed that the basic polymerase 1 (PB1) gene of the 2009 H1N1 virus usually attenuated the pathogenicity of the reassortants, and the neuraminidase of that parent virus typically increased their virulence.
Projecting illness impacts
Though the more virulent reassortants were a major concern, the less pathogenic ones that emerged are also worth noting, the authors state, because they could circulate undetected in mammals, and mutation or further reassortment could also pose a pandemic threat.
Not all of the reassortants that had the PA gene segment from the 2009 H1N1 virus were more virulent that their parent viruses, which the investigators said suggests that other gene segments play a role in pathogenicity.
They said their examination of the sickest mice showed no evidence of systemic spread, but all viruses replicated efficiently in the lungs and showed high polymerase activity. "These results suggested that a high virus load and high polymerase activity were important factors for the virulence of the reassortants in mice," they wrote.
The group concluded that reassortants between H9N2 and pandemic H1N1 could pose a public health threat and that the PA gene segment findings in the most virulent ones could serve as a marker for identifying H9 reassortants that present the greatest risks.
Source...
Seasonal Flu Vaccination Result in Higher Risk of Pandemic Flu Infection?
These article about seasonal flu vaccination.
Recent studies have suggested that vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine resulted in an apparent higher risk of infection with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009. Geoffry N. Mercer, of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, and colleagues, constructed a simple mathematical model incorporating strain competition and a hypothesised temporary strain-transcending immunity to investigate this observation. The model assumes that seasonal vaccine has no effect on the risk of infection with pandemic influenza.
The researchers say that results of the model over a range of reproduction numbers and effective vaccination coverage confirm this apparent increased risk in the Northern, but not the Southern, hemisphere. This is due to unvaccinated individuals being more likely to be infected with seasonal influenza (if it is circulating) and developing hypothesised temporary immunity to the pandemic strain. Because vaccinated individuals are less likely to have been infected with seasonal influenza, they are less likely to have developed the hypothesised temporary immunity and are therefore more likely to be infected with pandemic influenza. If the reproduction number for pandemic influenza is increased, as it is for children, an increase in the apparent risk of seasonal vaccination is observed. The maximum apparent risk effect is found when seasonal vaccination coverage is in the range of 20 percent to 40 percent.
Mercer, et al. conclude that only when pandemic influenza is recently preceded by seasonal influenza circulation is there a modeled increased risk of pandemic influenza infection associated with prior receipt of seasonal vaccine. Their research was published in BMC Public Health.
Recent studies have suggested that vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine resulted in an apparent higher risk of infection with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009. Geoffry N. Mercer, of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, and colleagues, constructed a simple mathematical model incorporating strain competition and a hypothesised temporary strain-transcending immunity to investigate this observation. The model assumes that seasonal vaccine has no effect on the risk of infection with pandemic influenza.
The researchers say that results of the model over a range of reproduction numbers and effective vaccination coverage confirm this apparent increased risk in the Northern, but not the Southern, hemisphere. This is due to unvaccinated individuals being more likely to be infected with seasonal influenza (if it is circulating) and developing hypothesised temporary immunity to the pandemic strain. Because vaccinated individuals are less likely to have been infected with seasonal influenza, they are less likely to have developed the hypothesised temporary immunity and are therefore more likely to be infected with pandemic influenza. If the reproduction number for pandemic influenza is increased, as it is for children, an increase in the apparent risk of seasonal vaccination is observed. The maximum apparent risk effect is found when seasonal vaccination coverage is in the range of 20 percent to 40 percent.
Mercer, et al. conclude that only when pandemic influenza is recently preceded by seasonal influenza circulation is there a modeled increased risk of pandemic influenza infection associated with prior receipt of seasonal vaccine. Their research was published in BMC Public Health.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Article about Bharat Biotech Launches H1N1 Flu Vaccine.
Bharat Biotech announced Monday the launch of cultured cells "indigenously developed vaccine against the H1N1 influenza HNVAC brand. In a press release here, the company said this was the first indigenously developed Indian culture cells H1N1 swine influenza vaccines. It has been tested extensively in phase I, II and III clinical trials in the country and is proven safe and well tolerated. The release said it is developing the world's influenza vaccine produced in cell culture production process is sterile and control, instead of eggs.
