HEALTH New flu pandemic thread (replaces NHS swamped thread)
Melodi
Disaster Cat
One of the reasons some (not all) flu epidemics are hidden is because of many, perhaps even most, strains affect the elderly; which is another reason they tend to get left out of the epidemic figures in order not to make things look "worse" than they are.
Many of the elderly who die from the flu also have other underlying conditions which make it difficult for doctors/epidemiologists to be certain if the death is really a flu statistic or not.
But when a much larger number of the elderly die and/or younger people are also affected, then you get the public sitting up and taking notice.
And no, we don't have a 1918 situation going on (at least not yet) but if you are paying attention to what is going on in local hospitals from Los Angeles to Dublin Ireland; you would know that many are being swamped to the breaking point with extra patients.
In Switzerland, emergency plans are have dragged out and public buildings used as temporary clinics (that's from someone who lives there, I don't have a link); and the NHS in the UK is at the breaking point - all over regular surgery is being canceled to make room for emergency flu cases.
That is an epidemic, it isn't 1918 people dropping in the streets, or young people feeling OK in the morning and dead by evening; but it is an epidemic none the less and people are starting to die on both sides of the Atlantic not just from flu but because of delays in treated heart attacks, strokes etc due to the over-crowding and waiting times in hospitals.
The UK and Ireland have already had a couple of deaths like that already, and those were just the ones obvious enough to make the news.
Many of the elderly who die from the flu also have other underlying conditions which make it difficult for doctors/epidemiologists to be certain if the death is really a flu statistic or not.
But when a much larger number of the elderly die and/or younger people are also affected, then you get the public sitting up and taking notice.
And no, we don't have a 1918 situation going on (at least not yet) but if you are paying attention to what is going on in local hospitals from Los Angeles to Dublin Ireland; you would know that many are being swamped to the breaking point with extra patients.
In Switzerland, emergency plans are have dragged out and public buildings used as temporary clinics (that's from someone who lives there, I don't have a link); and the NHS in the UK is at the breaking point - all over regular surgery is being canceled to make room for emergency flu cases.
That is an epidemic, it isn't 1918 people dropping in the streets, or young people feeling OK in the morning and dead by evening; but it is an epidemic none the less and people are starting to die on both sides of the Atlantic not just from flu but because of delays in treated heart attacks, strokes etc due to the over-crowding and waiting times in hospitals.
The UK and Ireland have already had a couple of deaths like that already, and those were just the ones obvious enough to make the news.
Look for a brand called bioperine... I think I got it from iherb.com, but it could have been from another (not Amazon) online supplement source. It used to run under $6 for 100, 10 mg tablets.
Summerthyme
Piperine is the black pepper component that helps potentials the absorption of cucurmin. Black pepper contains about 2% piperine. (Its actually fairly easy to extract at home... I did it once as an experiment.) But you would need to take about 1/2 gram of whole pepper to get the required amount of piperine.
Piperine increases the blood levels of a dose of cucurmin by 2000%!
Summerthyme
Nancy in OK
Senior Member
Our Veterans Center was not allowing any visitors last week because of flu type b there. I have a friend who went to the hospital Jan. 2 and got out yesterday for congestive heart failure and excess fluid buildup. She was moved to 4 different rooms and different floor once. It was said the hospital was planning on setting up a tent or tents on hospital grounds because of flu cases. I would guess that is for testing for flu. You can not find Sambucol or Ossillococcinum anywhere. I have called 75 mile radius and not available from warehouse being out. We have several urgent care places in town and they have been telling their patients to get these instead of tamiflu because of bad side effects that are showing up. Most cases are type a but now type b at veterans home.
flying screwdriver
Veteran Member
I have some personal observations and anecdotal notes to draw a few things together. They are a bit disturbing.
First we have this Aussie human influenza H3N2 that is not covered well with the vaccine.
At this same time we have this canine influenza H3N2 . It has become widespread in dogs, and there are local news reports and warnings.
Although common advice is they do not cross species....there is recent evidence H3N2 is zoonotic in canines.
