"Dozens dead in Haiti from outbreak of disease"
BBC (October 21, 2010)
"Dozens of people in Haiti have died from an illness that produces diarrhoea, acute fever and vomiting.
"A government announcement is awaiting test results but the head of the Haitian Medical Association told AFP news agency the outbreak was cholera.
"Claude Surena said 135 people had died and 1,500 infected in recent days...."
First, the good news: So far, only a few dozen folks have died of this disease.
Now, the bad news: It could be cholera. And, no matter what it is, Haiti isn't as well-prepared as it might be to deal with the outbreak.
The nation wasn't at all well-off, and that earthquake didn't improve conditions any.
More about Haiti, including a list of charities:No pressure: but the folks in Haiti could use help.
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunflowers 1888: Van Gogh, Looking Past the Ear
"Sunflowers 1888 - Vincent van Gogh sunflower Painting"
artquotes.net
"Painting Title: Sunflowers (Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers) 1888
"Oil on Canvas, 92.1 x 73cm - 36 x 28 Inches (approx)
"Vincent van Gogh
"Famous Dutch artist - Post Impressionist painter
"About the Sunflowers Painting
"This is one of several versions of sunflowers that Vincent van Gogh painted. This version with 15 sunflowers was painted in Arles, in 1888. The painting is in the collection of the National Gallery in London, England."
artquotes.net has a (much) larger picture of Sunflowers 1888, and other Van Gogh paintings: including Starry Night over the Rhone 1888; A Pair of Shoes 1887; and Autumn Landscape 1885. I think they're worth the clicks and the few minutes it would take to look at them.
Vincent Van Gogh may be the most famous 'insane artist' in recent times. There's that thing about his ear - depending on who you listen to, he cut off a part of his left earlobe, or the whole thing. That's the lurid part of the story.
There's quite a lot about Van Gogh's life online:
That was a loss - for Vincent Van Gogh, and for everybody else. At a bare minimum, we lost a painter who had very real talent, and the sort of drive it takes to create art.
I've got a personal stake in how 'crazy people' are viewed. I was diagnosed with major depression a few years ago. And, thanks to a number of medications, am thinking more clearly and easily than I have in decades.
My own temperament, the nature of my problem, and my faith, all make it easy for me to continue taking my meds. Not everybody is in that position.
It's anyone's guess how Vincent Van Gogh would have been treated, and what he'd have done with his life, if he'd been born in 1953 - or later - instead of 1853. We've learned quite a bit in the last several decades: not just how the brain works, but that people with malfunctioning brains aren't necessarily 'being crazy' on purpose.
That was quite a step.
Related post:
artquotes.net
"Painting Title: Sunflowers (Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers) 1888"Oil on Canvas, 92.1 x 73cm - 36 x 28 Inches (approx)
"Vincent van Gogh
"Famous Dutch artist - Post Impressionist painter
"About the Sunflowers Painting
"This is one of several versions of sunflowers that Vincent van Gogh painted. This version with 15 sunflowers was painted in Arles, in 1888. The painting is in the collection of the National Gallery in London, England."
artquotes.net has a (much) larger picture of Sunflowers 1888, and other Van Gogh paintings: including Starry Night over the Rhone 1888; A Pair of Shoes 1887; and Autumn Landscape 1885. I think they're worth the clicks and the few minutes it would take to look at them.
Vincent Van Gogh may be the most famous 'insane artist' in recent times. There's that thing about his ear - depending on who you listen to, he cut off a part of his left earlobe, or the whole thing. That's the lurid part of the story.
There's quite a lot about Van Gogh's life online:
- "Vincent van Gogh | Dutch, 1853-1890"
Art access, Art Institute of Chicago - "Artist Biography: Vincent van Gogh"
Art Esplorer, Art Institute of Chicago - "Van Gogh, Solituce & Alcohol"
Impressionism & the Making of Modern Art, Princeton University - "Van Gogh Revisited"
USC News, University of Southern California (December 8, 2009)
That was a loss - for Vincent Van Gogh, and for everybody else. At a bare minimum, we lost a painter who had very real talent, and the sort of drive it takes to create art.
Off on a Tangent
Feel free to stop reading right here. the rest of this post is more about insanity, me, and how folks deal with others who are off the 50th percentile.I've got a personal stake in how 'crazy people' are viewed. I was diagnosed with major depression a few years ago. And, thanks to a number of medications, am thinking more clearly and easily than I have in decades.
My own temperament, the nature of my problem, and my faith, all make it easy for me to continue taking my meds. Not everybody is in that position.
It's anyone's guess how Vincent Van Gogh would have been treated, and what he'd have done with his life, if he'd been born in 1953 - or later - instead of 1853. We've learned quite a bit in the last several decades: not just how the brain works, but that people with malfunctioning brains aren't necessarily 'being crazy' on purpose.
That was quite a step.
Related post:
- "Prayer, Medicine and Trusting God"
A Catholic Citizen in America (March 4, 2010) - "Medication for Depression? Yeah: The Catholic Church is Okay With That"
A Catholic Citizen in America (February 25, 2010)
Monday, January 11, 2010
When to Take Your Dog to the Vet, and When Not To
"Should I Take My Dog to the Emergency Room?"
PetLvr Blog for Pet Lovers (January 20, 2009)
"There’s lots of instances when a dog owner may wonder, “Is my dog sick? Should I take him to the 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic?” Making the decision to take a pet to the emergency clinic can be a difficult one, especially since most emergency vet clinics charge $100+ just for an exam. So monitoring your pet’s vital signs at home can be a great way to determine how sick your dog may be.
But unfortunately, few dog owners know how to check a dog’s vital signs. In fact, many dog owners still believe in the myth of checking the dog’s nose for wetness or temperature...."
The rest of the post is a pretty good introduction to how to check your dog's vital signs - and what they're supposed to be. For starters, if your dog's temperature is around 101° Fahrenheit: that's probably normal (that's oversimplified: read the post for more). For a human, that's a fever. But dogs? Well, they're not human.
Just as well: they probably wouldn't fetch sticks, if they were.
I'm getting off-topic.
Don't know how to take your dog's temperature? This video should help.
"Emergency Dog Health Care : How to Tell if Your Dog Is Sick"
expertvillage, YouTube (October 22, 2008)
video, 3:10
"Learn the proper way to take your dog's vital statistics and tell if your dog is sick in this free pet health care video, with tips from a veterinarian. Expert: Dr Adrienne Mulligan Bio...."
A tip of the hat to PetLvr, on Twitter, for the heads-up on this post - and for directing me to the video. Thanks!
PetLvr Blog for Pet Lovers (January 20, 2009)
"There’s lots of instances when a dog owner may wonder, “Is my dog sick? Should I take him to the 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic?” Making the decision to take a pet to the emergency clinic can be a difficult one, especially since most emergency vet clinics charge $100+ just for an exam. So monitoring your pet’s vital signs at home can be a great way to determine how sick your dog may be.
But unfortunately, few dog owners know how to check a dog’s vital signs. In fact, many dog owners still believe in the myth of checking the dog’s nose for wetness or temperature...."
The rest of the post is a pretty good introduction to how to check your dog's vital signs - and what they're supposed to be. For starters, if your dog's temperature is around 101° Fahrenheit: that's probably normal (that's oversimplified: read the post for more). For a human, that's a fever. But dogs? Well, they're not human.
Just as well: they probably wouldn't fetch sticks, if they were.
I'm getting off-topic.
Don't know how to take your dog's temperature? This video should help.
"Emergency Dog Health Care : How to Tell if Your Dog Is Sick"
expertvillage, YouTube (October 22, 2008)
video, 3:10
"Learn the proper way to take your dog's vital statistics and tell if your dog is sick in this free pet health care video, with tips from a veterinarian. Expert: Dr Adrienne Mulligan Bio...."
A tip of the hat to PetLvr, on Twitter, for the heads-up on this post - and for directing me to the video. Thanks!
Monday, November 30, 2009
H1N1 in Canadian Turkey Flock: The System's Working
The headline is scary:
"H1N1 flu strain found in Canadian turkey flock"
Reuters India (October 21, 2009)
"Turkeys in the Canadian province of Ontario have become infected with the H1N1 flu virus, but no birds or eggs from the farm entered the food supply, provincial government officials said on Tuesday.
"The infection poses minimal risk to human health, Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said in a news conference in Toronto.
"However, she noted the discovery highlights the need for those who work with farm animals to be vaccinated for both seasonal flu and the pandemic H1N1 flu strain...."
Looks like Canadian Turkey farms work about the same way their counterparts here in central Minnesota do: with health safeguards that stop short of armed guards, razor-wire fences and killer robots - but not by much.
Of course around here, when we see a sign at the gate that says something like "disease-controlled area: no entry without authorization," we figure that we aren't supposed to go in unless we've got some well-defined reason - and the permission of the owner.
