Drug Resistant H1N1

Found not just in U.S. but also in the U.K. according to USA Today:

Epidemic experts say they are investigating the apparent spread of Tamiflu-resistant swine flu virus among four patients at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and five in a hospital in Wales. These clusters appear to be the first in which a virus resistant to the antiviral Tamiflu, a mainstay of flu treat, has spread from person to person, researchers said Friday..."

"The four patients involved in this situation had the same resistance pattern," says Sexton, adding that researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are now testing virus samples from Duke to see whether they're identical. "The resistance pattern suggests that might be the case," he says."

OK. Don't panic! You have to remember that Tamiflu was just our backup. Our go to antivirals when we couldn't get hold of the real vaccines. The good stuff. This is just a minor set back. Whatever you do don't panic! They'll be time enough for that if the situation calls for it. Our suggestions is forget any broadcaster that tells you that the flu has peaked or that we've seen the worst of it. They're insane. We suggest you follow the advice of our favor Fed Dr. Anne Schuchat. She's the director of the national center for immunization and respiratory diseases.

I think usually we don't have this much influenza by thanksgiving. So we have seen with a lot of respiratory infections that there's increases in January right after the Christmas holidays, some people say, well, all the kids get together with their grand parents and that's a lot of exchange of warmth and love, but a little exchange of viruses, too. So we don't really know what's going to happen with thanksgiving. But we think it's critical, if you're sick, to stay home. And if your child is sick, to keep them away from others. (Listen)

We commend Reuters for having had the courage to say about the number of deaths from this pandemic.

At least 6,770 deaths have been recorded worldwide since the swine flu virus emerged in April -- but officials always stress the confirmed count represents only a fraction of the actual cases, as most patients never get tested.

Reuters also reported on a possible way to improve effectiveness and possibly distribution which to us means save more lives of individuals willing and unafraid of the vaccine and the process.

As U.S. health officials struggle to vaccinate tens of millions of Americans against the pandemic of swine flu, some are looking regretfully at one easy way to instantly double or triple the number of doses available -- by using an immune booster called an adjuvant.

These additives, often as simple as an oil and water mixture, broaden the body's response to a vaccine, reducing the amount of active ingredient called antigen needed.

They are widely used in European flu vaccines as well as in Canada. But not in the United States -- even though the federal government has spent nearly $700 million buying them.

The reason -- people might not trust them.

We're not one of those people and we encourage you to not be one of those persons. Think of it like faith. Say you have it and it turns out to not be worth the soil your bended knees knelt upon what have you lost? Nothing. Supposed you don't bend a knee and it turns out to be all that it was promoted to be and you're out of luck. It's better to be on this side of wrong than on that side. Hey, if you're a special kind of bad reaction to everything person by all means be cautious and just say no. Some of us are still trying to get a shot! Tamiflu was our ace in the hole. We'll just have to get another ace!

Still Not Number 1

We're not a contender nor are we an also ran. We got invited to the big show and just being invited is enough. To paraphrase Rick Blaine "we'll always have Washington." We'll have our higher salaries, our lower Cholesterol rate, smaller motor vehicle deaths, not everything but we're got a lot.

MD Flu Deaths - In the midst of it all. We don't mean to be sticklers for details but we had to comment on this Baltimore Sun story:

"State public health officials said Thursday that six more people have died in Maryland in the past four weeks of swine flu, bringing the number of deaths statewide since the pandemic began to 19. All six were adults with underlying health conditions. Three were from the Baltimore area, two were from Western Maryland and one was from Southern Maryland. No further details were provided by the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene."

"Swine flu disproportionately affects those under age 65, unlike seasonal flu, which normally takes a toll on older people. So far, 36,000 children have been hospitalized and 540 have died nationwide." (WATCH)

As you can tell from the story below the numbers in Baltimore and Maryland alone exceed the nationally given number. The numbers that are reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) differ substantially from the numbers posted of the Department of Health websites. Even the numbers reported to the CDC aren't accurate and only give a hint to the directly observable numbers of the dead and dying.

Maryland's number of deaths from heart disease and cancer far and away dwarfs the current numbers of deaths from the flu and now the focus comes from the American Public Health Association that a contributing factor to both is increasing in this area in an alarming rate.

"No matter where you live in America, obesity threatens to unleash a wave of chronic disease in the next few years that will swamp the health-care system and add an economically crippling $344 billion a year to total health spending by 2018. This is the message of the 20th annual survey of the health of all 50 states, undertaken by the nonprofit group America's Health Rankings.

In their America's Health Ranking report Maryland is 21st this year; it was 22nd in 2008. Virginia is 21st this year, unchanged from 2008. As is North Carolina which again is 37th this year.

The District of Columbia (DC) is not included in the ranking of states, as it is a unique governmental entity and is considerably more urban than the states.

However when we compared the stats where they could be compared DC fared no better than its counterparts. Indeed in most respects the District of Columbia fared far worse and in too many cases substantially worse.

Oh, there is a Washington in the top eleven (11) it's just not the District of Columbia. We're not in top twenty (20) but we're also not in the bottom twenty (20) if that's any consolation to you. In some areas DC has exceeded the highest national average and in other cases finished in the top ten (10) or top twenty (20). What areas are those you ask?

They are: In the number of "Primary Care Physicians," "Income Disparity," "Heart Attacks," "Cholesterol Checks," less smokers "Prevalence of Smoking," Percentage of children with "Immunization Coverage," "Lack of Health Insurance," "Median Household Income," "Physical Activity," and from this activity keeps us in great shape because we use fewer "Poor Physical Health Days," we also excel in not having a "Prevalence of Obesity," which is reflected in our far less use of "Poor Mental Health Days," all this exercise and attendance to our health both physical and mental is reflected in "Preventable Hospitalizations," and finally if you asks us how we're doing we'll say "we're A-OK" which is reflected in our "Health Status" stats.

Unfortunately as good as these great numbers are we sucked at so much else that our truly remarkable number don't add up to enough to equal the care you'd receive at any of the top ten (10) recipients. We'll just have to be satisfied with high salaries - if we had high salaries or we could move to (in order of ranking): Vermont, Utah, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, Rhode Island, Washington state for the kind of health we can imagine in our dreams. The rankings is published jointly by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.

Flu Week 45 No Deaths in Norfolk

We look for hope in the midst of despair. Things have subsided more than they have declined. When news outlets proclaim the end is near they appear more desperate than helpful. We want good news and we'll focus on the good news when others focus only on the bad. There is a great deal to offer is hope. We didn't get sick and die and neither did you if you're reading this. Others weren't so lucky. While the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) added to its number of infections and their roll out of immunizations has not been a disaster. DC reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) two (2) deaths after two weeks of no numbers reported. This when the numbers of deaths are remaining steady all over. Norfolk reported no deaths for this week. The CDC reported nine (9) pediatric deaths in our region three (3) the total death numbers for just our trio-jurisdictional area was reported as twenty-eight (28) for this week ending November 14, 2009. If you include North Carolina (region four (4)) that adds an additional eleven (11) deaths which is still a decline over the two (2) previous years for the state.