Ok my personal note - I made a mention in Dennis's thread about holding my doggies hips in a heating pad one night. Later he started sneezing and stayed sick for days, but he has recovered, then my other dog went thru some sickness and sneezing...now my wife is sick. Since the job loss we have been nowhere except to the store over a week ago. It could be coincidental.
It could also be a sign of what the NIH and CDC are not talking about. Where this coincidental confluence of widespread H3N2 in both humans and dogs came from. Could also be why man whose name sounds like captain kirk was at the clinic this week instead of the university office.
First we have this Aussie human influenza H3N2 that is not covered well with the vaccine.
At this same time we have this canine influenza H3N2 . It has become widespread in dogs, and there are local news reports and warnings.
Although common advice is they do not cross species....there is recent evidence H3N2 is zoonotic in canines.
Ok my personal note - I made a mention in Dennis's thread about holding my doggies hips in a heating pad one night. Later he started sneezing and stayed sick for days, but he has recovered, then my other dog went thru some sickness and sneezing...now my wife is sick. Since the job loss we have been nowhere except to the store over a week ago. It could be coincidental.
It could also be a sign of what the NIH and CDC are not talking about. Where this coincidental confluence of widespread H3N2 in both humans and dogs came from. Could also be why man whose name sounds like captain kirk was at the clinic this week instead of the university office.
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lojoma
Veteran Member
Rearding curcumin. If you have not already please look into Golden Paste as it provides the highest bioavailability of circumin. I make mine with colloidal silver water (which I also make). It keeps a long time in the fridge that way or else it can be frozen in little silicone ice cube trays. I continue to marvel at how colloidal silver is not even discussed in the mainsteam despite proven effective anti microbial power. Hope all stay well and healthy.
dieseltrooper
Inactive
Nancy, can you tell us which one?
I love colloidal silver, as an antibiotic. However, I've never been able to demonstrate ANY anti-viral or anti-fungal abilities from it, and that included trying it multiple times on known viral infections where it was possible to apply it directly to the infected tissues.
Might be worth using in a case on influenza to help prevent secondary bacterial pneumonia, though.
Summerthyme
Might be worth using in a case on influenza to help prevent secondary bacterial pneumonia, though.
Summerthyme
Suzieq
Veteran Member
Please don't forget about Oil of Oregano. It's powerful stuff that helps unclog the sinus passageways. Only a few drops mixed in with olive oil does wonders under the tongue.
I mix 100% pure oregano oil like this. Go buy an empty 4 oz dropper glass bottle. In that bottle add 1 oz of 100% oregano oil. Now add 3 oz of olive oil. Place dropper top back on bottle and shake well. Now you have 4 oz. Only use a few drops under the tongue and hold it there as long as you can. Then spit it out and rinse out mouth.
If ears are clogged from a head cold, put some of the oil mixture on a q-tip and place in the ear. This will help the sinus drainage tubes in the head to loosen up and drain. It's amazing how fast it works.
I mix 100% pure oregano oil like this. Go buy an empty 4 oz dropper glass bottle. In that bottle add 1 oz of 100% oregano oil. Now add 3 oz of olive oil. Place dropper top back on bottle and shake well. Now you have 4 oz. Only use a few drops under the tongue and hold it there as long as you can. Then spit it out and rinse out mouth.
If ears are clogged from a head cold, put some of the oil mixture on a q-tip and place in the ear. This will help the sinus drainage tubes in the head to loosen up and drain. It's amazing how fast it works.
Martinhouse
Deceased
If you make up that Oregano Oil mixture in a bottle with a dropper, keep an eye on any leftover that you store away. I've found that over time the oregano oil kind of dissolves the bulb of the dropper, even though the bottle is still upright. Some of the little bottles come with a screw cap as well as a dropper and it's best to store the oregano oil using the screw cap. Clean the dropper really well. Then, I usually rubber band the dropper to the outside of the bottle and store the whole thing in a Ziploc bag.
