Oct 30, 2009 2:42pm
Swine Flu’s Impact on Children — More Tough News
EmailThe CDC has released a new, troubling number. Over the past week the deaths of 19 children were reported from swine flu. Last week 95 pediatric deaths were reported making this the biggest one week increase since the virus came on the scene last Spring.
While scientists say this is a new virus and one that we don’t know much about, we do know that it is having a bigger impact on the young. The theory is that older folks — over the course of their lives — have experienced virus with similarities to this swine flu and therefore have built up some immunity to today’s version.
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One problem with the reporting on the H1N1 is the loose use of statistics. This article makes it sound like there were 95 children who died last week. While any child’s death is a sad event, the media seems to be stoking the flames of panic when it comes to the H1N1.
Posted by: Geoff | October 30, 2009, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
And this administration knew back in April but failed to make sure we were prepared. They are killing our children and want us to have them run our health care? They are out of their minds!
Posted by: james | October 30, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
james,
The H1N1 virus first appeared in April, a little over 6 months ago. The first doses of H1N1 vaccine were available about a month ago. That means that in about 5 month’s time, several vaccine manufacturers (five total, I believe), along with the help of numerous scientists, and yes, the GOVERNMENT, were able to isolate this virus and create a vaccine for it. In FIVE MONTHS. I work in a pediatric emergency department and I’m seeing many, many cases of H1N1–many are mild cases, but a significant number are not mild–some of these kids with H1N1 are VERY sick.
I am incredibly thankful that we even have an H1N1 vaccine. It will absolutely save lives. It will prevent an untold amount of misery and, in some cases, death. Would it have been nice if the vaccine had come out 3 months ago? Sure. But was that even possible? No. It takes time to grow the virus in eggs. You can’t just make more vaccine overnight. I’m not complaining.
Posted by: jen | October 30, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
And in terms of being prepared, it’s not clear what exactly you want “the government” to do to make us “prepared.” They can’t multiply doctors, nurses, or hospitals. They can’t make vaccines any faster. They can’t exactly do much to reduce transmission of the virus (what are they going to do, try to prevent kids from coughing on each other? Make kids wear masks 24/7? Close down all schools?).
The one thing I think the government could have done better was the facilitation of vaccine distribution to the highest at-risk populations (pregnant women, kids with underlying medical conditions, all other kids, health care workers) to make sure the people who need it most got it first.
Has the government’s response to H1N1 been perfect? No. But despite this concern, as a health care provider working on the front lines of this pandemic, I’m still impressed with how quickly the (safe & effective) vaccine has been manufactured and distributed.
Posted by: jen | October 30, 2009, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
I am in Wisconsin..The emergency here is there is no vaccine. Only nasal here and there..No shot…Whats up with that? The whole state of WI and I have a child in the category with many illnesses…Where is the vaccine for Wisconsin?
Posted by: cindy | October 31, 2009, 3:56 am 3:56 am
Good morning,
How is it that most all of America is being buffalo’d around the H1N1 “industry”? Where are the gag orders coming from? Is it Big $$ Pharma – the AMA – - our gov’t?
FEAR was used by Pres. Bush to keep wool over our hearts & eyes RE the “war on terror” – - – that supported all kinds of wrong decisions in the national effort to “take out terrorists” ie Bin Laden. Anybody who came against the establishment of Homeland Security et al was treated as an insubordinate and anti-American.
Now, FEAR is used by Pres Obama to keep the wool over our hearts & eyes RE the “war on germs”! Most notably H1N1. Anybody who who disagrees being viewed as a traitor to the American way of life.
To think I voted for EACH of the men! Good grief! I still have HOPE that Pres. Obama have the STRENGTH TO OVERCOME THE DELUGE OF THE MEDICAL SELF RIGHTEOUS and see through the deception, craziness and fear-induced decision-making.
60 Minutes seems to come the closest to REVEALING TRUTH around the panic, fear & terror surrounding H1N1. WHEN will America wake up from her slumber to recognize that TREATING DISEASE instead of PREVENTING DISEASE & PROMOTING HEALTH is the ONLY way our bodies will stay strong?
Even the stay well kits I see at drug stores and EVEN at Office Depot ONLY consists of sanitary wipes, face mask, anti-bacterial soap, etc.
WHERE IS VITAMIN C BEING OFFERED? WHERE IS THE REPORTING OF THE VITAMIN D-3 DEFICIENCY EPIDEMIC BEING PUBLISHED? WHAT ABOUT GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT AS MAJOR IN SUPPORTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM? And, PROBIOTICS!
WHEN WILL OUR TRAINED PHYSICIANS FROM OUR NATUROPATHIC COLLEGES & STUDENTS OF HOMEOPATHY BE GIVEN THEIR DAY?
America! 60 Minutes! WAKE UP!
When will the history be revealed for what the early AMA did to homeopathic colleges and naturopathic colleges at the turn of this century.
No – I don’t have anything to gain financially or professionally here. I am a retired public schoolteacher. None of my adult children are in the “natural health industry”. I am a 69 year old grandma on Social Security & Medicare but haven’t taken a drug in 20 years and then only for an eye infection – and after 3 antibiotics, nothing was cutting it until a naturopathically trained friend suggested MSM drops – in 3 days, the months-long battle was won!
I’ve seen the folly of allopathic medicine drive up cost of “staying healthy”. Pharmaceuticals! Well-meaning physicians who don’t know how to ask the Right Questions! Medical nsurance Industry! Machinery/technology in the 100s of $1000s and THEN to build hospitals and medical centers to house it all! Talk about fighting America’s demons – GOOD GRIEF! Why are we making HEALTH so complicated!
WHY AREN’T WE ASKING HOW TO KEEP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTED? Let’s use common sense for a change of pace. That does NOT come from vaccines. WHEN the immune system is strong, we don’t even get cavities?! It’s all very very simple. KEEP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTED FROM COMMON SENSE VITAMINS & HERBS that have been around for centuries!
Then, let’s put a “reverse” GAG ORDER on disease-focused medication with drugs that drug us and infect us with side effects. Don’t VACCINATE! JUST BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM!
GIVE THE ALTERNATIVE “health industry” A FAIR HEARING! Pennies on the $$$! AND IT WORKS! WHERE MORE IS TRULY LESS! Put please help put a tourniquet on the clueless & costly medical industry.
Am I supporting “health reform”!? NOT EVEN! It’s NOT reform – it’s just subsidizing those who can’t now afford insurance. Reform of what? We’re being hoodwinked.
respectfully submitted,
Barbara Swanson
Gresham, OR
Posted by: hearthugger | November 2, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
How do you know it’s safe and effective?
Posted by: BigB | November 2, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm