Second wave of virus is 'a slow burn'
Just as last week, there continue to be encouraging signs with swine flu. The much predicted second wave has begun but the increase in cases in England and Wales is much slower than officials had dared hope. In Scotland, cases actually fell, but remain very high in Northern Ireland.
Just one graph for you this week, which sums up the spread of flu in England and Wales.
Take a look at the red line and you'll see that although cases are rising, the curve is shallow, in stark contrast to the first wave in June and July. If this continues, it will mean that vaccination of at-risk groups can be carried out before the autumn/winter peak.
Some of the main points this week from the briefing of Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England:
• Estimated number of cases in England in the past week: 18,000 up from 14,000 the previous week
• Rate of GP consultations for flu-like illness: 26.3 per 100,000 up from 22.2
• School outbreaks since autumn term began:116 of which 67 are in Yorkshire and Humber
• Two hundred and ninety people were in hospital as at 7 October of whom 47 were in intensive care
• Total number of confirmed deaths related to H1N1 virus in England 76 (four deaths in the past week), Scotland (10), Wales (1), Northern Ireland (3) giving a UK total of 90
• Around a fifth of the deaths were in those who had no underlying illness
The Health Protection Agency has a more detailed UK weekly epidemiology update.
Sir Liam Donaldson said:
"We are well into the second wave of pandemic flu but it is proving so far to be a slow burn. There is a possibility it might peak and at a lower level than we thought. This would be incredibly positive because it would mean we could roll out the vaccine. It would mean we might be able to avert a subsequent very big peak. But on the other side of the coin we have a worrying number of people going into hospital and intensive care. It isn't a killer virus but it can kill."
Why is flu rising slowly? Sir Liam said:
"There is a bit of herd immunity out there because of the earlier peak in July, especially among school children but it's too early to say whether it will continue to be a slow burn. We are still early in the flu season."
There are also encouraging signs from the United States where cases seem to have peaked.
Vaccine
The body which advises ministers on vaccination - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - has been meeting today and a key point of discussion has been whether to extend H1N1 swine flu vaccination beyond at-risk groups. If this does happen, it would be healthy children who would be the first group targeted, on the grounds that children are the most likely to catch the disease, and the most likely to require hospital treatment.
Vaccination against seasonal flu has already begun in many parts of the UK and swine flu jabs will be sent to GPs from later this month. Sir Liam said:
"There's been a supply of half a million doses of Baxter vaccine in warehouses for some time. We expect to get considerable numbers of the GSK vaccine quite soon. The only doses here so far (of the GSK vaccine) have been for clinical trials and there hasn't been a major delivery yet."
Scotland
The rate of GP consultations for flu-like illness are 86.1 per 100,000, down from 103.7 the previous week, but still higher than expected for the time of year.
Yesterday there were 24 people in hospital with swine flu.
Health Protection Scotland has a weekly situation report on influenza A (H1N1).
Northern Ireland
Finally, there is a sad reminder from Northern Ireland that although swine flu is mild for most, it can be deadly for a tiny minority. A 12-year-old boy died this morning in the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald. He had swine flu and had a serious underlying medical condition.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey made this statement:
"It is very sad when a child dies and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family. I would ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this very sad time."Incidents of swine flu in Northern Ireland remain high and we must expect further increases in cases in the weeks ahead. Swine flu remains a major public health threat but we are well prepared and have been planning for a pandemic for some time."
Further information about swine flu can be found on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety website or NI Direct.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~54~RS~)
I'm 
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
I think this is fantastic news, following on from April's very much concerning threat.
I would be interested to know how levels are now in the USA? or the rest of the world as a matter of fact. Has Mexico (where it all seems to have started) seen falls? how about Australia? How long can we expect the swine flu (H1N1) virus to last.
However long it lasts, I think the world wide approach has been excellent.
Complain about this comment
Seven months between a possible serious pandemic agents identification and roll out of a vaccine just isn't good enough, if swine flu had been a killer virus (along the lines of bird flu or sars) then huge numbers would likely already be dead.
WHO, International governments and vaccine manufacturers need to bring this timescale down to no more than 3 months.
We were lucky this time that the symptoms of this pandemic were in the main quite mild, next time we may not be so lucky.
