View Full Version : H1N1... it's attacking the lungs

Autopsy results are starting to paint a picture... why are some previously perfectly healthy children and young adults dropping dead in a matter of days? Blood clots in the lungs...:dead:  
  
One middle-aged man who died was not diagnosed until after death, but unusual findings on his X-rays may be able to help doctors save other, similar patients.  
  
Mollura's team found irregularities called ground-glass opacities in the patient's lungs using a CT scan. Although the patient was severely ill and had a fever, he tested negative for flu and doctors did not treat him for it.  
  
The man died five days after he went into the hospital and the autopsy confirmed he had swine flu. The lung lesions seen on his CT scan matched lung damage done by the virus, Mollura and colleagues said.  
  
In another study in the same journal, CT scans of patients with severe cases of swine flu showed many had pulmonary emboli, which block the arteries in the lungs, a team at the University of Michigan found.  
  
Anticoagulant drugs can break up these clots and save lives.  
  
Study: H1N1 Flu Causes 'Unusual' Damage to Lungs - H1N1 - FOXNews.com (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,567460,00.html)  
  
Dr. Prachi Agarwal and colleagues examined 66 patients diagnosed with H1N1, 14 of them who were in the intensive care unit. All 66 got standard X-rays, which can show if a patient has pneumonia.  
  
They performed enhanced X-rays known as computed tomography or CT scans on 15 of the patients, 10 of them who were in the ICU on ventilators to help them breathe. Five of the ICU patients had the blood clots in the lungs, Agarwal reported  
  
"Our study suggests that patients who are severely ill with H1N1 are also at risk for developing pulmonary emboli, which should be carefully sought for on contrast-enhanced CT scans," Agarwal said in a statement.  
  
"The majority of patients undergoing chest X-rays with H1N1 have normal radiographs (X-rays)," she added. Pulmonary emboli are also not normally seen in flu, she said.

That is scary!

Hitting early, swine flu claims 11 more kids in US - wtop.com (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=106&sid=1661303)  
  
Federal health officials said Friday 11 more children have died in the past week because of the virus.  
  
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about half of the child deaths since September have been among teenagers.  
  
And overall for the country, deaths from pneumonia and flu-like illnesses have passed what CDC considers an epidemic level.  
  
"These are very sobering statistics," says the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat.  
  
This new strain is different from regular winter flu because it strikes the young far more than the old, and child deaths are drawing particular attention. Eighty-six children have died of swine flu in the U.S. since it burst on the scene last spring _ 43 of those deaths reported in September and early October alone, said Schuchat.  
  
That's a startling number because in some past winters, the CDC has counted 40 or 50 child deaths for the entire flu season, she said, and no one knows how long this swine flu outbreak will last.

Hitting early, swine flu claims 11 more kids in US - wtop.com (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=106&sid=1661303)  
  
Federal health officials said Friday 11 more children have died in the past week because of the virus.  
  
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about half of the child deaths since September have been among teenagers.  
  
And overall for the country, deaths from pneumonia and flu-like illnesses have passed what CDC considers an epidemic level.  
  
"These are very sobering statistics," says the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat.  
  
This new strain is different from regular winter flu because it strikes the young far more than the old, and child deaths are drawing particular attention. Eighty-six children have died of swine flu in the U.S. since it burst on the scene last spring _ 43 of those deaths reported in September and early October alone, said Schuchat.  
  
That's a startling number because in some past winters, the CDC has counted 40 or 50 child deaths for the entire flu season, she said, and no one knows how long this swine flu outbreak will last.  
  
So, that is HALF of all children just in the past two months. Like I said before, this is scary.  
  
I guess the thing to do is, if H1N1 is suspected, to DEMAND that a CT scan of the lungs be done ASAP.   
  
I know that's what I will do if anyone in my family, ie: Children, Grandchildren, etc.. is suspected of having it. Other than that, what else is there for us to do?

So, that is HALF of all children just in the past two months. Like I said before, this is scary.  
  
I guess the thing to do is, if H1N1 is suspected, to DEMAND that a CT scan of the lungs be done ASAP.   
  
I know that's what I will do if anyone in my family, ie: Children, Grandchildren, etc.. is suspected of having it. Other than that, what else is there for us to do?  
  
With contrast.

With contrast.  
  
Yup, I forgot that part! :buddies:

I recently reconsidered my position on the H1N1 vaccine and got my kids immunized for it on Monday. The vaccine didn't slow them down in the slightest and it lifted a huge amount of worry off my shoulders. I'm going to get mine as soon as my doc gets it in too. Better safe than sorry, after all the shots I got from the military over the years with no ill effects why balk at this one?

I recently reconsidered my position on the H1N1 vaccine and got my kids immunized for it on Monday. The vaccine didn't slow them down in the slightest and it lifted a huge amount of worry off my shoulders. I'm going to get mine as soon as my doc gets it in too. Better safe than sorry, after all the shots I got from the military over the years with no ill effects why balk at this one?  
  
Just be aware they are saying it will take about 6 weeks from immunization to build up immunity. You are still at risk for H1N1 for the next month and 1/2.

Just be aware they are saying it will take about 6 weeks from immunization to build up immunity. You are still at risk for H1N1 for the next month and 1/2.  
  
Yeah, I knew it took a while but 6 weeks?! Anyway, outside of locking them in a bubble I've done what I can to keep them safe.