And, we don't go in.
One thing I'll say for the "oppressive" atmosphere of small town America and how it "stifles" people: folks who have grown up in places like this seem to generally have the good sense to pay attention when a neighbor makes it clear that a certain area is really, seriously, off-limits.
But, like everywhere else, there are the occasional jerks and fools.
Back to those diseased turkeys.
From what the article said, it looks like the Canadian system did what it's supposed to: caught a disease outbreak before it hit the food supply.
And, followed up on people who had contact with the birds.
About the turkeys:
"...The turkeys' owner has voluntarily agreed to quarantine the infected birds, but they aren't likely to be prematurely slaughtered, said Dr. Deb Stark, Ontario's chief veterinarian...."
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
"H1N1 flu strain found in Canadian turkey flock"
Reuters India (October 21, 2009)
"Turkeys in the Canadian province of Ontario have become infected with the H1N1 flu virus, but no birds or eggs from the farm entered the food supply, provincial government officials said on Tuesday.
"The infection poses minimal risk to human health, Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said in a news conference in Toronto.
"However, she noted the discovery highlights the need for those who work with farm animals to be vaccinated for both seasonal flu and the pandemic H1N1 flu strain...."
Looks like Canadian Turkey farms work about the same way their counterparts here in central Minnesota do: with health safeguards that stop short of armed guards, razor-wire fences and killer robots - but not by much.
Of course around here, when we see a sign at the gate that says something like "disease-controlled area: no entry without authorization," we figure that we aren't supposed to go in unless we've got some well-defined reason - and the permission of the owner.
And, we don't go in.
One thing I'll say for the "oppressive" atmosphere of small town America and how it "stifles" people: folks who have grown up in places like this seem to generally have the good sense to pay attention when a neighbor makes it clear that a certain area is really, seriously, off-limits.
But, like everywhere else, there are the occasional jerks and fools.
Back to those diseased turkeys.
From what the article said, it looks like the Canadian system did what it's supposed to: caught a disease outbreak before it hit the food supply.
And, followed up on people who had contact with the birds.
About the turkeys:
"...The turkeys' owner has voluntarily agreed to quarantine the infected birds, but they aren't likely to be prematurely slaughtered, said Dr. Deb Stark, Ontario's chief veterinarian...."
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Swine Flu Vaccine Pulled in Canada: One Batch
"Batch of H1N1 vaccines pulled off the market in Canada despite big pharma conspiracies"
Examiner.com (November 24, 2009)
"GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) pharmaceuticals notified the Canadian Government that a batch of H1N1 vaccine had to be pulled off the market because of six (6) severe allergic reactions to the vaccine. The batch constituted 170,000 doses of the vaccine, and most of them may have already been administered.
"Several anti-vaccine groups have asserted that "big pharma" is constantly in collusion with other agencies (public and private) to cover-up vaccine adverse reactions. This recent move by GSK over only six people with reactions among thousands (perhaps millions) who have received the H1N1 vaccine seems to disprove those assertions.
"Apparently, "big pharma" is unable to cover-up six cases of adverse reactions and stands to lose millions in both stock and from H1N1 vaccine sales. Did the vaccine watchdogs triumph? Not quite. GSK, like other manufacturers, participate in collecting data on adverse reactions through different means. In Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada is in charge of collecting information on any adverse reactions to H1N1 influenza vaccine or any other vaccine. Worse yet for some anti-vaccine groups, most vaccines in Canada do not contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative (not adjuvant) that some groups continue to assert that it causes neurological damage despite continued evidence to the contrary. (Either that, or all studies are wrong.)..."
Oh, I don't know. Someone who has built a world-view around the assumption that shape-shifting, space-alien lizard people are running the world (August 23, 2009) isn't going to let a few new facts change that assumption.
"Batch of swine flu vaccines studied in Canada"
The Associated Press (November 24, 2009)
"Canadian doctors have been advised not to use a batch of 170,000 doses of swine flu vaccine while authorities investigate reports of allergic reactions among recipients, drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Tuesday.
"Authorities routinely monitor vaccines for any signals of problems, such as the allergic reactions that do occur, rarely, every year.
"Company spokeswoman Gwenan White said that GlaxoSmithKline advised medical staff in Canada last week to refrain from using one batch of the vaccine while they look into reports that that it might have caused more allergic reactions than normal.
" 'One batch has seen a slightly increased rate of anaphylaxis, she said. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening type of allergic shock...."
That is serious: but six cases among thousands - tens of thousands - hundreds of thousands or more - is not a huge percentage.
As the spokesman for Canada's health minister Tim Vail, said, "..."We're not seeing any thing wild or spooky or crazy about our vaccine at all," Vail said, arguing it may have been a statistical anomaly that the reactions occurred...."
But, of course, if Mr. Vail was one of the shape-shifting, space-alien lizard people: that's just what he would say! And, to a dedicated conspiracy theorist, that would prove that the lizard people were real. Or that the Illuminati were really behind the H1N1 pandemic, or that it was all a plot by Jesuit assassins: Or whatever.
And, let's remember that it's GlaxoSmithKline, or GSK, the pharmaceutical company that's providing the vaccine, that recommended pulling that one batch. I think it's possible that GSK remembers 1976, and don't want a repeat of that panicky response.
Do I think there's a risk? Of course. Life is risky. Crossing the street is risky. The trick is to figure out when the risk is low enough to justify the gain of, say, getting to the other side of the street.
In the case of getting vaccinated against H1N1 2009, once I looked at the information that's out there, it was a no-brainer.
Related posts:
Examiner.com (November 24, 2009)
"GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) pharmaceuticals notified the Canadian Government that a batch of H1N1 vaccine had to be pulled off the market because of six (6) severe allergic reactions to the vaccine. The batch constituted 170,000 doses of the vaccine, and most of them may have already been administered.
"Several anti-vaccine groups have asserted that "big pharma" is constantly in collusion with other agencies (public and private) to cover-up vaccine adverse reactions. This recent move by GSK over only six people with reactions among thousands (perhaps millions) who have received the H1N1 vaccine seems to disprove those assertions.
"Apparently, "big pharma" is unable to cover-up six cases of adverse reactions and stands to lose millions in both stock and from H1N1 vaccine sales. Did the vaccine watchdogs triumph? Not quite. GSK, like other manufacturers, participate in collecting data on adverse reactions through different means. In Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada is in charge of collecting information on any adverse reactions to H1N1 influenza vaccine or any other vaccine. Worse yet for some anti-vaccine groups, most vaccines in Canada do not contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative (not adjuvant) that some groups continue to assert that it causes neurological damage despite continued evidence to the contrary. (Either that, or all studies are wrong.)..."
Oh, I don't know. Someone who has built a world-view around the assumption that shape-shifting, space-alien lizard people are running the world (August 23, 2009) isn't going to let a few new facts change that assumption.
H1N1 Vaccine Withdrawn: One Batch
The Public Health Agency of Canada's and GSK's actions are in the news:"Batch of swine flu vaccines studied in Canada"
The Associated Press (November 24, 2009)
"Canadian doctors have been advised not to use a batch of 170,000 doses of swine flu vaccine while authorities investigate reports of allergic reactions among recipients, drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Tuesday.
"Authorities routinely monitor vaccines for any signals of problems, such as the allergic reactions that do occur, rarely, every year.
"Company spokeswoman Gwenan White said that GlaxoSmithKline advised medical staff in Canada last week to refrain from using one batch of the vaccine while they look into reports that that it might have caused more allergic reactions than normal.
" 'One batch has seen a slightly increased rate of anaphylaxis, she said. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening type of allergic shock...."
That is serious: but six cases among thousands - tens of thousands - hundreds of thousands or more - is not a huge percentage.
As the spokesman for Canada's health minister Tim Vail, said, "..."We're not seeing any thing wild or spooky or crazy about our vaccine at all," Vail said, arguing it may have been a statistical anomaly that the reactions occurred...."
But, of course, if Mr. Vail was one of the shape-shifting, space-alien lizard people: that's just what he would say! And, to a dedicated conspiracy theorist, that would prove that the lizard people were real. Or that the Illuminati were really behind the H1N1 pandemic, or that it was all a plot by Jesuit assassins: Or whatever.
And, let's remember that it's GlaxoSmithKline, or GSK, the pharmaceutical company that's providing the vaccine, that recommended pulling that one batch. I think it's possible that GSK remembers 1976, and don't want a repeat of that panicky response.
Would I Let My Family Get Vaccinated?
Yes. My son got an H1N1 vaccination at the local school yesterday. I'd have gotten the shot myself, except that the vaccine is being rationed. The school wouldn't have gotten the doses they did, if they hadn't signed an agreement that they'd only give it to authorized people.Do I think there's a risk? Of course. Life is risky. Crossing the street is risky. The trick is to figure out when the risk is low enough to justify the gain of, say, getting to the other side of the street.