Complain about this comment
I'm very concerned about the amount of vaccine available. Every GP practice in the country is being sent one box of 500 doses, enough for 250 people. And this will take 3 weeks starting mid October. This isn't anywhere near enough: my GP practice has about 12000 people on its books, of whom I suppose 2000-2500 will be on the "priority" list, so most of those will remain unvaccinated.
My doctor says that I should be on the priority list, but not first-in-line which (quite rightly) needs to be reserved for the very sickest people. I may have to wait months for a vaccine! It's also very well for Liam Donaldson to act all cheerful; I'm upset that I will remain at risk for a long time yet.
Fergus, can you get any information on the timetable for future vaccine delivery, particularly whether and when GPs will receive more than the paltry 500 doses so far announced? And can they justify sending a fixed number of doses to each practice, even though practice sizes vary enormously?
Complain about this comment
More positive news, which is great.
I am sure Skyline said that by New year that'll be the end of it all, looks like he might be right, perhaps the first wave went round so quickly, that the second wave is minimal due to immunity. Going down in Scotland?
Great.
Complain about this comment
BobRocket wrote: "We were lucky this time that the symptoms of this pandemic were in the main quite mild,"
You're talking about a currently unfolding situation in the past tense. It's too early for anyone to say for sure.
If there is any bad news, it's that mutations have been found in the Netherlands (the type that get attention in avian flu since they usually increase replication efficiency in humans). If you want to know more, have a look for PB2 627k. It's a reminder that we're still facing something that is worth vaccinating against.
Complain about this comment
Those of you with a scientific mind, who prefer rational hard evidence rather than the rant of non specialists, you could try Eurosurveillance. The information would be useless for those who cannot understand scientific jargon but would be highly useful for those who can decipher lab experiments and results. The information is free and printable for the enquiring mind. Two pieces of research that I would recommend from this location are vol 14 issue 40 08/OCT/O9
1 FIRST ISOLATIONS of KPC-2-CARRYING ST258 KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE STRAINS IN FINLAND JUNE AND AUGUST 2009
2 DOES VIRAL INTERFERENCE AFFECT SPREAD OF INFLUENZA?
As I said, these are academic papers and are useless for those without some medical background but they are useful for planners and those who wish for a rational explanation.
In my opinion, these pieces of research are accurate, non subjective, published, and answer several questions.
Risk Assessment of handgels
hand sanitizers contain about 60% alcohol
some contain ethyl alcohol and some contain ISOPROPYL.
Isopropyl can be fatal even in small ingested amounts!
YouTube videos are showing inappropriate use of gels
MY warning to schools and institutions
Mexico - rapid surge of cases in September more than any previous months, 245/ D this month
New data about who gets serious illness and possible outcomes / be aware of the very small data sample
272 subjects / study of a small sample of hospital admissions with more severe symptoms of flu/ New England Journal of Medicine / Dr Seema Jain US CDC
40% had diarrhea and vomiting
25% ICU admission
7% D
45% children under 18
5% over 65
73% underlying health condition
For the full analysis you would have to locate the paper from the Journal of Medicine as I have trimmed the info down to a taste of what is reported.
Complain about this comment
The following posting, whih gives a view of recent developments from one US perspective, may be of interest:
http://www.psandman.com/col/swinecomm.htm
Complain about this comment
Drakeduck, 500 shots equals 500 people vaccinated, its one dose per person for protection. 2 Doses are not needed.
DMMT23 that mutation died out. And it was a positive mutation in swine flu. It mean the virus reproduced a lot better in the colder areas i.e your nose, throat. And it didnt need to go to the lungs where it can cause more risk. If this had spread it would of halved the number of deaths and practically eliminated healthy people from the mortality figures. This was a positive mutation.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Hello, Skyline, I am so pleased you are looking to be right, you have saved my sanity these past few months and got me to the point where I've been looking forward to the Autumn. I'd also been able to reassure my friends thanks to the info on here. BobRocket, you helped too, with your number crunching in the early days. I know we're not finished with it yet but being able to just get on with life with my kids is a precious gift beyond words.
Grannie, I can't compute any of that.
