What’s happening to this world!!!

[sheri-baby]

<H1>Beating the Bug</H1>
<DIV class=blog>


December 1, 2005
Flu Striking Northeast Kansans
Mike Marusarz


A possible flu outbreak is forcing state health officials to warn residents. It's not Bird Flu but dozens fear they may have been bitten by this bug that's causing a lot of sickness. It's happening in Pottawatmie County where since November 70 norovirus cases are suspected and one so far.


It comes quick but hits hard. It's a virus that often takes the form of another stomach sickness.


"I thought I had food poisoning I was making a list of food restaurants I thought I had been too," said Chris Beach who thinks he may have the Flu.


Gastrointestinal Illness, also called norovirous, is hitting Pottawatomie County hard.<A name=more></A>


"It last a couple of days and people will feel like they just don't feel well, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea," said KDHE spokesperson Sharon Watson.


It spreads from person to person especially at work, daycares and nursing homes. It travels through the air, by eating food that the virus has contaminated and from hand to hand contact.


"Hand washing becomes so critical because with influenza or any number of viruses that's the fastest way it is being spread," explained Watson.


While it's not rare, the amount of concentrated cases is causing the concern.


"With that many cases we are concerned and watching it closely, it's higher than normal," said Watson.


Heeding the warnings and starting to wash could prevent that number from rising any more.


"Wash your hands! I wish I would've known to do that," said Beach.


Other things to do is wash fruits and vegetables and surfaces where food is prepared. The current flu shot doesn't protect you and like the common flu virus there is no cure, just rest, fluids and time to let it pass.

<H5>Posted by Food Poisoning Lawyer at 08:44 AM | Comments (0) </H5></DIV>

[sheri-baby]

I'm seeing way to much os this stuff lately, it's reaaly scaring me badly!!! Maybe I should trash this darn computer.

[californiagirl]

DITTO what Sheri-baby said!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ren2005]

Oh Great... I HATE hearing stuff like that...[img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]

[crimgoddess]

Honestly, s*** like this had been happening since the dawn of time, but media has not always reported it. Yeah, its a painthat a virus is going around- but this is nowhere near a new phenomena.


My philosophy is that if you're gonna get it, you're gonna get it. It said that the best way to protect yourself is through hand-washing and washing fruits and veggies- which I suspect most people on this board are vigilant about anyway. If you do that and still catch something....well, I guess it falls under the category of sucks to be you. Make sure there is plenty of liquids and bland food around, and hopefully it will pass quickly. I just think worrying about the situation won't do anything other than make things worse


*amber* ------&gt; who almost done dealing with her first flu of the season.

[sheri-baby]

Yes very true, but why do they always say the viruses are worse and more prevalant now?? Why is it higher than normal??[img]smileys/smilies_25.gif[/img] Edited by: sheri-baby

[lizzo]

If you have a good strong immune system and healthy hygiene, there isn't much for you to worry about, is there?

[sheri-baby]

I'm really worried because I have 2 kids in elementary school and a husband that thinks washing his hands means sticking them under running water for 2 seconds!! I have this problem with going to web sites and seeing outbreaks in elementary schools all over the US. Schools closing because of this! What am I gonna do, keep them out of school!, not possible, it's inevitable in my mind that they are goona get sick soon!! I wish I could shake this fricken fear![img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]

[crimgoddess]

I heard that part of the reason why viruses can spread a bit easier today is that for awhile, doctors were treating everything with antibiotics- that, and some people didn't (and still don't) finish their antibiotics when they are prescribed. That made many viruses and bacteria more resistantand thus harder to fight off.


I also read an article something along the lines of we spend a lot of time making sure that our children are growing up in a sterile, bacteria-free environment (every cleaning product ensures that it's 'antibacterial'). Since most of our immune system is built (for lack of a better word) when we are children, yet we are not exposed to enough bacteria/illness when we are kids to allow our bodies to learn/develop immunities, it means that we are hit harder when we are adults. Of course, it's a catch-22, because if viruses are more difficult to fight off now than before, there is a certain degree of risk in exposing children. It seems like a damned if you do damned if you don't type of situation.


Meh....there is so much competing research out there, hard to know what to think. Either way Lizzo, if you do practice good hygiene and have a strong immune system, try not to worry



*amber*

[sheri-baby]

Lizzo and Amber you guys have the attitude that I try so hard to have myself every single day. How do you do it?

[crimgoddess]

Well Shari- for me I have pretty much no immune system; I am sick several times a year even though I am very vigilant about washing my hands and not eating food that looks dodgy. For example, in 4 months over summer I got 2 colds, a flu, strep throat and mono. Some luck, eh? I figure being worried about catching something will only make me even MORE of a basket case that usual. Why make an already bad situation worse?


