Flu Pandemic of January 1968 Ellensburg

By Clem
(2 votes) (report abuse)
You had to be around to see how hard it hit the dorms and the rest of Central Washington State College. I was over in one of the dorms when it seemed everyone got sick. Mostly what I still remember is the image of my roomates laying in bed for about 5 days without really moving around much. If you went to class maybe half the student or more werent in class at the peak. It seemed like the high fever ran around five days plus there was no appetite at all. The other thing I remember was unlike other flu bugs I have had over the past 40 years was that it took about a month to completely recover. Also in my case my taste buds changed for quite a while. I dont think anyone died over at the college but I am sure there were some deaths in the senior population in Ellensburg. I also ended up some fond memories of my roomates who went out of their way to see that I was taken care of and the room was kept quiet. Thats a bigger deal than you think in a college dorm. Any noise seemed rather bothersome. Anyway thats my memory from 40 years ago. Anyone else have any memories? Funny thing though since Saturday I have been running a fever in the 102 degree range so I am pretty sure I have the flu. Since everyone says dont panic I am going to hang out at home and only unless I get the proverbial "death rattle" in my chest will I go to the doctor. But then again I might change my mind..l0l
Sorry to hear you're sick- but great cartoon! byMC April 28, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I'm not real scared yet personally. It sounds like in Mexico City they have maybe 1600 cases with 20 deaths, and no deaths outside of Mexico, so I'm not at all convinced this is "The Killer Death Flu". Frankly I wonder if their supposedly hideous air pollution + poverty letting secondary pneumonia get really bad before seeking treatment could be compounding factors.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021547.stm
Re: Flu Pandemic and sorry you're sick byworkingvolunteermom April 28, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I'm not scared, just a little nervous. Having a kid in school and playing an organized sport can open up a whole new can of worms. I also work with money and the public everyday and I guess it may be time for me to start washing my hands more often. I also probably need to clean the steering wheel in my car and my mouse and keyboard! A lot of times, I come home from work and don't even think about things like that. I sit down at the computer, check my email, and there you go. Yuck when you think about it! I just don't normally worry about things like that.
First Swine Flu Death In US byCleElum1 April 29, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
http://www.cnn.com
Experience and Influenza Virus byAureliux April 29, 2009 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Perhaps sharing my little bit of past experience and knowledge about this type of virus may be of some help.

I have had a very unfortunate front row seat of seeing otherwise healthy, young men die because of things like this. Their immune system wasn't compromised. What happened to them could have been prevented. There was not a doctor available.

MOST victims don't actually die OF the virus. What IS 100% fatal is sudden dehydration with an absence of electrolytes in the body IF it isn't treated as needed which is usually right away, and kept up with on a regular schedule.

In the one bad experience I witnessed men were dying less than 8 hours from first onset of symptoms. It was not a pretty sight.

Perhaps things have been changed, upgraded, and updated since I had to deal with things like this. USED to be, at onset of symptoms, to get fluids into the patient every 30 minutes.

There might be some correct rule of thumb out in the field system for correct electrolyte replacement. I don't know what it is. Don't want to use too much because that can cause problems too. There are all kinds of things that can work for this. I have a recipe somewhere for making a powdered sports drink additive that combines potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate. Usually have a can or two of that powdered gatorade around. Coca Cola (Classic only...) will work quite well and has been used in a LOT of places to keep people alive.

Watching what you touch, being very conscious of keeping clean and not carrying germs around, and staying alert can go a long ways towards responsible protection.

Anyone out there that thinks they have more up to date info, or want to add something, please feel free to work with us on this one, OK?

A.
RE: Experience and Influenza Virus byMC April 29, 2009 (0 votes) (report abuse)
The BBC link I posted above has an update: the first death in the US is reported, a 2yo... very sad. But the Mexican death toll actually confirmed due to flu has been ratcheted down from 20 to 7.
Might have turned the corner byClem April 29, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
My wife and I got sick at the same time. Since thursday we have ran fevers between 99 and 103.1. Everyday the temp would register at least 102. The night before last I had to get up and change my shirt because it was so wet. On monday we barely got out of bed. This probably isnt as bad as the 1968 Hong Kong flu but its not far off. This is the first time I can remember running a fever of 103 in maybe 50 years...

The wifes coughing has been pretty bad. I went down to the local pharmacy and picked up a bottle of codeine cough syrup. The DXM stuff doesnt work for my wife. I am glad the State hasnt decided to make over the counter sales illegal. You do have to sign for the stuff though. It beats having to pay $110 for a Dr visit. The Pharmacist in town said he hadnt heard anything about the flu going around so I wonder where we got it? I am really hoping no one else in the family catches it. So far it looks ok. We were a little lax the first couple of days and thought it was a bad cold. Our temps have gotten closer to normal today but we still feel lousy. Tomorrow will be one full week of the flu. The only thing that could make it worst would be pneumonia or an ear infection.
RE: Might have turned the corner bygorilla in the room April 29, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse)
It will take you a couple of weeks to fully recover from this terrible bug you have. It has been going around Eburg for the last couple of months...several of my co-workers had it. Many students on campus were suffering this malady also. Their biggest complaint was not being able to sleep laying down because the cough was SO severe, it wouldn't stop. One girl told me she had to sleep sitting up otherwise she never would have gotten any shut eye. My family (knock on wood) seemed to have escaped the wrath of the nasties...I hope you feel better soon!
Thank You Codeine Cough Syrup! byClem April 29, 2009 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
My wife has been sacked out a lot on the sofa in an elevated position. Plus at night I have almost had to find another place to sleep. Anyway she is part of the population that doesnt respond well to DXM type of cough syrups. I havent had any trouble with coughing. I havent taken cough syrup and my lungs are very congested. I am so glad they still sell this stuff. The thought did cross my mind that maybe the Police would be waiting when I went to pick it up...LOL. Her coughing has been cut down at least 50%. Still not good but its tolerable.
RE: Thank You Codeine Cough Syrup! byAureliux May 02, 2009 (0 votes) (report abuse)
I can't do the C'dene, allergic to it. Doc would set me up with something called Tessalon Pearles. Round gel caps, didn't seem to be a problem for driving or operating machinery. And they worked real good for knocking down the symptoms so I could get to sleep at night.
Hope you are feeling better and getting over being sick.

A.
Hope everyone is feeling better. byworkingvolunteermom May 01, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Glad to hear you are feeling a little better. Thanks for the tip on the Codine Cough Syrup and that it is available over the counter. I am also one of those people who, every 7-8 years has had the crud in the lungs and a cough that won't let me rest. It is good to know that I can buy it. I usually end up going to the Dr. and getting a prescription. Good to know, that if I don't have the funds, I can get what I need. Take care and feel better.
Walking Pneumonia byClem May 01, 2009 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I finally went to the clinic when the temp hit 103.4 a couple of days ago. They made me put on a mask and after a while told me I didnt have the flu just "walking pneumonia". Oh well so much for toughing out the flu.. I got some pills but now my ear is starting to hurt and I am thinking mabye I need to see "my doctor". I should have done that along time ago. The fever is gone though.
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