The single dose vaccine will be priced competitively. Bharat Biotech’s CMD, Krishna Ella, said their immediate goal was to get the vaccine easily accessible and at an affordable cost to high risk groups. The key benefit of cell culture vaccine was its potential to scale up and produce large quantities when required and enabling quicker response in the event of a pandemic.
The company received the approval from Drugs Controller General of India earlier this month to launch HNVAC vaccine. It was developed with approved strains from WHO and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Atlanta. “USFDA has discouraged the use of egg-based vaccines due to adverse reactions from egg-based proteins, especially in children,” the release added. HNVAC will be made available in the private market and through government procurement agencies.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Seasonal Flu Shots
Talks about seasonal flu shots offered countywide.
This fall, avoiding influenza (flu) should be a top priority. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is by getting this year’s flu shot,” said Dr. Eric Frykman, County Health Officer.
This year the H1N1 flu vaccine has been combined with the seasonal flu vaccine, so only one shot is needed.
Annual flu shots are recommended for everyone over the age of six months.
The flu vaccine is especially important for: pregnant women, children younger than 5 years of age, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term facilities, Health care workers, household contacts and home caregivers for high risk individuals.
Flu shots are available at all ten County Family Care Centers. Walk-in flu clinic hours are 8 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment needed. There is no cost for the flu shots at the Family Care Centers, though donations are accepted.
For more information on influenza or where to get a flu shot in Riverside County,
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
H1N1 Vaccines For Haj Pilgrims
Article about H1N1 vaccines for haj pilgrims.
Abu Dhabi: Haj pilgrims across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are required to receive vaccinations against H1N1 and Meningitis two weeks prior to travelling, as per an announcement by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad).
Effective from Monday, the free of charge mandated vaccinations will be available in various primary health care centres across Abu Dhabi.
Educational material about the control of communicable diseases, health care requirements and recommendations will also be distributed to Haj pilgrims, who are expected to travel to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during Eid Al Adha, from November 14 to 17.
Haj pilgrims are expected to be given two vaccinations this year — one for the seasonal flu, which provides protection against the H1N1 virus, and the Meningococcal vaccine which provides protection against Meningitis.
"All pilgrims must show proof of the vaccination for seasonal flu and Meningococcal vaccination on a valid certificate of vaccination [International Certificate of Vaccination or an authorised vaccination card] before entering the KSA to perform Al Haj," said Dr Farida Al Hosani, acting section head of communicable diseases at Haad.
She added: "Each year millions of people travel to the KSA to perform Haj. Because of the sheer number of pilgrims, and their close proximity to each other in crowded sites, diseases — particularly the bacteria which cause meningitis — can spread quickly between the pilgrims."
Despite H1N1 and meningitis jabs made compulsory for those going to Makkah, Gulf News reported last November, that an expected 6,228 UAE Haj pilgrims would be vaccinated, out of which 5,228 are Emiratis.
However, few turned up for the vaccination.
Vaccinations: Where to go
Haj vaccination is available free of charge in a large number of clinics throughout the emirate.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Get The Flu Shot
Article about H1N1. Read, click and try product from the bottom of this blog under sponsor links. ^_^
Last year at this time, a monster called H1N1 was preparing to make life miserable for more than 25,000 Canadians.
By the time the swine flu pandemic had passed, it was responsible for 427 deaths.
This year? Nothing quite as scary on the horizon, but that doesn't mean you can skip the flu shot. If anything, last year proved why everyone should get vaccinated every year, say Niagara's health professionals.
"I have five grandchildren, and they all get immunized ... because I've seen the results of not being immunized," says Donna Kalailieff, manager of the vaccine preventable disease program with Niagara Region Public Health.
She calls last year an "anomaly" because H1N1 surfaced after the regular flu vaccine was already prepared. This led to many people getting two flu shots, and in the case of the H1N1 vaccine, a long wait.
This year's regular flu shot will include the vaccine for H1N1 and two other strains.
The first shipment of vaccines arrived Wednesday, and doctors can start giving shots immediately.