Suzieq
Veteran Member
Good ideal!
Martinhouse
Deceased
Thanks! That good to know!
Nancy in OK
Senior Member
Ardmore
savurselvs
Veteran Member
Monday at a rural west texas (6-man football) SMALL elementary.
the school nurse sent home 8 elementary kids with strep/flu.
as Summertime stated the nurse also said the shot this year was less than 10% effective.
the school nurse sent home 8 elementary kids with strep/flu.
as Summertime stated the nurse also said the shot this year was less than 10% effective.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Our family friend in the nursing home in the Midwest has had her lockdown not only extended into this week but it has been made stronger; she mentioned she can no longer have food delivered if she wants a pizza or something unless a staffer is willing to pick it up.
She is still doing fine herself, but finding the situation understandably frustrating.
Martinhouse
Deceased
Summerthyme, do you know if oregano oil will dissolve the plastic droppers? I always use only glass droppers, but I can't tell if the newer bulbs are rubber or plastic, so I actually don't know if the stuff dissolves rubber, plastic, or both.
C
C
Hfcomms
EN66iq
I have a 5th of curcumin/piperine tincture that I made several years ago...potent stuff. Did the same thing with elderberry and I think I did them shortly after the last Ebola scare started up. The few times I've felt ill I'd do tablespoon's of the Elderberry and if I got the flu I'm not sure how much of the Curcumin I would do. If nothing else that much alcohol would make you feel a little less sickly.
Hfcomms
EN66iq
I have oil of oregano cut 1:10 with olive oil and have never had a problem with the plastic droppers.
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
As a PREVENTIVE, take a high dose (6,000-10,000 IU) of Vitamin D3 daily. Or take 50,000 IU once a week (it's oil-soluble rather than water soluble so you can take it once a week and it will stay in your system). I know it's only anecdotal, but for decades I got the flu every single winter, sometimes twice. I would be so sick that I couldn't sleep laying down for days, as I couldn't breathe. About eight years ago we started taking the D3, and I have barely been sick at all since then. Not once have I gotten even close to as sick as I used to before the D3.
It's good to know how to treat the flu, but if you can prevent yourself from getting it, that's even better. As a side benefit, most of us are deficient in Vitamin D anyway.
Kathleen
It's good to know how to treat the flu, but if you can prevent yourself from getting it, that's even better. As a side benefit, most of us are deficient in Vitamin D anyway.
Kathleen
Flashyzipp
Veteran Member
My daughter teaches first grade and in the other first grade, half of the kids were out yesterday! This flu is bad!
Be Well
may all be well
All essential oils if undiluted will dissolve plastic and rubber. If you get the EO into the rubber bulb at the top, it will eventually start dissolving it, has happened to me numerous times. I don't think any EO won't do that.
robinray649
Contributing Member
The flu is a real witch. I think I am dealing with that now and having copd and a bad heart sure ain't helping things. As I sit here I have chills, extreme chest congestion, and just plain hurt all over. I think the main thing that is keeping me out of a hospital is my copd meds.
Michiana MaJo
Deceased
I was at Rite Aid pharmacy, today, and noticed they have both Sambucol syrup and the tablets for buy one, get one free! I took advantage of that. Sambucol is a homeopathic remedy.
I know a lot of people make their own colloidal silver ( I also have, around Y2K), but now, the companies that sell it advertise their products now have nano silver particles (ppm). I know that means the particles are extremely tiny, but wonder if it really makes the solution any more effective. Do we have an experts on that, aboard this forum?
I know a lot of people make their own colloidal silver ( I also have, around Y2K), but now, the companies that sell it advertise their products now have nano silver particles (ppm). I know that means the particles are extremely tiny, but wonder if it really makes the solution any more effective. Do we have an experts on that, aboard this forum?
campswampy
Contributing Member
Alabama gov declared a state of public health emergency due to flu epidemic.
