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W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

nytimes.com

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Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#11

Post by jfoutz »

jMyles wrote: post #5
nostromo wrote: post #4

I'm worried about the coming flu season. Many people will have the early symptoms shared by both flu and ebola (a fever and a headache). The medical establishment will need to find needles in the haystack. Don't skip the flu shot this (or any) year, folks.

I've never gotten the flu shot, and hadn't planned to this year. I'm in great health; my immune system seems to be functioning extremely well. I never get sick. However, I am concerned about the needle-haystack phenomenon with ebola. Can you link me to a reasonable, digestible abstract about the real pros-and-cons of flu shot?

Is your immune system unusually effective, or do you simply have a lower exposure because people you come in contact with get their vaccines?

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#12

Post by binaryorganic »

jMyles wrote: post #5
nostromo wrote: post #4

I'm worried about the coming flu season. Many people will have the early symptoms shared by both flu and ebola (a fever and a headache). The medical establishment will need to find needles in the haystack. Don't skip the flu shot this (or any) year, folks.

I've never gotten the flu shot, and hadn't planned to this year. I'm in great health; my immune system seems to be functioning extremely well. I never get sick. However, I am concerned about the needle-haystack phenomenon with ebola. Can you link me to a reasonable, digestible abstract about the real pros-and-cons of flu shot?

Healthy people with healthy immune systems aren't supposed to get the flu shot to prevent themselves from getting sick. They're supposed to get it because it drastically reduces the chances of passing the virus to at risk populations (who would have a much harder time fighting the virus than you). There are almost a quarter of a million hospitalizations due to the flu in the U.S. each year.

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#13

Post by simplemath »

ollysb wrote: post #8
Swizec wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have never gotten a flu shot in my life. The last time I remember having the flu was over 10 years ago ... actually, the last time I can remember actually being diagnosed with the flu was on the day before going to first grade. So make that 20 years ago. Do those shots really do anything much? edit: the last time I had a serious viral sickness it was a combination viral and bacterial angina (mononucleosis combined…

They handed them out at one of my previous jobs (corporate gig). Everyone that went for them came down with a mild flu after the shot and then proceeded to catch every other flu that came around during the winter. edit: I hadn't realised sharing experience was such a downvotable offence... note I observed this over 3 years. Obviously the flu jab targets specific strains of flu, if the jab you get doesn't target the s…

Don't listen to this guy.

Get your flu shot.

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#14

Post by danieltillett »

Not stopping this outbreak with all the resources we have is running a massive natural experiment in how well adapted Ebola can become for efficient human-to-human transmission. As a zoonotic virus Ebola in its wild state is very unlikely to be optimised for human-to-human transmission. Every new case is increasing the chance that a new strain will arise that will be efficiently transmitted between people. I am not too keen to see how well adapted Ebola can become to humans.

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#15

Post by Swizec »

simplemath wrote: post #9
Swizec wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have never gotten a flu shot in my life. The last time I remember having the flu was over 10 years ago ... actually, the last time I can remember actually being diagnosed with the flu was on the day before going to first grade. So make that 20 years ago. Do those shots really do anything much? edit: the last time I had a serious viral sickness it was a combination viral and bacterial angina (mononucleosis combined…

They raise your antibody serum levels so you are better able to fight live virus.

Yes I understand how vaccines work. But it just doesn't seem like seasonal flu ever gets in contact with me. At worst I will get a mild seasonal cold[1], which isn't problematic at all.

And I don't seem to get sick even when I make out with people suffering from a cold (like my girlfriend). Maybe I just have an abnormally strong immune system?

And while you could make a point of herd immunity, flu shots aren't very popular where I'm from. I only know of one person who's ever gotten one. The others either aren't getting them or our conversations don't steer in that direction.

[1] a bit of sniffles, some coughing, no fever or headaches

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#17

Post by AmVess »

ollysb wrote: post #8
Swizec wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have never gotten a flu shot in my life. The last time I remember having the flu was over 10 years ago ... actually, the last time I can remember actually being diagnosed with the flu was on the day before going to first grade. So make that 20 years ago. Do those shots really do anything much? edit: the last time I had a serious viral sickness it was a combination viral and bacterial angina (mononucleosis combined…

They handed them out at one of my previous jobs (corporate gig). Everyone that went for them came down with a mild flu after the shot and then proceeded to catch every other flu that came around during the winter. edit: I hadn't realised sharing experience was such a downvotable offence... note I observed this over 3 years. Obviously the flu jab targets specific strains of flu, if the jab you get doesn't target the s…

It's impossible to get the flu from a flu shot.

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#18

Post by simplemath »

danieltillett wrote: post #14

Not stopping this outbreak with all the resources we have is running a massive natural experiment in how well adapted Ebola can become for efficient human-to-human transmission. As a zoonotic virus Ebola in its wild state is very unlikely to be optimised for human-to-human transmission. Every new case is increasing the chance that a new strain will arise that will be efficiently transmitted between people. I am not t…

There's already limited evidence that some transmission is occurring via atomized saliva/mucous. A truly airbone variant could cause a "get in your bunker and ride it out" kind of event.

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#19

Post by thrownaway2424 »

Swizec wrote: post #15
simplemath wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They raise your antibody serum levels so you are better able to fight live virus.

Yes I understand how vaccines work. But it just doesn't seem like seasonal flu ever gets in contact with me. At worst I will get a mild seasonal cold[1], which isn't problematic at all. And I don't seem to get sick even when I make out with people suffering from a cold (like my girlfriend). Maybe I just have an abnormally strong immune system? And while you could make a point of herd immunity, flu shots aren't very p…

The flu vaccine is a bit of guesswork since, as I understand it, they have to pick a strain or family of the virus to vaccinate against, based on which they think is likely to be popular that season. They can be wrong.

Re: W.H.O. Forecast for Ebola Worsens as Mortality Rate Rises

#20

Post by simplemath »

Swizec wrote: post #15
simplemath wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They raise your antibody serum levels so you are better able to fight live virus.

Yes I understand how vaccines work. But it just doesn't seem like seasonal flu ever gets in contact with me. At worst I will get a mild seasonal cold[1], which isn't problematic at all. And I don't seem to get sick even when I make out with people suffering from a cold (like my girlfriend). Maybe I just have an abnormally strong immune system? And while you could make a point of herd immunity, flu shots aren't very p…

See reply here for why healthy people should still get a flu shot

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8456067

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