Every year over 100 kids die from the 'flu and an average of 20,000 kids under 5 are hospitalized from 'flu complications. Here's a short video made from interviews of parent's that have lost children to the 'flu, please take a few minutes and watch it
In 1918 and 1919 a terrible epidemic of influenza ravaged the earth, killing and estimated 20 to 40 million people - about 1 million of those were Americans. Think it can't happen now? Guess again - last years strain of 'flu overloaded ER's - my ER saw close to 30% more visits a day when the flu was at it's peak and our hospital beds were full to bursting. Add to that the 10% of staff that were out sick on any given day and you begin to see what would happen if a full scale pandemic were to occur.
So I lined up today and got my 'flu shot, just like I do every year. I urge you to do the same. In addition please wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough and FOR GOD'S SAKE stay home when you are sick - no one is so important that they need to be out infecting others - like the children in the video.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
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5 comments:
We've all gotten our flu shots, and I've started pushing hand-washing, vitamins and such.
I've also announced tot he family at large that they better be damn forthcoming when someone is sick, so we can quarantine ourselves.
I am going next week to get mine. I am a yearly advocate of the flu shot. Last year, I had almost convinced a friend and then news spread of the miscalculation by the CDC and the strains they missed. The friend of mine reconsidered. To my knowledge, she didn't get sick, but I'm sure she will one of these years now that she thinks she knows everything. *SIGH* I think perhaps my dad might get the shot this year since last year we got on an airplane together (the woman sitting behind us hacking the whole flight) and within 48 hours I was taking care of him, encouraging antipyretics, and annoyingly explaining how important it is to drink fluids. Of course you know I had to throw in "maybe ya shoulda got that shot". My daddy loves me! :o)
I'm all for getting the flu shot, especially since I'm an immunocompromised student nurse. But, I had an allergic reaction to it and can't touch it, which is extremely frustrating. So, I at least try to advocate everyone I know to get theirs, even if I can't.
I'm a great advocate of the flu shot, if only to protect the family from getting anything I pick up at work.
The flu hit close to home earlier this year. The husband of my ER coworker developed the flu. Young, healthy 30 year old. By the time he came in to the ER, he was septic. He died before he made it up to ICU. It was a wake-up call for all of us in so many ways.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that got some virus badly in March 2008.
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