Complain about this comment
Read this post by Crof over at H5N1 Blog. http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2009/10/why-im-not-an-anti-vaxer.html
As the swine flu vaccination campaigns begin sweeping across America, NaturalNews has created a new website where victims of swine flu vaccine side effects can post their true stories about what happened to them or their children.
"Victims of swine flu side effects" and "post their true stories" are great examples of begging the question: Assuming the truth of something still under debate.
The website is www.SwineFluVaccineReport.com and it was created by NaturalNews editor Mike Adams for the simple purpose of "shedding light" on the potential side effects of the swine flu vaccine.
"Potential side effects" is meaningless. A potential side effect of shaving is cutting your own throat. So what?
Anyone can post on the site. All posts are moderated, so it takes some time for new posts to be approved. Any posts that appear to be fictitious will be deleted.
Well, I delete some posts too, but not because they're fictitious. They're wrong and therefore just a waste of time.
"This website gives swine flu vaccine sufferers an opportunity to share their true stories with the world," said Mike Adams, also the writer of the popular hip-hop song 'Don't Inject Me.'
"Swine flu vaccine sufferers" = more begging the question. Then a brilliant example of the appeal to authority: He's not only the editor of the site, he's a ... hip-hop writer. Of a popular song.
"While vaccine manufacturers are trying to censor the truth about the dangers of their vaccines, we are working to serve the public interest by openly revealing the truth about how these vaccines are impacting real people."
More loaded language: "censor the truth," "dangers of their vaccines," "serve the public interest." How can we not trust this guy?
Adams is on the record saying that the swine flu vaccines are likely more dangerous than the swine flu itself.
So what? Does this mean if you survive a vaccination he'll give you your money back?
The extremely mild nature of H1N1 influenza, combined with the increasing reports of seizures and deaths from cervical cancer vaccines, leads many people to be openly concerned about the risk / reward ratio of swine flu vaccination.
Close to an outright lie from this promoter of truth. "Increasing reports" = one case of a poor girl who died of a malignant tumor in her chest shortly after receiving an HPV vaccination she would never need. "Many people" is just another example of the bandwagon propaganda device: If many people believe something, there must be something to it.
"There is no medically justifiable reason to be vaccinated against such a mild flu," says Adams. "This vaccine is clearly being pushed solely as a revenue generator for the pharmaceutical companies, not as a serious effort to protect public health."
If I refused a vaccination, caught H1N1, and passed it along to a pregnant woman or an asthmatic child, I would have a hell of a lot on my conscience.
The vaccination isn't all about me, or about those wikkid Big Pharma corporations--it's about building a barrier to protect the people who really do get terribly sick from this "mild flu."
Maybe Mr. Adams the hip-hop star ought to spend some time in ICUs, seeing what this mild virus can do.
And he then might try making his case in the unemotional, rational language of the medical profession, instead of resorting to semantic gimmicks and logical fallacies that Aristotle would have laughed at.
I'm sorry if I've upset some of my regular visitors with this rant. I realize some people have genuine reasons for refusing a vaccination. But as the pandemic has gone on, the anti-vaxers have grown increasingly smug in their rejection of the medical science that has repeatedly saved their ignorant asses from death before the age of 5.
Sixty-one years ago next month, I caught polio for the lack of a vaccine. I could have ended up in an iron lung, or lurching around with crutches and braces on my legs, like one of my classmates (who caught polio twice).
When the polio vaccine came along, you'd better believe I took it--and so did my father and brother, both of whom probably had undiagnosed polio about the time I did. So did millions of others, and now polio has effectively vanished from the civilized world, like smallpox.
Regular readers of this blog know that I know how minor this pandemic is compared to the ongoing disasters of HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, and a host of other diseases.
It's no credit to us that we ignore those deaths. If Americans, for example, reported their own gunshot deaths (30,000 a year) as breathlessly as they're reporting their few deaths from swine flu, they might even be moved to do something about that particular public-health catastrophe.
If Canadians had really cared about the dismal living conditions (and mortality rates) on our First Nations reserves, we'd have forestalled last spring's outbreaks in Manitoba.
