H1N1 Map

**thefrug** · 09-22-2009, 12:22 PM

Heres a map of the H1N1 from the site Flu.gov

http://www.flu.gov/whereyoulive/healthmap/

It's so weird that the flu is all around my state. What? We have a wall around WV? LOL
I'll just stay happy that we're not inundated like the South seems to be.

**dcompton** · 09-22-2009, 01:09 PM

Interesting. Unhappily, widespread here in Louisiana.

**Jamauk** · 09-22-2009, 01:13 PM

When I went to the dr and she told me it was "likely" that I'd had H1N1, she also said these maps aren't showing the whole picture, as they are only counting the cases that have been confirmed by blood tests. Most cases are no longer being referred to hospitals and therefore aren't being confirmed.
She said its a lot more widespread than these maps lead you to believe. I told DH I wanted a t-shirt that says "I survived the swine flu"

**TigerGirl1226** · 09-22-2009, 01:13 PM

Yes, here in Louisiana I know quite a few people who tested positive for flu in the last week or so. Thankfully, none in our house...yet.

**nodmicks** · 09-22-2009, 01:19 PM

Interesting. Quite a few case in the town I work in. None I know of in our little burb. However I wonder how many more there may be because lots of people do not go to the Dr.

I hope not to have a battle with the Dr. soon on the flu shots again when my teens have their physicals next month but that is another topic.

**thefrug** · 09-22-2009, 01:41 PM

yes, I was asked by my family doctor if I wanted the flu shot ( regular flu). I said "no thanx". The last flu shot I had was a forced one by the school board when I was in middle school. I remember being lined up in the hallway that ran the length of my school and we wound our way down the stairwells to the cafeteria to get the shot. They were doing 5 of us at a time all lined up. I never had one since and I've only gotten the flu twice since then. I think it makes you stronger to get and recover from some things.

**Jamauk** · 09-22-2009, 02:07 PM

If you get the flu (any strain), your natural antibodies from that strain will last your lifetime, and will offer residual protection for various other strains. The cultured (or synthetic) antibodies in the flu shot only last approx 18 months ~ and are only for one particular strain.

Last year our pediatricain really pushed the Flu Mist vaccine (the nasal spray) because its a live virus and supposedly offers better protection. My child had never had asthma symptoms and within 24 hours of the Flu Mist he had such a bad asthma attack that he was almost hospitialized. He has since had three major attacks and now must use an inhaled steroid once a day (indefinintely) and has an albuterol inhaler for emergency use.

**Momof3girls** · 09-22-2009, 02:14 PM

Thank you!

**nodmicks** · 09-22-2009, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by thefrug

yes, I was asked by my family doctor if I wanted the flu shot ( regular flu). I said "no thanx". The last flu shot I had was a forced one by the school board when I was in middle school. I remember being lined up in the hallway that ran the length of my school and we wound our way down the stairwells to the cafeteria to get the shot. They were doing 5 of us at a time all lined up. I never had one since and I've only gotten the flu twice since then. I think it makes you stronger to get and recover from some things.

I have never had one nor have the kids. I figure we will let our bodies work the way they were made too. Sometimes the Drs get a bit pushy about our refusal

**Palooka** · 09-22-2009, 03:15 PM

There was a girl in my city that was only 24 that died the other day from H1N1. The news said something like she was in good health before and had no pre-existing conditions. Very sad.

**AmyBoz** · 09-22-2009, 03:51 PM

Working in a school, it makes good sense for me to get the shot, as it does for my kids to get it. I know that not everyone gets the shot, and I want to protect myself so I don't catch it from someone around me who hasn't protected themself. With my, dd, and ds2's asthma, it wouldn't be prudent not to get the shot.

Re-reading I realize that some may think I am saying something bad about people who choose not to get the shot. I'm not. To each his own, particularly when it comes to shots and vaccinations.

**Jamauk** · 09-22-2009, 04:04 PM

Amy,
I know what you are saying. With DS's asthma (which may or may not have been caused by the stupid vaccine last year), we really thought long and hard about getting him the H1N1 vaccine. After doing a lot of research on it though, we decided the risks just weren't worth it.

Then, I got what we think was H1N1, and I have asthma. I have to say, it wasn't fun and there were a few scary asthma episodes, but overall it wasn't that bad. We've been proactive with DS and at the first sign of wheezing give him a nebulizer treatment. Upped his FloVent steroid to 2x a day instead of once and of course the regular washing hands, disinfecting, etc.....

So far we've been lucky. Homeschooling is also offering another layer of protection that I'm thankful for.

When it comes down to it, this, like everything else in life, is just something that needs to be researched and then decided on what course of action is best for one's own family

**imagine** · 09-22-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jamauk

When I went to the dr and she told me it was "likely" that I'd had H1N1, she also said these maps aren't showing the whole picture, as they are only counting the cases that have been confirmed by blood tests. Most cases are no longer being referred to hospitals and therefore aren't being confirmed.
She said its a lot more widespread than these maps lead you to believe. I told DH I wanted a t-shirt that says "I survived the swine flu"

I was thinking this map was overestimating. I thought this because the first map that says how side spread it is has it more side spread then the map that shows confirmed tested cases.

I know that the schools here are required to keep track and report to the CDC symptoms when a parent calls in for an absence. My son had fever, sore throat cough. They might have counted him as a case. He was better in 24 hours though so I doubt it was the swine flu. If it was then it was a piece of cake and only the boys in the house (hubby and son) got it, the daughter and I did not.

The schools in our area are taking precautions and sending home flu notices as the University had one confirmed case and the high school had a possible case.

**CandoLady** · 01-29-2010, 03:15 PM

I actually came across something very similar at work (a marketing company), but a bit more detailed.

Triaminic's Cold and Flu Tracker

It is a very thorough tool in which parents and other individuals can check their communities and see how widespread viruses are in your area. Very useful in my opinion as it pinpoints specific area in each state, not just the state in general. Check it out. What do you think?