Influenza in the house.

[nakedfrog]

Try boiling pots of water on the stove. Flu spreads more easily in dry air.

Based on what it takes to maintain humidity in my house, I'm not sure how effective that would be.
I have a built-in humidifier, but in order to keep it at my 50% target I'm still running a console humidifier as well (because I have a bunch of acoustic guitars and it's easier to humidify the whole house than maintain a gaggle of in-case humidifiers).

As a side benefit, since I started humidifying the whole house, I don't have to put lotion on my knuckles/elbows anymore.

 

[JTsyo]

One vaccine to rule them all.

 

[dullard]

And , eff no, we did not get the flu "vaccine." What a joke. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

The flip side: the percent of adults who actually get the vaccine hovers just over 40% in most years (1). But, in order to prevent epidemics we usually need at least 80% vaccination coverage (2). The necessary coverage varies a bit with each disease, each strain of the disease, and the effectiveness of the vaccine, but 80% is a good rough number. So of course an epidemic can and will occur on some years like this year.

If only we could double the number of people getting the flu vaccination, we could essentially end the flu.

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1516estimates.htm
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414740

 

[momeNt]

The flip side: the percent of adults who actually get the vaccine hovers just over 40% in most years (1). But, in order to prevent epidemics we usually need at least 80% vaccination coverage (2). The necessary coverage varies a bit with each disease, each strain of the disease, and the effectiveness of the vaccine, but 80% is a good rough number. So of course an epidemic can and will occur on some years like this year.

If only we could double the number of people getting the flu vaccination, we could essentially end the flu.

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1516estimates.htm
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414740

Free vaccines aren't enough. If they offered a credit on your insurance to get the vaccine people would do it. It would likely pay for itself as well. Probably even more than pay for itself depending on if it actually eliminated it.

 

[JTsyo]

The flip side: the percent of adults who actually get the vaccine hovers just over 40% in most years (1). But, in order to prevent epidemics we usually need at least 80% vaccination coverage (2). The necessary coverage varies a bit with each disease, each strain of the disease, and the effectiveness of the vaccine, but 80% is a good rough number. So of course an epidemic can and will occur on some years like this year.

If only we could double the number of people getting the flu vaccination, we could essentially end the flu.

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1516estimates.htm
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414740

To end the flu those numbers would have to be worldwide.

 

[dullard]

Free vaccines aren't enough. If they offered a credit on your insurance to get the vaccine people would do it. It would likely pay for itself as well. Probably even more than pay for itself depending on if it actually eliminated it.

You are most likely correct.

I am always amazed by the fact that people won't do something to save their pain/life (weeks of misery and or death from a disease like the flu), save their money (stop spending thousands/year on things like smoking/drinking), or just become overall healthier/happier (exercise), etc. Even if they are given all those personal benefits and the chance to do it for free they often won't do it. But if offered a tiny financial payment they line up to do it.

Edit: I can't spell today.

 

[dullard]

To end the flu those numbers would have to be worldwide.

To completely end it yes.

But to essentially end it in for most of the posters here, we can focus on just on our own countries. Some people will get it sporadically if they travel or if travelers come in with the flu. But it won't spread far within that country.

His map was of the US, so I posted US numbers. Worldwide numbers are on average far worse than US vaccination numbers.

 

[snoopy7548]

When my kids get sick I single-handedly increase Lysol's statewide sales by a good bit. I continually spray a "barrier" between at my office door and none of those crud carrying bastards are allowed in my office for any reason. With 2 confirmed cases of the flu in the house you might want to think about going full hazmat suit or since the house is already contaminated think about getting yourself that hotel room for a few months. Definitely keep doing the humidifier and bottoms up on the Tamiflu. Personally I get the flu shot every year because seriously fuck the flu right in its crudy ass.

 

[zinfamous]

Flu vaccine is useless this year, they got the strain wrong and as far as I know haven't come out with a new one with the strain thats going around. I don't know why they are still telling people to get the flu shot. It can put your immune system on high alert for the strain in the vaccine and make you more susceptible to the strain thats actually going around.

well, there is no coming out with a new one for each season, the way the vaccines are currently grown. Though I think that could change in the near future with synthetic techniques.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24996863

This is the future, and it will be vastly cheaper and vastly more effective. The only problem will be the race of super-immune invincohumans that we create, and will need another bug to keep out population in check...

