The Stupid Swine Flu aka H1N1

Oh for the love of pete. The H1N1 is out in full force and raging. In my last 3 shifts I have seen so many cases, suctioned so much snot, and been coughed on way too much. I spent most of the time charging one night on the phone telling people yes they are positive and yes please stay inside. I can't believe it's this bad this early in the year. The ER as a result is even more chaos--I feel so bad for the respiratory therapists this year. It's going to beasty!! I don't even need the vaccine because I have been exposed to it so much already. Tonight was an especially horrible case. For the most part H1N1 is like the regular flu and there isn't much to do for it but wait out the symptoms. Yes, plan on being miserable. However, there are a few age groups and types of people who have a higher risk. Pregnancy is a HUGE risk factor. Children under 5. Elderly over the age 65. Please be extra careful!! Wash your hands, wear a mask when around an infected person, cough and sneeze into your own shirt. Here are a few resources to help you keep track of it.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm
http://health.utah.gov/epi/h1n1flu/

Tonight we had and exceptionally bad case. The patient walked into the triage room sat down in a wheelchair and coded. Another problem--the patient was morbidly obese. When managed to get the patient to the trauma room and had to tube her, do compressions, and give drugs on the floor. Needless to say spit, vomit, and other bodily fluids were sprayed everywhere. Most the ED staff were exposed. Longs battles, lots of CPR and drugs and the patient had a pulse but was unstable. The patient was declared a suspicious H1N1 case. Oh the joy!!! I stripped off the scrubs, got some new ones, and cleaned my shoes. I REALLY hope I don't get sick. Though I think the vaccine is practically useless at this point.