Another thing that has really changed the way I think is the volunteer work I do. I work with guys in prison, and am starting to volunteer with sex offenders released back into the community. After seeing firsthand what they have to deal with on a daily basis, I have definitely come to realize that being sick is not the end of the world. In fact, constructing that as the be all and end all to me is somewhat elitist, as there are people in our country and around the world who have to deal with suffering the likes of which we will most likely never know.


This really hit home to me last year when I heard Stephen Lewis, the UN's special envoy to Aids in Africa, speak about how many children in Africa are dying of Aids, not receiving any form of treatment, and are usually orphaned because their parents have already died from the disease. After hearing this, worrying about catching a stomach virus just seemed so trivial and embarassing. How dare I make this a prime concern in my life, when I am already more privileged than so many people in this world?


That's pretty much how I stay sane during this cold and flu season


*amber*

[sheri-baby]

All I can say is, YOU GO GIRL!!

[lizzo]

I KNOW. Compared to all the other sufferings in the world, how can we be afraid of stomach contents coming out of our mouth? It's so trivial and annoying.


P.S, sheri, you have our attitude. Your emet is just in the way

[crimgoddess]

[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]I agree with lizzo- the fact that you want to change your attitude about the situation is the first step to actually doing it.


Eventually you will get what you need to be able to push your emet more to the background- the odds of it completely disappearing are slim, but eventually, either through treatment or by sheer will power, you CAN beat this!


You can do eeeet!


*amber*

[sheri-baby]

Thanks so much you guys, my panicky level has went down so much, I feel calmer now, sometimes this site makes me so anxious, but times like these, reading your posts, makes it all worth it! I really appreciated your positive and kind words.

[lizzo]

Oh that's good to hear, that's what we're here for

[beadgirl]

sheri-baby... It sounds to me like that article was the result of a slow news day. I'm sure it's not as bad as they say... are you from kansas?

[jennyleigh1975]

I think that the media blows alot of things out of proportion. I remember a few months ago, the news in a town not too far from us running a story about a bad diarrhea bug going around. I asked my cousin and my aunt, who live there, if they had heard anything about this stomach illness being so prevalant in their town, and they hadnt heard anything. As thankful as I am to have this site to come to when I am in a panic, I wonder if its a good idea or not for me to come here on a daily basis and read posts. I guess I feel that if I dont come here and read posts and help other members when they are in need, that when I am in a panic or someone in my family is sick, that I wont get any support.

Edited by: jennyleigh1975

[shiva]

I think there are several explanations here. 1. Yes, the media does blow things out of proportion. It is their job to spread panic. 2. People whine more these days about ailments because of the advances in the medical field. We are so used to being fixed now when we are ill that any kind of ailment makes people nuts. (just think about how the older generation deals with sickness compared to how younger people do.. we whine a lot about it, they deal with it. 3. Our society as a whole has become one fixed on convenience and being sick is not convenient so people obsess more about it, leading to articles such as this. 4. Yes.. viruses are mutating, and I do believe it probably has something to do with the medical field and overuse of antibiotic and antimicrobial soaps and what not, but what are ya gonna do? 5. Going back to convenience, we are not eating healthy diets...(not us emets, but everyone) since ww2 era our diets have been plagued with sugar and preservatives, I think this is destroying our immune systems, making these more highly evolved viruses and bacteria really take a toll on our bodies. 6. Because of all of the yeast based foods we eat and the overuse of antibiotics, we are throwing our digestive systems out of whack, killing off the bacteria which protects us from sickness. 7. We are so stressed out these days, no one takes time to relax and this kills the immune system. People are expected to go go go. (i am so guilty of this.. if i sit down i feel guilty. i think this is especially true of women, who were expected to continue the house wife role as we take on also the role of soccer mom, head of the pta, working full time out of the home and everything else.. when are we expected to sleep? 8. So, everyone is filled with anxiety.. killing their immune systems. There is no time to eat healthy. There is no time for sleep. Andour doctors will just giveus a pill (or 5)that makeus more sick and compromisesour systems more instead of getting us on the right track. OH! And my personal fave.. #9 Because women cannot now stay home from work when their kids are sick, andeveryone in the United States at least is suffering from massive amounts of debt and no one can risk losing their job or a day of pay, sick kids are sent to school to spread thesegerms.Wait.. I have a 10, thismight be my favorite actually.. People like me who tell their work to f*** off and stay homewith thier sickkids while the bills pile up end upgetting nasty letters or phone calls from the school because theirTHIRD GRADERhas missed "too many" days this year. So, they make ya feel like if you take proper care of your kid and show consideration for others, that even though your kid is getting great grades, they might be held back due to attendance. AND THE KID HAS ASTHMA! f***ERS! (luckily that was last year.. and they got over it afterI made an interesting phone call to the principal.)


