The Flu

[Norm]

As flu season is upon us, and it’s Jonas Salk’s 100^th birthday, and casinos aren’t the most sanitary spots on Earth, thought I’d make a few comments:

1. Flu potency varies substantially by year. An estimated 3,000 to 49,000 flu-related deaths occur in the U.S. each year.
2. Flu season can start as early as October and last as late as May. But, typically it peaks from December thought February.
3. Hand-washing with simple soap and water is quite effective. Soap doesn’t kill viruses; but breaks down the oils that cause unpleasant stuff to stick to skin. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (like Purell) do kill many nasty things. Personally, I’m not a fan of non-alcohol based sanitizers as some can cause bacteria to become more resistant over time.
4. Keep your hands away from your face. All kinds of openings there.
5. Flu vaccines have been available since August. Over 150 million doses will be manufactured this year – so there’s not likely to be a shortage.
6. If you are 65, you should probably also get a pneumococcal vaccine.
7. Not really relevant, but in your 60s, you should probably also get a shingles vaccine as shingles is incredibly unpleasant. But, don’t get the shingles and pneumonia vaccines at the same time as each weakens the other. From what I’ve read, a month apart is OK.
8. You don’t need to go to a doctor to get vaccinated. Most pharmacies will do it. Some casinos, not wanting to lose customers, have even provided shots.
9. Oh yeah, if you do have the flu, stay the hell out of casinos.

[Freightman]

Excellent personal health advice. I would also strongly add that those individual with chronic disease, as well as those working with either infants, children or the elderly promptly get their flu shot.

[Freightman]

Excellent personal health advice. I would also strongly add that those individual with chronic disease, as well as those working with either infants, children or the elderly promptly get their flu shot.

Should also have added with regards to Norms point 9 - casino workers tend to be poorly paid, and many will come to work when sick , so that they won't lose pay. I would strongly complain to casino management to institute some kind of sick day program.

[metronome]

I'd love to swab some chips and see what grows.
You know it's bad when the chips stick together, which occurs at every casino

[moo321]

I'd love to swab some chips and see what grows.
You know it's bad when the chips stick together, which occurs at every casino

I once got about 10 chips to stick together so that I could the whole stack up by the top chip. Disgusting!

[Jabberwocky]

I once got about 10 chips to stick together so that I could the whole stack up by the top chip. Disgusting!

I wear sanitary gloves when I play and avoid dealers who are coughing or sniffling.

[ZenKinG]

Start fasting, you'll never get the flu or need some propaganda flu vaccine

[Norm]

propaganda flu vaccine

Yeah, not to mention that propaganda gravity nonsense.

[Aslan]

I've had the pneumonia vaccine twice and that's good for life, and I got the shingles vaccine last year. But this year my pharmacist asked whether I wanted the "regular" flu shot or the "high dosage" one. I asked, "What's the difference?" and she said that the high dosage one is recommended for anyone 65 or older. So, I got the high dosage flu shot. Up until this year, I never knew that it was even available. I was happy to find out, but I find it sloppy medicine that I should find out by accident. It's the first time anyone ever asked me. It reminds me of the controversies this year over CDC procedures, which some say are sloppy. I'm not alleging one way or the other, but it's just one more thing that undermines my confidence in our system for getting the word out to protect citizens.

[metronome]

Seasonal Flu Shots – Quadrivalent and Trivalent Options.

What is a trivalent flu vaccine?

Traditional flu vaccines offer protection against three different flu viruses that are expected to circulate throughout flu season. These strains include one type B and two type A strains. Trivalent flu vaccines are the traditional flu vaccines administered in prior flu seasons.
Traditional trivalent flu shots are available for people 6 months and older. These inactivated flu vaccines do not contain any live influenza viruses and are given by injection.
What is a quadrivalent flu vaccine?

New this season is quadrivalent flu vaccines that will protect against four strains of influenza viruses. The quadrivalent vaccine now targets a fourth strain, which is a second type B strain, in addition to the other three strains.
Scientists classify and research the most common influenza strains that cause infection to decide which strains to use in the annual vaccine. The B strains tend to circulate to varying degrees every year; however, it is difficult to know which strain will cause the most illnesses in any given year. Therefore, the quadrivalent vaccine will cover both B stains as well as the both A strains, hopefully offering additional protection.

[metronome]

Start fasting, you'll never get the flu or need some propaganda flu vaccine

Yes, let's ignore our bodies own immune response to vaccines and take our chances, and be hungry...
Gee, I'm sure the Salk & Sabin vaccines were pure propganda.

[Norm]

A childhood friend had polio. He was remarkably upbeat. He was always at the public pool. He loved to swim because one of his legs was damaged by Polio. He was at the pool so much, that one day he was turned away by a new guy that didn't know him. His tan was so dark, they thought he was of a race not allowed in the public pool in those days. True story.

Virginia has advanced a great deal since those days. As has our understanding of the bodies immune system.

[Three]

Virginia has advanced a great deal since those days. As has our understanding of the bodies immune system.

Well that is true for most of us but one here shows he still doesn't understand modern mindset. He just believes the propaganda that wants to take us back to the days of less understanding. If you get exposed to large groups of people as a part of your daily routine you should get a flu shot. If you have a weak immune system or try to limit your exposure to germs compromising your ability to develop immunities you should get a flu shot. Teachers, health care workers and others that are constantly exposed to lots of people are in this group. Young people have developing immune systems and many older people have weaker immune systems. They should get a flu shot.

My immune system is a killer. I never get sick except when I get exposed to second hand smoke. Then I get an allergic type reaction. I think it is mostly genetic but I eat the right foods and take care of myself. The two times I got the flu in the last couple decades it was pretty bad. The last time I went to bed feeling fine and got up and passed out sitting on the toilet because all the fluid in my blood had entered my bowels causing extremely low blood pressure. That happened in just 5 hours of sleep. I passed out a few more times while being seated without falling down before going to the hospital. I was just going to crazy glue my cut closed but after passing out a few more times I decided to get it taken care of at the hospital since I was now going there anyway. I needed 10 stitches and 3 bags of IV saline before I was released from the hospital. A few people died in my county from that flu. One guy working on a tower fell to his death. I am certain it was another death to the flu. I think he passed out just like I did. People that work regularly on towers don't just fall off. They did not attribute his death to the flu. Even if you aren't in any of those groups I mentioned it is wise to get a flu shot. They just guess which flu viruses will be common but if it has a small chance at preventing some of these types of incidents it is worth it.