Flu Deaths Week 45 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA Charlotte, NC 99 675 227 431 78 724 192 436 68 578 199 435 TOTALS 1432 1430 1280

We applaud Norfolk's success if that what it is we hate their Department of Public Health website which appears to be produced for the director and some really boring nerdy kids with their very gross "sneeze in your sleeve" video presentation. Has no one ever heard of Kleenex? Or at the very least of tissues, even toilet paper will do in a pinch. Keep a roll in your pocket and pull as you need!

There have been so many stories to cover and so much data to analyze from so many studies that all seem to connect. We've made the connections after putting all the data together that specifically relates to our jurisdictions. Forgive our absence but we've never stop working and there is so much to report.

Another Week 44 - No DC Flu Deaths

There is some disagreement between the success of the District of Columbia's Department of Health's (DOH) efforts to inoculate the most vulnerable. We worked inside and outside with the department. On the outside the lining and waiting was not acceptable but on the inside the effort was smooth and efficient. The success is reflected in numbers. Again for the second week no reported deaths from the flu or reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased this week over last week. This is the second week of national decreases in ILI after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. While ILI declined overall nationally, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain higher than what is seen during the peak of many regular flu seasons.

JURISDICTIONS 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA 97 659 222 74 714 189 68 564 195 DEATH TOTALS WK 44 978 977 827

Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu continue to climb and remain higher than expected for this time of year. Hospitalization rates continue to be highest in younger populations with the highest hospitalization rate reported in children 0-4 years old.

Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

We noticed that DC's good fortune isn't just restricted to the District - Norfolk also had only one loss this week as well. While decreases are to be applauded unless we believe that what was done before is or was good enough and that life isn't precious we do need to celebrate while doing all we can to do substantially better. We can always do better. We must!

And Then You Die!

The headline from US News & World Report reminds of the old joke that ends with that punchline. Unfortunately when you're old, poor, Black and female it's no joke. It's no joking matter. You're the most neediest among of us, you're the most disadvantaged among us, you're the most discriminated among us, you're the most abused among us and when you marry if you get terminally ill your mate will leave you to die. Even if they don't you're the most likely to, if you have cancer, not survive when others would have.

The one headline lead us to the Journal of Cancer study we could not find but to many other studies in the journal from the US, Mexico and Switzerland. The studies relating cancer to issues of color, discrimination and poverty. Here is what we came upon in our verification process:

African-American women have increased breast cancer mortality compared with white women. Diagnostic and treatment gaps may contribute to this disparity.
Disparities in medical care among patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were evident between African-American women and white women despite health plan insurance coverage. Interventions that address the gaps identified are needed. Cancer Journal

Racial differences in follow-up of abnormal mammography findings among economically disadvantaged women
BACKGROUND: In the United States, and particularly in South Carolina, African-American women suffer disproportionately higher mortality rates from breast cancer than European-American women. The timeliness of patient adherence to the follow-up of mammographic abnormalities may influence prognosis and survival. The objective of the current investigation was to examine racial differences in the completion and completion time of a diagnostic workup after the finding of a suspicious breast abnormality.
CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study established a racial disparity in the time to completion of a diagnostic workup among Best Chance Network participants. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the factors associated with delays in and adherence to completing the recommended workup when breast abnormalities are detected in mammograms. Cancer Journal

Ethnic disparity in mortality after diagnosis of colorectal cancer among inner city minority New Yorkers
CONCLUSIONS: The first to compare inner city minority subjects with CRC, the authors observed increased odds of death in AAs, despite similar clinical features and living environment. Tumor behavior or host response among AAs could explain this difference. Aggressive therapeutic and early detection strategies need to be tested in a large randomized study setting to substantiate our study findings. Cancer 2009.

Impact of socioeconomic status on prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in Geneva, Switzerland, in which healthcare costs, medical coverage, and life expectancy are considered to be among the highest in the world.
CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, patients of low socioeconomic class were found to be at increased risk of dying as a result of their prostate cancer. This increased mortality is largely attributable to delayed diagnosis, poor diagnostic workup, and less invasive treatments in these individuals. Cancer 2009.

Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still acceptable. - Shirley Chisholm

The impact of Medicaid coverage and reimbursement on access to diagnostic mammography
CONCLUSIONS: Callers with Medicaid were offered appointments for DM less frequently than callers with Medicare, although both were widely accepted. State Medicaid reimbursement rates did not affect access to mammography. Cancer 2009.

Racial differences in treatment and outcomes among patients with early stage bladder cancer
BACKGROUND: Black patients are at greater of risk of death from bladder cancer than white patients. Potential explanations for this disparity include a more aggressive phenotype and delays in diagnosis resulting in higher stage disease. Alternatively, black patients may receive a lower quality of care, which may explain this difference.
CONCLUSIONS: Although differences in initial treatment were evident, they did not appear to be systematic and had unclear clinical significance. Whereas black patients are at greater risk of death, this disparity did not appear to be caused by differences in the intensity or quality of care provided. Cancer 2009.

WHO calls for action beyond the health sector to improve the health of girls and women
Despite progress, societies continue to fail women at key times
Despite considerable progress in the past decades, societies continue to fail to meet the health care needs of women at key moments of their lives, particularly in their adolescent years and in older age, a WHO report has found.

It was this final study that gave us considerable cause for concern. This was the most disheartening of all and unfortunately the full information was not available to us or you. Our only solace is that we in our lives are not making it true. For the unlucky/unblessed/unfortunate among us it is a sad reality that speaks to the real state of the nation. Reuters news service printed this story:

Men more likely than women to leave partner with cancer
The study confirmed earlier research of a divorce or separation rate among cancer patients of 11.6 percent, similar to the general population, but found the rate jumped to 20.8 percent when the woman was sick versus 2.9 percent when the man was ill.

"Female gender was the strongest predictor of separation or divorce in each of the patient groups we studied," said Marc Chamberlain, director of the neuro-oncology program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA).

The researchers said the reason men leave a sick spouse can be partly explained by their inability to rapidly adjust to becoming a caregiver and to look after the home and family.

The picture of the elderly woman above was the last time we saw our namesake in her chair. It was taken just before she was admitted to the hospital for one of her last visits. When we brought her we did not know she would not be coming home ever again. We never know when the last time will be the last time. What comforts us now is the words of our family which said: "Think how better her life was with you in it!" Too many women are old and alone without anyone to care for or to care for them. Pearlie Mae Leach Frierson outlived her husband and son until there was just us. That we had her brings us continued joy.

The Mexican Misconnection

The one headline, Older People at Greater Risk of Swine Flu Death, lead us to the Journal of Cancer study we could not find but to many other studies in the journal from the US, Mexico and Switzerland. The studies relating cancer to issues of color, discrimination and poverty.

