TAM2004 & flu

[arcticpenguin]

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Living/ap20031204_809.html

Influenza is raging through Colorado, USA. The usual height of the flu season is still ~ a month away, and it is reasonable to assume that the outbreak will spread to other Western states. If your employer or health provider offers flu shots, I would recommend getting them.

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Living/ap20031204_809.html

Influenza is raging through Colorado, USA. The usual height of the flu season is still ~ a month away, and it is reasonable to assume that the outbreak will spread to other Western states. If your employer or health provider offers flu shots, I would recommend getting them.

Nevada also has been hit pretty hard by this flu. My family has all had this new strain now. It was yucky, so we will not be sharing (anymore - we can be blamed for infecting N. California as my daughter was sick on Thanksgiving!).

[Patricio Elicer]

Da*n!!,... I don't have antibodies for North Hemisphere viruses

[dimossi]

Everyone be sure to take lots of echinacea (http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1002644.htm) and homeopathic (http://www.skepdic.com/homeo.html) remedies.

;)

[PeterB]

This puts me in a bit of a quandry. The current vaccine being used in the US is based on the flu strains that went through Australia and other southern parts in our winter. Vaccine stocks in Australia may still only be for the prediction for our 2003 winter, based on northern hemisphere strains from a year ago.

I didn't get a shot this year and ended up with the worst case of flu I can remember for many years, so maybe I have been exposed to the one which is causing all the angst in the US right now.

I think I'll still get a shot before I get on a plane.

And people think that just being in a different time zone presents problems.
:con2:

[kittynh]

I got my flu shot, but they ran out of vaccine, so Pool Boy can just puke. Anyway, last TAM everyone had these head colds. I coughed like a TB patient, and still no one noticed me....

I remember LukeT said he was barely alive at times, and the great Linda had a cold too.

Of course we could all be well and one bad lunch could have us all at the hospital! I plan to enjoy it no matter what. (I want the gurney next to Mr.Randi or Bad As so I can talk to them while the IVs drip in)

[Jeff Corey]

I heard on NPR that the vaccine presently available is not very effective with the Figian flu.
Anyone have some more info?

[thornhill]

Health Canada is reporting that the vaccine should provide some protection against the flu. I read somewhere that the new strain is related to the Panama A strain for which the vaccine was designed.


http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/12/06/flu031206

[Mr. Skinny]

I'm gonna try to get my flu shot next week. The Air Force gives them free to civilian employees as well as active duty, so, why not? I've taken the shot for about 5 of the last 10 years, and have avoided the flu during those years; haven't got sick from the shot, etc. , so I think it's worth the risk.

[UnrepentantSinner]

If I get this disease, I'll sacrifice and stay home so as not to infect any of you.

Yeah right... bring your kleenex and Nyquil kiddies.

[PeterB]

I've now got to have TWO vaccinations before I go. Two weeks ago I went out to dinner and I heard today that someone in the restaurant kitchen had hepatitis A. That will teach me to go out with the President of the Australian Skeptics for his birthday. As I have to have a hep A shot, I will get the flu shot at the same time.

:hit: