What I've learned about the flu (so far) from working the the ICU.

[lovetwins89]

I admit it - I'm scared. I've always had this attitude about the H1N1 flu: it's not that big of deal, people are over-reacting. I just don't know anymore. No I don't think it's going to wipe out populations, but I know from experience now just how deadly it can be.

Let me explain.

I'm getting my info from the infection control doc at the hospital I work for. Plus, I am personally going into these flu isolation rooms and caring for these patients myself. I look funny in the mask, gown, gloves and shoe covers that I have to wear, but who cares - I have 2 kids, I am scared to bring it home.

Ok, so at my hospital, I'll call it "K" they are not sending off to test for H1N1, aka "swine" flu. They are assuming it is because it is not the season for the regular flu.

Here is the disease process as it has been explained to me (the end result of this is what I deal with).

You breath the virus into your lungs, into the small sacs of air where oxygen exchange happens.....your immune system sends WBC to destoy the virus also destroying the tissue in the lungs. The sacs because weak and so blood seeps in filling the sacs up collapsing them (the sacs should be open and filled with oxygen, not blood).

Now the blood oxygen exchange cannot happen because of the collapsed blood-filled sacs are not doing their job anymore. This is called ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome). THIS is what is killing otherwise healthy people. These people end up on the ventilator because they can no longer breath on their own. The problem is, the ventilator still cannot make the blood/oxyegen exchange happen, therefore the organs are not getting enough oxygen, resulting in multi-system organ failure.

Ok, now that I've given the bad news, here is the hopeful news: not everyone gets this severe effect. We really don't know why some people's immune system reacts this way, damaging the lungs. Most people will recover from the flu without going into ARDS. ARDS kills people with the regular flu, it is just happening 100 more times in H1N1 than the regular flu.

That is still nowhere near enough to wipe out populations, just enough to make you more cautious. The reason I'm scared is because I am in the same room with these patients - a lot of them. I guess putting my fear down helps me deal with it.

So everyone just do what we know to do to stop the spread. Cough or sneeze into a tissue, WASH YOUR HANDS, and just use common sense.

I will continue to gown, mask and glove up, then rush home, strip and shower before my family touches me.

[RNsteph]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 10:03 AM

It is scary, isn't it?  I have never been one to buy into the media hoopla, either, but I am definitely getting my kids vaccinated against H1N1, and as an RN, I have already been vaccinated.  This one scares me.