Deseret News | Reader comments: H1N1 flu kills 2 more Utahns

Reader comments
H1N1 flu kills 2 more Utahns

Page:
1
2
Next >

Utah pride | 2:31 p.m. June 24, 2009

Go Utah!

Anonymous | 2:42 p.m. June 24, 2009

THE NEW YORK TIMES
In New Theory, Swine Flu Started in Asia, Not Mexico
By DONALD G. MCNEIL JR.
June 24, 2009

Contrary to the popular assumption that the new swine flu pandemic arose on factory farms in Mexico, federal agriculture officials now believe that it most likely emerged in pigs in Asia, but then traveled to North America in a human.

Stunned | 3:02 p.m. June 24, 2009

What is going on here?

Comments continue below

SMM | 3:25 p.m. June 24, 2009

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE IN UTAH THESE CASES ARE OCCURING. WHICH CITIES? IS THAT PRIVATE INFO FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOMEBODY? LET THE PEOPLE KNOW. I HAVE PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH IT, AND I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT, SO MY KIDS DON'T GO TO THEIR HOUSE.

Danielle | 3:43 p.m. June 24, 2009

Th H1N1 virus is not nearly as bad as the common flu virus. They are blowing this way out of proportion! Bring it on.

Robin L | 3:45 p.m. June 24, 2009

Really we would like to know! Why report the news if you give us vague info. I do not like to have to piece the info together myself.We would like to know how rampant it is in our area.While we feel sympathy for those people going through this as well as their family and friends and pray for a safe recovery we also are concerned for our family's safety.

TO: SMM | 3:55 p.m. June 24, 2009

SALT LAKE VALLEY. IT IS EVERYWHERE IN THE SL VALLEY.

It makes me | 3:57 p.m. June 24, 2009

nervous to go anywhere. Restaurants, movies, the store. You never know who may be carrying the virus and quite frankly I don't want it. Not that I am afraid I will die from it, I just don't want to be miserably ill from it. The plain old flu is bad enough.

Mother of seven | 4:46 p.m. June 24, 2009

Calm down people. It's a very mild virus and you've most likely already been exposed to it and maybe even had it in your family already. Most people have gotten it and are over it and never knew it was the swine flu. My kids got it from school and only a few of us actually got sick from it. And of those few, the cases ranged from extremely mild to average for the flu. RELAX, Breathe - it's not worth all of the panic or fuss. If it becomes some kind of super-bug as they are predicting for this fall, then all this panic would make a lot more sense.

Adrian | 4:52 p.m. June 24, 2009

I believe this is a lie as there are no sources, and 9/10 deaths have been from "underlying health conditions".

My brother got the swine flue AND WAS ALLERGIC TO IT. This means his body was covered in hives, having the worst reaction to a thing possible. He rested for 3 days and went back to work OK.
It may have looked like the plague, but it's no more than a common cold, N1H1. (Which I now have.)

Summit county, UTAH

Mitchell C | 5:12 p.m. June 24, 2009

Indeed everyone in my family caught it and we didnt even know we had it untill my sister went in and tested positive for it everyone couldnt believe how paranoid they were acting and we sorta just laughed it off.

Joseph R | 7:17 p.m. June 24, 2009

Do some research and you will find that H1N1 was what broke out in 1918. It came in like a lamb in the spring, simmered and quietly spread through the summer and then struck in the fall like a lion. The 'second wave' of H1N1 during the Spanish Flu of the fall of 1918 through 1919 killed between 50 million and 100 million people. That was before global air travel and when the world had approx 2 billion people. Now with more than 6 billion... this could kill 300 million if it follows the same pattern.

Look at the similarities to back then; the sun has entered a deep minimum meaning quick climate shift, cooling, less crops, etc. This affects earth's magnetic field and with weakening solar activity, less protection from the sun as well from cosmic rays. When was the last time the sun was in such a funk? 1913.

Viruses mutate. Let's hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst.

betty jean | 6:23 a.m. June 25, 2009

Joseph R: Are you serious? What planet did you come from? Trying to "scare" people with all your "facts", really? Do you also believe that Elvis is still alive?

Henny Penny | 6:37 a.m. June 25, 2009

The Sky is Falling, The Sky is Falling.

2nd wave will hit | 7:46 a.m. June 25, 2009

Visit the Center for Disease Controls website and you will see front and center info about the 1918 flu. However the difference now is... Better hygiene, Better antibiotics to treat pneumonia and other illness that are underlying. So yes the second wave will hit, it will be worse than the first, but it will not be as bad as the 1918 second wave. The CDC and doctors know this. They are just waiting to see when. Read the article. Families should be prepared to spend a week away from school, work, etc. Just be prepared. No doomsday here, just common sense and past history.