Yep. Two of our bigger local hospitals were at capacity this am, and diverting patients, due to the flu. Idk if people were desperately ill....or just using the er's as an urgent care facility. Sadly, I feel it is the latter. Stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, feel like crap for a week to ten days, and that is the flu. I don't understand the need to visit the er....unless the flu turns into pneumonia. And even then...urgent care/your reg doc can deal with it (and send you to the hospital, if needed).
I had something last week that was worse than a regular cold....but not as bad as prior cases of the flu. I was just soooooo tired. But again, not as bad as normal when I've had the flu. Idk. I WAS miserable, and did relapse with it, so who knows. (I don't normally spend three days in a row in my bed when I have a cold.) Just glad whatever it was is over!
But yes, AL seems to be in trouble right now!
SuElPo
Veteran Member
BoPeep...
I think it depends on the ages of the people showing up at the ER... the elderly and small children are getting really I'll with this flu. And while the publicity us important (to hopefully try to get people to use common sense measures to avoid getting sick or spreading it if they do) it's also a double edged sword. They hear all the reports of hospitals locking down, and being packed to the rafters with critically ill patients, and when they start getting shaking chills and can't stop coughing, they think, "oh no! I could die from this" and they automatically head for the ER.
People who are members here are sort of self-selected to be much more independent and mentally prepared to deal with common illnesses. We also tend to be more physically prepared with everything from elderberry syrup to gloves to basics like thermometers, and have at least a basic understanding of basic hone care and nursing skills... if only because we've been discussing this stuff on and off for years.
But we are NOT the norm!
Also, it's not always simple to know whether you are developing pneumonia, and a severe bronchitis can have you "coughing up a lung" until you're sure you are going to break a rib, or rupture something.
Another factor is that at least around here, the urgent care places are a real crap shoot... they are staffed by physician assistants and nurse practitioner, and their level if knowledge varies from excellent to abysmal. If I thought I had something potentially serious, I'd *never* go to the local urgent care places.
But I'm sure you are right about some (sadly, maybe many) of those showing up at the ERs... Americans have, by and large, lost all sense of self sufficiency and taking care of themselves.
Summerthyme
I think it depends on the ages of the people showing up at the ER... the elderly and small children are getting really I'll with this flu. And while the publicity us important (to hopefully try to get people to use common sense measures to avoid getting sick or spreading it if they do) it's also a double edged sword. They hear all the reports of hospitals locking down, and being packed to the rafters with critically ill patients, and when they start getting shaking chills and can't stop coughing, they think, "oh no! I could die from this" and they automatically head for the ER.
People who are members here are sort of self-selected to be much more independent and mentally prepared to deal with common illnesses. We also tend to be more physically prepared with everything from elderberry syrup to gloves to basics like thermometers, and have at least a basic understanding of basic hone care and nursing skills... if only because we've been discussing this stuff on and off for years.
But we are NOT the norm!
Also, it's not always simple to know whether you are developing pneumonia, and a severe bronchitis can have you "coughing up a lung" until you're sure you are going to break a rib, or rupture something.
Another factor is that at least around here, the urgent care places are a real crap shoot... they are staffed by physician assistants and nurse practitioner, and their level if knowledge varies from excellent to abysmal. If I thought I had something potentially serious, I'd *never* go to the local urgent care places.
But I'm sure you are right about some (sadly, maybe many) of those showing up at the ERs... Americans have, by and large, lost all sense of self sufficiency and taking care of themselves.
Summerthyme
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Ireland has a pretty good system of GP's, urgent care centers (especially in the cities) and they are still swamped to the bursting point with hundreds of people waiting for hospital beds because there are just plain that many people that are really THAT sick.
As in someone goes to their GP or urgent care clinic and is sent by ambulance or driven by a family member; directly to the hospital with a referral in hand; all those people "on trollies" (what they call gurneys over here) NEED to be in the hospital or they wouldn't be waiting for a bed; they send the other folks home.
But there are just too many small children, elderly and some people of all ages so ill they need hospital support they are not going to get at home, to help with breathing, dehydration or underlying health issues (like heart disease) that the flu is turning into a medical crises.