In the case of getting vaccinated against H1N1 2009, once I looked at the information that's out there, it was a no-brainer.
Related posts:
- "Swine Flu / 2009 H1N1: Vaccines, Conspiracy Theories; and Common Sense"
(August 23, 2009)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Swine Flu / 2009 H1N1: Vaccines, Conspiracy Theories; and Common Sense
"WHO official predicts H1N1 'explosion'"
CNN (August 21, 2009)
"The world will soon see an "explosion" of swine flu cases as the H1N1 virus spreads rapidly around the world, a top World Health Organization official said Friday.
"Spread of the virus is entering an 'acceleration period' and it is certain that there will be more cases and more deaths, said Dr. Shin Young-soo, the organization's regional director for the Western Pacific.
" 'Most countries may see a doubling of cases every three to four days for two months until peak transmission is reached,' he said at a symposium in Beijing, China. 'At a certain point, there will seem to be an explosion in case numbers. I believe it is very likely that all countries will see community-level transmission by the end of the year.'..."
"...'We will only be safe when we have applied these lessons in every country dealing with this virus,' [Dr.] Shin [Shin Young-soo, the organization's regional director for the Western Pacific.] said. 'We need to learn quickly since, as I believe, it appears that this pandemic will get worse before the situation gets better.'"
The article gives a pretty good look at where the H1N1/swine flu epidemic is concerned.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has a few words about 'antivirals' -
"Recommended use of antivirals / Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 8" WHO (August 21, 2009).
And, about the safety of vaccines -
"Safety of pandemic vaccines / Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 6"
WHO (August 6, 2009).
Okay: Maybe there is some sort of vast conspiracy going on. (May 8, 2009) Then again, maybe not.
It's possible, although in my view quite unlikely, that the CDC, WHO, and one of those secret organizations that conspiracy-theory buffs like to invoke, is involved in some vast global conspiracy. It's even possible - although wildly unlikely - that space-alien, shape-shifting lizard people are behind the whole thing. (January 14, 2009, in another blog)
But I rather doubt it.
There's a kernel of truth in the claims that the H1N1 flu vaccine may be dangerous. All vaccines are dangerous. The trick is to balance benefit and risk. (May 1, 2009)
Do I have to say it? Hysteria is not a reasonable response to the danger from the current influenza pandemic.
Common sense, yes. It's the same old boring stuff from childhood and hygiene classes: wash your hands; wash your food; don't inhale deeply when someone near you sneezes; don't lick door handles. There's more, but you get the idea.
I don't want to 'feed hysteria' - wherever it is. On the other hand, there's something new to say about swine flu / influenza A (H1N1), and it seemed like a good idea to share it.
About that flu vaccine? I'm at the age where getting a flu vaccine as autumn comes is good sense. I expect to get another one this year. If it includes an edge over this year's H1N1, fine.
Finally: Yes, I know. If it hasn't happened already, in tests, someone who got the new vaccine felt bad later, or maybe even died. That's tragic. But some people are sensitive to some substances.
The swine flu vaccine of 1976 was a case in point. About 1 in 80,0001 people who got the vaccine developed GBS, a very unpleasant condition, and died. (May 1, 2009) If there were no threat of swine flu, it wouldn't make sense to take the vaccine. If the odds of contracting, spreading, and possibly dying from swine flu were more than 1/80,000, taking the vaccine would have made sense.
My guess is that today's swine flu vaccine will be like every other: a tiny percentage of people will be sensitive to it - and there's no way of finding out, without taking the vaccine.
It's not a perfect situation; but it's not a perfect world, either.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Update (August 23, 2009)
A tip of the hat to lizditz, on Twitter, for the heads-up on this article:
"A Defense of Childhood Influenza Vaccination and Squalene-Containing Adjuvants; Joseph Mercola's 'Dirty Little Secret' "
Science-Based Medicine (August 21, 2009)
I haven't researched the specific assertions made in the article thoroughly: but I think it's worth reading as an example of how to think about benefit/risk ratios and the relative safety of vaccines.
One interesting point is that the SBM article asserts that the rate of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) appearing in people was 1 in 1,000,000. I'd been using a figure of 1 in 100,000 in several posts. (August 23, 2009, April 25, 2009, April 30, 2009, May 1, 2009) So, I had to go back and check my numbers.
And found out that I'd made a mistake - excessive rounding of the numbers.
I'd used as my source a CBS article whose writers couldn't seem to get over the horror of 1976, when a flu pandemic didn't happen - and 500 people came down with GBS. I'm not trivializing their experience: Guillain-Barré syndrome is, to say the least, unpleasant.
And 500 feels like a really big number.
CBS made the mistake of including other numbers in their article. Like 40,000,000 people getting immunized with the demon drug. And 500 coming down with GBS.
There's a certain amount of comparing apples and oranges here: the JAMA report didn't use 1976 data. Their study used data from a program that started in 1990. Part of the results:
"...The annual reporting rate decreased 4-fold from a high of 0.17 per 100 000 vaccinees in 1993-1994 to 0.04 in 2002-2003...."
Okay: a midpoint between 0.17/100,000 and 0.04/100,000 is right in the neighborhood of SBM's 1/1,000,000.
Pretty good odds, if the alternative is being open to infection from a potentially deadly disease: with the bonus of knowing you're spreading it to others.
CNN (August 21, 2009)
"The world will soon see an "explosion" of swine flu cases as the H1N1 virus spreads rapidly around the world, a top World Health Organization official said Friday.
"Spread of the virus is entering an 'acceleration period' and it is certain that there will be more cases and more deaths, said Dr. Shin Young-soo, the organization's regional director for the Western Pacific.
" 'Most countries may see a doubling of cases every three to four days for two months until peak transmission is reached,' he said at a symposium in Beijing, China. 'At a certain point, there will seem to be an explosion in case numbers. I believe it is very likely that all countries will see community-level transmission by the end of the year.'..."
"...'We will only be safe when we have applied these lessons in every country dealing with this virus,' [Dr.] Shin [Shin Young-soo, the organization's regional director for the Western Pacific.] said. 'We need to learn quickly since, as I believe, it appears that this pandemic will get worse before the situation gets better.'"
The article gives a pretty good look at where the H1N1/swine flu epidemic is concerned.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has a few words about 'antivirals' -
"Recommended use of antivirals / Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 8" WHO (August 21, 2009).
And, about the safety of vaccines -
"Safety of pandemic vaccines / Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 6"
WHO (August 6, 2009).
It's All Some Kinda Plot, Apparently
If you go to Google and key in these words - swine flu vaccine danger - you'll see links to news, op-ed, and dire warnings about the awful dangers presented: by the vaccine and the dark forces behind it. "Globalization" figured prominently on the samples I glanced at.Okay: Maybe there is some sort of vast conspiracy going on. (May 8, 2009) Then again, maybe not.
It's possible, although in my view quite unlikely, that the CDC, WHO, and one of those secret organizations that conspiracy-theory buffs like to invoke, is involved in some vast global conspiracy. It's even possible - although wildly unlikely - that space-alien, shape-shifting lizard people are behind the whole thing. (January 14, 2009, in another blog)
But I rather doubt it.
There's a kernel of truth in the claims that the H1N1 flu vaccine may be dangerous. All vaccines are dangerous. The trick is to balance benefit and risk. (May 1, 2009)
Hysteria, No; Common Sense, yes
There's no shortage of op-ed pieces about swine flu / influenza A(H1N1) "hysteria" - which may exist somewhere. I've read about it, but have yet to encounter an example.Do I have to say it? Hysteria is not a reasonable response to the danger from the current influenza pandemic.
Common sense, yes. It's the same old boring stuff from childhood and hygiene classes: wash your hands; wash your food; don't inhale deeply when someone near you sneezes; don't lick door handles. There's more, but you get the idea.
I don't want to 'feed hysteria' - wherever it is. On the other hand, there's something new to say about swine flu / influenza A (H1N1), and it seemed like a good idea to share it.
About that flu vaccine? I'm at the age where getting a flu vaccine as autumn comes is good sense. I expect to get another one this year. If it includes an edge over this year's H1N1, fine.
Finally: Yes, I know. If it hasn't happened already, in tests, someone who got the new vaccine felt bad later, or maybe even died. That's tragic. But some people are sensitive to some substances.
The swine flu vaccine of 1976 was a case in point. About 1 in 80,0001 people who got the vaccine developed GBS, a very unpleasant condition, and died. (May 1, 2009) If there were no threat of swine flu, it wouldn't make sense to take the vaccine. If the odds of contracting, spreading, and possibly dying from swine flu were more than 1/80,000, taking the vaccine would have made sense.