Evets | 7:57 a.m. June 25, 2009

Give me a break. Some of you are over reacting. I worked for the FEDS for almost 30 years on such public health issues and still do a little consulting. You need to have some respect for H1N1 but there is nothing to panic over. Like with any viral infection you need to eat a good diet, get your sleep, and take care of your body to avoid the bad effects. You also need to avoid infection...the article was pretty good on that.
Don't compare this to 1918. In 1918 you had a very suseptable population and we didn't have the medical knowledge or support we have today.
For us "old folks" we may have some protection/immunities because we were exposed to like viruses in the 40's and 50's. Don't forget to get your vaccinations this fall when they come out. With all that in mind we should not be any worse off than in a usual flu season.

family member | 8:06 a.m. June 25, 2009

I have a family member with it. A healthy little 2 year old. He caught it at church. He has been clinging to life for 3 weeks. It is a very nasty flu. He is one sick little boy. Take every precaution to protect your family from this. Wash those hands.

Re: Joseph R | 8:08 a.m. June 25, 2009

Joseph, I hate to rain on your paranoia parade but H1N1 will never be as severe as the Spanish flu in 1918. Wanna know why? Because in 1918, they didn't have flu vaccines. In 2009, we do. The first batches of H1N1 vaccine started coming out in production quantities last week, and by October there will be enough to vaccinate every person in the U.S. (likely the same story in other countries).

In fact, I bet the winter of 2009-2010 will have the lowest occurrence of H1N1 AND the "regular" flu in a long time, simply because everyone (like you) is going nuts over this new flu, so a much higher percentage of people will be getting their flu shots (the H1N1 vaccine will be combined with the regular flu vaccine).

So Joseph, head back into your sterilization chamber and I'll call you when it's safe to come out.

stevo | 8:10 a.m. June 25, 2009

Joesph R has it down, the rest of you have your head in the sand.

Ricky | 8:13 a.m. June 25, 2009

Joseph R's comments about the sun and the magnetic field are silly, but he is correct about the spread of the original "Spanish Flu": It was the 2nd wave that was really deadly. A repeat of a flu that strong could be catastrophic and kill millions.

Oink, Oink. | 8:17 a.m. June 25, 2009

Everytime I hear someone cough, I say under my breath, "Swine flu!"

Eventually it will get you...

well danielle | 8:21 a.m. June 25, 2009

it is people like you who started this war which has so many fatalities...with the bing it on attitud just pray you can say that one year from now as there are no guarantees...while we at it bring on aids and tb , then cancer as those seem to be blown out of proportion ...unless you or a loved on get it!

"It ain't that bad" | 8:32 a.m. June 25, 2009

Yes, and three years ago everyone was thinking, "We understand economics and our banking system is so much stronger we are bullet proof."

Those who don't understand and RESPECT history are doomed to repeat us.

Death rates ARE higher than with regular flu, we know this.

If you have symptoms of cold, flu, etc., STAY HOME. Have a little respect for your neighbors.

If you and your "seven kids" are sick, STAY AWAY from the rest of us.

YOU may just "get a little sick," or it may be "no worse than the regular flu," but what you have may KILL someone else.

I don't care if you are the Relief Society President, Bishop, Stake President or the Pope, the janitor, the boss, or the owner, if you have so much as a sniffle, STAY HOME. You AREN'T SO IMPORTANT WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU FOR A WEEK.

And all of you, "modern medicine is so good" folks: mutation, mutation, mutation. LET'S ALL BE CAUTIOUS, AND ABOVE ALL, CONSIDERATE.

Inaccurate information | 8:36 a.m. June 25, 2009

Somebody posted the following:

"by October there will be enough to vaccinate every person in the U.S."

Where are you getting this information? That comment along with your assertion that the H1N1 vaccine will be administered with the regular flu vaccine are not what I've been reading. In fact, two doses will be required for H1N1 and it will be in short supply since there aren't enough chicken eggs to make two doses for the entire population. So unless you qualify for an "at risk" group, you will be fighting the H1N1 virus without modern vaccine technology.

Flu VIRUS | 8:37 a.m. June 25, 2009

Tamiflu is NOT as effective on a virus as antibiotics are on bacteria.

Sometimes vaccines miss.

Viruses mutate.

BE SMART.

BE CAUTIOUS.

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS.

STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK.