But our culture shrugs off some deaths and pays attention to others. At the moment, H1N1 deaths are getting attention. Most of those deaths are preventable, if we deal seriously with them, and in the process we might learn something that will save lives at risk from worse diseases.
And one thing that will save far, far more lives than it will cost is vaccination
There. Now what theorist nuts? Ive destroyed you in every post you have made, id love to do it again. Feel free to come at me.
Complain about this comment
Angel,
I agree my post does look confusing
I find a bit of genuine science info reassuring and believable.
1) Eurosurveillance can be found on World Health Map (stars on the logo)
Click on their link to article about does viral interference affect spread of influenza?
The article is a science report about the virus's behaviour under particular conditions.
2) The hand gel info is important because of what might be in it and what children might be doing with it.
3) The Mexican situation is current from Croft blogs
more people ill than in previous months and 245 deaths
4) CCD statistics from a small sample of 272 hospitalized cases in New England
cases that have occurred
rather than conjecture about what might occur.
Complain about this comment
Grannie, hand gel tastes foul, I hate using it because it taionts food for hours afterwards. The thing that gets me is that for norovirus we are advised that gel in ineffective, so why use it for flu? I worry that use of hand gel contributes to the spread of vomiting bugs, I've seen parents in public toilets stop their kids from washing their hands (presumably because they don't want them to touch the taps) and then rub gel on instead. Leaving aside the risk from the chemicals, don't people know that handwashing is the best way to get rid of bugs? Sf has probably increased the idea that gel is better than soap and water. I always carry a little bottle of gel but only as a stopgap, not as a replacement for handwashing.
The situation in Mexico looks very worrying, doesn't it?
Complain about this comment
hi Angel,
Hand gel obviously doesn't taste foul enough! I hope you and yours are keeping OK. I have had a foul headache for two days and it won't go away. This is what happens if you don't maintain a regular healthy diet with plenty of sleep. I always try to be sensible but a change in work pattern has made me careless, and now I am having to stoke up on extra vitamin C until resumed sensible eating patterns kick in. Work is very challenging and I am probably picking up all sorts of bugs from the sheer number of day-to-day contacts.
Complain about this comment
Whats happening in Mexico?
Complain about this comment
I guess it depends on the hand gel you use. Mine smells and feels strong when you first put it on. But it then cleans and completely disappears. I can eat straight after using it and get no taste from it - but again perhaps that would be even more dangerous for young children who are probably prone to putting it in their mouths!
Complain about this comment
TBH I have stopped using the hand gel, I know Ive had it, but I used the hand gel and it didnt make the slightest difference, and although we have been using it until recently, we have all had stomach bugs etc. Waste of time if you ask me. Unless you wash your hands every single time you touch something, it will not work.
I was asking about Mexico as I assumed something unusual was happening there, or is it just that the cases are rising again?
I read earlier that the three main symptoms in the maj of people who died from SF in Mexico were, cough, fever, and breathing problems.
Complain about this comment
Tinkerbell, apparently September has been the worst month for reported cases in Mexico apparently. Doesn't that mean that they are having a third wave? Am more than happy for someone to say I am totally wrong!
Re hand gel, I inhabit a world where small people (okay, my boy) touch unimaginable things and then don't wash their hands unless I spot it and drag him kicking ans screaming. I know that most of my daughters' friends think handwashing is freaky. In an ideal world we would be able to wash all the nasties off, but we can't always if we are out. Hand gel gives me at least a modicum or reassurance that when we are in town it will deal with any bacteria that get on my kids' hands. I know that it doesn't deal with viruses but it's better than nothing, and because it tastes so awful I like to think it stops them putting their fingers in their mouths too.
Complain about this comment
I've been looking at the area figures and SE Coast is consistently low. I've been trying to think why, but I'm a little stuck!
Is it because people are less crowded, or that it hasn't really reached the area, or just that sea air is good for you? Wonder if anyone can shed light on this for me please?
Complain about this comment
Glad of course that things aren't rapidly getting out of control.
Fergus it would be good to have info on countries that have started vaccinations - when they started, how many people have been vaccinated and any reported side effects as I am sure that like me, there are many undecided out there as to whether to take the vaccine or not.