I'd say.. It's not much of a mystery. hehe.. that's just my take on it

[liriodendron]

I won't delve into the technical inaccuracies or spelling errors in the article but I
agree with everyone else here. One thing that has been mentioned in the
past is for some of us at least, we never heard of entire schools being
closed from these things before. If you're up to it, if you can
do an article search back to 1970 or 80, I bet you'll find the majority
of these articles in the last 5-7 years.
Edited by: liriodendron

[madisonsmom]

I am late to respond but I have to put my 2 cents in.


I agree about the OVER usage of antibacterial soaps and sanitizers. Antibiotics do not treat viruses, only bacterial infections. A lot of people do not realize that and think antibiotics are miracle drugs. These viruses are getting bigger, badder, and stronger to try tosurvive these antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps and lotions. Our skin has bacteria that works hard at destroying the bad bugs. I read a study about how as long as you use soap (liquid, not bar) and wash vigorously for at least 20 seconds and rinse well and dry well then it does not matter whether its antibacterial or not. That is probably true but I when I am at work or anywhere in public I wash my hands with antibacterial soaps AND use hand sanitizer. We were taught to do that at work...the CDC recommends healthcare workers to wash, dryAND use hand sanitizer. BUT in the same breath they say it is not necessary to wash your hands EVERY single time in between patients unless your hands are visibly dirty and to use hand sanitizer. Then after about 10 uses a residue will build up on your hands and then you wash. UGH (whatever). Handwashing is SO much better. Its just as important to dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel when you finish handwashing. Sorry for that little blip of handwashing techniquie[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]I tell my kids this. They think that all you have to do is wash and NOT dry. YUCK! anyway...


At work we dont even use antibacterials, disinfectants, or sanitizers. (well we use antimicrobial soaps and purell for our hands) but as far as cleaning products we use virucidals which kill EVERYTHING. (wish I had it for my house[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]) There are some major SUPER bugs out there. I mean some you cant kill.


As far asgastrointestinal illnesses(i.e., noroviruses, food poisoning etc) Really this is the time of year that your 'outbreaks' occur. It happens every year. We will probably hear about some more outbreaks starting in February. For some reason this is when they hit in outbreaks. I dont understand it, maybe its because its winter and we are closed up with others? Like schools, daycares, nursing homes. I dont know. Sometimes we hear about it sometimes we dont. It really sucks that they cannot kill viruses while they are in your body. These types of bugs cannot live in the presence of oxygen very long. Like the AIDS virus...it dies when it comes in contact with oxygen. Its ashame we cant just shoot peroxide in our veins or drink it (please dont do that...it'll hurt your stomach!!!) because the viruses would not live. Viruses need a host to survive so they HAVE to go from one person to another in order to stay alive. When they get inside then they multiply and there you go...you are sick. Unfortunately, v*, d* and fever are the body's way of getting rid of the nasty virus. I know this but still cringe at the fact that stomach viruses are out there. I HATE being sick and I hate it when my kids are sick.


UGH! I hate this time of year. I hate going to work because I fear that a stomach virus might be 'going around' there.


I HATE hearing about these things. [img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img] Ok I am done!Edited by: madisonsmom

[2jo2]

I hate articles like this, not only because it promotes panick, but because there were so many things wrong in it!!!!


1. The flu is respiratory.... norovirus is different and I hate that they're interchangeable to alot of people. If you look at the article's title, it causes no alarm to me because I don't care/am not afraid of the flu (influenza).... but then they go on to talk about sv's! I know alot of people do interchange the two words, but I wish they wouldn't!


2. From things I've read, the norovirus isn't spread thru the air, like this article says.


3. Dumb people: the dude in the article who thought he had food poisoning says that he wishes he would have known to wash his hands!? Come on! WTF??!! Enough said.


and 4. they're talking about a whole county, and 70 people suspect they have it? Well the county I live in has like a hundred thousand population, and we're not very heavily populated here, I live in the 3rd largest city in ND, and it's only 60,000 people. My point is that out of a county of people, there are 70 who suspect they have it. The odds are pretty good you're not going to be one of those people.


Articles like this are the cause of so much undue panick. I agree with whoever said it must've been a slow news day.

[madisonsmom]

I know, thats the first thing I saw. "Flu". Thats respiratory. That shows that its credibility is in question. I am not saying they are lying...but please get the facts right![img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]





They confirmed 1 case as norovirus. What about the other 69...suspected??Edited by: madisonsmom

[meercat]

Sometimes i think that if it weren't for the friggin MEDIA having to TELL everyone whenever the SLIGHTEST thing happens...we wouldn't be so scared of this!! They PISS me right off! I no longer watch CNN, MSNBC, and the larger news programs for that reason, i just stick to my local news for things like weather or possible crimes in my area.