Typhoid Mary | 8:40 a.m. June 25, 2009

Mary Mallon seemed a healthy woman when a health inspector knocked on her door in 1907, yet she was the cause of several typhoid outbreaks. Since Mary was the first "healthy carrier" of typhoid fever in the United States, she did not understand how someone not sick could spread disease -- so she tried to fight back.

After a trial and then a short run from health officials, Mary was recaptured and forced to live in relative seclusion upon North Brother Island off New York. Who was Mary Mallon and how did she spread typhoid fever?

An Investigation

For the summer of 1906, New York banker Charles Henry Warren wanted to take his family on vacation. They rented a summer home from George Thompson and his wife in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Also for the summer, the Warrens hired Marry Mallon to be their cook.

On August 27, one of the Warren's daughters became ill with typhoid fever. Soon, Mrs. Warren and two maids became ill; followed by the gardener and another Warren daughter. In total, six of the eleven people in the house came down with typhoid.

Typhoid Mary cont. | 8:42 a.m. June 25, 2009

Since the common way typhoid spread was through water or food sources, the owners of the home feared they would not be able to rent the property again without first discovering the source of the outbreak. The Thompsons first hired investigators to find the cause, but they were unsuccessful.

Then the Thompsons hired George Soper, a civil engineer with experience in typhoid fever outbreaks. It was Soper who believed the recently hired cook, Mary Mallon, was the cause. Mallon had left the Warren's approximately three weeks after the outbreak. Soper began to research her employment history for more clues.

Mary Mallon was born on September 23, 1869 in Cookstown, Ireland. According to what she told friends, Mallon emigrated to America around the age of 15. Like most Irish immigrant women, Mallon found a job as a domestic servant. Finding she had a talent for cooking, Mallon became a cook, which paid better wages than many other domestic service positions.

Typhoid Mary cont. | 8:42 a.m. June 25, 2009

Soper was able to trace Mallon's employment history back to 1900. He found that typhoid outbreaks had followed Mallon from job to job. From 1900 to 1907, Soper found that Mallon had worked at seven jobs in which 22 people had become ill, including one young girl who died, with typhoid fever shortly after Mallon had come to work for them.1

Soper was satisfied that this was much more than a coincidence; yet, he needed stool and blood samples from Mallon to scientifically prove she was the carrier.

Capture and Isolation

In March 1907, Soper found Mallon working as a cook in the home of Walter Bowen and his family. To get samples from Mallon, he approached her at her place of work. Having a strange man come up to you, to accuse you (who seems completely healthy) of spreading disease and of killing people and then be asked for some of your blood and excrement, well, it does seem it would make just about anybody skeptical.

typhoid Mary cont. | 8:43 a.m. June 25, 2009

I had my first talk with Mary in the kitchen of this house. . . . I was as diplomatic as possible, but I had to say I suspected her of making people sick and that I wanted specimens of her urine, feces and blood. It did not take Mary long to react to this suggestion. She seized a carving fork and advanced in my direction. I passed rapidly down the long narrow hall, through the tall iron gate, . . . and so to the sidewalk. I felt rather lucky to escape.2
This violent reaction from Mallon did not stop Soper. Soper tracked Mallon to her home. He tried to approach her again, but this time, he brought an assistant (Dr. Bert Raymond Hoobler) for support. Again, Mallon became enraged, made clear they were unwelcome and shouted expletives at them as they made a hurried departure.

Realizing it was going to take more persuasiveness than he was able to offer, Soper handed his research and hypothesis over to Hermann Biggs at the New York City Health Department. Biggs agreed with Soper's hypothesis. Biggs sent Dr. S. Josephine Baker to talk to Mallon.

Anonymous | 8:45 a.m. June 25, 2009

Yes, maybe it has been blown out of proportion for the common healthy person. I happen to have a family member in my home, who, if contacted the flu would most likely send him to the hospital or possibly kill him. He has no immune system. And, while I take every precaution in my home, I can not control the germs outside of my home, like at the grocery store, or Dr. office. All's I ask is that the rest of you be mindful of those who are not healthy, and quite blowing it off. It IS crucial that you wash your hands and stay home if you are ill. You may save someone else's life.

Snort wort | 9:11 a.m. June 25, 2009

UMM, I had the swine flu. Oh boy, was i ever sick, but as you can see i am much better now--I really am.

