The Swine Flu Shot a Waste of Time!

[Eden]

" Oh it's OK. It's just allergies..."

I do have fall/spring allergies and I cannot stay at home because of them... (or I'd be home throughout the month of Nov and Feb - April at the very least) I take 3 kinds of allergy medications and still cannot keep the symptoms completely at bay. I do however know the difference between being actually sick and my allergy symptoms and will stay away from people if I have viral symptoms. I will also have the regular flu shot and H1N1 as soon as it becomes available (I work in health care, with kids, so I'm on the 2nd tier of priority). I don't like to make people worry, but again, I can't stay quarantined for weeks at a time because of allergy symptoms... (sneezing, coughing, clear runny nose, itchy eyes, no fever)

[Becky]

+1 to Eden. My allergies are virtually year-round.

[Dogmama]

+1 to Eden. My allergies are virtually year-round.

I just developed allergies this year, at the ripe old age of 55. I'm really careful to make sure that my symptoms are allergies - as Eden said - no fever, clear fluids, no aches, etc.

But, when I worked in an office it was amazing how many people popped up with "it's just allergies" and their "allergies" seem to infect the rest of us. Must be a special strain of allergies..."office allergies" eh?

[Becky]

I just developed allergies this year, at the ripe old age of 55. I'm really careful to make sure that my symptoms are allergies - as Eden said - no fever, clear fluids, no aches, etc.

But, when I worked in an office it was amazing how many people popped up with "it's just allergies" and their "allergies" seem to infect the rest of us. Must be a special strain of allergies..."office allergies" eh?

Oh believe me, I work with a whole "just allergies that aren't really allergies" crew *grumbles* I completely understand.

[OakLeaf]

Interesting tidbit: Ohio State infectious disease specialists are finding that fever doesn't always accompany H1N1 flu.

I guess the lesson is that if you're sick enough to have the flu, but don't have a fever, don't assume it isn't the flu...

[KnottedYet]

Interesting tidbit: Ohio State infectious disease specialists are finding that fever doesn't always accompany H1N1 flu.

I guess the lesson is that if you're sick enough to have the flu, but don't have a fever, don't assume it isn't the flu...

I resemble that remark... my temp only went up a couple degrees, but I didn't feel so groovy and I slept for 2 days. Didn't go back to work until I was cleared by my doc anyway.

Basic rule of thumb seems to be: if you feel sick, stay home!

[Pedal Wench]

So after the fever breaks and the aches go away, how long until I can go back to work?

[smilingcat]

I wish I could stay home when I'm sick... Around here, it's like badge of honor to come in and infecf everyone else. And if you don't, you're not dedicated to your work.

totally makes sense

But that's the way my office is. Same with my previous jobs too. If you come in sick to get the job done then you get "atta boy/girl". and another stripy on your shoulder.

whooey. yeah I've been achy since last week. took last Tuesday off. been in a fog all last week but I'M HERE... Achy joints. ride my bike r u kidding???

Time to go home and make my self some cranberry sauce. good on a toast, good by itself. just plain good and so refreshing when you are not feeling well. Requires a food processor.

pound of fresh cranberries
zest of one orange
juice of one orange

process all in a food processor. add sugar to your taste and mix well. chill for about an hour. yummy desert. cooking not required. Very simple very clean and straight forward.

[shootingstar]

Ok, I'm in a black humour mood. Please if you view this video, focus on the parody of some famous international singers, instead of just the disease.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CBCtv#p/a

(Do keep in mind, that some of my family members are direct health care workers, vacinnated for H1N1, so i realize about its seriousness.)

Note: 22 Minutes is a long-playing, popular comedy show on current issues, politics,etc.

[Possegal]

So after the fever breaks and the aches go away, how long until I can go back to work?

24 hrs of no fever and then you are fine to go back. Now, whether you feel up for it, that's another story.

[KnottedYet]

Just found out my very big strong healthy young cousin ended up in intensive care from the swine flu.

He's out now and home.

Not a nice virus!

[OakLeaf]

Yikes. Glad he's recovering. Glad you are, too.

I just found out that the FDA's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Service uses an invalid security certificate. Now, that's not a big deal to individuals who know that the minute they submit an insurance claim, their entire medical history becomes available to basically anyone who wants to exploit it... but it's likely to deter a lot of individuals who are bombarded with warnings about computer security on TV, but who don't receive the equivalent warnings about health information security.

More importantly, it should deter every health care provider from filling out the form electronically, lest all their records be compromised.

Which means that to file an adverse event report, a health care practice has to physically fill out a piece of paper, probably the last thing they want to do in their busy environment. Which has got to be a big reason right there why so few adverse events are ever reported at all...

And all because the FDA can't be bothered to use an internet security provider that's recognized by the major browsers.

[Selkie]

Yikes. Glad he's recovering. Glad you are, too.

I just found out that the FDA's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Service uses an invalid security certificate. Now, that's not a big deal to individuals who know that the minute they submit an insurance claim, their entire medical history becomes available to basically anyone who wants to exploit it... but it's likely to deter a lot of individuals who are bombarded with warnings about computer security on TV, but who don't receive the equivalent warnings about health information security.

More importantly, it should deter every health care provider from filling out the form electronically, lest all their records be compromised.

Which means that to file an adverse event report, a health care practice has to physically fill out a piece of paper, probably the last thing they want to do in their busy environment. Which has got to be a big reason right there why so few adverse events are ever reported at all...

And all because the FDA can't be bothered to use an internet security provider that's recognized by the major browsers.

Sounds like Govt contracting at its best (sarcasm intended).

I ended up spending some time in the ER yesterday (coworker had to go by ambulance, so I went to stay w/her til her son arrived). It was a H1N1 stew pot. I stood next to the door, well away from the masked patients in the waiting area, and am hoping I didn't catch anything. Don't worry, I'll stay home if I end up coming down with it.

[ny biker]

I just got my shot.

I knew 2 weeks ago that my gynecologist had them but only for pregnant patients. I was going to call and ask if they would give one to me since I have asthma, but decided it would be wrong to take a vaccination away from a pregnant woman (two lives potentially at stake vs. one) so I didn't call his office. And then I assumed he had run out since no one else around here seemed to have any.

This morning I decided to call his office just for funsies, and they have the shots available so I went at lunchtime and got one.

It looks like the local clinics are starting up again too, but I'm glad I won't have to get up early and wait in line for one of those.

[Dogmama]

I wish I could stay home when I'm sick... Around here, it's like badge of honor to come in and infecf everyone else. And if you don't, you're not dedicated to your work.

That's the way my old office was. With the added game where somebody tells you that you should go home. You smile wistfully & croak out, "Oh no, I can't. I have so much to do..."

As you said - another little stripe for your sleeve.

When I took quite a bit of time off to care for my husband (diagnosed with advanced colon cancer) I was marked down on my annual evaluation because I wasn't always available. Don't miss that job one bit.