Also a bit more info on the one line in your blog that says that cases in America seem to have peaked. On what evidence and is it possible to compare stages in US with stages of pandemic in UK?
Finally I note in another article on the BBC website that the WHO is citing school closures as one of the important ways to control swine flu.
Govermnent and local authorities please take note!!!!
Complain about this comment
I agree BLT. Today one of my daughters friends was ill at School, headache, sore throat, hot and cold etc...she must have been feeling ill cause the poor thing was in tears. The School didnt send her home and instead packed her off on the bus at the end of the day. I know for a fact aswell that this little girl is in one of the at risk categorys re SF. Doesnt give you much confidence really.
Angel, re the hand gel, its a good idea if it stops lil ones putting their hand in their mouth all the time, infact the anti nail biting varnish might prove a better solution!! lol
Complain about this comment
The public will soon (quite rightly) revolt and refuse to take these quackish (improperly tested) vaccines which are now being 'donated' to the poor third world by big pharma and their cohorts the CDC and WHO
Complain about this comment
Blt, no way will the schools close except if individual schools have a very high percentage of pupils off. The Govt. doesn't want the cost to the economy and schools have had their fingers burned over the closures during the winter due to bad weather. Unfortunatley there is a very vocal minority of parents who don't want the hassle of having their kids at home.
Tinkerbell, how terrible. It doesn't surprise me though, schools are rubbish at spotting ill kids, my daughter has arrived home with temps between 38.6 - 39.5 before now, she gets told to have a drink of water! Unless a child is actually vomiting they do nothing, even though I've told them that I am happy to pick them up whenever they feel unwell. We have been under pressure from the school when my eldest had a long period of illness and that plus the fact they dish out certificates for attendence means that we sometimes feel under pressure to send our kids in when they aren't 100%. The girls were off all last week with colds and temps but were very well in themselves, and my boy spent yesterday morning throwing up. Have long since given up trying to second-guess what is sf and what isn't!
Complain about this comment
What do you guys make of this study? Healthy women at risk from severe swine flu. I dont understand the headline personally, isnt everyone at risk from severe flu?
Anyway, its a study that was done in Canada...
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091012/flu_studies_091012/20091012?hub=Health
Complain about this comment
I note todays news highlights that Sweden have started their mass vaccination..... What is the delay here? Why have we not started?
Complain about this comment
Tinkerbell, I had to search for that article - maybe it had moved, so have added the link where I found it-it's well worth a read, with the proviso to bear in mind the number of people surveyed is pretty small in the scheme of things. Also that pregnant women make up a good proportion of the numbers. It does make interesting reading as the survey's results are different to the generally accepted ones re at risk groups. It also suggests that 'healthy' includes smokers, obesity and high blood pressure.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091012/flu_studies_091012?s_name=&no_ads=
if my link doesn't go straight to the page, try the site search.
I also found this, which will be of interest to parents. Useful list of symptoms to watch for re worsening SF-article suggests that if a patient gets worse it happens very suddenly. I also didn't know they had SF tents in Texas!
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091013/severe_091013/20091013?hub=Health
most interesting to me in both stories is how different the figures are from country to country. Also the amount of coverage from country to country. I seem to have to search deep into the Internet ether to find info, where other countries still have loads of coverage! I guess with our election coming up SF headlines aren't a priority! I also think that as a nation, we are more stoic and less excitable than others-that 'stiff upper lip, get on with it' streak which is inherently British!
Complain about this comment
Bellboy-not sure, but it may be to do with types of vaccine and who supplies it. I know different companies have different supply times, so perhaps Sweden bought the vaccine type which was ready soonest? They have a fantastic medical service there by all accounts, so I assume they must have already trialled it. But maybe they haven't?
Again, differences between countries are showing. I know we have the most rigorous testing and regulations for any kind of drug or vaccine which makes me feel a lot happier about getting it here. I would also imagine that Sweden has a much smaller population than us so logistically a vaccination programme will be easier to roll out. Also, I would imagine their snow is due to start soon, so they may have taken into consideration increased difficulty accessing medical services in several feet of snow. I think everyone must ski in Scandanavia for this reason, but I would have thought that anyone with a bad dose of anything would find it difficult to ski in sub zero temperatures.