Agree about being courteous.. | 9:11 a.m. June 25, 2009

If you are sick, PLEASE stay home. This should go without saying, but it seems there are many who go to work when they are ill, and even more who send their kids to school when they are sick. Swine, donkey, goat... whatever bug you get, please remember that for each person you come into contact with, there is a risk of spreading your illness to that person, which likely spreads to their entire family. The selfishness of people amazes me when it comes to stuff like this. Think of it this way... even if you feel like you can 'tough it out' and go to work, that's not the point!!! When it comes to kids, I know for some families, it is difficult for parents to miss work to stay home with sick kids. That said, if you have kids, it's your responsibility to figure something out, and to NOT send them to school simply because it is the easier route for YOU. One sick child at school exposes countless other children, who in turn end up exposing family members, meaning more kids who need to be kept home, and missed work for adults!

It's in Orem | 9:23 a.m. June 25, 2009

Seven families in my ward have had it in Orem. Not all members of the families got it. But who knows who had a light case.

wondering... | 9:24 a.m. June 25, 2009

Wouldn't it be a good thing to contract this flu this summer, or would it not matter if/when it mutates this winter?

calm down everyone | 10:00 a.m. June 25, 2009

I love how hysterical everyone gets. The regular flu kills 500,000 people worldwide every single year and yet no one ever freaks out. Just because this is a NEW virus everyone is freaking out. They just don't know what COULD happen. It hasn't happened yet. It is just a flu and it is no worse than any other real flu virus. Many many of you are so naive about medical things going on if they are not in the news that this is all terrifying to you. The flu killing people is not new and happens every year and usually in greater numbers than this. Everyone needs to calm down and just use normal every day good hand washing and if you are sick stay home in bed techniques. It really is no cause for freaking out concern yet. It may get there this fall, but not yet!

Midwest comment.... | 10:36 a.m. June 25, 2009

I live in Michigan and my neighbor's children have been diagnosed with the swine flu. They had a mild fever and nothing more. My children have been exposed and have had nothing more than a headache and a mild sore throat. This whole issue is so ridiculous. Any kind of flu can kill those with a compromised immune system. I'm not worried about getting swine flu -- I'm more concerned about contracting Norovirus again. It doesn't last long, but it wipes you our for at about 48 hours.

CougarKeith | 10:54 a.m. June 25, 2009

I thought this was the "Swine Flu", now it has a new name to keep the Terror Scare Going??? My wife had the guy in the next cubicle's some body he knew got it, then he was suddenly "Sick", and so it is around.

Not to terrorize anyone, but it's a good time to be a Jehovah's Witness! Go to Kingdom Hall and they pass the sacrament and unless your one of the 144,000 you don't touch the sacrament! (Whew For Them!!!) If your a Catholic you have the Priest sticking his hands in everyone's mouth as he inserts the Eucharist!!! If your a Mormon like me, you go to church and everyone sticks their fingers in the plate to take a piece of bread! How many pieces have been contaminated??? I guess you take it on faith like me!

Relax, the regular flu is for the most part "WORSE" or more of a threat! Not that I want to test the theory, but HOLY COW!!! If you are that scared, lock your windows and doors, and have your neighbor get the mail, don't let the kids out, and call in sick!

Lori | 11:09 a.m. June 25, 2009

You that are taking the advice lightly are the most dangerous kind. I am not afraid of getting the flu myself, I go to work, church , the store just like normal. The difference is that I respect the health of tohers and stay home if I'm sick. My son was sick and I kept him home. That's all that's being asked of us. For those who have family members who have died, that's all they would have asked for too. If you go back and read the article it is simply saying now would be a good time to prepare in case of a larger outbreak this winter. I live in a hurricane area and we are tld to always be prepared, but anytime there is a hint of one coming people rush out to the stores and clear out the shelves. If you have everything you need already prepared, you can stay home and watch TV and relax instead of panicking. Don't get prepared if you don't want to, but don't call me, the RS pres when you need food if you're asked to stay home. I will be home.

RAYMOND KNIGHT | 11:43 a.m. June 25, 2009

The problem is not during the summer but what happens come the fall. There should be very little flu activity during the summer. This flu is somewhat unusual and if it follows the same pattern as the 1918 flu will mutate in South America and come back with a virulence which we haven't seen in a very long time. This flu is missing two markers to become as bad as the 1918 flu and may have already acquired the one marker. The final marker is the one that makes it a super bug. I would worry some.

Anonymous | 11:52 a.m. June 25, 2009

Ok, I'm a bit confused. Ten deaths constitute an epidemic? That's kind of absurd. And, as the story indicates, those that died had "other, underlying health issues." And we're all freaking out because the terminally ill get swine flu and die?

And the total number of swine flu cases in Utah (or anywhere else for that matter) is it even remotely close to the number of other flu cases? NO. Is this number even close to the number of people who die from things like the common cold, pneumonia, other respiratory diseases?