The vaccine is pretty shit this year, but it still tends to help those that contract it with a better recovery/lesser symptoms. Hard to deny that 2 or three days of feeling like ass and horking your guts isn't better than being hooked up to a ventilator for a week--oh and that death thing.

 

[BoomerD]

Thankfully, I haven't caught the flu...yet. I've definitely been exposed to it...a couple of oldsters in our housing area (EVERYONE is 55+) called me 2 weeks ago for a ride to the hospital. (He's 89, she's 84) Too weak to stand for more than a minute or so, could barely walk, definitely couldn't drive) I spent 6 hours at the local emergency room with them...then another hour at the Kaiser pharmacy getting their meds...ER waiting room was filled with people who had the flu. Kids, old people, folks from about all walks of life. I've hauled them to a couple other doctors' follow-up appointments since then...and have been exposed in the waiting rooms each time. Still...<knock on wood> I haven't got the nasty...yet.

It sucks that the vaccines are almost never targeted for the right flu strain...but, I guess it's just a guessing game as to which flu strain will be this year's epidemic.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I have actually had two Aunts die of the flu in the last week, still seems like a bad joke. I have never known anyone that died of the flu and in the span of 5 days two family members fall to it.

Holy shit dude. Sorry for your losses.

 

[local]

Condolences.

Holy shit dude. Sorry for your losses.

Thanks. Both of them had it for a while and seemed to be getting better but then died in their sleep, rather unpleasantly from what I am told.

 

[ImpulsE69]

You are most likely correct.

I am always amazed by the fact that people won't do something to save their pain/five (weeks of misery and or death from a disease like the flu), save their money (stop spending thousands/year on things like smoking/drinking), or just become overall healthier/happier (exercise), etc. Even if they are given all those personal benefits and the chance to do it for free they often won't do it. But if offered a tiny financial payment they line up to do it.

I don't know...I've never had the vaccine that I can recall, and I've never went to the doctor when I've had the flu. There is nothing they can do for you in most cases, so it is a waste on all ends. Sounds like this one is bad...but people who got vaccinated are still getting it, and still nothing doctors can do about it, so it seems moot. You can't stop everyone else from going about their daily lives when they are sick, so you are usually screwed no matter what you do.

 

[BoomerD]

You are most likely correct.

I am always amazed by the fact that people won't do something to save their pain/five (weeks of misery and or death from a disease like the flu), save their money (stop spending thousands/year on things like smoking/drinking), or just become overall healthier/happier (exercise), etc. Even if they are given all those personal benefits and the chance to do it for free they often won't do it. But if offered a tiny financial payment they line up to do it.

If it was a guarantee that getting the flu shot would keep you from getting the flu, more people would get it...as it is, this year's flu shot is estimated to be 10% effective...that's not good enough.

 

[dullard]

I don't know...I've never had the vaccine that I can recall, and I've never went to the doctor when I've had the flu. There is nothing they can do for you in most cases, so it is a waste on all ends. Sounds like this one is bad...but people who got vaccinated are still getting it, and still nothing doctors can do about it, so it seems moot. You can't stop everyone else from going about their daily lives when they are sick, so you are usually screwed no matter what you do.

So, you never had the vaccine and you've had the flu. Is putting two and two together that hard?

Even if you get the flu after getting the vaccine, the flu tends to be far more mild and you recover far quicker. Seems worth it to me. No, you can't stop people with the flu from going about their daily lives. But, if you can get to ~80% flu vaccination, then there aren't enough people with the flu to spread. Those who do get the flu in that situation mostly encounter vaccinated people and the spreading is quite limited. So, no, you are not screwed--but only if we can get to that critical number.

Look up herd immunity. Here is a simple hypothetical example image where 58% vaccination means the disease spreads indefinitely, yet 75% vaccination rates stops the disease after spreading to just one person.
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Herd-Immunity-Take-2.png

The vaccine does not need to be 100% effective for herd immunity to function. But, if the vaccine effectiveness is low, then a higher percent of people do need to have the vaccine for herd immunity.

 

[dullard]

If it was a guarantee that getting the flu shot would keep you from getting the flu, more people would get it...as it is, this year's flu shot is estimated to be 10% effective...that's not good enough.