Of course, I'm no expert, and I have only arrived at these possibilities from logical thinking, so feel free to disregard what I say!
Complain about this comment
Couple of articles elsewhere-there's a report that pregnant women are to be vaccinated with a vaccine containing an adjuvant, against WHO's advice. In the rush to protect them against SF, this vaccine (Pandemrix) has only been tested on healthy adults. A vaccine specialist has said that it may cause no problems but noone can tell.
A survey on handwashing (may have been in the states) has found that only a third of men use soap, whereas two thirds of women do. Encouragement messages which disgust men are most effective, while women respond best to gentle reminders! Looks like it's not just children are super spreaders!!
Complain about this comment
Tiger, at my GP's only women used the hand gel after touching the booking-in screen, the men totally ignored it. I constantly have to nag my dh, he washes his hands but never uses soap. Drives me nuts.
Complain about this comment
Had to call NHS direct last night as my nine year old has the symptoms and also a temperature that wouldnt shift (Gone down a bit now, thankfully) they told us it was most likely Swine Flu.
Just thought Id post her symptoms incase anyone was wondering about their own kids (although everyone is different I know) Horrendous cough, headache, tiredness and then a temperature. Her little friend at school had the same but was also vomiting with it.
Bright as a button in herself now, but still has a temperature.
When she was on the couch yesterday, me and my dh were talking about the symptoms. She turned round and said to us "Oh God, I dont have Swine Flu, or Fergus Flu, or whatever else you wanna call it!" lol
They'll be re-naming it again soon.
Complain about this comment
Tinkerbellbobby,
Oh well at least you won't have the dilemma about the vaccine. Hope you get some sleep after all of that.
Complain about this comment
Oh! Don't understand why my links were removed! How strange. Especially the second one which was very useful to parents. Maybe they were too long, but I don't know how to make a link out of a couple of words like the clever people seem to do. Oh well!
Came across a passing reference to SF numbers this week-apparently they have increased by 50 percent. Off to read those reports-I especially like the graphs. Guess the 'slow burn' may be over-Sir Liam was right last week. Quite impressed with his delivery of information. It is refreshingly honest and lacking in spin-what a refreshing change!
Check in later!
Complain about this comment
Well, the good news seems to be that although numbers have increased, we are still hovering on or around the baseline for ILI infections. Thousands more people would have to be ill before we hit epidemic proportions.
Also, the rate of deaths is still what is expected, so no need to panic, although as Sir Liam says, the increase in hospitalisations is of concern.
Luckily the vaccination programme will start to be rolled out next week-hospitals first, then GP's the week after. It's a big relief that the most vulnerable will soon be protected.
Complain about this comment
Oh, lordy, Tinkerbell, what a night! Glad to hear that your girl is doing okay in herself, that is always the biggest indicator when it comes to these things. I have massive sympathy since we've been there with the temp that doesn't budge many a time and it is horrendous. Do you think you still had sf back in the summer? Hard to understand why your daughter didn't get it then. Big hugs to your daughter, and to you too. xxx
My boy has been unwell all week, he was sick on Monday but has respiratory symptoms, and I don't believe this is a norovirus type bug - no-one else has it for a start. Could it be sf? He hasn't had a cough particularly but he is very off-colour and we are gtting supernanny- style tantrums 4-5 times a day which is unlike him. Not a massive temp, but a slight one. The girls had temps and colds last week with coughs but the cough wasn't that bad. One had a tummy upset but no vomiting, temps about three quarters of a degree above normal. So frustrating trying to second-guess the whole time. Did I have sf back in the summer? Did dh have it a month or so back when he had extreme fatigue? Am off to see my long-suffering GP later to see if he has an NHS-issue crystal ball to give me some answers.
Tiger, I know you meant well with the links but as a parent I found the second one alarming and a bit upsetting. Every parent should already be aware of the danger signs described, not least because they are so much like those for meningitis, and anyone who isn't, isn't likely to read a blog like this. But, then, maybe I'm just being oversensitive. Maybe if you feel that it is important that the danger signs are on here putting them in the main text would help? That said, I do not believe the link should have been removed and I do not like the creeping censorship that seems to be coming into this blog. If it was a technical issue then that should be made clear; if there is an inaccuracy in the report then we should be told, otherwise the link should stand. Personally I feel no need to dig around for sf info on the net but that was because I was relying on this site and this blog. If this is going to be subject to censorship and the full facts not reported then that will no longer be the case.
