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I got the flu.

But, whether or not it was the swine flu is up for debate.

And that is because the Rapid Testing results for the flu are, at most, really a waste of consumer's money.

The tests that your doctor gives you for the H1N1 virus will only test for the A viruses, of which there are many subtypes, including the swine flu. And they are not very reliable either. The tests costs between $50 and $100. depending on the manufacturer and your insurance company is paying for those tests. Or, perhaps you are.

During the 2002/2003 flu season, the flu vaccine which was given to the public was supposed to protect against the H1N1 variant of the flu. Yes, there was a H1N1 flu variant during those years.

Here are some answers about the H1N1 and H1N2 flu strains from the CDC site from 2003. It seems they knew that the H1N1 flu was affecting pediatric patients back then.

5) DOES THE A(H1N2) VIRUS CAUSE MORE SEVERE ILLNESS THAN OTHER INFLUENZA VIRUSES?

There is no information to suggest that the A(H1N2) virus is causing a more severe illness than other influenza viruses, and no unusual increases in influenza activity have been associated with the A(H1N2) virus. The pattern of illness seen with the A(H1N2) virus is expected to be similar to disease caused by A(H1N1) viruses. Influenza A(H1N1) viruses are seen more commonly among younger persons and can be associated with outbreaks among children, but do not frequently affect the elderly.

6) WILL THE INFLUENZA VACCINE I RECEIVED FOR THE 2003-04 INFLUENZA SEASON PROTECT ME FROM A(H1N2) VIRUSES?

Yes. Because both the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase protein on the A(H1N2) virus closely matches the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins of viruses included in the current influenza vaccine, the vaccine should provide good protection against influenza A(H1N2) virus as well as protection against the currently circulating A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B viruses.

Here is the link to the site: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/h1n2qa.htm#4

I asked my sister, who is a teaching M.D. at St. Louis University about the Rapid Tests for swine flu and this is what she told me, "Yes, the prelim test does not show if it is H1N1 always. For example, H1N1 is an Influenza A virus. You can have the disease but the initial test is negative. Further, more expensive testing, that takes days can tell you for sure. I had a patient that was initially negative, and when she was retested, it was positive and the sample sent to the lab was specific for H1N1. The testing is not perfect, that is for sure. Your flu vaccine in the past may give you some immunity. The test is imperfect. When they are very busy and the person knows that they came in contact with a person who is positive for the test, then the Tamiflu is given. It has been a mess and the vaccine is being given after the disease has already been in the community. It is an unusual scenario. No one's fault, just unusual."

So, my question is this, "How much money is this costing the American taxpayers for a Rapid Test for swine flu, when it really doesn't affect the outcome for the patient IN ANY WAY? And, it cannot record cases of the specific H1N1 virus!"

I really would like to know the answer to my question.

Again, this shows just how broken our healthcare system is. There are many things that consumers and insurance companies pay for which are not needed. You don't need a swine flu test unless you are hospitalized and they need more information for your care.

Oh, and just for the record, there were 21 pediatric deaths from the flu this time last year compared to 20 this year.

You can keep up with the stats of the deaths and reported infections from this year and previous years at the Center for Disease Control website.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

And just for the record, I used hand santizer, took vitamins, and everything the government recommends to avoid getting the flu, and I still got sick.

So much for prevention.

Really, the problem with H1N1 is that it is viral pneumonia which is making this flu unusual and causing the deaths, mostly in people with lung problems and other underlying health issues. But, you don't need an expensive test from your doctor, because it can give you a false negative anyway and they are using this test to help decide whether or not to give you Tamiflu. But, even Tamiflu doesn't protect you against viral pneumonia. And that is the danger with H1N1.Center For Disease Control. About H1N2 and H1N1.Center For Disease Control. About H1N2 and H1N1.

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tecoyah thu nov 05 2009 at 1:15 pm ·


	My SO is a charge nurse, and will not be getting vaccinated for many of the reasons you explain and more. Truth seems to be that it's getting hyped for no obvious reason, and though different is no worse than any other flu strain.

ArtByAlida thu nov 05 2009 at 1:43 pm ·


	Yes, and it can take a couple of weeks for the swine flu shot to be effective and by that time, you could catch it. This flu is really about viral pneumonia. My doctor gave me antibiotics without even examining me, and I didn't even have an infection. That is what is making bacteria resistant to all the antibiotics. Antibiotics won't protect you against viral pneumonia. He's a quack. I am finding a new doctor. You don't give antibiotics to someone who doesn't have an infection.

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