Public Health's flu clinic opens at the MacBain Community Centre Nov. 3, and at the Leisureplex in Fort Erie Nov. 17.
But if you don't want to wait that long, Urgent Care Niagara's flu clinic at 6150 Valley Way opened Friday. In addition, employers can arrange for a free onsite clinic so workers don't have to leave work to get a shot.
Tim Windsor, clinical services director, says there are about 12,000 people in Urgent Care Niagara's database awaiting word on the opening of this year's flu clinics.
As always, part of flu season is educating people what, exactly, the flu shot is.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Protecting Vulnerable Against Influenza
Above thought about influenza.
Many minorities go unvaccinated against influenza, and a huge gap exists between the vaccination of minority and majority populations. In at least 12 states last influenza season, fatalities from H1N1 were four times greater among American Indians and Alaska Natives than for the general population. One study showed that among patients hospitalized by H1N1 in 13 metropolitan areas of 10 states, about 35% were black, whereas 16% were non-Hispanic white.
Influenza resulted in 23,607 deaths per year in the United States during the previous 3 decades. A total of 344 laboratory-confirmed deaths from H1N1 occurred in the pediatric population during the 2009–10 season, compared with 88 in 2007–08 and 69 in 2008–09, with data from specific communities showing that black and Hispanic children were more likely to die from H1N1.
The message is clear: influenza is deadly, costly to society because of lost productivity, and personal—protecting yourself through vaccination is the best way to protect others, particularly those who are susceptible to serious harm from the virus. These and other vital topics were discussed during a webinar titled Reaching Minority and Vulnerable Populations: Getting Ahead of the Curve to Prevent Seasonal Flu, held on October and presented by the Society for Public Health Education.
Urged to Get Flu Shots
Above about health-care workers again urged to get flu shots.
In years past, about six in 10 health-care workers nationwide would skip the annual flu shot, even as public-health experts preached its importance.
Last year, because of the H1N1 flu scare, those numbers were reversed - 60 percent of health-care workers nationwide were vaccinated, according to preliminary data.
National health leaders want to build on that interest by telling health-care workers that they have an ethical obligation to lower the risk that they'll get sick.
"Every health-care worker has a responsibility to protect their patients and that includes vaccination," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That message appears to be getting through in Columbus, where a majority of hospital employees were vaccinated last season and hospital leaders continue to push for higher rates.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases shared survey results yesterday showing that 95 percent of 400 primary-care physicians said they have been or plan to be vaccinated against flu this year.
Dr. William Schaffner, president of the group, said that news was encouraging, especially considering the historically low rates of vaccination among all health-care workers.
Although H1N1 was the motivation last year, 60 percent of health-care workers got the seasonal vaccine that was available earlier. Since the H1N1 vaccine became available later in the year, less than 40 percent of have gotten that vaccine.
Health officials now say that everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated.
Columbus hospitals last season drove their vaccination numbers much higher than the national average of about 40 percent among all health-care workers.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is continuing last year's policy of withholding raises for those employees who refuse the vaccine. Last year, that policy (which exempts those who have a medical or religious reason) helped them get about 97 percent of employees vaccinated with the H1N1 and seasonal vaccines, said Dr. Dennis Cunningham, physician director for epidemiology and infection control.
"You have to have some teeth in the policy," he said.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Strategies Halt Pandemic Diseases like H1N1
Here’s thought about H1N1.
A recent study led by Dr. Parviez Hosseini, a senior research fellow from EcoHealth Alliance (formerly Wildlife Trust), explains the importance of identifying global pandemic risk factors as early as possible, in order to predict the spread of diseases like H1N1 "swine" flu and SARS. "Predictive Power of Air Travel and Socio-Economic data for Early Pandemic Spread," recently published in the scientific publication PLoS ONE, examines the interplay among travel, trade, and national healthcare resources in predicting the emergence and spread of H1N1 and other viruses.
The report points to the need for improved surveillance of diseases in traded livestock and rapid deployment of control measures in those countries first affected – especially countries in the predicted path of the disease and those with fewer healthcare resources. "The most benefit accrues when higher-income countries provide additional resources to lower-income countries, particularly those that have high-volume air traffic," said Dr. Hosseini. "International authorities should earmark more aid for the poorest countries where the risk of emerging infectious diseases is highest, in order to detect infections as early as possible, and to reduce the human and economic disaster of global pandemics."
