It is quite obvious that the flu has been spreading rapidly this
year; it seems as though everywhere you look people are coughing and sneezing. Just
how bad is the 2012-2013 outbreak of influenza? How does this outbreak compare
to the 2009 H1N1 outbreak? Janelle Vaesa answers those questions as well as
many others in her article titled “ Flu Epidemic! Worst Outbreak of Influenza
in 10 Years,” which can be located by clicking the following link: http://www.decodedscience.com/flu-epidemic-vs-pandemic-health-emergency/23945.
Many
tend to think the flu is just a common virus that enters the immune system and
after a week you are back on your feet; however, in reality the influenza virus
can be much more serious than that. In fact, the 2012-2013 flu outbreak has
now reached epidemic levels, according to Center of Disease Control often
referred to as the CDC. During this time last year there were only
70 recorded cases of the flu in the Boston area, where as this year there has
been well over 700! In one hospital in Chicago they experienced a twenty
percent increase in flu patients on a daily bases! Because there
have been so many cases of influenza hospitals are finding it difficult to
nurse all of these patients. Many hospitals have even had to turn patients away
because they simply do not have enough space. It is awful to think that there
are sick people out there who have been turned down from receiving the
help they need.
On the bright side however not all
hospitals are turning away patients. Some hospitals are finding ways
to improvise in order to help sick people in their community. For example, Lehigh
Valley Hospital in Pennsylvania has created a “triage area” outside.
This triage area is similar to the tent hospitals we recently learned about in
our Influenza unit. Lehigh Valley hospital decided to set up this outdoor
treatment area because their emergency rooms were over flowing with sick
patients. Lehigh Valley was not going to let sick people in their community
suffer. I think it’s great that in times of suffering and hardship
communities can come together and help one another.
Later on in the article the author discusses
how the recent outbreaks of influenza compare to the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. She
states “from April 15, 2009 to July 24, 2009 the US reported a total of
43,771 cases of probable and confirmed influenza cases. Of these cases 5,011
people were hospitalized and 302 people died.” She later goes on to talk about
the current flu season, stating "In the first 4 months 2,257 people in the
United States were hospitalized with the flu and 18 children died.” Even though
the numbers for the current flu season are significantly lower than the 2009
outbreak Janelle Vaesa brings up a good point saying “the 2012-2013 flu season
is not over, in fact it continues to get worse every day.”
I never realized how serious the flu could
be until I read this article. I was so shocked when I read
about hospitals having to turn patients away. I can't even imagine
how helpless I would feel If I had the flu and I was rejected from getting
treated. I though this article was a great choice because it relates so well to
what we are learning about in our Influenza unit.
Alexandra, I found this article very interesting! This is something everyone can really relate to because were learning about it now! Its crazy to see just how bad the 2012-2013 outbreak really was. I cant belive the 2012-2013 flu outbreak reached epidemic levels. During this time last year there were only 70 recorded cases of the flu in the Boston area, where as this year there has been well over 700!
ReplyDeleteAlexandra, good choice for the article. As I sit home with a soar throat and cough, I'm wondering if I should head to the doctors, even with the slightest symptoms. I cant even imagine how I would feel if I walked in and they had to turn me away. You think situations like that would never happen to us in the Unite States because we have "the best of the best". Believe it or not even we have crisis times as well and when a disease like the influenza strikes, their is unfortunately only so much we can do about it, and so many people we can treat at a time.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting article to write about. Over 700 cases is tremendous and shows how even in this modern era we live in, epidemics are still incredibly harmful around the world. Great connection with the tent hospitals with outside "triage area." This is definitely a bright side to this growing epidemic and shows how people sacrifice themselves during an outbreak. Just like Jean D' Arc, who wasn't experienced in the medical field at all, who helped treat infected patients in the tent hospitals in Lawrence. I agree with Kelsie that the United States is expected to not have to undergo these difficult situations as we are seen as a strong nation. The reality of the matter is disease can hit anyone, anywhere, anytime. Disease exposes humans as solely humans, unidentified from where they come from or what language they speak. That is why the history of epidemics has such an impact on society; it effects everyone in a similar way once they feel defenseless and exposed to a lethal disease.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post Alexandra, as it directly relates to what we are currently learning in class. I find it very interesting that there were significantly more cases this year than the last season, and am shocked to hear that many hospitals are forced to turn away patients due to overflowing. I am skeptical of the author's claim that this epidemic is the worst in 10 years however. Even though though the flu season is getting increasingly worse, can she honestly expect it to be as or more sever than the swine flu epidemic of 2009?
ReplyDeleteAlexandra this article was very interesting because it is so current. Also because we just recently learned about it in class. It is very shocking at how many cases there are and how many people it has affected over the past couple of years. The flu is something that anyone could get, so people should be more careful and making sure they are not sharing things with other people! good article as well!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this article, Alexandra. I think it was very informative, and I too never thought of the flu to be so bad because people always are talking about getting the flu and being back in a week. I thought the part about the triage areas in Lehigh was very interesting. After learning about the tent hospitals in 1918 Lawrence, you would never think that there would be anything similar to that in current times. However I think it is good that these triage areas were made because without them people would be sick without care.
ReplyDelete