Cases in Mexico show young more likely to get sick, but elderly more likely to die. "The researchers found that the risk of infection fell by 35 percent in those who received vaccinations for seasonal flu. Chronic disease boosted the risk of death by six times. Those who didn't go to the hospital within four days after developing symptoms boosted their risk of death by 20 percent for each extra day they delayed a hospital visit."

H1N1 influenza in Mexico. The Lancet headline has less to do with the pandemic in the United States except that Mexico seems to be the source of the H1N1 virus. While the headline as being mentioned seems to suggest that what is true in Mexico is true in the US as well. While the numbers are down among the elderly with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Canadian governments research indicates that while this does not appear to be our current situation.
Newsweek offers a historical as well as an informational report on the flu and its history particularly with the Mexican H1N1 study as its considered our source for the flu. We refer you to the article and the graphic historical timeline on flu.

There is a joke among flu researchers: "If you've seen one flu season, you've seen…one flu season." The translation, for those not up on epidemiological humor: the joke is wry commentary on the unpredictable nature of the flu virus. Every year it looks different, and every strain follows its own pattern. This is not just a quirk that frustrates scientists—it's the reason new strains like H1N1 are impossible to anticipate and fully prepare for.

"I know less about influenza today than I did 10 years ago," quips Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance and a former adviser to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What happens there, hopefully stays there. Bring the problem here but not the results - in this case the H1N1 flu doesn't have to mean that our results will be the same as Mexico's results. While our federal government deals with the issues of "Universal Health Care" what the future might hold for a healthier planet is an international health care solution. While the United States works to bring its system and self back to it's position of superiority in Health and everything these days after Veterans Day - we can only hope and strive for better results.

Facts To Know - Asked & Answered

We had questions and they had answers at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a pretty well hidden Frequent Questions (FQs) database that allows you to search for questions previously asked. Normally we email the CDC when we want to know the answer but today we braved the toll-free number and asked a real human being a question. Accessing a real live person was about as well hidden as the website answers.

Here are our nine (9) favorite questions and answers. There are actually eleven (11) questions but only ten (10) get answered but we're not certain about the tenth question. All provided by and found directly from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. What does the H1N1 vaccine cost?
    The federal government has purchased the H1N1 vaccine and is providing it to the states free of charge. This is different in many places from the seasonal flu vaccine. Public vaccination clinics (sponsored by local health departments at schools or other places) will offer vaccine at no charge. Some private providers may charge a small fee to administer the vaccine, but cost should not be a barrier to getting immunized. Many, many people and businesses have stepped up to the public health challenge we all face and are working together for the overall public good to make this vaccine free – or at least affordable – for all those who want it. 


2. Will people age 65 years and older be able to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine this season?
   Yes, the U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. While people 65 and older are not included in the groups recommended to get the earliest doses of vaccine, they can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as the high risk groups have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.
   Some communities and providers will offer the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to people 65 and over sooner than others, depending on how quickly they meet the needs of the initial prioritized populations. While the early doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine are being given to those in high risk groups, CDC's priority for people 65 and older is to have them get their seasonal flu vaccine first, and to seek medical advice quickly if they develop flu-like symptoms this season. This will determine whether they need medical evaluation and possible treatment with antiviral medications.


3. Are natural remedies (also referred to as “complementary” or “alternative” medicine) recommended to prevent the 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
   The first and most important step to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. Vaccination stimulates an immune response using a killed or weakened virus that uses the body’s own defense mechanisms to prevent infection. CDC's current recommendations to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus do not include natural remedies as a sole prevention method. If you want to use a natural remedy to reduce symptoms, CDC recommends that you talk to your healthcare provider about options.
   
   Alternative medicine should not be used as a replacement for proven conventional care, or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides information at http://health.nih.gov/topic/AlternativeMedicine on specific alternative options, including scientific information, potential side effects, and cautions for each.
   
   The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to be cautious about products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure 2009 H1N1 influenza, specifically products like pills, air filtration devices, and cleaning agents can kill or eliminate the virus.
   
   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to use extreme care when purchasing any products over the Internet that claim to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 influenza virus. The warning comes after the FDA recently purchased and analyzed several products represented online as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which may pose risks to patients. For more information, see the news release. Consumers can also visit FDA's Web site for tips about how to protect themselves when buying medicines online.


4. How long (one season or more) will immunity be effective from the H1N1 vaccine? Will this be an annual vaccine like the seasonal flu?
   Influenza (flu) viruses change from year to year. You are unlikely to get infected with the same exact strain of influenza (flu) more than once. Most people with flu-like illness since spring 2009 don't know whether they were infected with 2009 H1N1 or another flu virus strain. If you think you had 2009 H1N1 infection, ask your doctor if you should be vaccinated. The only sure way to diagnose 2009 H1N1 infection is with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
   
   Even if you had a confirmed case of 2009 H1N1 flu, you can still get infected with other flu strains. You should make sure you get the seasonal flu vaccine. If you had a flu-like illness since spring 2009 that wasn't diagnosed as 2009 H1N1 flu by RT-PCR, get the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.
   
   Also, a vaccine made against flu viruses circulating last year may not protect against the newer viruses. That is why the influenza vaccine is updated every year to include current viruses.


5. What is the incubation period of the H1N1 (swine) flu? How long will it take to get the flu after being exposed?
   The estimated incubation period is unknown and could range from 1 to 7 days, and more likely 1 to 4 days.
   
   
   Persons with novel H1N1 flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious (able to spread disease) for up to 7 days after illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods. People with influenza-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). A fever is defined as having a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater.
   
   It's important to remember that we are still in flu and allergy season and it's not uncommon to have cold or flu-like symptoms. If you are sick, stay home from work or school to monitor your health. If you do have symptoms where you think you need urgent care, contact your doctor right away.


6. Can I get 2009 H1N1 more than once?
   Getting infected with any flu virus, including 2009 H1N1, should cause your body to develop immune resistance to that virus so it's not likely that a person would be infected with the identical influenza virus more than once. (However, people with weakened immune systems might not develop full immunity after infection and might be more likely to get infected with the same influenza virus more than once.) However, it's also possible that a person could have a positive test result for flu infection more than once in an influenza season. This can occur for two reasons:
   A person may be infected with different influenza viruses (for example, the first time with 2009 H1N1 and the second time with a regular seasonal flu virus. Most rapid tests cannot distinguish which influenza virus is responsible for the illness. and,
   Influenza tests can occasionally give false positive and false negative results so it's possible that one of the test results were incorrect. This is more likely to happen when the diagnosis is made with the rapid flu tests.
   
   More information about flu diagnosis is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diagnosis/.


7. What are the initial symptoms of swine flu? How do we get it cured?
   The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu infection.
   
   (P)ersons with novel H1N1 flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious (able to spread disease) for up to 7 days after illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.