2009 H1N1 Outbreak Lessons Learned
By May 2009, two weeks after cases of the A/H1N1 strain was first reported, the disease had already spread to 24 countries, 40 U.S. states, and nine Canadian provinces. The rapid spread of this disease was due in large part to consumer air travel exacerbated by slow reporting in countries with the fewest healthcare resources. "We might one day be able to predict the emergence of viruses and develop vaccines more quickly; however, in order to do so, we first need to have greater surveillance in countries with the fewest healthcare resources," Hosseini said.
Last year's strain of H1N1 was relatively mild; however, if a more dangerous strain like the H5N1 "avian flu" subtype were to spread similarly, the outcome would be catastrophic in terms of human suffering and economic damage. Were this to occur, the economic cost has been estimated between $71 billion and $167 billion. "The measures we propose are likely to have economic benefits that far outweigh their costs," according to Hosseini.
Among the key conclusions and strategies recommended in the report were the following:
- Expanded surveillance for diseases in livestock populations – Only through surveillance can scientists predict the emergence of diseases, and develop vaccines in advance of their spread; however, even dramatic reductions in the international live animal trade may not prevent the exposure of local livestock to new types of viruses from distant locations.
- Leverage major airport hubs to halt the spread of disease – Rather than rely solely on travel restrictions, airports serving as major transportation hubs could also become venues both for disease surveillance, as well as serve double duty as facilities to train people and stockpile medicines in preparation for pandemics.
Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/2010/10/06/2254487/ecohealth-alliance-study-highlights.html#ixzz11kko0hHV
Sunday, June 13, 2010
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Here’s about H1N1 nowadays.
The head of the WHO said Tuesday that her decisions about swine flu were not influenced by advisers’ links to pharmaceutical companies, which were pointed out in a critical journal article this month.
Three scientists out of 22 who worked on the guidelines were named as having received some money from pharmaceuticals. The scientists did not work at the drug companies, but were paid for things like speaking at meetings sponsored by them.
The guidelines recommend, among other things, that countries consider buying antivirals and vaccines to combat a pandemic. The authors of the BMJ article suggest, without providing direct evidence, that these scientists’ ties to pharmaceutical companies influenced WHO’s recommendation that countries buy drugs and vaccines — adding to those drug companies’ profits. “Our investigation has revealed damaging issues,” wrote Deborah Cohen of BMJ and journalist Philip Carter. “These conflicts of interest have never been disclosed by WHO.
WHO’s handling of the outbreak is being reviewed by a 29-member expert panel that will report its findings next year. Critics say many of those panelists are also trusted WHO advisers and government employees who could end up whitewashing any failures. “At no time, not for one second, did commercial interests enter my decision-making,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said.
Chan insisted she was open to the panel’s criticism. “Should this committee decide that the current definition of a pandemic and the phases leading up to its declaration need to be tightened or otherwise revised, this will be another recommendation that we will welcome, and act on.”
The U.S. Health and Human Services department defended the U.N. body. “WHO handled the outbreak in a very measured and appropriate manner,” said Bill Hall, an HHS spokesman. “Their decisions were driven by the existing and evolving conditions at the time.” He said there was “no indication whatsoever that any of their decisions were influenced by industry.” Other leading officials agreed.
“There was nothing in those guidelines that was not based on the best science available,” said Michael Osterholm, a flu expert at the University of Minnesota who has advised the U.S. on pandemic preparations. He said the scientists consulted were the world’s top flu experts and to not include them would have been a major flaw. Osterholm said that because flu viruses are unpredictable, it was impossible for anyone to predict last spring that swine flu would not evolve into a more lethal strain.
He slammed the BMJ article, calling it “irresponsible and reckless,” and said its authors had not substantiated their claims WHO behaved inappropriately during the pandemic. “It’s akin to shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre without regard to the consequences,” Osterholm said. He said while WHO should be subjected to the highest scrutiny, BMJ’s accusations had done “untold damage to the public health infrastructure of the world.”
