Reader comments
H1N1 flu claims 5th Utah victim
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rkp68 | 11:34 p.m. June 15, 2009
We had an outbreak last week at the school where I work, and even had 15 kids in
my class absent one day. I started with symptoms last Fri, & I was SURE it
was flu. I was tested and it was negative. I got much worse Sat. and went to an
extended hours clinic. Tested negative again. I explained with my high exposure
and identical symptoms, I was hoping to get Tamiflu. I have asthma AND an
autoimmune disorder and was worried I could be an "underlying issues"
case. She told me she had to trust the 2 negative tests and couldn't go off
of the other circumstances. Sunday, I had more issues and went back. Got a
different doc and he did one more flu test, just to be sure. It came out
positive... SURPRISE!!! The Tamiflu works BEST if taken within 48 hours of your
first symptoms. I was now at 2 1/2 days, but they prescribed it anyway hoping it
might do some good. I went to pick up my Tamiflu and couldn't find it
anywhere on a Sunday evening except clear in Provo. Glad I listened to my gut.
Joe Moe | 11:59 p.m. June 15, 2009
So in this article we have a case, and in the comments another, where there were
a couple of false negatives before the positive.
This seems like the real story to me. This is a big deal. If we can't trust the diagnosis, how can we have confidence in the interventions?
This seems like the real story to me. This is a big deal. If we can't trust the diagnosis, how can we have confidence in the interventions?
Comments continue below
Mexico | 6:27 a.m. June 16, 2009
Is it odd that Utah has more confirmed cases than all of Mexico?
To K | 9:45 a.m. June 16, 2009
H1N1/swine flu is being actively transmitted within the community. Most, if not
all, of our cases originate right here in Utah.
Kate Lilja
Salt Lake Valley Health Department
Kate Lilja
Salt Lake Valley Health Department
Flu Tests are not infallible | 9:49 a.m. June 16, 2009
As I understand it, the rapid response flu test is only accurate 70% of the
time. It's not too surprising, then, that rpk68 (the commenter above) and
Ms. Rushton's initial tests came back negative. That's why doctors
need to "treat the patient" (as good doctors say) and not be so
focused on simply "treating the numbers." In other words, doctors
need to take a good patient history and actually listen to what their patients
say. It may be appropriate to send a patient home after a negative test, but
the doctor should always instruct the patient to call back if the symptoms
worsen.
JB | 12:13 p.m. June 16, 2009
I am very troubled by the inaccurate reporting in this article. Twenty to thirty
percent of people with swine flu do not have a fever according to the CDC. This
kind of inaccuracy could result in unnecessary deaths if those who have a
serious case do not seek help because they do not have a temperature.
RN | 12:44 p.m. June 16, 2009
There really isnt a great and accurate method that gives consistent results for
the H1N1 virus. Even though we are told that the tests are approximtely 70%
correct we are falling short of that because of improper methods used while
swabbing the patient. Even then there are those that have been swabbed correctly
and the quick results are negative but the cultures are coming back positive.
What impact the H1N1 is going to have remains to be seen. The area physicians
are being extremely careful in what they are doing we should be thankful they
are doing all they can
John Pack Lambert | 1:03 p.m. June 16, 2009
I have to admit at first I was not one to accept that swine flu was very
dangerous. However, over 70 people have died from it in the United States, and
it is spreading all over the world.
We can not panic, but more precaution and acceptance that we are facing a problem is advised.
We can not panic, but more precaution and acceptance that we are facing a problem is advised.
remember math and science | 1:40 p.m. June 16, 2009
The infection rate is doubling about every ten days nationwide. That means that
A LOT more people are going to catch this flu. Nationwide, the regular flu
kills about 9,000 people a month, but it goes away during the summer. The swine
flu is spreading during the summer.
The 1918 flu pandemic infected about 1/3rd of the population. On average, 1/20th of those infected died. That means that 1/60th of the world's population died. But there weren't vaccines, antibiotics, and antiviral medications. Now there are.
If this flu were like the 1918 flu, and the evidence is that it's much more mild - less lethal, and if we prevented 75% of the deaths, our mortality rate would be about 1 in 240. That would be about 12,500 deaths total. That's a lot, but compared to the normal flu, (9000 deaths each week, all winter long) it's quite small.
The 1918 flu pandemic infected about 1/3rd of the population. On average, 1/20th of those infected died. That means that 1/60th of the world's population died. But there weren't vaccines, antibiotics, and antiviral medications. Now there are.
If this flu were like the 1918 flu, and the evidence is that it's much more mild - less lethal, and if we prevented 75% of the deaths, our mortality rate would be about 1 in 240. That would be about 12,500 deaths total. That's a lot, but compared to the normal flu, (9000 deaths each week, all winter long) it's quite small.
re: remember math and science | 2:10 p.m. June 16, 2009
I have studied pandemics and the sad thing is, most people in the medical field
do not know much about them because everything is so specialized. I am sorry but
your information is incorrect.
Pandemics almost always come in waves. The first wave of the 1918 Pandemic was so mild it was not even mentioned by the media. Most first waves are. It was the second wave that was so deadly. Viruses mutate and change so many people who caught the first wave in 1918, also caught the second wave.
Also, vaccines take about four months to prepare. By the time a vaccine is ready for the virus in its present form, a mutation would probably have occurred that would make the vaccine less effective. We would not have enough antivirals for a massive outbreak and they are usually only effective if given the first two days. Misdiagnosis can lead to disaster.
My family is not in the least panicked but we are prepared with masks, gloves, bleach and natural antiviral products. In the end, it comes down to personal responsibility.
Pandemics almost always come in waves. The first wave of the 1918 Pandemic was so mild it was not even mentioned by the media. Most first waves are. It was the second wave that was so deadly. Viruses mutate and change so many people who caught the first wave in 1918, also caught the second wave.
Also, vaccines take about four months to prepare. By the time a vaccine is ready for the virus in its present form, a mutation would probably have occurred that would make the vaccine less effective. We would not have enough antivirals for a massive outbreak and they are usually only effective if given the first two days. Misdiagnosis can lead to disaster.
My family is not in the least panicked but we are prepared with masks, gloves, bleach and natural antiviral products. In the end, it comes down to personal responsibility.
Only 18 total deaths in US | 2:49 p.m. June 16, 2009
GENEVA (AFP)--Swine flu has now infected 35,928 people in 76 countries since the
disease was first uncovered in late March, data from the World Health
Organization showed Monday.
Eighteen more deaths were confirmed, all in the U.S., out of a global total of 163, according to the latest WHO tally confirmed influenza A/H1N1 cases.
Some 5,834 new cases were announced compared to last Friday, especially in the U.S. with 4,638 new cases, and 404 freshly reported infections in the U.K.
Eighteen more deaths were confirmed, all in the U.S., out of a global total of 163, according to the latest WHO tally confirmed influenza A/H1N1 cases.
Some 5,834 new cases were announced compared to last Friday, especially in the U.S. with 4,638 new cases, and 404 freshly reported infections in the U.K.
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I think it's all overkill. Many people die from the regular flu. West Nile, SARS, Swine Flu. More people have died from Malaria in the last year than all these combined.