8. Do you have special recommendations for air conditioned buildings?
   The CDC indicates that the odds of transmission of the 2009-H1N1 influenza over significant distances through heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is extremely remote and special cleaning of air ducts is not required.


9. Does the flu vaccine work right away? How long before the vaccine takes effect after it is given?
   It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. In the meantime, you are still at risk for getting the flu. That's why it's better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

The tenth answer came by telephone from the toll-free flu line at the CDC. We've included the code prompts to get you to where you can get to a living being if you found questions not answered at the site or above.

Dial: 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). Where you'll hear:
"Thanks for calling the CDC H1N1 Info line"
"For English Press 1" and then you will be prompted to choose:
"All Others Press 3" (Doctors 1 / News Media 2) after which you'll be given:
"For H1N1 Press 8" and then another prompt will say:
"For more H1N1 info Press 1" after which you will be told:
"Please hold for a "brief" survey afterwards".

We spoke to a "BJ" "not a physician and can not answer any questions concerning your medical condition." We didn't hold after asking the question if we could purchase the H1N1 vaccine from a for profit source where we could pay to bypass the wait. BJ informed us that was not possible. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was the only source in the United States for the vaccine.

Are You There Yet? - No!

We want to call this Flu-oogle to talk about Google's not quite there yet flu shot finder. The problem isn't so much GOOGLE as its the places that actually give out the vaccines. We're "flu policing" again - and really we don't want to. But with the World Health Organization's report on Women's health, this being Veterans Day, and Aunt Pearlie's sister whom we called "Daughter" was an honored Army servicewoman we couldn't ignore this story. Google has a flu shot finder for the country that will eventually be available through the flu.gov site of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The problem with the GOOGLE or Flu-OOGLE if you will isn't the OOGLE it's the "G" the governments with which they have to get the information. It's as inaccurate as the I-phone apps meant to inform. The original information is faulty or rather inaccurate.

The "Flu Shot Finder" only goes to the state's or county's website which you would think would make it more accurate and in a sense that is true. However most of that means that the county "has no public H1N1 or seasonal clinics scheduled." For "non-breeding" women this isn't helpful at all. We're still not there yet! To inquire because of WHO - we wish we could:

"say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, (Yes, sir) however frustrating the hour, it will not be long..." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

DC Department of Health (DOH)

Thursday, November 12 5 pm - 9 pm
Cardozo Senior High School
Ballou Senior High School

"To say that the future will be different from the present and past may be hopelessly self-evident. I must observe regretfully, however, that in politics it can be heresy. It can be denounced as radicalism or branded as subversion. There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present and invoke the security of a comfortable past, which in fact, never existed. It hardly seems necessary to point out in the United States, of all places, that change, although it involves risk, is the law of life." - Robert F. Kennedy

Saturday, November 14
8 am - 1 pm
Eliot-Hine Middle School
Kelly Miller Middle School
Hardy Middle School

MD Calvert County
November 14, 2009
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccination Clinic
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Calvert Fairgrounds

Cecil County
At this time, the Cecil County Health Department has no public H1N1 or seasonal clinics scheduled.

"An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An atheist believes that deed must be done instead of prayer said. An atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanished, war eliminated." - Madalyn Murray O'Hair

Charles County
Vaccine will be provided from 3:00pm to 7:00pm (or until the supply of vaccine is gone) ** Cars of clinic attendees will not be permitted in the parking lot until all school buses depart at 2:45
November 12 - Thursday **4:30 to 7 pm Picowaxen Elementary School -Priority Only
**New time and location
*** Cars of clinic attendees will not be permitted in the parking lot until all school buses depart at 3:45.
November 16 - Monday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Indian Head Pavillion
November 18 - Wednesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Department of Health Offices
November 24 - Tuesday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Charles County Government Center

Dorchester County
Updated 11/6/09
SEASONAL FLU INFORMATION: Currently out of vaccine. When additional supplies arrive we will advertise on this site and in local papers.

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?” - Rabbi Hillel

Frederick County
Community Clinics for Priority Groups- By Appointment Only
Vaccination Date: November 12, 2009, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The appointment line for the November 12th H1N1 flu clinic is now closed. The Health Department will announce dates for additional clinics in the near future.
If a caller does not receive a call back within 4 hours, all appointments have been scheduled.

"But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants." - Barbara Jordan

Baltimore MD
Pre-register for upcoming clinics that will be scheduled this month. If you are in one of the priority groups, complete the online form. Someone will contact your within 10 business days to schedule your appointment(s).
Thursday, November 12 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

VA All Counties
Vaccine will be available for the general public at pharmacies, health care provider offices and local health departments in December. We will add clinic dates and times as they become available. Please check back for regular updates.

We only included the more current days, links and locations. We'll try to keep up with the information as it becomes more available. We don't know and aren't being told when everyone will have access to their own protection. It is good to know that this is still fairly early for our health and that the numbers (though not ALL the people are being saved) are starting to shrink especially in our area from epidemic proportions to normal proportions. Unless you're related to the dead or dying. Protect yourself. Don't despair - you are not alone. We are with you. We can and must demand to do better.

Simply Not The Best

Our concern is that all of us in business and in life don't always do our best. We're really critical of ourselves and we often admit to slot and inactivity knowing that there is better way of living. What made "this country great" has always been our drive to do better - together - rich helping poor, healthy helping infirmed, strong helping weak. That's the American way - united we stand. Whether that was in achievements, inventions or families we strive to go beyond what we've done before to what we can do today.

"Nations, like men, often march to the beat of different drummers, and the precise solutions of the United States can neither be dictated nor transplanted to others. What is important is that all nations must march toward a increasing freedom; toward justice for all; toward a society strong and flexible enough to meet the demands of all of its own people, and a world of immense and dizzying change." - Robert F. Kennedy

The headlines from CNN - Women's health an 'urgent priority', The Associated Press (AP) and the U.S. News & World Report highlighted AIDS, only TIME trumpeted - Why Sexism Kills. While the original World Health Organization (WHO) press releases stated: "WHO calls for action beyond the health sector to improve the health of girls and women" -

• Despite progress, societies continue to fail women at key times
• Women provide the bulk of health care, but rarely receive the care they need
• Women live longer than men but these extra years are not always healthy
• Despite some biological advantages, women's health suffers from their lower socio-economic status
• Policy change and action is needed within the health sector and beyond

It's easy for this nation to ignore the world when it tries to lead and direct what was usually our domain. The United States is the world leader and we set the pace for the rest to follow. We're not use to taking orders the same way PearlieMae's not use to doing what we need to do to take care of ourselves. However when it's our loved ones there is nothing we won't do to make them safe, healthy and better.

I'll pray for you, you pray for me
I love you
I need you to survive
I won't harm you
With words from my mouth
I love you
I need you to survive - David G. Frasier(View)(Listen)

Have a wonderful Veteran's Day. If you have a vet in your life, write, call, email send love in any and every way you can. If you are a Vet - we salute you! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Sweet Love

We delayed telling you this for as long as we could. We verified and then verified our verification all because the news is not good. You've heard and maybe read about it online and we hoped we'd hear something back on the other side to ignore this information to no avail.