Harvey Fineberg, the president of the Institute of Medicine in Washington, said the review panel which he heads will hear from critics of WHO when it next meets from June 30 to July 2. A report published by the Council of Europe last week said the guidelines from WHO, European Union agencies and national governments led to a “waste of large sums of public money and unjustified scares and fears about the health risks faced by the European public.” The agency is not an EU body.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Dangerous or exaggerated?
Above about H1N1.
When H1N1 broke out in Mexico, many reports of death and widespread illness were made. While it is true that many people died or became very ill in countries like Mexico, this is mostly because of a lack of treatment opportunities. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization, or WHO, has blown it out of proportion and made US citizens think it was fatal no matter where you lived. I do think that H1N1's reputation was amplified when people got word of it and panicked. Many schools were actually shut down because of just a couple of cases, and clinics were created just to test for symptoms.
There were fewer deaths from Swine Flu than from the normal influenza, and less than 1% of patients are currently being hospitalized. H1N1 is expected to come back during the normal time when flu comes, and seems like it will be around for a while. However, unless if it mutates into something worse, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
31 deaths because H1N1
31 H1N1 death in Georgia.
Bird flu deaths in Georgia on Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control in the country and arrived in 31 days.
32 Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Tbilisi year-old woman died of the virus, according to the center.
Mtskheta women, residents in about 20 kilometers north of Tbilisi, the capital.
This case has been confirmed experimentally.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Vaccine agains influenza H1N1
Above about vaccine of influenza H1N1.
By Erin McGowan, who rely on their sixth child around New Year, volunteer to try the vaccine against influenza H1N1 is unclear.
Not only voluntary, but wrote all but his youngest son, which is equal to 1, but unacceptable for a child test vaccine against swine flu.
How to survive flu season unscathed
Map: swine influenza in the region of U.S. tennis
Q & A: H1N1 and seasonal influenza: Vaccination Questions
H1N1 influenza pandemic, "she said, a pregnant mother and five" Itty Bitty children - the eldest son-6 is a "substance that forms the disaster."
McGowan, 33, remains at home, Saint Louis, with a doctorate in psychology, told about how pregnant women are at high risk of complications from H1N1.
On September 3, 6% of deaths from H1N1 flu is confirmed as pregnant women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. And infections of H1N1, pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized than the general population, according to the National Institute of allergy and infectious Diseases.
Do you want to test the vaccine to people who need it most, "said Sharon Frey, professor of internal medicine overseeing the process of pregnancy at the University of Saint Louis, where he received his first dose of the McGowan Monday. Five other centers also enroll pregnant women in this process, which attracts up to 120.
Jitter Test
Analysis of vaccine in pregnant women is the effect, but that does not mean that this process is less clear.
"I walked to the point of calling it will have a point in thinking of drugs education and vaccines during pregnancy," said Anne Lyerly, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Duke University and experts field of Bioethics. "We know very little about how to treat these diseases during pregnancy, rather than a study of how the drugs work the body in a state of pregnancy.
Thousands of drugs sold in the United States, only a dozen are tested and approved for pregnant women, "says Lyerly.
Manufacturers do not pregnant women for fear of damaging their fetuses. The same concern many pregnant women are nervous to stop taking drugs, even non-controlled chronic diseases such as asthma can damage the mother and child.
Test for H1N1, "My first reaction was that I needed to talk to my doctor and see what you think, because I was afraid," says Kathy Вт, 26. BT plans to begin shipping their first child on December 15. "Of course, advised not to get involved.
Although no guarantees, says Watts, he said he was not test pregnant women showed that an H1N1 vaccine "completely safe". As McGowan, he said that the amount of time to be first in line for him. Watts enrolled in Vanderbilt University, where he works in development and relationships with students.
Kathryn Edwards, professor of paediatrics, which oversees the process of pregnancy H1N1 in Vanderbilt, said, "We knew a long time," Garden variety of seasonal flu increases the risk of hospital during the last three months, four or five times.
However, he said, only 15% of pregnant women get the vaccine against seasonal flu. "A very positive aspect of H1N1 pandemic could be all that people are a little" more comfortable getting the vaccine against seasonal flu.