My guess is that today's swine flu vaccine will be like every other: a tiny percentage of people will be sensitive to it - and there's no way of finding out, without taking the vaccine.
It's not a perfect situation; but it's not a perfect world, either.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Update (August 23, 2009)
A tip of the hat to lizditz, on Twitter, for the heads-up on this article:
"A Defense of Childhood Influenza Vaccination and Squalene-Containing Adjuvants; Joseph Mercola's 'Dirty Little Secret' "
Science-Based Medicine (August 21, 2009)
I haven't researched the specific assertions made in the article thoroughly: but I think it's worth reading as an example of how to think about benefit/risk ratios and the relative safety of vaccines.
One interesting point is that the SBM article asserts that the rate of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) appearing in people was 1 in 1,000,000. I'd been using a figure of 1 in 100,000 in several posts. (August 23, 2009, April 25, 2009, April 30, 2009, May 1, 2009) So, I had to go back and check my numbers.
And found out that I'd made a mistake - excessive rounding of the numbers.
I'd used as my source a CBS article whose writers couldn't seem to get over the horror of 1976, when a flu pandemic didn't happen - and 500 people came down with GBS. I'm not trivializing their experience: Guillain-Barré syndrome is, to say the least, unpleasant.
And 500 feels like a really big number.
CBS made the mistake of including other numbers in their article. Like 40,000,000 people getting immunized with the demon drug. And 500 coming down with GBS.
Oops - A Correction
500 divided by 40,000,000 (or 500/40,000,000) is 0.0000125: Or 1/80,000. I rounded that - arguably too much, to 1 in 100,000. I've revised/corrected the posts, with a footnote leading to this update.One in 80,000; One in 1,000,000 - What's Going On?
It looks to me like SBM didn't take the CBS News numbers, but instead went to "Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Influenza Vaccination," Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Vol. 292 No. 20, November 24, 2004, by by Penina Haber, MPH; Frank DeStefano, MD, MPH; Fredrick J. Angulo, DVM, PhD; John Iskander, MD, MPH; Sean V. Shadomy, DVM, MPH; Eric Weintraub, MPH; Robert T. Chen, MD, MA.There's a certain amount of comparing apples and oranges here: the JAMA report didn't use 1976 data. Their study used data from a program that started in 1990. Part of the results:
"...The annual reporting rate decreased 4-fold from a high of 0.17 per 100 000 vaccinees in 1993-1994 to 0.04 in 2002-2003...."
Okay: a midpoint between 0.17/100,000 and 0.04/100,000 is right in the neighborhood of SBM's 1/1,000,000.
Pretty good odds, if the alternative is being open to infection from a potentially deadly disease: with the bonus of knowing you're spreading it to others.
Friday, July 24, 2009
NutritionData: Looks Like a Common-Sense Food Information Resource
NutritionData
"know what you eat"
"Since its launch in 2003, Nutrition Data has grown into one of the most authoritative and useful sources of nutritional analysis on the Web. In July 2006, Nutrition Data was acquired by CondéNet, a digital publisher under the Condé Nast Publications umbrella dedicated to editorial excellence. Nutrition Data's continuing goal is to provide the most accurate and comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all...."
(About NutritionData.com)
Someone showed me this website this morning, and so far I'm rather impressed. It's an online information resource, with a glossary of common nutrition terms, what they say is "sensible diet advice" (they're probably right), and - astonishingly - advice on how to gain weight in a healthy way. And yes, a person can be too thin.
So far, this website seems to be a far cry from the 'meat-is-poison' and freak diet fads: you know, low-carb diets where you're told that an orange and an chocolate eclair are equivalent, nutritionally? Or those ads, back when cholesterol was the big bad bogeyman, touting things like Twinkies as having "zero cholesterol?" The ads were probably accurate, by the way: quite a few junk foods have no cholesterol. That doesn't make them particularly good for you, though.
Back to NutritionData - this seems to be a pretty good online resource for people who want to know more about what they eat. There's a registration process that gives you access to more information, including the option to
"know what you eat"
"Since its launch in 2003, Nutrition Data has grown into one of the most authoritative and useful sources of nutritional analysis on the Web. In July 2006, Nutrition Data was acquired by CondéNet, a digital publisher under the Condé Nast Publications umbrella dedicated to editorial excellence. Nutrition Data's continuing goal is to provide the most accurate and comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all...."
(About NutritionData.com)
Someone showed me this website this morning, and so far I'm rather impressed. It's an online information resource, with a glossary of common nutrition terms, what they say is "sensible diet advice" (they're probably right), and - astonishingly - advice on how to gain weight in a healthy way. And yes, a person can be too thin.
So far, this website seems to be a far cry from the 'meat-is-poison' and freak diet fads: you know, low-carb diets where you're told that an orange and an chocolate eclair are equivalent, nutritionally? Or those ads, back when cholesterol was the big bad bogeyman, touting things like Twinkies as having "zero cholesterol?" The ads were probably accurate, by the way: quite a few junk foods have no cholesterol. That doesn't make them particularly good for you, though.
Back to NutritionData - this seems to be a pretty good online resource for people who want to know more about what they eat. There's a registration process that gives you access to more information, including the option to
- "Log and analyze your foods and recipes in My ND
- "Store your ideal daily nutrient values to track against your actual consumption
- "Customize our nutrient search to your personal preferences"
Monday, July 20, 2009
New Kind of Anti-Virus Vaccine
"New Flu Treatment Outsmarts Mutations"
PopSci.com (July 20, 2009)
"Before swine flu swept through the U.S., the virus had bounced around South America undetected for years. The H1N1 strain caught scientists by surprise, and without a vaccine. But a few weeks before the first North American case popped up, researchers successfully tested a therapy that could knock out almost any flu, and possibly any virus.
"Conventional vaccines packed with inert versions of a flu strain give your immune system the chance to develop antibodies. These identify that strain's particular version of hemagglutinin, a lollipop-shaped protein on its surface, so your body knows what to kill if infected...."
This short article gives a pretty good overview of what looks like a promising anti-viral vaccine. Essentially, instead of going after the 'head' of the lollipop-shaped proteins, which change from generation to generation, this vaccine gets the immune system to target the lollipop's stick - which doesn't change so much.
Early tests seem to have been quite successful.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
PopSci.com (July 20, 2009)
"Before swine flu swept through the U.S., the virus had bounced around South America undetected for years. The H1N1 strain caught scientists by surprise, and without a vaccine. But a few weeks before the first North American case popped up, researchers successfully tested a therapy that could knock out almost any flu, and possibly any virus.
"Conventional vaccines packed with inert versions of a flu strain give your immune system the chance to develop antibodies. These identify that strain's particular version of hemagglutinin, a lollipop-shaped protein on its surface, so your body knows what to kill if infected...."
This short article gives a pretty good overview of what looks like a promising anti-viral vaccine. Essentially, instead of going after the 'head' of the lollipop-shaped proteins, which change from generation to generation, this vaccine gets the immune system to target the lollipop's stick - which doesn't change so much.
Early tests seem to have been quite successful.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Friday, May 1, 2009
Swine Flu Vaccine, Benefit / Risk, and Common Sense
A few posts back, I touched on how governments and traditional news media are reacting to swine flu / influenza 2009 H1N1. There's been some good sense used: and some goofiness, too.
For example, Egypt's government started slaughtering pigs. There was no reason to kill the pigs: they showed no indication of being infected, and there hasn't been a confirmed case of influenza 2009 H1N1 in Egypt yet. Egyptian pig farmers rioted. (CBS News)
Egypt isn't alone: Ecuador, Cuba and Argentina banned travel to or from Mexico. (CNN) France wants all Europeans to stay away from Mexico. Never mind that WHO is saying this is unnecessary - and useless. (CBS News).
Meanwhile, one old-school broadcast news network can't get over the horror of 1976.
People who got the swine flu vaccine were about 6 times the number of people who would get GBS anyway. About 1 in 80,0001 people who got the vaccine developed GBS. Researchers couldn't find anything that linked the vaccine with GBS, apart from that coincidence: so the vaccine was banned. (April 25, 2009)
CBS News called the vaccination program "deadly mistake."
They went on to say that the vaccination program was useless. Here's their reason for saying there was no point to the massive vaccination program: "No swine flu epidemic ever erupted. The outbreak was limited to Fort Dix, and about 500 Americans likely died as a result of the vaccine...." (CBS)
Let's say the Ford administration had followed CBS-like wisdom and not vaccinated Americans. We don't know what would have happened. History didn't happen that way.
We do know what happened in 1918. About 40,000,000 people had to be buried because they died as a result of getting 'Spanish influenza.' As I said, we'll never know whether or not the vaccinations stopped an epidemic like the one in 1918.
Second-guessing people who have to make decisions can be a rewarding occupation. Looking back on what's been done, and what happened as a result, editors are free to make up what would have happened if only they had been in charge.
