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Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
- Thread starter Legadillo
- Start date
Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
So, how many times do I need to get it before I'd not need a vaccination EVER? What I believe the CDC is saying is that one would need to vaccinate each year for protection. BTW, I do think this is my husband's second round. The first being much more potent and lasting three times as long.
Interesting article: Is that Cough Swine Flu? Don't Ask the CDC
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-christian-hall/is-that-cough-swine-flu-d_b_304950.html
So, how many times do I need to get it before I'd not need a vaccination EVER? What I believe the CDC is saying is that one would need to vaccinate each year for protection. BTW, I do think this is my husband's second round. The first being much more potent and lasting three times as long.
Interesting article: Is that Cough Swine Flu? Don't Ask the CDC
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-christian-hall/is-that-cough-swine-flu-d_b_304950.html
Tonka
Well-known member
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Hello all!
I believe we have had the SAME thing over and over again. We have been in California the past 2 weeks. The day before the flight, my 19 year olds rash came back again in the same place, on her chest, as well as the same sore throat, congestion and cough. This was the 4th time for her. She got a shot of decongestant and a course of antibiotics and kicked it again. There really is no doubt to me that is is the same exact thing as before. Seemed a little worse each time. Never a fever.
It reminds me of when there is a bacterial infection and you stop the antibiotics too soon and get sick again...only this is viral. So perhaps you do have to have it a few times to gain immunity.
I have been wondering if we would become ill from the 2nd wave happening here in Ca. if we were already exposed twice in Mexico...so far, so good!
Hello all!
I believe we have had the SAME thing over and over again. We have been in California the past 2 weeks. The day before the flight, my 19 year olds rash came back again in the same place, on her chest, as well as the same sore throat, congestion and cough. This was the 4th time for her. She got a shot of decongestant and a course of antibiotics and kicked it again. There really is no doubt to me that is is the same exact thing as before. Seemed a little worse each time. Never a fever.
It reminds me of when there is a bacterial infection and you stop the antibiotics too soon and get sick again...only this is viral. So perhaps you do have to have it a few times to gain immunity.
I have been wondering if we would become ill from the 2nd wave happening here in Ca. if we were already exposed twice in Mexico...so far, so good!
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Could it be that 2009 H1N1 is mutating? I always thought that once you had a particular strain, you were immune - unless that strain mutates to something a bit different...then you would have partial immunity (i.e., maybe a milder case)?
So what is the simplest explanation here?
A) That you have had 2009 H1N1 aka "Swine Flu" AND seasonal H1N1 (even though surveillance doesn't show seasonal in any great numbers right now)?
or
B) Swine Flu has mutated just enough to cause reinfection - i.e., not the same strain you had previously, but also not the seasonal H1N1?
or
C) You are still shedding from the first round and that caused the positive test both times, but your symptoms right now are actually from something *else*?
Thoughts from our great community here?
Could it be that 2009 H1N1 is mutating? I always thought that once you had a particular strain, you were immune - unless that strain mutates to something a bit different...then you would have partial immunity (i.e., maybe a milder case)?
So what is the simplest explanation here?
A) That you have had 2009 H1N1 aka "Swine Flu" AND seasonal H1N1 (even though surveillance doesn't show seasonal in any great numbers right now)?
or
B) Swine Flu has mutated just enough to cause reinfection - i.e., not the same strain you had previously, but also not the seasonal H1N1?
or
C) You are still shedding from the first round and that caused the positive test both times, but your symptoms right now are actually from something *else*?
Thoughts from our great community here?
Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Well, my son wanted to have it before his college test last week. I told him if he was going to get it, he might want to wait until finals week :smartass: because it would be hard to call in SWINE FLU more than once. I wonder if that's why the numbers at colleges has decreased. http://www.acha.org/ILI_LatestWeek.cfm#chart_state
Well, my son wanted to have it before his college test last week. I told him if he was going to get it, he might want to wait until finals week :smartass: because it would be hard to call in SWINE FLU more than once. I wonder if that's why the numbers at colleges has decreased. http://www.acha.org/ILI_LatestWeek.cfm#chart_state
gsgs
Registered User
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
no mutations.
No wave 2 in New York yet, which was hit hardest in wave 1.
While Georgia,North Carolina,Texas ... (Southern USA + Mexico)
who now have it badly had not so much in wave 1
But maybe it just travels south-->north, other Northern
don't have much already either.