Complain about this comment
The fur is really flying in other countries where the vaccine is being delivered. croft blogs is really interesting at the moment because of all the controversy. Oh, by the way, piggy fu likes dry conditions cold and dry or hot and dry it doen't matter, its not fussy.
Complain about this comment
@ angel 34
Being a mum is such a worry. I hope your family get better quickly so that you can get some rest.
One question to the scientists and then I won't bother you again today.
Would increasing the humidity in an indoor environment reduce the infection rate or have I got this completely wrong? During cold conditions we start up the central heating and the atmosphere becomes very dry unless we have our just-washed clothes dangling over the radiators.
Complain about this comment
Angel and Tiger, thanks, yes, worrying night, but a lot better today. All in all only three days of illness, although she is still in bed but her mouth seems to be working just right. lol. Hope your lil ones are better soon AngelX
Yes I do think I still had SF in the summer, if it had been any other symptoms, I would second guess, but because it was so flu like, not being able to move, and the sheer fatigue and aches etc, I am convinced. It is strange how one person from a household can catch it and not the others. My three year old has had a cough, terrible runny nose and a bad stomach too, god knows if its the same thing. DH escapes everything as usual. Its annoying isnt it? If the symptoms were all the same, it would be a lot clearer. I rang the School this morning to tell them she wouldnt be in again today, I told the head what NHS Direct suggested, just so they can be aware etc and he said this was the first case in the school, but I know of several kids who have had the same thing.
Re the medical profession misdiagnosing cases, I just wanted to say that on the phone last night, the Nurse checked and double checked all the symptoms against possible meningitis and couldnt have been more careful when trying to establish what was wrong. They were very precise and drove home what to look for for meningitis, which is good.
I also found that second link upsetting (but thanks for posting Tiger) I had read it a couple of nights ago and was very disturbed about the poor child who simply had cold symptoms and then died. Rare obviously, but still v worrying.
Thats interesting re the dry conditions. Hope its a rainy winter.
Complain about this comment
Thanks, Tinkerbell. My friend's son went from playing in the park to dying in a matter of hours, his only symptom was a temp until it was too late, poor wee boy. Think that link probably brought that back. The whole article seemd a bit - I don't know - wallowing in the family's grief, I suppose. A list of symptoms and danger signs along with some well-chosen quotes would have been a better bet. Not getting at you, Tiger, it's been a long week and I'm probably over-sensitive.
Thanks, Grannie, I am running on empty right now. Re dry conditions, there are several things people can do at home to humidfy the air if the central heating is on. We drape wet towels over our children's rads at night, if they have colds we add some eucalyptus or ravensara, or even good old Karvol or Olbas oil. This is much safer than using a heated burner too. You can do the same thing in any room (including classrooms), or stand a bowl of water over a radiator. You can buy thsoe things that hook over radiators and they do the job too, although you need a few for a big room. Another nice alternative is an indoor fountain, you can pick them up quite cheaply on ebay and there are some really stylish ones about now. This might work in an office with electric heaters. With anything watery it is important to change it frequently because of mould (so use fresh towels daily, for example). I'm sure you know all this, Grannie, but I hope it might help someone. :-)
Complain about this comment
Genetic engineering (GM) facilitates a virus's ability to mutate and cross the species barrier. After all, it is the virus along with some other super bacteria which are used as vectors in horizontal gene transfer. The bottom line here is that we should all expect new and frequent mutation strains to occur (animal to man). My concern is that our over sanitized life styles has reduced our natural ability to fight illness making us more dependent on drugs and vaccines for every real and perceived illness. This is extremely good news for the profit motivated drug companies. Our science is flawed and the public need to be more skeptical about the use of drugs especially those that are rushed on to the market. Adverse drug reactions (ADR's) killed over a quarter of a million americans in 2008. It is worth noting that the take up of the new HIN1 vaccine is very low with front line medical staff. I am not suggesting we should not take advantage of new medicines, rather I am suggesting we should all be a little more cautious. Fear is a big factor in the perception that we must all become medical drug junkies to stay healthy and alive.