If editorial opinions match what a publications readers want to believe, Monday morning quarterbacking can turn a profit.
On the other hand, just because an editor would like something to be so, doesn't mean it's really so.
Next, a panel of experts could find a building where there had been a small fire, which was put out by using a fire extinguisher - and where someone in the building got sick later.
"Obviously," the fire extinguisher made the person sick. And, since the building didn't burn down, the fire extinguisher wasn't needed.
So, the experts would say, fire extinguishers should be banned.
Silly? I agree. But, that's pretty close to what happened with swine flu vaccine in 1976.
Is the risk - a 1 in 100,000 chance of having an adverse reaction to a vaccine - worth the benefit of being inoculated against a disease that could kill you: or someone you infect?
I think it may be: although I'd rather there be no risk involved with anything, ever.
The real world does involve risks, though: and I think America has become risk-averse. Which isn't always a good idea.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Goofy Governments
Some governments aren't paying attention to facts, or (likely enough) are following some agenda that has little or nothing to do with swine flu.For example, Egypt's government started slaughtering pigs. There was no reason to kill the pigs: they showed no indication of being infected, and there hasn't been a confirmed case of influenza 2009 H1N1 in Egypt yet. Egyptian pig farmers rioted. (CBS News)
Egypt isn't alone: Ecuador, Cuba and Argentina banned travel to or from Mexico. (CNN) France wants all Europeans to stay away from Mexico. Never mind that WHO is saying this is unnecessary - and useless. (CBS News).
Meanwhile, one old-school broadcast news network can't get over the horror of 1976.
Rehashing 1976 - - - Swine Flu Vaccine, Statistics, and the Epidemic that Wasn't
CBS News can't seem to get over the horror of 1976, when some people developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). That's a serious neuromuscular disorder. Some of them died.People who got the swine flu vaccine were about 6 times the number of people who would get GBS anyway. About 1 in 80,0001 people who got the vaccine developed GBS. Researchers couldn't find anything that linked the vaccine with GBS, apart from that coincidence: so the vaccine was banned. (April 25, 2009)
CBS News called the vaccination program "deadly mistake."
They went on to say that the vaccination program was useless. Here's their reason for saying there was no point to the massive vaccination program: "No swine flu epidemic ever erupted. The outbreak was limited to Fort Dix, and about 500 Americans likely died as a result of the vaccine...." (CBS)
With Logic Like This - - -
It's genuinely sad that 500 people died: maybe (or maybe not) as a result of being vaccinated.Let's say the Ford administration had followed CBS-like wisdom and not vaccinated Americans. We don't know what would have happened. History didn't happen that way.
We do know what happened in 1918. About 40,000,000 people had to be buried because they died as a result of getting 'Spanish influenza.' As I said, we'll never know whether or not the vaccinations stopped an epidemic like the one in 1918.
Second-guessing people who have to make decisions can be a rewarding occupation. Looking back on what's been done, and what happened as a result, editors are free to make up what would have happened if only they had been in charge.
If editorial opinions match what a publications readers want to believe, Monday morning quarterbacking can turn a profit.
On the other hand, just because an editor would like something to be so, doesn't mean it's really so.
Let's Outlaw Fire Extinguishers?
My guess is that breathing fumes from fire extinguishers is bad for you. And, that drowning lab rats in fire extinguisher effluvia would prove it "scientifically."Next, a panel of experts could find a building where there had been a small fire, which was put out by using a fire extinguisher - and where someone in the building got sick later.
"Obviously," the fire extinguisher made the person sick. And, since the building didn't burn down, the fire extinguisher wasn't needed.
So, the experts would say, fire extinguishers should be banned.
Silly? I agree. But, that's pretty close to what happened with swine flu vaccine in 1976.
Is the risk - a 1 in 100,000 chance of having an adverse reaction to a vaccine - worth the benefit of being inoculated against a disease that could kill you: or someone you infect?
I think it may be: although I'd rather there be no risk involved with anything, ever.
The real world does involve risks, though: and I think America has become risk-averse. Which isn't always a good idea.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine Flu / 2009 H1N1 flu, Politics, and Common Sense: Why Closing the Border Doesn't Make Sense
I'm not all that interested in politics, beyond what's required of a conscientious American citizen: so I don't know whether the politicos who have been trying to close the U.S. - Mexican border are of the 'keep them furriners out' variety, or are taking another tack.
It doesn't matter in a way: with swine flu approaching pandemic status, some of America's leaders want to close the border. It feels right: but doesn't make all that much sense.
"Mexico Shuts Government; Pandemic Imminent"
FOX News (April 30, 2009)
"Mexico's president told citizens on Wednesday to stay home for a five-day partial shutdown of the economy, after the World Health Organization raised its alert level and said a swine flu pandemic was imminent...."
"...'There is no safer place than your own home to avoid being infected with the flu virus,' [Mexican President] Calderon said.
Mexico is taking the drastic step after another 17 deaths were potentially linked to swine flu, bringing the total to as many as 176...."
Mexico's government is now taking very serious steps to contain the disease in Mexico. I've read that some people there think there should have been something else done sooner - but that's par for the course in crisis situations. I think it's reasonable to point out that something's being done now.
Meanwhile, closing the border now won't stop the spread of swine flu / influenza A (H1N1). It's spread to America and other Pacific Rim counties, the Middle East: Israel, specifically, and probably beyond.
I'm not ignoring effects that the plague had on other cultures. I simply don't know enough about cultures in the east end of Eurasia, to have an opinion about how the plague affected them.
"At a prime-time news conference, Obama said health officials weren't recommending closing the border with Mexico.
" That, he said, 'would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States.'
"In an interview with Dr. Manny Alvarez on Wednesday, managing editor of health at FOXNews.com, Dr. Dalilah Restrpo, an infectious disease specialist at St. Luke's-Roosevelt in New York City drove home the same point.
" 'It's always an tempting strategy to close the door, back off and not let anybody else in, but it doesn't work,' she told Alvarez.
" 'It doesn't work because this type of disease is something where the period of infectiousness is behind you,' she continued. 'By the time the symptoms arrive — it's already too late. At this point, closing the border would make no sense. There are cases all over the world and the virus is already here.'..." (FOX News)
The bottom line seems to be that influenza 2009 H1N1 has spread around the globe, so closing the Mexican-American border would be pointless as far as containing the disease is concerned. On the other hand, it's not exactly smart to travel into an infected area, unless you've got a really good reason. After that, I'd think one would want to think long and hard about going back home - taking the risk of bringing the disease with you.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
It doesn't matter in a way: with swine flu approaching pandemic status, some of America's leaders want to close the border. It feels right: but doesn't make all that much sense.
"Mexico Shuts Government; Pandemic Imminent"
FOX News (April 30, 2009)
"Mexico's president told citizens on Wednesday to stay home for a five-day partial shutdown of the economy, after the World Health Organization raised its alert level and said a swine flu pandemic was imminent...."
"...'There is no safer place than your own home to avoid being infected with the flu virus,' [Mexican President] Calderon said.
Mexico is taking the drastic step after another 17 deaths were potentially linked to swine flu, bringing the total to as many as 176...."
Mexico's government is now taking very serious steps to contain the disease in Mexico. I've read that some people there think there should have been something else done sooner - but that's par for the course in crisis situations. I think it's reasonable to point out that something's being done now.
Meanwhile, closing the border now won't stop the spread of swine flu / influenza A (H1N1). It's spread to America and other Pacific Rim counties, the Middle East: Israel, specifically, and probably beyond.
Closing the Border is Pointless
That's not the 'all hope is lost' statement it may seem. I think there's a very good chance that there won't be as many deaths in this year's influenza A (H1N1) situation as in previous pandemics. We've learned a lot.Remembering the Black Death
I think that Western cultures learned something from the Black Death: Contagious disease can be a serious problem. This is just speculation, but I think it's possible that the plague that killed about a third of Europe, back in the 14th century, made it easier for European cultures, and those derived from Europe, to recognize rapidly-spreading diseases as serious threats. And, created an enhanced willingness to deal with disease.I'm not ignoring effects that the plague had on other cultures. I simply don't know enough about cultures in the east end of Eurasia, to have an opinion about how the plague affected them.
Closing the Border: Feels So Good, Doesn't Make Sense
The CDC now is advising no non-essential travel to Mexico (CDC, via CNN, more at "Travel Health Warning / Travel Warning: Swine Influenza and Severe Cases of Respiratory Illness in Mexico — Avoid Nonessential Travel to Mexico" (CDC (April 30, 2009) ) - but I think that's a matter of protecting individuals. Influenza 2009 N1H1 is a horse that's definitely out of the barn - closing the door is pointless."At a prime-time news conference, Obama said health officials weren't recommending closing the border with Mexico.
" That, he said, 'would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States.'