The news isn't good so we might as well face it. Everything sweet is bad for you. Two studies by two different research teams on two (2) coast from fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to artificially sweetened drinks of any variety increases your risk of high blood pressure or " kidney function decline." Drink more than two (2) and you're going to pay medically. No if and or buts about it.

From the UK (Snack and soft drink sweetener putting millions at risk of high blood pressure) to the US:

"There are currently limited data on the role of diet in kidney disease," researcher Dr. Julie Lin, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a news release. "While more study is needed, our research suggests that higher sodium and artificially sweetened soda intake are associated with greater rate of decline in kidney function."

The first study looked at diet and kidney function decline in more than 3,000 women enrolled in the national Nurses' Health Study. The researchers found that:

"in women with well-preserved kidney function, higher dietary sodium intake was associated with greater kidney function decline, which is consistent with experimental animal data that high sodium intake promotes progressive kidney disease."

The second study looked at the association between sugar- and artificially-sweetened beverages and kidney function decline in the same group of women. The researchers found an association between two or more servings per day of artificially sweetened soda and a two-fold increased risk of faster kidney function decline. There was no connection between sugar-sweetened beverages and kidney function decline.

The association between artificially sweetened beverages and kidney function decline persisted after Lin and colleague Dr. Gary Curhan accounted for other factors, such as age, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, physical activity, caloric intake and cardiovascular disease.

Further study is needed to better understand how artificial sweeteners influence kidney function decline, the researchers said.

Our problem with the report was that the press release was the actually ABC News story rather than the other way around. So we immediately sought one of the researchers while contacting all of the usual suspect (American Beverage Association).
They had little (read nothing to say to us) to say on their website. The information they had was old and outdated.

The fact is that the compendium of science, regardless of funding source, does not show that soft drinks or other sweetened beverages uniquely contribute to obesity - nor, for that matter, that they are uniquely linked to any negative health consequences. In fact, the authors fail to cite a study funded by the Canadian government that examined a sample size of more than 137,000 school-aged children in 34 countries - a sample size larger than the combined total of the studies that were cited by these researchers - and found no association between soft drink intake and body mass index. Furthermore, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine supported that all calories count - and that balancing calories consumed from all foods and beverages with the calories burned through physical activity is what matters.

What we did find was quotes from WedMD:

Asked to review the study findings, Maureen Storey, senior vice president of science policy for the American Beverage Association, says in a prepared statement: "It's important to remember that this is an abstract presented at an annual meeting." She notes that the research needs further scrutiny by researchers.

She acknowledges that kidney disease is serious but that diabetes and high blood pressure account for the majority of kidney disease cases, ''not consumption of diet soda."

We thought the research was presented in a way that made us suspicious which is why we made direct contact with one of the researchers hoping for a copy of the original press release. Instead what we got was an interchange that didn't reassure us at all.

We studied all sugar-sweetened beverages, sugary sodas, and diet sodas in our investigation so I cannot speak to the applicability of the drinks you mentioned below. We found an association between faster kidney function decline and >=2 servings of artificially sweetened sodas per day but not with other beverages. - Dr. Julie Lin

The abstract that's not online said:

We identified 3256 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study who had had data on sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) or artificially sweetened soda intake and (epidermal growth factor receptor) eGFR change between 1989 and 2000. SSB included soda, fruit juices, punch, and iced tea. This group included 730 diabetic women participating in a sub-study of kidney function. Cumulative average beverage intake was derived from the 1984, 1986, and 1990 food frequency questionnaires.

Median age was 67 years, 97% were Caucasian, 54% had HTN, 24% were diabetic, and median eGFR was 85 ml/min/1.73 m2 at baseline in 1989.

Consumption of > 2 servings per day of artificially sweetened soda is associated with a two-fold increased risk for kidney function decline.

We're holding on to the hope of Splenda. Though it really isn't sweet enough for some of us. Some of us only have less than two (2) a day but other of us drink like it's going out of style. Yes, we know about the "rat" study but that was thrown out of court and it's from the Sugar Association against Splenda. Listen we need something sweet since every dentist in the world speaks against the ills of sugar (and we really don't like dentist! - Do you?).

It's Back - Legionnaires

You'd think once we identify and treat an illness it should be polite and go away. Just get on its high horse and ride out of town. It's truly disturbing when things like small pox and legionellosis reappear. To paraphrase Michael Corleone: "Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in."

From the Illinois Daily Herald comes this story: "Three cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed in a lab and seven others are suspected, according to Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department (The Park at Vernon Hills, IL retirement community). "It appears to be contained and limited to this facility only," he added. The disease, which is contracted by inhaling contaminated mist or vapor, is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person."

The story began three (3) days before what they've now discovered according to the Daily Herald: "In this case, the suspected source may be the aquatic elements in the atrium of the facility, which includes a rain forest, waterfall and spa. Those facilities have since been shut down. One of the deaths occurred in September, but that case was not indicative of a potentially larger problem, Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department said. That changed when the health department was notified of a second case earlier this week. Subsequent investigation revealed a third confirmed case and the other suspected cases."

Like the H1N1 virus, detection was not apparent until one death became two. Disease care is not the most efficient or effective for the retention and preservation of life - in our opinion. While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is in society's benefit it might not be in yours and our benefit. Health care has to start with us not just taking care of ourselves. Granted the number causes of death are largely preventable.

What we didn't know about Legionnaires disease could fill a book but thanks to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) we learned: "Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to 5% to 30% of cases. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics [drugs that kill bacteria in the body], and healthy people usually recover from infection."

While we aren't very good at exercise and eating properly we can look and find danger where we're told to look. Fake water walls, artificial lakes, don't usually attract our attention but we can make an effort not to position ourselves near bodies of water that are natural whether they're spas or decorations. Unfortunately disabled seniors might not be able to remove themselves from such artificial environments where their well meaning caregivers might park them. But you can. Add it to your lists so you or your loved ones don't kick the bucket!

Maryland may have more deaths to the H1N1 virus as compared to the reporting numbers of the District of Columbia or Virginia it's still rated better for health care than DC or VA. Numbers matter as in the H1N1 death statistics but they don't tell the whole picture.

When Pigs Die!

Just as some jurisdictions are starting to begin the claim that the swine flu is starting to decline in severity - a claim which we vehemently are in opposition. What is true is that the deaths aren't substantially greater but that's in terms of overall deaths. What we maintain is that the deaths are preventable and unnecessary. What we maintain is that we don't want to be in those numbers. Just when, we will admit is in other parts of the country, they are starting to claim the worst is over we have the following from the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting: "Clinical signs such as coughing and diarrhoea were observed in a pig farm located in T’ai-Tung County on 19 October 2009."