We'll see, whether New York City gets it again...
It also depends on the genetics, some people won't get it at all,
some multiple times.
There are several immune-systems:
no mutations.
No wave 2 in New York yet, which was hit hardest in wave 1.
While Georgia,North Carolina,Texas ... (Southern USA + Mexico)
who now have it badly had not so much in wave 1
But maybe it just travels south-->north, other Northern
don't have much already either.
We'll see, whether New York City gets it again...
It also depends on the genetics, some people won't get it at all,
some multiple times.
There are several immune-systems:
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Until I saw your post I was just happily thinking that anyone that had it was immune
I hope that it is still true for the most part. Even if there is a mutation, I think having it once will help you fight it.
On the other hand, nothing is 100% predictable with influenza - but this virus hasn't showed a highly mutative hand yet. We'll see!
RE: Your college son: I have two on campuses away from home (and a junior in HS still at home). My oldest son called today to tell me that 4 fraternity brothers of his (all living in the same frat house) have swine flu. 2 Confirmed positives for Type A, 2 just got sick today and haven't been tested yet. 1 is so sick he's no longer at campus and has gone home to Mom and Dad. He spent the entire day yesterday with one of the kids that tested positive this morning. Joy, Joy....blah!
He said "I know why this is happening now - it got cold here the last two nights, Mom!" (He's in Hattiesburg, MS which is still normally warm this time of year).
Told him all the usual stuff, and then added in he needed to get his butt outside and sit in the sun today (it's 75 out there and not a cloud in the sky he said)!
He noted that he has midterms starting Friday and he didn't need to miss any so he was really worried that he had been exposed yesterday.
Mississippi had an earlier "peak" as did Georgia and Alabama. Will be interesting to see if the counts start to rise again now that we have this first cold front through!
Until I saw your post I was just happily thinking that anyone that had it was immune
I hope that it is still true for the most part. Even if there is a mutation, I think having it once will help you fight it.On the other hand, nothing is 100% predictable with influenza - but this virus hasn't showed a highly mutative hand yet. We'll see!
RE: Your college son: I have two on campuses away from home (and a junior in HS still at home). My oldest son called today to tell me that 4 fraternity brothers of his (all living in the same frat house) have swine flu. 2 Confirmed positives for Type A, 2 just got sick today and haven't been tested yet. 1 is so sick he's no longer at campus and has gone home to Mom and Dad. He spent the entire day yesterday with one of the kids that tested positive this morning. Joy, Joy....blah!
He said "I know why this is happening now - it got cold here the last two nights, Mom!"
(He's in Hattiesburg, MS which is still normally warm this time of year). Told him all the usual stuff, and then added in he needed to get his butt outside and sit in the sun today (it's 75 out there and not a cloud in the sky he said)!
He noted that he has midterms starting Friday and he didn't need to miss any so he was really worried that he had been exposed yesterday.
Mississippi had an earlier "peak" as did Georgia and Alabama. Will be interesting to see if the counts start to rise again now that we have this first cold front through!
prepdeb
Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
We were never tested, but I had 4 bouts and the hubby had 3 over the past few months.
Niether of us ever had a fever, even though we felt feverish and had horrible bone-chills. Endless headache, sore throat off and on, dizziness, bone and muscle aches and extremely tired.
For us, each time it was a bit milder. We both took tamiflu the first time and hubby took it again the second time. He has heart problems so we didn't want to take unnecessary risks.
Since we weren't tested, I can't say for certain that it was H1N1, but it was off-season for flu, felt like flu and we'd both had our seasonal flu and pneumonia vax last winter.
It seems that many folks are getting it over and over again.
We were never tested, but I had 4 bouts and the hubby had 3 over the past few months.
Niether of us ever had a fever, even though we felt feverish and had horrible bone-chills. Endless headache, sore throat off and on, dizziness, bone and muscle aches and extremely tired.
For us, each time it was a bit milder. We both took tamiflu the first time and hubby took it again the second time. He has heart problems so we didn't want to take unnecessary risks.
Since we weren't tested, I can't say for certain that it was H1N1, but it was off-season for flu, felt like flu and we'd both had our seasonal flu and pneumonia vax last winter.
It seems that many folks are getting it over and over again.
Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
It will be interesting to see if the VAX will be enough to prevent contraction or reinfection.
It will be interesting to see if the VAX will be enough to prevent contraction or reinfection.
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Yes, of course it is real.
But that's precisely the reason why I made my sarcastic comment,
and as I said:
"And the official public health org's hadn't give any loud clear explanation about, even 6 months after the main pand. appearance."
So, why there is no clear public realeased WHO/.../ scientific explanations of:
why we can catch the same flu agent 2 times (sometimes exists lab results as Legadillo wrote) or more, and if that displace the further pandemic vaccination;
or alternatively:
why we can't expell succesfully this virus from the body even a month (or more) after (cases with Tamiflu and non)?
Does the public/citizens deserve an clear answer for the above, from the world health body, and from their local public health officials?
Yes, of course it is real.
But that's precisely the reason why I made my sarcastic comment,
and as I said:
"And the official public health org's hadn't give any loud clear explanation about, even 6 months after the main pand. appearance."
So, why there is no clear public realeased WHO/.../ scientific explanations of:
why we can catch the same flu agent 2 times (sometimes exists lab results as Legadillo wrote) or more, and if that displace the further pandemic vaccination;
or alternatively:
why we can't expell succesfully this virus from the body even a month (or more) after (cases with Tamiflu and non)?
Does the public/citizens deserve an clear answer for the above, from the world health body, and from their local public health officials?
Dark Horse
In Memoriam
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Another factor I forgot to mention is that Richmond Hill and Savannah are very close to big Army bases. Richmond Hill is very near by Fort Stewart where you have the Third Infantry Division soldiers coming in and out of Iraq and Afgahistan. Hunter Army Air Base is smack dab in the city of Savannah.
Plus tourists play a huge part in Savannah's revenune (e.g. Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil)
This area is not rural Georgia surrounded by miles of farmland, but rather a place where soldiers and tourists are coming in and out all the time.
So, it's possible that you get an interesting viral mixture and more than one strain of the virus operating.
Another factor I forgot to mention is that Richmond Hill and Savannah are very close to big Army bases. Richmond Hill is very near by Fort Stewart where you have the Third Infantry Division soldiers coming in and out of Iraq and Afgahistan. Hunter Army Air Base is smack dab in the city of Savannah.
Plus tourists play a huge part in Savannah's revenune (e.g. Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil)
This area is not rural Georgia surrounded by miles of farmland, but rather a place where soldiers and tourists are coming in and out all the time.
So, it's possible that you get an interesting viral mixture and more than one strain of the virus operating.
Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
CDC's canned answer:
"How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?
Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu."
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm
Maybe everyone is just getting stronger colds over and over again.
CDC's canned answer:
"How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?
Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu."
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm
Maybe everyone is just getting stronger colds over and over again.
prepdeb
Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Hubby got well within a few days both times he used tamiflu.
I only used it the first time and got well relatively quick, although it took longer for me to feel well than the hubby.
I had trouble getting past my third bout of whatever it was. Nothing life threatening, but just seemed to linger on endlessly. I had waited too long for tamilfu to be useful so I just endured.
Neither of us had serious congestion or breathing problems. Just a dry cough and sore throats off and on along with the other symptoms.
The dizzineness, headache, body aches and fatigue were tiresome, but not really dangerous.
We've now used up 3 rounds of my stored tamiflu - 2 remaining.
The hubby started on it quickly both times and was never ill for more than a week either time, so I think it made a difference.
Nothing miraculous, but my bouts lingered much longer than his when he took tamilfu.
Hubby got well within a few days both times he used tamiflu.
I only used it the first time and got well relatively quick, although it took longer for me to feel well than the hubby.
I had trouble getting past my third bout of whatever it was. Nothing life threatening, but just seemed to linger on endlessly. I had waited too long for tamilfu to be useful so I just endured.
Neither of us had serious congestion or breathing problems. Just a dry cough and sore throats off and on along with the other symptoms.
The dizzineness, headache, body aches and fatigue were tiresome, but not really dangerous.
We've now used up 3 rounds of my stored tamiflu - 2 remaining.
The hubby started on it quickly both times and was never ill for more than a week either time, so I think it made a difference.