"In an interview with Dr. Manny Alvarez on Wednesday, managing editor of health at FOXNews.com, Dr. Dalilah Restrpo, an infectious disease specialist at St. Luke's-Roosevelt in New York City drove home the same point.
" 'It's always an tempting strategy to close the door, back off and not let anybody else in, but it doesn't work,' she told Alvarez.
" 'It doesn't work because this type of disease is something where the period of infectiousness is behind you,' she continued. 'By the time the symptoms arrive — it's already too late. At this point, closing the border would make no sense. There are cases all over the world and the virus is already here.'..." (FOX News)
The bottom line seems to be that influenza 2009 H1N1 has spread around the globe, so closing the Mexican-American border would be pointless as far as containing the disease is concerned. On the other hand, it's not exactly smart to travel into an infected area, unless you've got a really good reason. After that, I'd think one would want to think long and hard about going back home - taking the risk of bringing the disease with you.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Swine Flu / H1N1 Novel Confirmed in Minnesota - Spiffy
"Cold Spring Virus Confirmed as H1N1 Flu"
FOX 9 (April 30, 2009)
"COLD SPRING, Minn. - Lab tests by the CDC have confirmed the illness of a Cold Spring, Minn. was caused by the H1N1 novel influenza virus.
"Preliminary tests by the Minnesota Department of Health revealed a “probable” H1N1 virus infection , but additional testing was needed at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The infected person has ties to Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring. The middle school and St. Boniface Elementary have been closed since the probable infection was reported by the health department Tuesday night...."
"...Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan said Wednesday the state wants to get away from the term "swine flu," saying MDH will refer to the virus as H1N1 influenza...."
That last is, I think, part of a Minnesota government tradition of being protective (over-protective, I think - but that's off-topic). Pork production is a significant part of Minnesota's economy: and sooner or later the idea's going to catch on that pork is dangerous. As far as I've read, it's still about as dangerous to handle as any other raw meat: and cooked, it's fine. But, people who are scared will feel and do odd things.
Back to the swine flu/h1n1 novel virus: The Minnesota Department of Health has a decent page about the swine flu (h1n1 novel, here in Minnesota): "H1N1 Novel Influenza." And, their home page has a toll-free hotline number (8 a.m.-8 p.m.).
I'll give them credit: they're doing a pretty good job of making information available.
The Fox 9 article said that the person in Cold Spring had ties to one of the schools that are closed - but didn't have contact with the school while he or she was most infectious.
An interesting point: the person with swine flu / h1n1 novel in Cold Spring hadn't been to Mexico, but had contact with someone who did. Which brings up a significant point: H1n1 novel is being spread from person to person. Pigs aren't involved anymore.
Which brings up something for another post.
A pretty good starting point for getting information is a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) page that's updated daily: "Swine Influenza (Flu)." Good news: it's authoritative information, without fluff. Bad news: Although it's updated, it's generally several hours out of date. Today's, date stamp April 30, 2009, 10:30 AM ET, doesn't list the confirmed case in Minnesota. Still, it's a pretty good resource.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
FOX 9 (April 30, 2009)
"COLD SPRING, Minn. - Lab tests by the CDC have confirmed the illness of a Cold Spring, Minn. was caused by the H1N1 novel influenza virus.
"Preliminary tests by the Minnesota Department of Health revealed a “probable” H1N1 virus infection , but additional testing was needed at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The infected person has ties to Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring. The middle school and St. Boniface Elementary have been closed since the probable infection was reported by the health department Tuesday night...."
"...Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan said Wednesday the state wants to get away from the term "swine flu," saying MDH will refer to the virus as H1N1 influenza...."
That last is, I think, part of a Minnesota government tradition of being protective (over-protective, I think - but that's off-topic). Pork production is a significant part of Minnesota's economy: and sooner or later the idea's going to catch on that pork is dangerous. As far as I've read, it's still about as dangerous to handle as any other raw meat: and cooked, it's fine. But, people who are scared will feel and do odd things.
Updated/Corrected (April 30, 2009)
"WHO changes swine flu name to 'influenza A (H1N1)' "
Canada.com (April 30, 2009)
"GENEVA - The World Health Organization will begin referring to the swine flu virus as "influenza A (H1N1)," the United Nations health agency said on its website Thursday.
"From today, WHO will refer to the new influenza virus as influenza A (H1N1)," said the health agency.
"The WHO earlier Thursday told AFP that it was re-examining the name of the swine flu virus after complaints that the name was causing an unjustified clampdown on pork trade.
On Wednesday, officials in the United States decided to call the new A/H1N1 flu virus that emerged in Mexico '2009 H1N1 flu.'
"Pig farmers in the United States, Mexico and Canada are reeling from bans on their exports of live swine and pork meat imposed by several nations including Russia and China...."
I've written about assumptions being chancy things: and got caught making an assumption, myself. Live and (I hope) learn.
Back to the swine flu/h1n1 novel virus: The Minnesota Department of Health has a decent page about the swine flu (h1n1 novel, here in Minnesota): "H1N1 Novel Influenza." And, their home page has a toll-free hotline number (8 a.m.-8 p.m.).
I'll give them credit: they're doing a pretty good job of making information available.
The Fox 9 article said that the person in Cold Spring had ties to one of the schools that are closed - but didn't have contact with the school while he or she was most infectious.
An interesting point: the person with swine flu / h1n1 novel in Cold Spring hadn't been to Mexico, but had contact with someone who did. Which brings up a significant point: H1n1 novel is being spread from person to person. Pigs aren't involved anymore.
Which brings up something for another post.
A pretty good starting point for getting information is a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) page that's updated daily: "Swine Influenza (Flu)." Good news: it's authoritative information, without fluff. Bad news: Although it's updated, it's generally several hours out of date. Today's, date stamp April 30, 2009, 10:30 AM ET, doesn't list the confirmed case in Minnesota. Still, it's a pretty good resource.
List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
WHO Raised Swine Flu / H1N1 Alert Level to 5
Given what's been happening, I'm not surprised. WHO, the World Health Organization, raised its alert level for 'swine flu' from 4 to 5 today. That's how it's usually put in the news. WHO calls them "alert phases."
We were at 4, "Evidence of increased human-to-human transmission" - and now it's 5,
"Evidence of significant human-to-human transmission". (More about this in the Lemming's "Swine Flu 2009.)
Spiffy. I'm rather glad I don't have any plans for a world cruise just now.
The WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, had some common-sense advice: " 'Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world,'.... 'New diseases by definition are poorly understood and influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behavior.'
" 'The good news is that we are better prepared for an influenza pandemic than anytime in our history,' she said, adding, 'it really is all of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic.' "
![]()
We are better prepared than we were: each flu pandemic since the big one in 1918 encouraged people to develop new procedures and technologies for slowing down the spread of the disease, and treating people who got it.
That picture is the display from a thermal scanner, showing heat signatures of passengers arriving an Incheon airport, near Seol, South Korea. I think it's a great way to quickly tell who's running a fever - and probably shouldn't be allowed to enter the country. I'm pretty sure that it's someone's notion of an invasion of privacy: but that's a different topic.
In the news:
We were at 4, "Evidence of increased human-to-human transmission" - and now it's 5,
"Evidence of significant human-to-human transmission". (More about this in the Lemming's "Swine Flu 2009.)
Spiffy. I'm rather glad I don't have any plans for a world cruise just now.
The WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, had some common-sense advice: " 'Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world,'.... 'New diseases by definition are poorly understood and influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behavior.'
" 'The good news is that we are better prepared for an influenza pandemic than anytime in our history,' she said, adding, 'it really is all of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic.' "
That picture is the display from a thermal scanner, showing heat signatures of passengers arriving an Incheon airport, near Seol, South Korea. I think it's a great way to quickly tell who's running a fever - and probably shouldn't be allowed to enter the country. I'm pretty sure that it's someone's notion of an invasion of privacy: but that's a different topic.
In the news:
- "WHO raises pandemic flu alert level to phase 5"
The Associated Press (April 29, 2009) - "Swine Flu Outbreak One Step Closer to Full Pandemic"
FOX News (April 29, 2009) - "Mexico visitors head for home as flu fears spread"
Reuters (April 29, 2009) - "WHO raises swine flu alert level to five"
heraldsun.com.au (April 29, 2009)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu 2009: First Time WHO Raised Disease Alert Level; and a News Video
The 2009 swine flu outbreak in spreading from human to human: which prompted public health people in Indiana to recommend no shaking hands in the state.
A video from WISH TV had quite a bit of evidence of common sense in the state: including a plea to employers to be smart, and make it possible for employees to stay home, instead of coming to work and infecting the entire staff.
"One confirmed case of swine flu in Ind."
wish, YouTube (April 28, 2009)
video 5:14
And two men, age 33 and 45, died in the Los Angeles area. It's possible that swine flu was involved, but the tests for that particular virus aren't back yet.