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reported to the World Health Organization that: "On November 5, Taiwan submitted a report to the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) confirming 2009 H1N1 in a swine herd in T’ai-Tung County. Illness was first observed on October 19 and tests confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza on November 2. Clinical signs observed included coughing and diarrhea. All pigs have recovered from the illness."

What it hasn't done is gotten more severe. It's the most severe flu in over fifty (50) years but it hasn't gotten worst. "The World Health Organization has issued a statement that extensive testing has shown that the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has not mutated to a more virulent form. In addition, the WHO emphasized that H1N1 infections in pets were "isolated events and pose no special risks to human health."

This H1N1 (swine flu) is not like other flus. This flu is different. From WHO we offer the following evidence:

"(U)nder the right conditions, influenza viruses from different species are capable of mixing and swapping genes (this is called reassortment), resulting in a new virus."

"(I)t is very uncommon for flu viruses to jump between species. However, on October 9, 2009, a USDA laboratory confirmed 2009/H1N1 infection in a ferret."

"On November 4, the Iowa State Veterinarian and the Iowa Department of Public Health announced that a pet cat was confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The cat's owners were ill and the cat developed respiratory symptoms shortly afterward. The cat has recovered and there is no evidence at this time that the cat passed the virus to any people."

"Keep in mind that dogs currently have their own flu virus, the H3N8 influenza (canine influenza) virus, going around. So far, this flu virus has only been spread from dog to dog. Dogs infected with the canine influenza virus show the same symptoms as dogs with kennel cough – fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, and maybe a runny nose."

"There is not a licensed and approved 2009 H1N1 vaccine for pets. The human H1N1 vaccine should not be used for pets. The canine influenza vaccine, which protects dogs from the H3N8 flu virus, will not protect pets against the 2009 H1N1 virus and should not be used in any species other than dogs."

We are not pigs, some of us have been accused of some unclean behavior and have eaten in a way to suggest we could have eaten less, but we aren't animals of the farm variety. Domestic maybe but that's debatable. There is a licensed and approved vaccine that can protect us. We just have to get access to it. What we do stress is that each life is precious and each death tragic. Retention and prevention should be our most pressing mission inspite of our couch like and unhealthy eating habits. We still want to live to make more bad unhealthy decisions.

We will leave you with this ONLY because yesterday was Sunday and we churched. While looking for a way to join the two stories we discovered this bible quote from the New Testament the eighth (8th) chapter of Luke: "Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Is that weird or what?

Sarcoidosis

Let's just call it the Bernie Mac Disease because saying sarcoidosis is a mouthful. While it's not a Black disease (disease that largely strikes African Americans) like sickle cell anemia its more along the lines of AIDS, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast or lung cancer.

A definition given by a presenter with a thick accent explains in laymen's terms what the disease is with links to slides and other sources. We think it might be of interests if you're unfamiliar with the disease.

The Bernie Mac Foundation offers this definition: "Following exposure to some still unidentified trigger(s), a patient’s immune system is “turned on” in a way that creates a particular pattern of inflammation. The inflammation can affect any organ in the body, but the lungs and skin are the most common. If the inflammation is allowed to continue, the end result will be scarring of the tissue. The goal of treatment is to interrupt the inflammation so that a damaging scar does not form. Scar formation is more important in certain organs – such as the lungs, eyes, heart and brain/brain coverings/nerves – disease involving these organs would be treated with anti-inflammatory medications. Joint and muscle discomfort would also be addressed with anti-inflammatory medications. Skin involvement is more unsightly than dangerous but also can be treated; many times very effectively, by injecting medication directly into the skin lesion."

The most recent info on sarcoidosis is an interview conducted by our Fox5 Washington. "Kim Carrie Grant, who has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, and Doctor Gavin Henry, a board certified surgeon with St. Agnes hospital and Howard County General Hospital joined us with more." The interview is of the talking heads variety which is kind of dull but the information is a personal tale that doctor's would consider anecdotal and therefore unimportant. You and we by our very lives aren't statistically significant. It's only when we're affected in substantial numbers that we're no longer an anecdote.

Flop Flop Fizzle Fizzle

Oh, what a rippoff it is. When the safe and effective turn out to be unsafe and ineffective with lethal consequences we've got problems. When it comes to over the counter and prescription medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) what you get isn't always what's good for you. US News & World Report reports that: "In 2008, proton pump inhibitors were the third largest-selling therapeutic class in the United States, ringing up $13.9 billion in U.S. sales, according to IMS Health, a Norwalk, Conn.-based health-care data company. With 113.4 million prescriptions, they were the 6th most widely dispensed retail prescription medications, IMS reported."

The recently released research in this month's American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, San Diego, CA, October 4-7, 2009. The research precedes the release of Dr. Jonathan Wright's book: "YOUR STOMACH: WHAT IS REALLY MAKING YOU MISERABLE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT" which finds that: "Shockingly, the problem may not be too much stomach acid, but too little! Stomach and other maladies—heartburn, bloating, constipation, and indigestion—may all be the result of too little acid. Antacids and acid blockers may be making the problem worse."

Consumer Reports reported Proton pump inhibitors or: "(PPIs) have been heavily promoted, which has led to overuse in people with garden-variety heartburn. Nexium, one of the most widely-prescribed PPIs is also the most expensive at $240 per month (the cash price you would pay if your insurance did not cover it). Not surprisingly, Nexium was also a top-selling drug in 2008 at a whooping $4.8 billion."

When things are considered safe and effective you don't expect anything else. The question we posed to the FDA is how the heck can that happen especially in a billion dollar industry whose product is not safe or effective. MEDIndia reported this about the study: "PPIs are not effective at treating all cases of gastroesophageal reflux(GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). In addition to the evidence that acid isn't the only contributing agent in reflux disease, the new study has revealed that there are many unexpected consequences and side effects from this class of drugs."

Until release of the research all news focus has been on the cost to consumers and relative ineffectiveness of the available consumer products both over the counter and prescription. We replaced the loud commercial ridden news report by NBC 9 News Colorado and replaced it with a Consumer Reports video. This another of the studies that demonstrates harm caused by use. While U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun its "Safe Use Initiative" the concern for drugs considered safe and effective that are neither creates a category not likely considered in a cooperative public and private interest environment. With this much money at stake in this financial environment decisions are not likely to fall in favor of the consumer. Be warned. Be forewarned.

No Tree Falls in DC - Flu Stats 11/6/09

If a person dies in DC and there's no one to report it are they still dead? Good news for DC residents as there were no new deaths to flu or pneumonia reported this week. Which for MD and VA was true last year and the year before - however Maryland is still reporting to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the highest death tolls.

Pneumonia/Flu Deaths WEEK 43 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA 97 639 217 70 702 182 68 548 191 TOTALS 953 954 807

We love Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC. Her press conferences are always so full of truth and information that they're scary. But we can handle the truth. Here it is (LISTEN) and remember don't panic!

