The Influenza pandemic about to sweep the country.....

Forums › Off topic › The Influenza pandemic about to sweep the country.....

1 | 2

Elpie

1304 posts

Uber Geek

#788136 27-Mar-2013 17:45

DarthKermit: We get the flu jab offered free at work, but I'm going to take my chances.

I wouldn't take chances this year.

Eleven days ago, we boarded a plane in Canada and thought the aircon was faulty. We were both either shivering with cold or melting in heat the whole way back to NZ. We had both been taking stuff over there for sore throats and noses, thinking that it was caused by dry aircon in the buildings we had stayed in (reasonable assumption since it started with bleeding noses that are common in closed-up rooms in Canada over the winter if humidity gets too low). A couple of doctor's visits later and it's confirmed we have the 'flu. The north American one that has killed a number of people.

I have a 'flu jab every year but it wasn't available before we left. For three days last week we would have been exposing a lot of people to our bugs. Since confirmation we have been keeping out of circulation. It took a couple of days after our return before we started feeling incredibly ill. He has been off work for a week now. Fever, pain, headache, complete lack of any energy, and a cough that threatens to rip ribs apart despite any meds you throw at it, are still around ten days later. We've been unable to move some days, with it being so bad we had to take our dog to the kennels because we struggled to meet her needs.

There is light at the end of the tunnel now, but its been a very long time coming. I wouldn't wish this 'flu on my worst enemy.

If the vaccine is available to you then I think that, this year at least, you'd be a fool not to take it.

DarthKermit

5346 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#788144 27-Mar-2013 17:56

Elpie:
DarthKermit: We get the flu jab offered free at work, but I'm going to take my chances.

I wouldn't take chances this year.

Eleven days ago, we boarded a plane in Canada and thought the aircon was faulty. We were both either shivering with cold or melting in heat the whole way back to NZ. We had both been taking stuff over there for sore throats and noses, thinking that it was caused by dry aircon in the buildings we had stayed in (reasonable assumption since it started with bleeding noses that are common in closed-up rooms in Canada over the winter if humidity gets too low). A couple of doctor's visits later and it's confirmed we have the 'flu. The north American one that has killed a number of people.

I have a 'flu jab every year but it wasn't available before we left. For three days last week we would have been exposing a lot of people to our bugs. Since confirmation we have been keeping out of circulation. It took a couple of days after our return before we started feeling incredibly ill. He has been off work for a week now. Fever, pain, headache, complete lack of any energy, and a cough that threatens to rip ribs apart despite any meds you throw at it, are still around ten days later. We've been unable to move some days, with it being so bad we had to take our dog to the kennels because we struggled to meet her needs.

There is light at the end of the tunnel now, but its been a very long time coming. I wouldn't wish this 'flu on my worst enemy.

If the vaccine is available to you then I think that, this year at least, you'd be a fool not to take it.

So you're the source of the flu pandemic here, eh?

Just kidding. Sorry to hear that you got it so bad.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#788149 27-Mar-2013 17:59

Coincidence? I didnt think so.

i.e. if it wasn't a coincidence, then it was the flu jab that gave it to you! What did you mean exactly?

It meant I didnt think it was a coincidence. Its called an opinion. Does that help?

Elpie

1304 posts

Uber Geek

#788154 27-Mar-2013 18:09

DarthKermit:
So you're the source of the flu pandemic here, eh?

Just kidding. Sorry to hear that you got it so bad.

People we stayed with in Canada also got it but, the thing is, we didn't get it bad. It feels bad, but for this 'flu, we have apparently got off lightly.

It's worth noting:
It sticks around for 2 weeks but can take a month before you get your energy levels back.
If you are lucky, you will feel nausea but if unlucky you could be throwing up for most of that time.
Having bouts of the runs is common.
Food tastes strange, so even when the nausea isn't around you won't want to eat.
Coughing is so bad that airways close. This can be really frightening. Doctors may prescribe asthma meds even though you don't have asthma.
Chest pain is at times so bad you will get frightened you are having a heart attack.
Antibiotics don't do anything. Cough mixtures are useless. Nasal sprays don't help. Sleeping sitting up in a chair might be the only way you can get any rest while still breathing.

It's by no means certain which strain of 'flu will hit NZ but I bet there are thousands of people hitting our shores from North America right now that are bringing that virus in.

If NZ does get this one, then its a real doozy and I hope nobody dies from it. It's well worth a slightly sore arm and a few minutes of your time to get the jab.

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#788155 27-Mar-2013 18:10

I'll be getting the jab when my employer offers it... As I did last year and the year before that.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#788166 27-Mar-2013 18:25

SpookyAwol:

Coincidence? I didnt think so.

i.e. if it wasn't a coincidence, then it was the flu jab that gave it to you! What did you mean exactly?

It meant I didnt think it was a coincidence. Its called an opinion. Does that help?

You didn't think it was a coincidence, but now you do?

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#788248 27-Mar-2013 21:18

bazzer:
SpookyAwol:

Coincidence? I didnt think so.

i.e. if it wasn't a coincidence, then it was the flu jab that gave it to you! What did you mean exactly?

It meant I didnt think it was a coincidence. Its called an opinion. Does that help?

You didn't think it was a coincidence, but now you do?

I didn't not think it was a coincidence if thats what you mean.

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

sonyxperiageek

2959 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#788262 27-Mar-2013 21:48

Just a light-hearted joke... :)

I once had a bird whose name was Enza, and when I opened up the window, influenza!

:) One of those pun jokes I recently saw on Twitter.

Sony

robertsona

168 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#788292 27-Mar-2013 22:43

My employer provides free vaccinations - it'd be silly not to get the jab. In fact, I know this to be true: about five years ago I was slack and didn't bother. Then got what I'd call a moderate dose of flu that knocked me down for over a week - took more than a fortnight to fully get over. Never again.

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#788325 28-Mar-2013 00:01

I've never had a flu jab or the flu. It all sounds like an elaborate hoax to me.

TheUngeek

924 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#789454 29-Mar-2013 23:21

Um begining to think this site needs a name change to tinfoilhatzone

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#789467 29-Mar-2013 23:59

Elpie: ...and I hope nobody dies from it.

Sadly it is certainty that quite a number of people will die of the flu this year, regardless of whether it is that strain or not.

As a doctor a proper flu is one of the scariest things patients present with, it is frankly terrifying. I say proper flu, because most of the public appear to think colds and flus are synonymous (honestly, if I had a dollar for every time an essentially well patient told me that they think they "have the flu").

It does me no end of good to see that some people here at least can apply a shred of rationality to thinking about vaccination. Great to see people realising that catching a flu-like illness after getting the vaccination does not necessarily mean vaccine failure, and also that you can't "catch the flu" from the vaccination (you can have a flu-like reaction of course, since many of the symptoms of the flu are caused by our own immune systems, and the idea of vaccination is to trigger an immune system response). Thank you people. I realise that may sound condescending, but it is not intended so, it is just genuine appreciation at having a little faith in humanity restored, since I rarely see patients apply quality thinking to the issue of vaccination.

I love the story about a very large workplace where 50 people came down with the flu weeks after a vaccination (ie: longer than the incubation period of the flu), and the only link was the vaccination. Perhaps it is just me, but the workplace looks like a starter for being a commonality...

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

1 | 2