News about influenza I did NOT want to hear.

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On noon news they said the exact strain of flu going around now is NOT in this years vaccine. However a close strain is in the vaccine. I will look around for a link.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

That would account for what we've been seeing in residents of LTC facilities in our area, most of whom got the flu shot last month but are now in the hospital with pneumonia and other sequelae of the flu. We have at least 13 residents of one assisted-living community on our floor as I write this, and I've heard the epidemic isn't over yet. Nasty business, this particular strain........several local elderly folks have already died from it, and some of our current patients aren't doing well. :o Not a good way to start the season........wonder why they didn't include this strain in the vaccine? Or didn't they see it coming?

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Specializes in midwifery, ophthalmics, general practice.

thats right- its a new variant of strain A but this years vaccine should give some cover- at least thats what we are being told here!!

karen:eek:

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Originally posted by oramar

On noon news they said the exact strain of flu going around now is NOT in this years vaccine. However a close strain is in the vaccine. I will look around for a link.

Oh great. There went the 18 bucks I spent for a shot down the drain.

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The virus is constantly undergoing mutation.

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I haven't seen many people sick yet with the "common cold" that goes through us as coworkers. I had a common cold all ready this season. If I got sick again this month or next or in january i will experience self doubt. I still want to smack anyone i see spitting within 5-10 meters of me. Then you have the folks who sneeze up in the air when no one is looking, spewing virons into the air we breath. I am so afraid to catch a doozie this year.:imbar

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I'm just returning after being out with the flu for 10 miserable days. I took 14 days off. I got my shot in early October.

The infection control nurse is saying you cannot come back to work if you still have a cough. Some of the other nurses said they coughed for 6 weeks! The supervisor said I could stay, thank goodness. I can't imagine taking 6 weeks off.

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The flu that is causing panic (Type A Fujian) is not covered in this year's flu vaccine because they were unable to isolate the vaccine in time for production. Although the current flu vaccine (we are using Vaxigrip) does not cover THAT flu, it does cover two of the type A's and one of the type B's. It WILL reduce the effect that the new Type A Fujian flu. There are many deaths in the elderly population on an annual basis caused by the flu. What is so concerning about the Fujian is that it is also resulting in the deaths of healthy, active older children, (not newborns and infants - healthy, active older children).

As a side note: In Ontario, the flu vaccine is provided annually to anyone who wants it - free of charge. We have several "flu clinics" a week at various sites in each town/city. It has been this way for five or six years. My children, husband, and I get the flu shot annually. The Ontario government also provides the pneumo vaccine free of charge to anyone who falls into the "at risk" category (elderly, pre-existing respiratory illness, or having had recurrent pneumonias).

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

This particular strain does seem to be a doozy, doesn't it? Although it's still "unofficial" here in my part of Oregon, I've seen a number of cases of it, including my 18-year-old who has been sicker than a dog all week. The older girl, my DH, and my sister all had it several weeks ago and they're still coughing. So far, the boys and I have escaped it, and I did get the flu shot, but who knows? I felt kind of crappy for a couple of days at the beginning of the week, but it wasn't the flu.....I had a headache with fever, upset stomach, general malaise, and diarrhea. It's gone now, thank goodness, just in time for Turkey Day. But then, I'm one of those hardy types who almost NEVER gets sick (knock on wood!). Let's just hope my luck holds out.........there's nothing like being sick for the holidays.........:o

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Has anyone tried Tamiflu or Relenza?

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluviral.htm

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I'm immunosuppressed and the flu would send me straight to the hospital- I can't afford that.

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