• We wouldn't expect this many states to have this widespread of a disease. Flu can last until May.
• More than half the hospitalizations are in people under 25. 90% of the deaths are in people under 65. A flip-flop from what we see with seasonal flu.
• Two-thirds of the children who died from the H1N1 virus have underlying condition that is increase their risk of this problem. The leading underlying conditions in children who have died are severe neurologic problems like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy and asthma in terms of contributing to the severe outcomes.
• People are getting worse. They are not getting better, antivirals may be important.
• I don't think we are at peak as a nation as a whole. What I can say is that disease continues to occur at very high levels now.
  
  

  Total Doses Shipped as of* 10/28/09 11/06/09 Change District of Columbia Maryland Virginia 49,000 306,900 489,700 55,900 523,500 781,800 61% 44% 40% TOTALS 579400 1,361,200 43%

• The other thing to mention is that in pandemics in the past, it's been tricky to predict too far ahead. In 1957 there was a substantial amount of disease in the fall. People thought, pretty much gave the all-clear sign, then there was an increase in severe disease. Another wave in '58. We are very mindful that there's a long flu season ahead and we are going to be attentive to the needs of the population, the efforts to try to protect people going forward.
  
Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

Now yes, we know that sounds pretty bad but when you're being told the worse isn't it reassuring? That is unless you think its worst than that - which we don't. We think this is as bad as it is. We were concerned that the press wasn't telling us how bad it was. This is straight from the sources' mouth. No spin and that's assuring to us. If it's bad - and we know it is. Tell us its bad and what's being done. We'll take it from there. Now take it from here by taking care of yourself and your loved one. It's going to take more than just washing your hands. Get in line and get your shot. IF you're not feeling well go to the hospital and wait in line and get your shot. Don't wait - because you may survive and most of us will. It's not about the best outcome it's about the worse that could happen to YOU!

And Don't Call Me Honestly!

Doctor, doctor, give me the news, I've got a bad case of lovin' you
No pill's gonna cure my ill, I've got a bad case of lovin' you - Robert Palmer Bad Case Of Loving You (LISTEN)

Sometimes you can't believe what you read especially when you read this WedMD headline: "Cancer Patients Want Honesty From Doctors." Who wants to be lied to when it comes to their health information. Patients might want the doctor to lie to their family and friends or maybe family and friends want the doctor's to lie to us - now that's news.We still think you should read the article and the stories because the story is more complicated than the headline would reveal. Many of the headlines, which are difficult to write, don't quite shed light on the complexity of the results. If the materials aren't publicly published we can't verify. We write (rather) email for more info to the mentioned speakers but they don't usually reply. While the info might be cited it can't always be checked. We just thought you should know! We're on it - as best we can! (YES, we know we said this before - both stories were to be one story but the length of the first precluded us from doing it.)

The story that Reuter's released highlighted: "(A)lmost three-quarters of the patients (72 percent) preferred to be called by their first name, even among elderly patients. There is a greater preference for this among females than males (76 percent to 66 percent), and white patients compared to blacks (74 percent to 56 percent). The study also shows that while 95 percent of all patients want their oncologist to be honest with them about their chances of cure and expected survival, there is a significantly increased preference for honesty among prostate cancer patients versus lung cancer patients (97 to 91 percent)."

Pearlie Mae Frierson Leach didn't mind being referred to by her first name though most doctors respected her age and did not. The doctors were young and overly optimistic about her chances all the while ignoring her mental state. Pearlie Mae could have responded to radiation treatment yet chose to not do so. She had given up when the family and doctors did not. That affected her recovery more than anything else. Her bone cancer would have meant and even greater dependence on pain medication. For Pearlie Mae that was an intolerable future.

Cancer Cholesterol / Cholesterol Cancer?!?!

We blame the researchers and the publications but if we spent the money and got our lazy behinds out to every single medical conference in the country we could get the verification for the information reported in the news. But have you read us? We tire easily and we're not the "Big & Rich" (hey they're not any longer) business we hope to be. What we can report is our experiences with Pearlie Mae Frierson Leach, after whom we are so named. All are articles we suggest you peruse beyond the headlines and the news story.

Many of the headlines (ABC News, US News & World Report, AP, WedMD), which are difficult to write, don't quite shed light on the complexity of the results. If the materials aren't publicly published we can't verify. We write (rather) email for more info to the mentioned speakers but they don't usually reply. While the info might be cited it can't always be checked. We just thought you should know! We're on it - as best we can!

The headline: Low Cholesterol May Be Sign of Undiagnosed Cancer from ABC News yesterday said: "Low total cholesterol may be a sign of cancer rather than a cause, as some researchers have suggested, and men who have low cholesterol actually have a lower risk of developing high-risk prostate cancer, two teams reported on Tuesday."

That headline seemed to contradict this headline from US News and World Report: "Low Cholesterol May Help Prevent Cancer - Two studies dispel longstanding fears about possible connection - Low blood cholesterol levels reduce the risk not only of heart disease but also of cancer, two new studies show."

AP reported using the same research report: "Men may protect more than their hearts if they keep cholesterol in line: Their chances of getting aggressive prostate cancer may be lower, new research suggests." WedMD reported: "Radiation treatment cuts the risk that melanoma will come back in people at high risk for recurrence, a new study suggests. Researchers studied more than 200 people with melanoma at high risk of having their cancer return after surgery because the disease had spread to the lymph nodes."

The original abstract from Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP) concluded: "Results from the two analyses of cholesterol and risk of cancer published in this issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention provide one answer and raise two new questions. Results from the ATBC analysis clearly show that low total cholesterol is unlikely to increase risk of cancer. At the same time, the ATBC results raise a new question about the potential role of high HDL cholesterol and its correlates in reducing risk of cancer."

You had to be there - unfortunately we couldn't and weren't. Hey its not the last time. We're working on other stories and because we weren't there we'll have to wait for responses to our questions from the researchers who tend to be too busy to answer emails. That's just the way it is!

Just Answer the Fr!gg@ng Question!

We've tried to investigate every conspiracy theory we could find, all except the most outlandish of claims. We looked for hidden reports, other suggestions, etc and for the most part we report daily what we find. Again, we love conspiracy theories and "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya."

However, its hard to hold on to a thread. Dental floss is fairly strong and the more you weave it the stronger it gets but most of the theories are made out of "old" cloth instead of whole cloth.

If you think that the government is out to get ya. Yeah, you're pretty much on your own. To quote Ron White: "You can't fix stupid!" Not that we're calling you stupid. We wouldn't dare! We're just quoting someone who makes money being funny. We would never say such a thing.

Which brings us to the following. In this age of lawsuits (and we've had our share) and counter-suits every organization and government entity is more than cautious. They're down right evasive. It's that evasiveness that causes people, including us, to travel the conspiracy highway. Most of the new voices in this new administration haven't quite mastered the art of evasion. So they're more likely to speak the truth than post the truth to their official sites as the agency's official word. Case in point remember last week when we said we'd VERIFY VERIFY VERIFY.