I'm sorry, I can get get very panicked about this. And I'm supposed to take this report seriously? because ten people have died from this flu?

so be very clear and specific | 12:29 p.m. June 25, 2009

is it a pandemic or epidemic ...then where is it hitting most along the front...restaurants, pub bathrooms? schools who involved if there is a pattern? the public needs to know this isn't jeopardy but maybe it is.

re:Anonymous @ 11:52 | 1:50 p.m. June 25, 2009

You think the people dying from this are terminally ill? Get some facts before you spout off. Hardly anyone terminally ill has died from this. One of the underlying conditions people are dying from is pregnancy. Another had the underlying condition of gout. Over 1/3 of the people dying nationwide had no underlying condition.

Half the comments on this board are from people who have no understanding at all of what is going on. I keep trying to come on these boards and tell you people the facts but either you don't read the other comments, or you don't believe the truth. I'm not about to go over it all again so let me just add one point:

The CFR of this flu is now higher than normal flu (percentage of people dying) and one of things that makes this so different is that the people dying are not the very old or very young like with regular flu. There is a difference between not panicking and ignoring facts and taking precautions.

the cover up | 1:52 p.m. June 25, 2009

There have been some strange happenings here recently. First the name change and the releasing of names stopped. Then the past "whereabouts" of victims stopped being tracked and disclosed. The attention got turned away from mexico real quick for the sake of tourism.

Jimbo | 2:14 p.m. June 25, 2009

A couple of clarifications. The 1918 flu was H1N5 which is bird flu. This has been confirmed from DNA samples of eskimos who died of it. It likely mutated in a way that enabled it spread from person to person very easily.There are other factors including WWI and lack of vaccine which helped make it so serious. For more information read John Barry's book "The Great Influenza" It is startling. No matter how you look at it, influenza is a serious illness for many people and they don't have to have underlying health problems. I, as a family physician, contracted it 19 years ago when I neglected to get my vaccine and I recall feeling like I was going to die. The keys to prevention are early diagnosis, treatment when appropriate and quaranteening victims until they are well.This current epidemic is real and it is serious and shouldn't be taken lightly.

JB | 2:23 p.m. June 25, 2009

The reason for the name change was multiple; pig farmers were being hurt, and some people had the misconception that being around pigs is how one contracted the disease. There were a few other reasons also.

Re: the cover up; the economy is making the WHO very careful in how they are handling the situation and they've clearly stated this. The good news is, the Utah Health Dept. was more open with the info in this article than most state health depts are now being, so kudos to them.

Utah is being discussed by health care workers and scientists who have topic boards on the subject. They are impressed at the new openness. We still wish they would throw out the old paradigm of over 65, under 3 being the vulnerable population for this flu because facts overwhelmingly show otherwise. But progress is being made.

Facts and Statistics | 5:30 p.m. June 25, 2009

There is a lot of skepticism on this board. I believe that many are voicing opinions that have not fully investigated this virus. For example: the normal flu has a hospitalization rate of .5% in any given year. This flu has a hospitalization rate of between 5 and 8%. That is extraordinarily high. In addition, most who are hospitalized are needing ventilator assistance. With 210 hospitalizations in Utah, how many ventilators are in use right now. As this flu develops and mutates, the ventilator capacity in Utah and the US will not be enough to provide for all who need it. Also, the vaccines that are being rushed through are to appease the public, they are not going to be effective against this virus that is mutating to fast. In other words, the virus in the fall will be different than the one for which the vaccine was developed. In 1976, the government rushed through a flu vaccine, much like now. One person died from the flu, then. But, many were killed and injured due to the vaccine.

Numbers | 10:58 a.m. June 26, 2009

California 1492/16
Illinois 2875/12
New York 2272/35
Texas 2981/10
Utah 874/10

Evryone else is big state.
Someone in charger of this in Utah should read this number and resign.

christy | 5:58 p.m. June 26, 2009

I know there is a ton of it in Davis County. Two of my children have had it. The flu isn't terrible, it is the after effects. The coughing goes on and on and on. Also, they have both gotten terrible hives. They had it 3 weeks apart, so did not give it to each other. It is everywhere in our neighborhood.

Marv | 9:19 a.m. July 6, 2009

When It Mixes with the Avian flu The Death rate could Be as Much As 60%. It will Mutate Into Something
More Virulent, How Bad We don't Know Yet! Be Causes And Pay attention! Wash Your Hands!!!!!

Marv | 9:23 a.m. July 6, 2009

Jimbo, The 1918 Was Not Bird Flu. Get Your Facts strait

Page:
1
2
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.