Hey everyone. I'll try and post some pics later and do a better update, but for now, I need to step up on my little soap box for a minute....please be patient with me, it is for your benefit....really!
As most of you know, I am a respiratory therapist. For those of you who aren't sure what that is, I'm basically a nurse for the lungs. One thing I've learned in healthcare, is that just when you thought you've seen it all....something comes along to surprise you. This something for me this year is the Swine Flu. Now I know a lot of you will be turned off just by me mentioning the nasty S disease.....and a month ago I would have been too. I thought it was just a hype, that they were making a big deal out of something that was NOT as serious as the media was making it out to be.....I've since then changed my mind. Working in a small town hospital, we don't see as much as the big trauma centers do as far as it goes for Critical Patients. I have to say, this season, I've seen more than I ever want to see again! Yesterday alone, I had to assist in resuscitation efforts for 2 patients (that means CPR, Intubation, and Ventilation). Both were between the ages of 20-40 years. Both had only been sick for 3-4 days. Both started out as what they thought was a little cold. And both ended up with the flu, which quickly progressed to full blown pneumonias which are so bad that even though we are doing all the breathing for them, we cannot properly ventilate them because their lungs are so full of fluid. Both are still in very critical condition. We have had 1 death so far from this at our hospital ( she was 22 years old), one critical patient we shipped out to a trauma center (he was 23 and is still in critical condition on a ventilator). So far, I have only seen one person actually come off of the ventilator and get well enough to be transferred out of the ICU. He was 48 years old. It seems that this is affecting the 20-40 year olds the most. As for children, I have only seen one case bad enough to mention....although we've had many children in the hospital for 2-3 day stays. But this child's fever was so uncontrollable, he went into seizures and had to be transported to a children's hospital.
So what's the point of all this you ask? GET YOUR FLU SHOTS! Flu A, and the H1N1 (Swine Flu). I know right now that may be difficult because of lack of the vaccination in your areas, but don't wait once it's available. Also, if you are sick, don't wait a couple days to go to the doctor. Get in before 48 hours of onset of symptoms so they can get you on some tamiflu. The turn around from this has been remarkable with the Tamiflu! But it only works at early onset....so you have to get into the docter quick.
Again, I will admit, a month ago, I wasn't even considering getting the Flu Shot myself.....now, myself and my family will be first in line. if your sick, don't go out, wash your hands, and if you have new precious little ones, don't take them out if you don't have to.
Thanks for listening to me rant and rave! Love you all!
(side note) After reading the comment left by my cousin Danalin, I'd thought I'd stress a few other things. If you get the flu Shot, not the nasal spray, it is a dead virus. It does not make you sick....however, it can lessen your bodies ability to fight off other infections. (in other words, it can lower your immune system while your body builds the antibodies for the flu virus). So, if you are sick already, or if you know you will be around a lot of sick people, don't get your shot at that time. Wait until you are fairly healthy and can take it easy for a few days. Getting the shot while you are already comprimised (slightly sick) will definetely make you sick.
I am Thankful for Jeff!
17 hours ago