[UPDATE April 28, 2009: "...Los Angeles County public health officer Dr. Jonathan Fielding said Tuesday during a news briefing that news reports of two possible deaths there were initially 'misreported.'
"The Los Angeles County coroner's office ruled out swine flu as the cause of one those deaths. Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said Tuesday that swine flu was not found in a La Mirada man. Winter says lab testing is pending in the case of a 33-year-old Long Beach man but swine flu is now not suspected...." (FOX News)
What's odd about this disease is that it seems to hit people with healthy immune systems particularly hard.
I still think there's a chance this can be stopped before it turns into a pandemic.
A video from WISH TV had quite a bit of evidence of common sense in the state: including a plea to employers to be smart, and make it possible for employees to stay home, instead of coming to work and infecting the entire staff.
"One confirmed case of swine flu in Ind."
wish, YouTube (April 28, 2009)
video 5:14
And two men, age 33 and 45, died in the Los Angeles area. It's possible that swine flu was involved, but the tests for that particular virus aren't back yet.
[UPDATE April 28, 2009: "...Los Angeles County public health officer Dr. Jonathan Fielding said Tuesday during a news briefing that news reports of two possible deaths there were initially 'misreported.'
"The Los Angeles County coroner's office ruled out swine flu as the cause of one those deaths. Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said Tuesday that swine flu was not found in a La Mirada man. Winter says lab testing is pending in the case of a 33-year-old Long Beach man but swine flu is now not suspected...." (FOX News)
What's odd about this disease is that it seems to hit people with healthy immune systems particularly hard.
I still think there's a chance this can be stopped before it turns into a pandemic.
- "In US, there's anxiety over swine flu but no panic"
Reuters (April 28, 2009) - "ATLANTA, April 28 (Reuters) - Americans are expressing anxiety about swine flu but there are few signs of panic, although sales of flu medication and items like protective face masks are up in some places where cases have been confirmed...."
- "Two L.A. County deaths possibly related to swine flu, coroner says [Updated]"
Los Angeles Times (April 28, 2009) - "The Los Angeles County coroner's office is investigating two recent deaths that officials say could be related to the recent global swine flu outbreak. However, no tests have come back positive for the swine flu, and medical examiners have not officially determined what caused the deaths.
- "[Updated at 9:30 a.m.: Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey said his office would collect specimens from the deceased and send them to the county public health department, which would determine whether either person died from the swine flu. If so, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be notified, Harvey said.]..."
- "World keeps wary eye on swine flu"
Los Angeles Times (April 28, 2009) - "As more details emerged Monday on the origins of the swine flu outbreak, the World Health Organization raised its infectious disease alert level for the first time ever, and U.S. authorities warned against unnecessary travel to Mexico.
- "In that country, authorities ordered all schools closed nationwide, and officials disclosed that the outbreak began much earlier than thought, near a pig farm in the Veracruz municipality of Perote.
- "And, it was revealed, the first confirmed fatality worked as a door-to-door census-taker in one of Mexico's poorest states...."
- " 'Hundreds' in NYC sick at school hit by swine flu"
The Associated Press - "NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City official says "many hundreds" of students are sick at school hit by a swine flu outbreak.
- "Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said Tuesday that the cases are not confirmed as swine flu. But the students have the same symptoms as the confirmed cases...."
- "World battles swine flu as death toll rises"
CNN (April 28, 2009) - "Governments and health officials around the world continued to take steps Tuesday against the outbreak of swine flu that has killed scores of people in Mexico and spread to the U.S., Europe and possibly Asia.
- "By early Tuesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 152 deaths and more than 1,600 illnesses, its health minister told reporters...."
- "...The symptoms are similar to common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea...."
- "...'When you think about the flu, the seasonal flu, the flu that we're accustomed to, it typically tends to have the worse ramifications in people that don't have developed immune systems -- the elderly and the very young. They can't fight it off,' said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent.
- " 'What's counterintuitive with this particular virus, it's in the people who have robust immune systems. As their body starts to respond, to try and fight off that virus, they produce tons of inflammatory cells. Those inflammatory cells can sort of flood the lungs....' "
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ötzi, Tattoos, Acupuncture, and Things We Don't Know
"Ötzi, the Iceman"
Concord Learning Systems (undated, with updates March 20, 2002 and August, 2003)
"Killed c. 3300 B.C. in mountain region of Austria / Italy
"On September 19, 1991, in the remote mountains on the border of Austria and Italy, hikers stumbled upon the corpse of a 5,300 year-old man. Dubbed 'Ötzi,' this perfectly preserved iceman is the oldest human ever found. But who was he and how did he die?..."
Quite good article on a man who died about five and a third millenia ago, in what is now Austria. As usual, the more we know, the more we learn that there are things we don't know. Yet.
Take acupuncture: as is well known (or was, pre-Ötzi), acupuncture was invented in China two or three millennia back.
Ötzi has tattoos. 59 of them. Quite a few of them on or near currently-used acupuncture points.
Since Ötzi died a couple millennia before acupuncture was developed in China, either the positions of those tattoos are pure coincidence, something's not known about China's history, acupuncture developed west of China, or maybe something else is going on.
My guess: the tattoos are where they are for a reason, and we don't know everything about the history of medical practices and technology.
Related posts, at
Concord Learning Systems (undated, with updates March 20, 2002 and August, 2003)
"Killed c. 3300 B.C. in mountain region of Austria / Italy
"On September 19, 1991, in the remote mountains on the border of Austria and Italy, hikers stumbled upon the corpse of a 5,300 year-old man. Dubbed 'Ötzi,' this perfectly preserved iceman is the oldest human ever found. But who was he and how did he die?..."
Quite good article on a man who died about five and a third millenia ago, in what is now Austria. As usual, the more we know, the more we learn that there are things we don't know. Yet.
Take acupuncture: as is well known (or was, pre-Ötzi), acupuncture was invented in China two or three millennia back.
Ötzi has tattoos. 59 of them. Quite a few of them on or near currently-used acupuncture points.
Since Ötzi died a couple millennia before acupuncture was developed in China, either the positions of those tattoos are pure coincidence, something's not known about China's history, acupuncture developed west of China, or maybe something else is going on.
My guess: the tattoos are where they are for a reason, and we don't know everything about the history of medical practices and technology.
Related posts, at
Friday, February 6, 2009
Heart Attacks, Women, and an Astounding Discovery
Incredible, but true: Medical experts have discovered that women are not small men!
That startling fact has been known for some time:
"Heart To Heart"
"How Symptoms of Heart Disease Differ in Men and Women."
Susan L. Comer in HealthCare Directions Magazine, via Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (Spring 2003)
"Heart disease has long been considered a man's bastion, albeit one they'd gladly relinquish. But gender stereotyping can be deadly in matters of the heart. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming 950,000 lives annually. More than half of these deaths occur among women. And even as women are often unaware...."
"Many Women Still Misinformed About Heart Disease"
"Risk factors and symptoms of trouble can be very different from those for men"
Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter, via Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi (2005)
"FRIDAY, March 31 (HealthDay News) -- It's a health message that doctors have been directing at women for some time, but too often it fails to get through: The classic sign of a heart attack isn't always searing pain in the chest, usually lasting several minutes.
"But that's not necessarily the symptom felt by women, who make up 50 percent of America's heart attack victims.
" 'Women more often than men experience shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or the pressure is lower down in the chest so it is mistaken for a stomach ailment,' said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of Women Are Not Small Men....." (available on Amazon.com and elsewhere)
Aside from being useful (maybe life-saving) information and advice, I think these articles, and the Dr. Goldberg's book, are examples of how the medical profession is starting to realize that not all knowledge is found in the textbooks, and that human beings don't necessarily work exactly the way 'experts' thought they should, back around 1900.
Yes! They can be taught!
"A decade or so ago, many healthcare providers didn't consider women candidates for heart disease either. 'What would happen,' says Marla Mendelson, M.D., a cardiologist at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 'is that women came in with chest pain and were sent home with antacids, and men came in with chest pain and got stress tests, angiograms, and surgery.'
"Consequently, until the late 1990s, women were virtually absent from heart disease studies. 'The historical assumption,' says Dr. Wenger, 'was that whatever occurred in middle-aged men was the norm and that that could be extrapolated both to women and to older patients of both genders. And, of course, that's not the case.' Certainly, the classic presentation of chest pain for an imminent heart attack remains common, but other symptoms may also occur. 'If you look at a population of both sexes over 80 or 85 years of age,' she says, 'only about a third have pain.' More frequent is shortness of breath or severe fatigue....'
That startling fact has been known for some time:
"Heart To Heart"
"How Symptoms of Heart Disease Differ in Men and Women."