10% in Australia, closer to 30% effective here. But, even if you do get the flu, you get a much more mild form if you had an ineffective vaccine. (A) 2 to 3 days of misery vs. (B) 7 to 14 days of misery with higher chance of death. Your choice. Seems like an easy choice to some of us.

Plus, this year's vaccine might be effective for you for future years, even if it doesn't do well this year. It isn't like you lose your immunity that quickly.

 

[ImpulsE69]

So, you never had the vaccine and you've had the flu. Is putting two and two together that hard?

Even if you get the flu after getting the vaccine, the flu tends to be far more mild and you recover far quicker. Seems worth it to me. No, you can't stop people with the flu from going about their daily lives. But, if you can get to ~80% flu vaccination, then there aren't enough people with the flu to spread. Those who do get the flu in that situation mostly encounter vaccinated people and the spreading is quite limited. So, no, you are not screwed--but only if we can get to that critical number.

You read that how you wanted to read it. My point being in the times I've had it, I don't bother going to the doctor because it solves nothing. When I HAVE got it, the interesting thing is I catch it from people who DID get vaccinated. I would also argue that the 'less symptoms' part is also varied greatly. That being said I tend to get less sick than other people. So keep preaching about how great it is. It's a hit and miss scenario and due to everyone's busy lives in general it really isn't as cut and dry as you seem to think it is. (and no, this isn't an anti-vac discussion - I got no problems with the vaccine itself - but I do question its usefulness).

 

[lxskllr]

Not sure I ever had the flu. I think I got mild pneumonia once, but never got it checked out. Never got the vaccine either. I avoid it by avoiding humans as much as possible. Win-win. The other day, the cashier at wawa sneezed in her hand, then handed me my change D^: My superior white blood cells fended off her disease like vikings.

Good luck Highland. Maybe Keep your family in the shed for a couple weeks. An oil lamp makes a fine heater in small areas ;^)

 

[Darwin333]

All 732lbs? A bit greedy, ain't you?

So do you need me to send you crates to pack it all up in or do you have that covered?

 

[Darwin333]

Based on what it takes to maintain humidity in my house, I'm not sure how effective that would be.
I have a built-in humidifier, but in order to keep it at my 50% target I'm still running a console humidifier as well (because I have a bunch of acoustic guitars and it's easier to humidify the whole house than maintain a gaggle of in-case humidifiers).

As a side benefit, since I started humidifying the whole house, I don't have to put lotion on my knuckles/elbows anymore.

After that unfortunate event in Highland145's basement and the whole "it puts lotion on its skin" thing I don't blame you for trying to avoid it.

 

[Humpy]

OMG! STOP POSTING!

The whole forum probably has the flu now.

 

[Darwin333]

Free vaccines aren't enough. If they offered a credit on your insurance to get the vaccine people would do it. It would likely pay for itself as well. Probably even more than pay for itself depending on if it actually eliminated it.

A good method is to get workplaces on board. We have mandatory flu vaccines for all of our employees. Our roofers are "rough and tough" so they rarely call in sick until they are dying, we had a year with 20+ people out sick or working like zombies so we implemented that policy. Haven't had an issue like that since.

OT: Since we have everyone at the shop at one time which NEVER happens we usually drug test at the same time. They are given two weeks notice about the flu shots but obviously we don't tell them about the drug test. It's amazing how many people that have been around a long time fail for drugs that are only in your system for 3 or 4 days, despite the drug tests the punishment for failing is very "relaxed". With flat roofers especially, if we fired everyone who failed a single drug test we would have 3 employees.

 

[Darwin333]

As a bonus @highland145 won't taste the mayo his wife put on his sammich!

 

[Darwin333]

You read that how you wanted to read it. My point being in the times I've had it, I don't bother going to the doctor because it solves nothing. When I HAVE got it, the interesting thing is I catch it from people who DID get vaccinated. I would also argue that the 'less symptoms' part is also varied greatly. That being said I tend to get less sick than other people. So keep preaching about how great it is. It's a hit and miss scenario and due to everyone's busy lives in general it really isn't as cut and dry as you seem to think it is. (and no, this isn't an anti-vac discussion - I got no problems with the vaccine itself - but I do question its usefulness).

I'll pay a few bucks and take a quick shot to get a 30% less chance of getting the flu and even a remote chance of the flu only lasting 3-4 days if I do get it all day long and twice on Sunday.

 

[BudAshes]