Nothing miraculous, but my bouts lingered much longer than his when he took tamilfu.
vt.mathgirl
Well-known member
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Maybe this is just going to be one of those lingering things, the way some kids get mono and feel horrible for months on end. I have some students who have been just sort of sick for the whole month of September.
Maybe this is just going to be one of those lingering things, the way some kids get mono and feel horrible for months on end. I have some students who have been just sort of sick for the whole month of September.
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Plus, our doctors won't prescribe unless you actually test positive. Which meant each kid had to go to the doctor (and pay for an office visit), individually, etc....
One of my kids didn't take all his, and when we went to the doctor for my sick daughter I mentioned that my oldest son still had 3 he hadn't taken but was better. The only reason I said that was the doctor asked how my son was doing and I was just basically saying that he was better and I was also trying to determine if Tamifllu was like an antibiiotic in that one should take all of it in order to not build up resistance (I was worried about it).
To my SURPRISE, the doctor wrote a script for my daughter and - get this - she wrote it for 7 pills! 7! And that is how the pharmacy filled it - in a little zip lock bag! You could tell he had just taken the foil package of 10 and torn 3 off (the rest were still *connected*)....I guess she (the doctor) figured I still had 3 at home and that was all I was gonna get!
I had another zip lock bag incident this spring when I had the flu - the pharmacist only gave me 8 pills because he said that's all they had left. Worked though, so not complaining but still...this seems...wrong.
So it always amazes me when people say they had some stocked up! Do doctors in other places more easily hand out scripts for these things? And obviously other parts of the country have better inventory in their pharmacies...
Just curious - how were you able to store tamiflu? It's been hard to get around here for *years*. My kids were sick with flu 3 years ago and no pharmacies around here had any. I live outside of a decent size Metro area (Memphis) and I went through at least 10-12 pharmacies before finding one that actually had it in stock.
Plus, our doctors won't prescribe unless you actually test positive. Which meant each kid had to go to the doctor (and pay for an office visit), individually, etc....
One of my kids didn't take all his, and when we went to the doctor for my sick daughter I mentioned that my oldest son still had 3 he hadn't taken but was better. The only reason I said that was the doctor asked how my son was doing and I was just basically saying that he was better and I was also trying to determine if Tamifllu was like an antibiiotic in that one should take all of it in order to not build up resistance (I was worried about it).
To my SURPRISE, the doctor wrote a script for my daughter and - get this - she wrote it for 7 pills! 7! And that is how the pharmacy filled it - in a little zip lock bag! You could tell he had just taken the foil package of 10 and torn 3 off (the rest were still *connected*)....I guess she (the doctor) figured I still had 3 at home and that was all I was gonna get!
I had another zip lock bag incident this spring when I had the flu - the pharmacist only gave me 8 pills because he said that's all they had left. Worked though, so not complaining but still...this seems...wrong.
So it always amazes me when people say they had some stocked up! Do doctors in other places more easily hand out scripts for these things? And obviously other parts of the country have better inventory in their pharmacies...
Dark Horse
In Memoriam
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
My daughter had to go from pharmacy to pharmacy in Richmond Hill, GA, to get Tamiflu. It's so flu-infested that drug stores had to restock.
My daughter had to go from pharmacy to pharmacy in Richmond Hill, GA, to get Tamiflu. It's so flu-infested that drug stores had to restock.
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
Yes, Richmond Hill, GA is really having a bit of an outbreak, as is Savannah!
It seems at the hospital where I work, a couple of the nurses and some kids are starting to get sick. Here we go again!
Moreover, a co-worker of mine who was diagnosed with H1N1 in August like me is also beginning to display symptoms. She will be tested again for a possible re-infection of flu this week. If positive, this will also be her second diagnosis in a month (four and 1/2 weeks).
Yes, Richmond Hill, GA is really having a bit of an outbreak, as is Savannah!
It seems at the hospital where I work, a couple of the nurses and some kids are starting to get sick. Here we go again!
Moreover, a co-worker of mine who was diagnosed with H1N1 in August like me is also beginning to display symptoms. She will be tested again for a possible re-infection of flu this week. If positive, this will also be her second diagnosis in a month (four and 1/2 weeks).
Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Can You Get H1N1 More Than Once?
So does that mean you won't be required to get H1N1 Vax if you don't want since you have had a verifiable case?
So does that mean you won't be required to get H1N1 Vax if you don't want since you have had a verifiable case?