The following information was provided by Dr. Vinay Goyal, MBBS, DM, MD, Intensive Care Medicine (Intensivist) and Thyroid specialist, with 20 years of clinical experience.   
  
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem, as is proliferation of the virus.  
  
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms, and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):  
  
1\. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).   
  
2\. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).   
  
3\. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't under estimate this simple, inexpensive, and powerful preventative method.  
  
4\. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*  
  
5\. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.  
  
6\. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate, or do any harm.

Catt I wish I could do those things but with small kids anything other than hand washing and vitamins are impossible. Especially with my 2 year old who has to touch EVERYTHING and has a finger sucking habit! :jameo:

Catt I wish I could do those things but with small kids anything other than hand washing and vitamins are impossible. Especially with my 2 year old who has to touch EVERYTHING and has a finger sucking habit! :jameo:  
  
I agree on the kids..this was just an FYI for anyone reading this tread. :yay:

Catt I wish I could do those things but with small kids anything other than hand washing and vitamins are impossible. Especially with my 2 year old who has to touch EVERYTHING and has a finger sucking habit! :jameo:  
  
I wouldnt worry about the finger sucking too much. Flu is spread via droplets of water in the air. It is possible to get it through touch...but it is way more likely you will catch it breathing..than touching something. if you suspect someone has the flu...a minimum of three feet should be between you ( i know..cant do that if you're taking care of someone...) And medical masks are inexpensive ..and can be quite effective if you suspect someone is ill.

I wouldnt worry about the finger sucking too much. Flu is spread via droplets of water in the air. It is possible to get it through touch...but it is way more likely you will catch it breathing..than touching something. if you suspect someone has the flu...a minimum of three feet should be between you ( i know..cant do that if you're taking care of someone...) And medical masks are inexpensive ..and can be quite effective if you suspect someone is ill.  
  
I was watching 60 minutes the other night and they had a segment on H1N1. They're finding the virus can be transmitted at 10 feet.

I was watching 60 minutes the other night and they had a segment on H1N1. They're finding the virus can be transmitted at 10 feet.  
  
Holy crap. We need to just face the fact we are all doomed to get it at some point soon. :dead:

I was watching 60 minutes the other night and they had a segment on H1N1. They're finding the virus can be transmitted at 10 feet.  
  
oh lovely.   
  
Thats even better.

60 Minutes Archive - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/08/podcast_60min/main828230.shtml)

I wouldnt worry about the finger sucking too much. Flu is spread via droplets of water in the air. It is possible to get it through touch...but it is way more likely you will catch it breathing..than touching something. if you suspect someone has the flu...a minimum of three feet should be between you ( i know..cant do that if you're taking care of someone...) And medical masks are inexpensive ..and can be quite effective if you suspect someone is ill.  
  
Yeah, the most likely scenario is that my 4 year old in preschool will get it and haul it home. I was at the pumpkin patch with his little class and not one kid covered their mouth while coughing or sneezing and a bunch of the little buggers were looking all snotty nosed too. :mad: If my son gets it my daughter will too, they are as thick as thieves.  


Holy crap. We need to just face the fact we are all doomed to get it at some point soon. :dead:  
  
oh lovely.   
  
Thats even better.  
  
I'm not one to freak out over illnesses. But after knowing some of the people here at work with it and seeing how sick they are (or their children) and then seeing this (which ..is it hype? who knows?) I am more alarmed.  
  
Swine Flu: H1N1 - 60 Minutes - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5394553n)

Kiddos' mom is recovered from it now. She's getting girl vaccinated tomorrow. Luckily neither kid is sick, so they must not have been exposed when their mom had it. :whew:

If my son gets it my daughter will too, they are as thick as thieves and ADORBLE!  
69628  
  
:yeahthat:

Hmmm... listening to the podcast. Sounds to me like it's just as important if not more to get the pnuemonia vaccine not just the flu vaccines.

Yeah, the most likely scenario is that my 4 year old in preschool will get it and haul it home. I was at the pumpkin patch with his little class and not one kid covered their mouth while coughing or sneezing and a bunch of the little buggers were looking all snotty nosed too. :mad: If my son gets it my daughter will too, they are as thick as thieves.  
  
69628  
  
Cuties :)

wll I wash hands all the time and I have the swine flu now.Just hope my body can shake it off.I am onj tamiflu and because my fever is being contolled and I am peeing etc I do not need hosp.I also am at high risk group. I prey my children do not get this.My 2 year old was all over me the 1st day-I was too stubborn to do to doc until forced.well I am back to bed as I feel crapo.  
I never have had the flu as an adult until now.  
  
I just came on here for min to see how Morningbell was.

wll I wash hands all the time and I have the swine flu now.Just hope my body can shake it off.I am onj tamiflu and because my fever is being contolled and I am peeing etc I do not need hosp.I also am at high risk group. I prey my children do not get this.My 2 year old was all over me the 1st day-I was too stubborn to do to doc until forced.well I am back to bed as I feel crapo.  
I never have had the flu as an adult until now.  
  
I just came on here for min to see how Morningbell was.  
  
Ugh... Hope all of you that are sick with this, or have family who are sick with this recover soon.  
  
What killed me was reading this thread this morning:  
  
http://forums.somd.com/news-current-events/192789-louis-farrakhan-h1n1-vaccine-meant-kill.html  
  
What an idiot.