As in someone goes to their GP or urgent care clinic and is sent by ambulance or driven by a family member; directly to the hospital with a referral in hand; all those people "on trollies" (what they call gurneys over here) NEED to be in the hospital or they wouldn't be waiting for a bed; they send the other folks home.
But there are just too many small children, elderly and some people of all ages so ill they need hospital support they are not going to get at home, to help with breathing, dehydration or underlying health issues (like heart disease) that the flu is turning into a medical crises.
Heard on the local news last night that 20 people had died from flu in Oklahoma. Neighbor has flu type B which she most likely got from a hospital as she is a manager for a hospital linen supply company. I took dinner over to her twice but wore mask and gloves.
I put black pepper oil in with the coconut and cinnamon bark oil that I put on my feet every night, plus a roll-on oil mixture called On Guard several times a day as that is what my oils lady told me to do. I use doTERRA oils. Am also taking lots of vitamin C and D, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
My cousin was in the hospital the first part of December with pneumonia and is still working on getting her strength back. Hope everyone battling this flu is better soon!
Does anyone know which type of flu strain is worse - A or B?
I put black pepper oil in with the coconut and cinnamon bark oil that I put on my feet every night, plus a roll-on oil mixture called On Guard several times a day as that is what my oils lady told me to do. I use doTERRA oils. Am also taking lots of vitamin C and D, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
My cousin was in the hospital the first part of December with pneumonia and is still working on getting her strength back. Hope everyone battling this flu is better soon!
Does anyone know which type of flu strain is worse - A or B?
Optimus Prime
Senior Member
Yes to Vitamin D3!!!! 5000iu everyday. Results of virology studies show this vitamin alone performs over 2000 functions at the cellular level ALL doing with immunity. As an ER nurse I refused the flu shots and in 11 years, around every creeping crud imaginable, I never got sick!!
People need to get their Vitamin D (which is NOT a vitamin it's a hormone made from cholesterol just like every other hormone) levels tested because there is no way to gauge proper dosage without knowing ones levels. However yes because most of us don't get enough sun and in off-season the sun is off at an angle (can't get enough sun) usually most of us are very low on this HORMONE. (never should have been called a Vitamin - it isn't)
I just wanted to mention this because if one takes 10,000 a day for a long time and levels become high one could start developing calcium deposits in soft tissues including the arteries. It's probably safe to take 10K / day during flu season and cut back to a lower dosage during summer but there really is no way to tell without getting tested to see where you are in the range. Everyone is different so no one dosage is right for all.
Having said that I dose high in the winter / lower in the summer but I get my labs at least twice if not three times a year. I get a lot of lab works for Hypothyroidism so my doctor just includes the test.
Edit to add I'm not positive the above scale is the only one I just found quickly as an example. Depending upon the lab they may have a different "range". Need to be careful because I was over once and my ND freaked out because it can be dangerous for the heart. It's possible to go over the range with high doses.
I just wanted to mention this because if one takes 10,000 a day for a long time and levels become high one could start developing calcium deposits in soft tissues including the arteries. It's probably safe to take 10K / day during flu season and cut back to a lower dosage during summer but there really is no way to tell without getting tested to see where you are in the range. Everyone is different so no one dosage is right for all.
Having said that I dose high in the winter / lower in the summer but I get my labs at least twice if not three times a year. I get a lot of lab works for Hypothyroidism so my doctor just includes the test.
Edit to add I'm not positive the above scale is the only one I just found quickly as an example. Depending upon the lab they may have a different "range". Need to be careful because I was over once and my ND freaked out because it can be dangerous for the heart. It's possible to go over the range with high doses.
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LeafyForest
Veteran Member
I am sitting here in a nursing home with many patients not well! Have a touch of the flu myself, but not getting any worse!
No fun. Think I am on the mend - DH is home trying to get the laundry up to date! Prayers are working - hoping to go home
tomorrow!
No fun. Think I am on the mend - DH is home trying to get the laundry up to date! Prayers are working - hoping to go home
tomorrow!