We thought regular flu treatments are similar to the swine flu and would help protect us. We thought because the swine flu started earlier than the regular flu and has killed so many people so soon that this flu is worst than the seasonal flu. Are they right and We wrong we asked the CDC Info Email Address the official information request line of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

"The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization web pages found at non-Federal organization web links. You may want to contact the Chicago Sun-Times regarding the accuracy of their material.

However, with seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.

When the 2009 H1N1 outbreak was first detected in mid-April 2009, CDC began working with states to collect, compile and analyze information regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, including the numbers of confirmed and probable cases and the ages of these people. The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy."

"For treatment or prevention of influenza (flu), CDC recommends the antiviral medicines (drugs that fight viruses):

• Oseltamivir, brand name Tamiflu; and
• Zanamivir, brand name Relenza

Tamiflu is available as a pill or liquid and Relenza is a powder that is inhaled.

The 2009 H1N1 flu virus is resistant (does not respond) to treatment with the other 2 antivirals used to treat other flu illness:

• Amantadine (Symmetrel); and
• Rimantadine (Flumadine)

Three 2009 H1N1 viruses have been detected that are resistant to oseltamivir, but these are isolated findings. At this time, CDC continues to recommend the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with H1N1 viruses.

Flu antiviral drugs are prescription drugs (pills, liquid, or inhaler) that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. Getting a flu vaccine each year is the first and most important step in protecting against flu. But, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense in the prevention and treatment of flu."

The question we asked was based on the Chicago SunTimes column on Flu Facts and Fiction by Health Reporter Monifa Thomas. Yes, we know this isn't Chicago but theirs was the most comprehensive article on the web that made really bold statements. We thought we'd verify those statements with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The October 29th article said:

"Misinformation about swine flu seems to be spreading almost as fast as the virus. Here are a few things you should know about the H1N1 virus:"

Here are the things we had a problem with based on past CDC information.

Regular flu treatments won't help swine flu.
Fiction. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza can help speed recovery, no matter which strain of flu you get. They're most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, though -- which means you need to see a doctor right away...

...Swine flu is worse than seasonal flu.
Fiction. Swine flu has resulted in 1,000 deaths nationwide since it
first appeared in April, the CDC says. In a typical year, seasonal flu
kills 36,000 Americans.

We were wrong about the first statement but again it was based on what the CDC originally reported when they said that the seasonal flu vaccine would be available prior to the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. We felt certain we were right. But we weren't. We were right because of what the CDC said but the information was outdated - just that quickly.

The second statement, as of the information we have now, is incorrect - just as quickly.

The problem is the same question was answered and is now published online as part of the CDC's Frequent Questions. They could have pointed to the answer as part of their answer to our questions. They could also instead of having a search box with no easy way to ask a question do the ole standby of frequently asked questions (FAQs). But NOOOOOOOOO!

Just answer the D?!*&#$@ Question! Pardon our French! That would eliminate all but the most die hard conspiracy "fearists" and their crackpot theories. Then we could get on with the business of taking care of each other.

Today is UHuh - Monday!

No! its the Day of the Dead. No - it's Dia de los Muertos! No. No. It's All Souls Day! No! It's World Usability Day! Or is it Deviled Egg Day? It's World Pneumonia Day! It's Don't Be Stupid about Diabetes so it's Stop Diabetes (Day?!?). It's something day!

We think we'll celebrate a day we can really do something about. Yes, we admit we might suffer from Diabetes but we're not doctors. We don't know and probably couldn't pass a diabetes street quiz. We watch HOUSE, MD and there are a lot of diseases we know absolutely nothing about. Many we probably suffer from but unless it's gonna kill us this year - we'll take a pass on the quizzes and stuff we should know. Right now we've "H1N1" focused and only some of us here are protected.

World Usability Day that's something we can get done. "Let World Usability Day 2009 be your impetus to create greater awareness for designs, products and services that improve the sustainability of our world. Be the one to bring the word to your company and community this year." And DONE! Finished.

"We already have the tools we need to prevent and treat pneumonia. Nevertheless, 2 million children under five years of age die from pneumonia each year—more than from HIV/AIDS, measles, and malaria combined. With World Pneumonia Day, we are seizing the opportunity to change this and ensure that necessary interventions reach the world’s most vulnerable and prevent avoidable deaths." Yeah what do they want us to do again? We think we'll get this one next year! Let's leave this one to the over fifty (50) organizations that are apart of WP Day to work it out. That's why they get the big bucks!

Ok. We'll give it a try - what do we do for World Pneumonia Day? "We can protect from pneumonia." How do we do this?

• Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is an important and easy way to help protect children from pneumonia and many other diseases.
• Other strategies, like good nutrition for older children
• hand-washing
• reducing indoor air pollution from cook stoves
• tobacco smoke
• can also help protect children from pneumonia"

Oh, is that all! We should have that done by - the end of the next millennium! That's after we've balanced the budget, solved the joblessness situation and brought peace to the middle east. Is there anything else to World Pneumonia Day we can get done?

• Preventing pneumonia before it occurs is key - Vaccines are a safe and effective tool for preventing pneumonia before it occurs. Vaccines against two of the main causes of life-threatening pneumonia – pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae b) – are used throughout the developed world. However, millions of children in developing countries still lack access to them.
• Measles and pertussis (ie. whooping cough) vaccines can prevent infections that can lead to pneumonia as a complication.
• Children should have access to effective and affordable treatment. The treatment for most types of serious pneumonia is usually antibiotics, which typically cost less than one dollar per dose. Tragically, only an estimated 1 of every 5 children with pneumonia receives antibiotics.
• Effective “case management” strategies can help to ensure that children receive the right treatment for pneumonia quickly, even in the poorest communities.

Well we won't be part of the problem so that should make us part of the solution. What do you think?

Days are hard! Thank God it's NOT Monday day!

"(M)any diabetes myths and misconceptions still exist, while the disease’s prevalence continues to rise. To combat this situation, this November during American Diabetes Month®, the American Diabetes Association is launching a new movement: Stop Diabetes"

We don't think we can. We're not feeling up to the challenge. But hey we tried to eliminate Pneumonia what do they want us to do to Stop Diabetes? "Become an Advocate. Participate in an Event. Get Screened/Take the Risk Test!"

WHY?!?!

"Every 20 seconds. That's how often someone is diagnosed with diabetes. That means that within the first week of this movement that started on October 29, 2009, 30,240 friends, family members and colleagues will be told they have the disease."

We're going to need a long nap first! We'll get back to you. Hey do us a favor if we over sleep, could you take care of that for us. We'd really appreciate. After that WORLD thing you know and time difference coming back to America we're really wiped out. We're dead tired. After all it is the Day of the Dead or whatever day. Really. Thank you ever so much!