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H1N1 virus raises a lot of questions The Swine Flu feels pretty scary right now. Is it the symptoms or the hysteria fueling my fear? How much Purell can I buy? My apartment is littered with it. I have decided to get the shot because my kids have asthma, my mother has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and cancer and I work with pregnant women and babies. While I spaced out my kids’ vaccines and did a lot of research since they developed asthma, our pediatrician encouraged my kids to get it too. They tolerated it and did not get the flu. My kids have gotten good about washing their hands when they first come into the apartment. I have been much better about supplements, too. I send wipes into school with them but is there anything else I could have them do, short of wearing a protective suit and mask? From a public health perspective, how do we protect ourselves and others and not become obsessed? Juliet LeBien, a local mom and licensed clinical social worker who works in infectious diseases, wrote something last month while pregnant. She highlights the "higher risk" groups, such as pregnant women and young people: “In NY, there have been about 81 deaths attributed to swine flu; nationwide, over 600, putting the death rate at .04%. That's the rate of death for seasonal flu, too. But here's a contrast: the death rate for pregnant women who have contracted the swine flu jumps dramatically, and severe disease is far more likely. Mortality occurred mostly in the second and third trimester, with the third being seen as "more dangerous," probably because the immune system is compromised for quite a while AND the lungs are "squished" allowing for the virus to overtake the lungs easily, pneumonias to set in, etc. Six percent of ALL deaths – around the world – are pregnant women. I also know there were stories of amazing recovery! One woman (not in NYC) was put in a medically induced coma, C-sectioned, and aggressively treated. She did recover, after about 30 days post C-section, and is now home with her child. Other women were successfully treated and could carry to full term, although they were women who caught the infection early on and took medication within 48 hours of first noting symptoms. There is also a new therapy for severely ill people that involves IV administration of medication.” The decision to inoculate is only half the battle, getting it is another. Schools are dispensing. But forms first need to be filled out. Pediatricians are to receive it, but that's a daily call to your doctor, so who knows when. The following site www.nyc.gov/flu provides lists of city clinics that will provide the vaccine. Check with your own doctor but elderly persons, people with compromised immune function, pregnant women and kids are at highest risks, according to Dr. Zach Rosen, medical director at Montefior Family Health Center. Alternatives to the vaccine, I just don't know. I think no matter what, boosting our immune system, eating well, sleeping well, and washing hands are common sense actions to take. And what about our childcare providers? In one of my groups yesterday, a mother of a six-month-old asked if she could “make” her babysitter get the flu shot. I know at hospitals, right now, staff is required to receive a flu shot. The mom decided to pay for her babysitter's vaccine and search for a convenient place for her to get it. To get this shot is a personal decision, to ask your employee to get the shot and offer options for her, might be helpful. Also, you might want to review with your sitter some guidelines around calling in sick. Sometimes babysitters come to work with a cold because they don't want to “stand you up:” this isn't always helpful. Decide what the parameters of coming to work under the weather are for you and your babysitter. What are your thoughts about the swine flu and the swine flu shot? How are you addressing this issue? I'd love to know. See you in the neighborhood.
Jessica Shapley, LMSW
www.momsupport.org
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Overview of flu trends in NYC http://nyc.gov/html/doh/flu/html/data/data.shtml
Click here: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/10/12/091012taco_talk_specter The Manhattan Times is the bilingual newspaper of Washington Heights and Inwood.
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