By Erin McGowan, who rely on their sixth child around New Year, volunteer to try the vaccine against influenza H1N1 is unclear.
Not only voluntary, but wrote all but his youngest son, which is equal to 1, but unacceptable for a child test vaccine against swine flu.
How to survive flu season unscathed
Map: swine influenza in the region of U.S. tennis
Q & A: H1N1 and seasonal influenza: Vaccination Questions
H1N1 influenza pandemic, "she said, a pregnant mother and five" Itty Bitty children - the eldest son-6 is a "substance that forms the disaster."
McGowan, 33, remains at home, Saint Louis, with a doctorate in psychology, told about how pregnant women are at high risk of complications from H1N1.
On September 3, 6% of deaths from H1N1 flu is confirmed as pregnant women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. And infections of H1N1, pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized than the general population, according to the National Institute of allergy and infectious Diseases.
Do you want to test the vaccine to people who need it most, "said Sharon Frey, professor of internal medicine overseeing the process of pregnancy at the University of Saint Louis, where he received his first dose of the McGowan Monday. Five other centers also enroll pregnant women in this process, which attracts up to 120.
Jitter Test
Analysis of vaccine in pregnant women is the effect, but that does not mean that this process is less clear.
"I walked to the point of calling it will have a point in thinking of drugs education and vaccines during pregnancy," said Anne Lyerly, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Duke University and experts field of Bioethics. "We know very little about how to treat these diseases during pregnancy, rather than a study of how the drugs work the body in a state of pregnancy.
Thousands of drugs sold in the United States, only a dozen are tested and approved for pregnant women, "says Lyerly.
Manufacturers do not pregnant women for fear of damaging their fetuses. The same concern many pregnant women are nervous to stop taking drugs, even non-controlled chronic diseases such as asthma can damage the mother and child.
Test for H1N1, "My first reaction was that I needed to talk to my doctor and see what you think, because I was afraid," says Kathy Вт, 26. BT plans to begin shipping their first child on December 15. "Of course, advised not to get involved.
Although no guarantees, says Watts, he said he was not test pregnant women showed that an H1N1 vaccine "completely safe". As McGowan, he said that the amount of time to be first in line for him. Watts enrolled in Vanderbilt University, where he works in development and relationships with students.
Kathryn Edwards, professor of paediatrics, which oversees the process of pregnancy H1N1 in Vanderbilt, said, "We knew a long time," Garden variety of seasonal flu increases the risk of hospital during the last three months, four or five times.
However, he said, only 15% of pregnant women get the vaccine against seasonal flu. "A very positive aspect of H1N1 pandemic could be all that people are a little" more comfortable getting the vaccine against seasonal flu.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
New push in H1N1 flu fight
Above about H1N1 flu fight.
U.S. health officials are preparing intensively to combat an anticipated wave of outbreaks of the new H1N1 flu when children return to school and the pace of cases picks up.
Identified by scientists just three months ago, the new swine-flu virus has reached nearly every country, spreading tenaciously with what the World Health Organization this week called "unprecedented speed." Rather than die down in the summer as some experts initially expected, it is continuing to proliferate even in countries like the U.S. and U.K. that are in the full bloom of summer, when the march of influenza normally slows down. It is also spreading rapidly in the Southern Hemisphere.
Anne Schuchat, chief of immunization and respiratory diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday that the agency expects an increase in cases before the normal start of the flu season in mid-autumn, because children are likely to spread it to one another once they go back to school. Infectious diseases normally spread readily among children, and this virus has hit children and young adults harder than the elderly, who normally suffer the heaviest toll from flu.
"We've seen it in camps and military units," Dr. Schuchat said. "I'm expecting when school reopens and kids are all back together, in some communities at least we may see an increase."
The number of confirmed U.S. infections is now 40,617, with 263 deaths, the CDC said Friday. But the agency believes that more than one million people have been infected and weren't tested for the virus or didn't visit a doctor. The disease has become so widespread that the agency will probably suspend tallying individual case counts within the next few weeks and focus instead on tracking clusters, severe cases, deaths and other unusual events -- a more traditional approach to tracking diseases, Dr. Schuchat said.
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