The first NY death from H1N1 flu was a 52 year old man whose past history included gout. He died of flu complications including serious pneumonia and kidney failure and had been on a respirator for several days. His family claims he did not have any serious "past history of significant illnesses" which has been typically found in other patients who died from this new flu. I suspect that he could have had an undiagnosed underlying condition but that is my personal supposition.
What IS clear to me is that there has always been a significant death rate from complications of seasonal flu. Since we seem to have little defenses against this new strain and since there currently is no vaccine - then anyone with clear signs of early flu should probably hasten to request Relenza (you cannot take this if you have asthma or other reactive airway diseases since it is inhaled) or Tamiflu. I also think this quick transmission of flu is happening BECAUSE there is no barrier to transmission i.e. vaccinated people, as there typically are in seasonal flu. Though not everyone gets vaccinated, enough of us do to slow the rate of transmission. Again, my theory.
I think the take-away message is:
Keep vigilant with handwashing/hand sanitizer
Avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals
Use proper pulmonary hygiene (sneeze/cough into sleeve)
Be quick to request the anti-viral medications if you suspect possible H1N1 flu.
www.cafemom.com/journals/archive.php?type=mine - "Runaway Mom"
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