Complain about this comment
Here is some latest news from the USA ...
"Amid growing discontent among New York health care workers who are being forced to receive swine flu vaccine injections, the Public Employees Federation sued in state court to halt the mandate. Friday, a state Supreme Court judge issued a restraining order granting a temporary halt to the mandate until a subsequent hearing can be completed.
The lawsuit was brought by the Public Employees Federation, New York State United Teachers and four Albany nurses. Until today, these workers were required to be vaccinated by November 30th or many were told they would be fired from their jobs. Others were told pay increases would be suspended. Across the board, there was a campaign of intimidation against NY health care workers to force them into receiving the swine flu vaccine injections.
With this court order, mandatory vaccines are temporarily suspended pending a follow-up court hearing on October 30.
New York sets the tone for the H1N1 vaccine debate nationwide
New York has been an epicenter of health choice protests and demonstrations by concerned health care workers. Over 500,000 workers are affected by the H1N1 vaccine mandate, and a majority of those workers simply don't wish to be vaccinated against their will -- or, perhaps, vaccinated at all.
If New York health authorities thought they could just bully half a million health care workers into being injected with a virtually untested, unproven vaccine, they were gravely mistaken. Resistance to the vaccine mandate continues to build .... In fact, attempts at forcing the swine flu vaccine onto health care workers appear to have backfired for the vaccine industry, causing many people to question the evidence behind all seasonal flu vaccines.
What began as the vaccine industry's attempt to force its medicines on virtually everyone has caused intelligent people across the country and around the world to start asking some tough questions about vaccines.
A recent poll conducted by Harvard University indicates that only 40 percent of adults plan to take the swine flu vaccine. Public support for the vaccine is rapidly evaporating".
How can anyone be forced to take a vaccine at pain of losing their jobs .. or facing pay cuts .. That is a criminal action!!
Complain about this comment
This is called globalized medicine. The USA is at the forefront of a new and frightening medical development which is designed to ensure people have no say on heath matters or the right to choose how they are treated. This is orchestrated by the pharmaceutical industry, and supported by the FDA. Between them they have tried to destroy complimentary and alternative medicine in the US because the drug companies were loosing billions of dollars in revenue to CAM therapies. Naturally of course, this strategy has migrated to the UK and Europe. The term for this control is disguised as EBM (evidence based medicine) which is no more than a computer based programme which tells doctors what they should prescribe. There is no independent testing of drugs, when licenses are granted they are on the basis of the evidence provided by the drug companies who are famous for not including detrimental information which otherwise may prevent a license being granted. All drugs are ultimately tested on the population, initially as phase 4 tests. It is assumed in the short term, if there are no adverse reactions affecting large numbers of people then the drug is safe. If a few people die, it will be explained as an underlying medical condition and not the fault of the drug! It is worth pointing out that nearly all scientific research carried out in universities is funded by the pharmaceutical industry, should they raise any concerns publicly they will loose funding. The few scientists who have blown the whistle have their careers destroyed. This is not scare mongering, neither am I a conspiracy theorist, rather someone interested in the truth! It is worth pointing out that I am a qualified practitioner of complimentary medicine but when I asked by local paper to publish an article I was told, "we are not allowed to publish any articles written on complimentary medicine unless they are written by qualified doctors, NHS nurses or scientists". Welcome to Britain, this is Hull, this is democracy????
Complain about this comment
Came across a passing reference to SF numbers this week-apparently they have increased by 50 percent. Off to read those reports-I especially like the graphs. Guess the 'slow burn' may be over-Sir Liam was right last week. Quite impressed with his delivery of information. It is refreshingly honest and lacking in spin-what a refreshing change!
maruti car reviews
Complain about this comment
What began as the vaccine industry's attempt to force its medicines on virtually everyone has caused intelligent people across the country and around the world to start asking some tough questions about vaccines.
A recent poll conducted by Harvard University indicates that only 40 percent of adults plan to take the swine flu vaccine. Public support for the vaccine is rapidly evaporating".
bank jobs
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
View these comments in RSS