Navy vet fighting for his life
Fox5 San Diego reports that Navy Veteran Shawn Burrough is in the Intensive Care Unit at Sharp Grossmont Hospital there fighting for his life after contracting the influenza virus;
[His wife] Jennifer said it all started around Christmas when a flu bug hit the Burrough household.
“He had a little chest congestion, headache, body ache — the usual stuff where you’re like, OK, I’m getting the flu,” said Jennifer.
Even though Shawn was sick, he continued to work and didn’t rest.
Jennifer said the next thing she knew, on New Year’s Day they were in the emergency room.
“He couldn’t breathe. They had to rush me out, they had to intubate him and sedate him,” said Jennifer. “They told me he was in renal failure, his white count was through the roof, he has severe pneumonia.”
The Burroughs chose not to get the flu shot this year because “the success rate was low.” The success rate is even lower if you don’t get the shot. It’s also low if you ignore the symptoms and wait until you can’t breathe to see a doctor.
Category: Dumbass Bullshit
Even when the flu shot doesn’t prevent the flu, it can still reduce its severity. Even the best vaccines won’t be 100% effective, but why wouldn’t you do what you can to improve your odds?
This has been the worst flu season in years. Took me three weeks to completely shake it. I know a lot of folks who have had it already,!and we probably haven’t seen the season’s peak yet.
This report from Fox says 45 people have died from the flu this season, the outbreak is hitting 46 states so far, and emergency rooms are overwhelmed.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/01/07/severe-flu-in-california-brings-medicine-shortages-kills-27.html
They don’t indicate which strain of flu it is, but getting the flu shot should prevent getting it.
I can’t imagine not getting the flu vax. It’s just a precaution, that’s all. As silly as people have become about immunizations, I don’t think anyone should be taking a chance like that, avoiding the flu shot.
The flu shots weren’t available where I live until October, which was a little late, in my view, but I went as soon as they became available. Now I’m glad I did.
I don’t take the flu shots, too many horror stories about victims! I took one many, many years ago in the Navy and it worked..I GOT THE FLu….NO THANKS!
I would make an exception for those people like me who have a history that is listed as a contraindication / risk for the vaccine.. but otherwise, yeah, not a bad idea, especially if you’re in a higher risk group..
As I recall, pneumonia is a common serious complication of the flu.
Pneumonia can also be deadly if not treated in a timely manner. It contributed to the death of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets.
I hope the man Jonn talks about above pulls through.
It damn near killed me a year ago and it took months to recover from it.
You had us all worried with that little bout Jonn…
And it tends to stick around and try again periodically.
For years.
Do beware, eh?
Yep.
Oh, yeah.
Pneumonia should NEVER be treated lightly, but it can be hard to differentiate between the two (in the early stages). IIRC, difficulty breathing and/or pain in the chest making it hard to breath are dead giveaways for pneumonia.
In ’97, I contracted double Pneumonia (means both lungs) in early Summer, seemed ok to return to work about six weeks later.
Boy, was I wrong. A family friend who was a RN warned me about NOT getting a relapse.
Which is exactly what happened. I have never been so sick in my life. I’m pretty sure without modern medicine, I would have gone to meet my Maker.
Made me understand how the fatality numbers during the Spanish Flu Pandemic could even be possible. It took months to recover. Nearly a year later I would still cough a little when inhaling cool air.
No sir, Pneumonia is no joke.
Be sure to get your Pneumonia shot.
So why not just take a pneumonia shot and forgo the problems too many people have with reactions to the flu shot?
The pneumonia shot doesn’t prevent all types of pneumonia. I had mine and still got pneumonia last year.
Pretty sure that most people would if they could get it. I only got one about a year ago, in spite of a history of having pneumonia. Due to get a second one any day now – if I can find a day that the driveway isn’t iced over and I don’t already feel congested.
Pneumonia is not always caused by germs, It can be mechanical, or so they tell me. Had it once, or so they say, from a malfunctioning mask which caused fluid to collect in my lungs.
I was told that a pneumonia shot is good for five years.
He is in my thoughts.
I hope is is OK.
Get well soon Sailor.
I’m required to get a flu shot each year. I work one-on-one with our hospitalized veterans as a VA Volunteer. It protects both myself and the patients.
I am 57 and work EMS and in addition to the various Hep shots and Flu shot, at my age I get the pneumonia vaccine as well.
Most people in my rural area dismiss the flu and pneumonia shots with a remark something along the lines of “I’ve had the flu several times and did just fine”…what they actually had was a seasonal virus because the flu makes you feel like you are dying or want to die.
I see a lot of injury and illness; the flu and pneumonia scare me. Keep spreading the word guys, the flu shot is getting some really bad press right now and the death rate is up this season.
Oh, and I was terribly remiss in not wishing this Sailor and his family a positive outcome.
CDC reports 15% effective even if you had the shot
It is my prayer that Shawn will succeed in rallying from this virus.
Actually that is part of the rumor mill medical practicioners are trying to combat. As of 2 days ago the CDC is reporting about a 32% effectiveness and I think people get confused because they do not realize there are multiple strains of influenza in curculation. It may be 60% effective against one strain and 15% against another.
The vaccine can also lessen the effects which can save vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, people with compromised immune systems etc even if they in fact do catch the flu.
Many people still believe you can catch the flu from the vaccine which is medically impossible but no amount of public information seems to change peoples minds. I had the flu one time in my life and it was horrible and I would do just about anything for a chance to avoid it again.
A free or nearly free shot seems like a no brainer.
Prayers for Shawn—you can pull through this one..
I agree with all of the above, got the flu 20 years ago, damned near killed me. I never fail to get the flu shot and pnumonia shot! I am praying for this sailor to pull thru and have a full recovery! God Bless you sir!
I never got a flu shot but this year the weather’s been really weird with it cold and warm in San Diego California I got the flu the worst feeling I’ve ever had in my life I’m always wearing a hat socks and a scarf in January or something like that
Prayer for him
And he see his lovely kids again
Hang in their salior
Love
I sincerely hope this man gets better, and soon, too.
Looks like he’s whooping whatever tried to kill him, with plenty of help from some awesome Docs and Nurses.
Can’t keep a good Sailor down…
https://www.youcaring.com/forjenniferandshawnburrough-1057913