Well, this is disturbing...

[PCIntern]

I have just heard from a high-ranking individual employed by a major Philadelphia teaching hospital that five women who were suffering from H1N1 have died post-partum at the facility, and one of the three remaining children in the hospital has also passed away, the other two are apparently stable and in the NICU. These events occurred this past week.


This is one hospital...

There have also, according to this individual, been major changes in the allowance of visitors, but to no avail...people are entering the hospital to visit knowing that they are ill with the flu.

There has been no press coverage of this situation here.

I have written about my experiences with 'GRID' (sic), AIDS, TB, and other transmissible diseases here over the years and this fits the pattern.

"Move along...there's nothing to see here."

[PCIntern]

1. I have an appointment right now

with a physician affiliated with the same hospital...I will report when I get back....

[cry baby]

2. very sad. thanks for the info. hopefully many will get the vaccine when available. nt

[Cleita]

8. Well, I understand that there is plenty of vaccine on Wall Street.

If you have any stocks, maybe if you wave the certificates at them, they will give you a shot.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. What are people thinking? Visiting hospital with the flu? People are selfish

[sharesunited]

4. Trauma hospital here is transferring flu patients out to other hospitals

so they can continue to accept gunshot and car accident cases.

[lapfog_1]

5. My niece is currently ill

Very ill, with a horrible rackety cough, fever, body aches.

But no vomiting. She is 27 and works at a State Park visitors center (so she is coming into contact with hundreds of visitors every day).

When her mother (my sister) and I went to visit last night (and take her some soup and orange juice), I suggested that she needs to go to the hospital and be treated for H1N1.

She INSISTED that "it's not swine flu!" (because she hasn't felt sick to her stomach).

I, however, believe that is EXACTLY what she has.

[sandnsea]

7. That's what we have up here

And yes I do think it's swine flu because everybody who has been tested has swine flu. They won't test here unless a person is having serious complications. My husband had vomiting, but none of the rest of us did. We just felt like crap forever. Breathing problems are one of the key signs of swine flu too, it kills people when it turns into pneumonia.

[gateley]

10. If you're diagnosed with it, what is the treatment? How are you guys feeling now? nt

[sandnsea]

14. Everyone in this area who was diagnosed, has swine flu

None of us were sick enough to need a diagnosis. They told people not to even go to the doctor unless you were seriously sick. The general treatment is the same as any flu, rest, fluids, whatever cold meds you want to take. The grandbaby was given some kind of lung stuff because her breathing got bad. We just have coughs left at this point.

[dgibby]

9. Nausea, vomiting can go along with the flu, but not always.

You're most likely right.

[Barack_America]

6. Penn?

All they told us was they were banning visitors under 16.

You can PM me if you'd rather not name the institution publicly.

I'm going to be on OB in January. I so hope I don't have to witness such a tragedy, but I fear I will.

[PCIntern]

12. Didn't know you were aboard here at DU...

Howdy from Center City!!

Can't comment on the institution...you're warm, however.

[Blue Diadem]

11. There was a young woman who passed away in a neighboring county they think from H1N1. Her twins were

taken by c section 11 weeks early, a week or so before she died. As of now, they are saying the babies are doing ok. Thing is two quick tests were negative for H1N1, but they are still thinking that is what the mom had and are awaiting the final test result.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091107/NEWS16/911070387

A little over a week ago the news stations announced that area hospitals were revamping their visitor requirements, there were to be no children under 18 visiting anyone and that anyone with cold or flu symptoms, even so much as a sore throat or cough should stay away from the hospitals unless they were being treated.

[PCIntern]

13. Just back...

After the medical dribble-drabble:

PCintern: Hey, I heard there were some post-natal fatalitites...what's up with that?

Real Doc: Where did you hear that?

PCIntern: From the Medical Examiner's office... :sarcasm: ...where did you THINK I heard that? From a patient.

RD: Yeah, maybe...they're not sure why.

PCIntern: Remember (Flyers Hockey Player) Tim Kerr's wife? She died in childbirth here and the ramifications were felt for years. It was big news. This, apparently is not newsworthy?

RD: Not yet I guess. See you next time.

************************************

P.S.: that's my favorite: "See you next time"...a tautology. If there isn't a next time, you don't see me.