We Emets have this "urge" to want to know everything related to illness, and it only harms us more because of it! Crimgoddess was right...this stuff has been around for centuries!!! They just didn't have the MEDIA CIRCUS to escalate it and talk talk talk, blah blah blah...and freak everyone out!! We need to just STOP SEARCHING for these things by looking up "flus" and such online, or listening to the CNNs of the world...and to just keep doing what we know is correct, and that's to just simply take the normal precautions of washing our hands and staying out of crowded areas, etc, during cold and flu seasons. I don't know about you, but i wanna start LIVING my life instead of running AWAY from it :-)

[stella9]

Gotta put my two cents here. I also agree a million percent with what Shiva had to say.


I agree that that we will hear more about sv's now and willright through March. In Maryland, where I live, SV seems to surface in December with a peak period right before Christmas until after New Year's. It lies dormant for a while and then we get slammed in February for about three weeks. Its like a plague. By March, it starts to wind down - not gone for good, but winding down. Despite the worst part being over, we will have some revisits for a week here and then through May. Last year, we had a full stream epidemic from October through May. It was horrible. I am just waiting for the bottome to drop any day now.


As for eating healthier as a society - no way. My children are actors and this weekend performed in a majortheater production in our city (several performances over the weekend). We had a lot of backstage time and I was shocked at the horrible food the parents brought for their kids. No one, except for me, brought food from home. The backstage reaked of McDonalds and Burger King. There was candy, candy and more candy everywhere. People looked at me like I was crazy because each of my children had a bag with fruit, whole wheat organic crackers, chopped vegetables water and Purell wipes. I was also astonished by the number of fat kids. I am not talking chubby baby fat, but big time fat.


As for rushing around, I agree with you Shiva. No one has any down time to just "be." Kids really need to refuel and rushing from one place to another with radios blaring and tv going on and noise everywhere is so shocking to eveyone's body ---- especially little ones.


Lastly, I think the spread of viruses and other illnesses is more prevelant now because of the shoddy condition of the work world. Our society gives a lot of lip service to how important the family is, but heaven forbid you ask an employer for a day off to care for a sick kid and you would have thought you commited murder. There is no time for employees to be sick nor their children. The result of that is people coming to the work environment when they should not and worse yet, sending sick kids to school. While I never relished being sick, I recall how warm it felt when I was snotty and felt punk to stay in my bed with my mother bringing me toast and orange juice while I reador colored in my coloring books. I can't imagine going to school sick. It must be so miserable for a little child, who has no say or control of his/her world, to have to go to school feeling so poorly. It sends so many negative messages from "you don't matter" to "neither do your classmates whom you are infecting." Its a sad commentary on this world.


Stella

[crimgoddess]

Stella, I think that children now are more likely to be kept home when sick than before (at least where I am from).


I know that for myself, I was never really kept home unless it was apparent that I wasn't going to be able to sit through class (severe vomitting, high fever, etc.). I was usually sent to school, and then if I still felt sick I was to call home during the first recess. And if I was kept home, the minute I was feeling better I was sent back to school. And to be honest, I was fine with that arrangement, and will probably do the same with my own children.


I know it was the same for my dad when he was a kid- both of his parents are immigrants and took education very seriously; if you were missing school, you had to be very VERY sick. Now contrast that with some of the kids I babysat, who if they had the sniffles were kept home.


*amber*

[samara's on tv]

Like someone already said I hate when they use the word FLU to describe a stomach virus. But also like someone already said, they only proved that it was norovirus in one case out of 70. I live alone and I tend to lead a pretty isolated life. I only go out when I absolutely have to (Although tomorrow I start taking computer classes) I'm scared that someone with a SV will come in and infect me but I'm going to be washing my hands like crazy and not touching my face.


Also, it probably was just a slow news day. I mean here once they were reporting on a legend of lost gold somewhere in ohio...and I'm like WTF? Who wants to hear about that? The media always blows things out of proportion...I wouldn't worry too much about it. '


~Monica

[tayda]

Aww man, no offense, but I wish I didn't touch this threat....


Does anyone else have the problem of reading something... then knowing youshouldn't be, but you have to finish because you have to know the rest?


I just totally did that... lol

[californiagirl]

SHIVA ~~~


This may be of some help to you: I have a daughter who missed alot of school one year due to asthma. What I did was have the doctor fill out a form that the school provided, stating that she missed all that school because of the chronic asthma, and her absences were excused, and all she had to do was make up some schoolwork at home and she wasn't held back. Hope this helps.....