Flu infections sweep America hospitalizing thousands and leaving 18 children dead

The Daily Mail ^ | 5 January 2013

[MinorityRepublican]

The U.S. has been hit with a particularly aggressive early flu season this year with widespread reports of the illness across the country, hospitalizing 2,257 people and leaving 18 children dead before the end of 2012.

And health officials say the numbers haven't even peaked yet.

'I think we're still accelerating,' Tom Skinner, a Center for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman, told reporters.

[Aquamarine]

Just posted this a few seconds after you. Will have mine taken down yours is better anyway.

[Liberty Valance]

It’s getting bad here in Texas. Our local small-town hospital is full and are sending new patients to the next town.

[Hoodat]

I distinctly remember my President telling me that if I liked the insurance I had, I could keep it. Well I did like the insurance I had. But because of the new ObamaCare mandates, I did not get to keep it. The insurer I had could no longer offer the same policy they did before. To cover the new mandates, the policy became prohibitively expensive. So my employer changed companies.

Shortly after Christmas, I came down with what I later determined must be the flu. I tried for the first time to find a doctor under the new policy I now have to treat me. Not one of them in my area was taking new patients right now.

[Aquamarine]

Do you have an Emergency Clinic in your area? We have one in our Wal Mart that I used. You could go to the Emergency Room at the hospital ... not sure how crowded it would be.

[pops88]

My ex-husband’s brother, 63, died suddenly 2 days after Christmas. He had the flu, developed pneumonia and died a day after seeing a doctor and starting antibiotics. Up until then he’d been active in the community and in decent health. I doubt well ever get an accurate number of flu related deaths.

[Chickensoup]

IIRC This administration has prevented the CDC from giving accurate locations and numbers on Flu since at least 1009

[codder too]

If your young child has leg pains following cold or flu like symptoms, get to ER ASAP. TYPE 2 FLU in little ones attaches to long strand muscles. Painful cramps in calf’s etc. Child may not be able to stand or walk...IV flush to protect kidneys that are trying to flush out damaged muscle cells. Virus attaches to long muscle strands in child. Calf muscle usual target.
Very treatable if dealt with promptly.

[codder too]

If your young child has leg pains following cold or flu like symptoms, get to ER ASAP. TYPE 2 FLU in little ones attaches to long strand muscles. Painful cramps in calf’s etc. Child may not be able to stand or walk...IV flush to protect kidneys that are trying to flush out damaged muscle cells. Virus attaches to long muscle strands in child. Calf muscle usual target.
Very treatable if dealt with promptly.

[fatnotlazy]

Will your policy cover visits to a clinic? Where I live, we have clinics inside pharmacies, a few standalones, and one clinic operated by the Catholic Diocese. The Catholic clinic is free, although if you can afford to, a donation is appreciated. I know these clinically aren't ideal, but for now at least you'll get care.

[Truth2012]

I know of a young man who died, and the cause they gave his death was H1N1. He was about 17 years old and had suffered from numerous sports related injuries and concussions.

He had so many concussions and treatments and meds that he had no immunity or strength left, after many trials and errors on different meds for head trauma- and got the flu and died.

I call that death from sports related head injuries and being over medicated.

But who am I?

[Hoodat]

I do, but I’ve gotten past it now. Besides, Urgent Care clinics don’t have a co-pay like doctor visits do. It comes straight off the deductible.

[Standing Wolf]

Not one of them in my area was taking new patients right now.

If you had a government job, Hoodat, that would never have happened.

[Hoodat]

I’m OK now. It took about a week and a half to shake it, but I think I’m past it.

[fatnotlazy]

Glad to hear you're better. This so-called affordable health care sux.

[codder too]

I V therapy is crucial.If walk ins cannot start them ...go elsewhere. Young children are at particular risk. Type 2 virus is culprit. Mention it to practictioners specifically if your child is the patient.

[codder too]

I V therapy is crucial.If walk ins cannot start them ...go elsewhere. Young children are at particular risk. Type 2 virus is culprit. Mention it to practictioners specifically if your child is the patient.

[exDemMom]

My ex-husband’s brother, 63, died suddenly 2 days after Christmas. He had the flu, developed pneumonia and died a day after seeing a doctor and starting antibiotics. Up until then he’d been active in the community and in decent health. I doubt well ever get an accurate number of flu related deaths.

The flu deaths are reported to the CDC, as are deaths from most causes. While it's hard to get an accurate count, statistical methods do help to get a count that is at least within the ball park. Every week, I read CDC's report.

Flu is a tough one. If it doesn't kill you outright, it can make you more susceptible to a secondary infection that can kill you.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[ilovesarah2012]

I hadn’t had the flu in years. Had a flu shot in early Nov. Got the flu New Year’s Day and was in bed for 3 days. Feeling much better now. I went to a CVS Minute Clinic (which had a 2 hr. wait) and received two prescriptions. I was told Tamiflu would cost about $200 (which I can’t afford), so got something else. I work in a nursing home and worry about the residents. Strange the flu shot this year doesn’t seem to cover the most prevalent strain.

[BlackVeil]

Is it H1N1 flu? (Used to be called swine flu.) The Palestinians on the West Bank are also reporting a series of deaths from this flu.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/palestinians-say-9-dead-from-swine-flu-outbreak-1.1096380