Susan L. Comer in HealthCare Directions Magazine, via Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (Spring 2003)
"Heart disease has long been considered a man's bastion, albeit one they'd gladly relinquish. But gender stereotyping can be deadly in matters of the heart. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming 950,000 lives annually. More than half of these deaths occur among women. And even as women are often unaware...."
"Many Women Still Misinformed About Heart Disease"
"Risk factors and symptoms of trouble can be very different from those for men"
Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter, via Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi (2005)
"FRIDAY, March 31 (HealthDay News) -- It's a health message that doctors have been directing at women for some time, but too often it fails to get through: The classic sign of a heart attack isn't always searing pain in the chest, usually lasting several minutes.
"But that's not necessarily the symptom felt by women, who make up 50 percent of America's heart attack victims.
" 'Women more often than men experience shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or the pressure is lower down in the chest so it is mistaken for a stomach ailment,' said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of Women Are Not Small Men....." (available on Amazon.com and elsewhere)
Aside from being useful (maybe life-saving) information and advice, I think these articles, and the Dr. Goldberg's book, are examples of how the medical profession is starting to realize that not all knowledge is found in the textbooks, and that human beings don't necessarily work exactly the way 'experts' thought they should, back around 1900.
Yes! They can be taught!
"A decade or so ago, many healthcare providers didn't consider women candidates for heart disease either. 'What would happen,' says Marla Mendelson, M.D., a cardiologist at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 'is that women came in with chest pain and were sent home with antacids, and men came in with chest pain and got stress tests, angiograms, and surgery.'
"Consequently, until the late 1990s, women were virtually absent from heart disease studies. 'The historical assumption,' says Dr. Wenger, 'was that whatever occurred in middle-aged men was the norm and that that could be extrapolated both to women and to older patients of both genders. And, of course, that's not the case.' Certainly, the classic presentation of chest pain for an imminent heart attack remains common, but other symptoms may also occur. 'If you look at a population of both sexes over 80 or 85 years of age,' she says, 'only about a third have pain.' More frequent is shortness of breath or severe fatigue....'
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Lemming is Getting Caught Up
Sorry about missing yesterday's three posts. I'm starting to get caught up.
The Lemming's life has been a bit more exciting than usual. Wednesday afternoon, my wife and one of our daughters were in a vehicular accident. Aside from a broken wrist and a couple of sprained bodies (that's not what the doctors said, but you get the picture), they're okay.
And, I've been a bit distracted. (More, at Through One Dad's Eye (The most recent post there, as of now, is "Medical Meets Creative").)
The Lemming's life has been a bit more exciting than usual. Wednesday afternoon, my wife and one of our daughters were in a vehicular accident. Aside from a broken wrist and a couple of sprained bodies (that's not what the doctors said, but you get the picture), they're okay.
And, I've been a bit distracted. (More, at Through One Dad's Eye (The most recent post there, as of now, is "Medical Meets Creative").)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Three-Cent HIV Test: I've Seen Worse Ideas
"Diagnostic Lab Made of Paper and Tape Could Lead to a 3-Cent HIV Test"
Discover (December 10, 2008)
"A new device smaller and cheaper than a postage stamp could be used to diagnose diseases in developing countries, Harvard researchers report. The sophisticated microfluidic diagnostic devices, called microPADS, are made out of little more than paper and sticky tape and cost about three cents each. '“The starting point with us was asking, "What's the simplest, cheapest [material] we could think of?" … And that was paper,' [The Scientist] said co-author George Whitesides...."
If these microPADs are as reliable as the developers say they are, this is a really good idea.
As the article points out (quoting Wired Science): "...In the developing world, cost, durability and ease-of-use are stumbling blocks for many medical technologies. But a cheap, simple device like a paper microfluidics chip could be used in health care diagnostics, and for monitoring environmental factors, quality of water and the health of plants and animals...."
Hats off to Discover and Wired Science for the detailed reporting: and seeing that 'developing countries' have health issues other than AIDS.
BTW, there seems to be a difference of opinion about how the paper microfluidics chip's name is spelled: both microPADS and microPADs show up in the article.
Also, the article's URL indicates that the original headline had the chip's cost at two cents each.
Discover (December 10, 2008)
"A new device smaller and cheaper than a postage stamp could be used to diagnose diseases in developing countries, Harvard researchers report. The sophisticated microfluidic diagnostic devices, called microPADS, are made out of little more than paper and sticky tape and cost about three cents each. '“The starting point with us was asking, "What's the simplest, cheapest [material] we could think of?" … And that was paper,' [The Scientist] said co-author George Whitesides...."
If these microPADs are as reliable as the developers say they are, this is a really good idea.
As the article points out (quoting Wired Science): "...In the developing world, cost, durability and ease-of-use are stumbling blocks for many medical technologies. But a cheap, simple device like a paper microfluidics chip could be used in health care diagnostics, and for monitoring environmental factors, quality of water and the health of plants and animals...."
Hats off to Discover and Wired Science for the detailed reporting: and seeing that 'developing countries' have health issues other than AIDS.
BTW, there seems to be a difference of opinion about how the paper microfluidics chip's name is spelled: both microPADS and microPADs show up in the article.
Also, the article's URL indicates that the original headline had the chip's cost at two cents each.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sneezing, Coughing? Itchy Eyes? Have I Got a Website For You!
Allergy Action Plan
"The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America presents your Allergy Action Plan.
"Allergy Action Plan will help you recognize your seasonal allergy symptoms so you can prevent and treat allergies safely."
Looks like a pretty good website, with pages devoted to FAQs and resources: and a self-screening tool.
I found out about the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America through an ad that said, in part, "you can learn how to recognize, prevent, and treat allergies. You can even sign up for free e-mail alerts to learn when allergies are peaking in your area."
I'm a little more interested than most people, in this sort of thing. Quite a few of my family are sensitive to this, that, or the other common substance. And, on top of that, there's a major street project going on in our front yard.
"The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America presents your Allergy Action Plan.
"Allergy Action Plan will help you recognize your seasonal allergy symptoms so you can prevent and treat allergies safely."
Looks like a pretty good website, with pages devoted to FAQs and resources: and a self-screening tool.
I found out about the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America through an ad that said, in part, "you can learn how to recognize, prevent, and treat allergies. You can even sign up for free e-mail alerts to learn when allergies are peaking in your area."
I'm a little more interested than most people, in this sort of thing. Quite a few of my family are sensitive to this, that, or the other common substance. And, on top of that, there's a major street project going on in our front yard.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Cell Phone Technology of the Future: Never Mind, it's Here
"Real Trekkie tricorder detects ailments"
msnbc (April 30, 2008)
"New handheld medical scanners could aid health care in developing nations"
"New handheld medical scanners coupled with regular cell phones resemble 'Star Trek" tricorders and could see what ails you with a push of a button.
"The invention, using off-the-shelf cell phone technology, would allow medical scanners to boldly go where none have gone before — to the aid of the roughly three-quarters of the world's population currently without access to ultrasounds, X-rays and other imagers used for everything from detecting tumors to monitoring fetuses."
msnbc (April 30, 2008)
"New handheld medical scanners could aid health care in developing nations"
"New handheld medical scanners coupled with regular cell phones resemble 'Star Trek" tricorders and could see what ails you with a push of a button.
"The invention, using off-the-shelf cell phone technology, would allow medical scanners to boldly go where none have gone before — to the aid of the roughly three-quarters of the world's population currently without access to ultrasounds, X-rays and other imagers used for everything from detecting tumors to monitoring fetuses."
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Digitek Brand Digoxin Heart Tablets: Double the Thickness Isn't Double the Fun
I know: This is no joking matter.
"Digitek-brand digoxin tablets are recalled"
United Press International (April 28, 2008)
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of Digitek-brand digoxin heart tablets because of a potential safety risk.
"The FDA said Actavis Totowa LLC, formerly known as Amide Pharmaceutical Inc. of Totowa, N.J., reported some tablets may be double the appropriate thickness and contain twice the approved level of active ingredient.
"The products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories Inc. under a "UDL" label. ... Customers with questions can call 888-276-6166."
Being one of those people who plugs himself into a CPAP nightly, and whose body needs help controlling several chemical balances, this is unsettling news. I hope the megadose tablets were caught in time.
"Digitek-brand digoxin tablets are recalled"
United Press International (April 28, 2008)
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of Digitek-brand digoxin heart tablets because of a potential safety risk.
"The FDA said Actavis Totowa LLC, formerly known as Amide Pharmaceutical Inc. of Totowa, N.J., reported some tablets may be double the appropriate thickness and contain twice the approved level of active ingredient.
"The products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories Inc. under a "UDL" label. ... Customers with questions can call 888-276-6166."
Being one of those people who plugs himself into a CPAP nightly, and whose body needs help controlling several chemical balances, this is unsettling news. I hope the megadose tablets were caught in time.
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