Flu Death in West Virginia

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http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/03/20/WVa_teen_dies_of_flu_complications/UPI-15821237579699/

March 20, 2009

W.Va. teen dies of flu complications

CHARLESTON, W.Va., March 20 
(UPI) -- A 15-year-old girl has died in South Charleston, W.Va., of 
complications from the flu, health officials say.

Kanawha-Charleston Health Department officials said Emily 
Kaitlyn Sims became the state's first reported pediatric influenza death since 
2004 with her death on March 5, the Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail said 
Friday.
Rahul Gupta, the health department's director, said the 
teen died shortly after being showing signs of the flu and visiting her family 
physician.
Sims was freshman and an honor student at St. Albans High 
School at the time of her death.
Gupta said Thursday that tests are being conducted to 
determine if methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria had anything 
to do with Sims' death.
"One of the things we have to worry about is MRSA, or the 
super-bug," Gupta told the Daily Mail. "There is no proof at this point that 
this is what this young lady had. We're waiting on future testing." 
comments:  What is it? It is something that many of Bluebird's friends, families, and children have in West Virginia. What is it  like - deep cough- fever (not high so far) - a literally does not test positive on our current screens. 
There is no doubt there is a serious MRSA problem. 
It is called by some the "Super Bug" which is resistant to all forms of antivirals and treatment. There has been time for future testing since she died on March 5. Just like the reports on Flu in many instances seem to be frozen in Week 9 - there has been serious MRSA problem here for a long time. 
It has spread from the hospital areas into the schools and general population. Tracking MRSA and as I have posted VRSA (the new up and coming really bad one) should become a top priority of the health agencies in the United States. 
Medclinician

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Flu Death in West Virginia Posted: March 21 2009 at 4:21am
	http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/03/20/WVa_teen_dies_of_flu_complications/UPI-15821237579699/ March 20, 2009 W.Va. teen dies of flu complications CHARLESTON, W.Va., March 20 (UPI) -- A 15-year-old girl has died in South Charleston, W.Va., of complications from the flu, health officials say. Kanawha-Charleston Health Department officials said Emily Kaitlyn Sims became the state's first reported pediatric influenza death since 2004 with her death on March 5, the Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail said Friday. Rahul Gupta, the health department's director, said the teen died shortly after being showing signs of the flu and visiting her family physician. Sims was freshman and an honor student at St. Albans High School at the time of her death. Gupta said Thursday that tests are being conducted to determine if methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria had anything to do with Sims' death. "One of the things we have to worry about is MRSA, or the super-bug," Gupta told the Daily Mail. "There is no proof at this point that this is what this young lady had. We're waiting on future testing." comments: What is it? It is something that many of Bluebird's friends, families, and children have in West Virginia. What is it like - deep cough- fever (not high so far) - a literally does not test positive on our current screens. There is no doubt there is a serious MRSA problem. It is called by some the "Super Bug" which is resistant to all forms of antivirals and treatment. There has been time for future testing since she died on March 5. Just like the reports on Flu in many instances seem to be frozen in Week 9 - there has been serious MRSA problem here for a long time. It has spread from the hospital areas into the schools and general population. Tracking MRSA and as I have posted VRSA (the new up and coming really bad one) should become a top priority of the health agencies in the United States. Medclinician

coleyounger666 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Joined: January 22 2009 Status: Offline Points: 149	Post Options Post Reply Quote coleyounger666 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 21 2009 at 9:17am
	Sims was freshman and an honor student at St. Albans High School at the time of her death. profile fits she probley had a strong immune system and it over reacted.

coleyounger666 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Joined: January 22 2009 Status: Offline Points: 149	Post Options Post Reply Quote coleyounger666 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 21 2009 at 9:26am
	http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/200903190360 She represents the best of teenagers morally, ethically and academically in all areas File photo

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 21 2009 at 10:00am
	If she died on 3/5/09, her mrsa results should be in already. I hope this story doesnt get squashed. Mrsa knows no race, no age, nor hygine., nor income. MC: We see cases where mrsa is resolved , then returns. I have seen cases where Levoquin was rx'd at the start. That worried me, bringing out the bigdog as the choice of tx. for a first time suspect mrsa skin infection. Before I even read the article, my first thoughts were influenza/mrsa co-infection, Im pretty sure you thought the same as evidenced by your post. Now we are into spring, warmer weather, and mrsa thrives in warmer weather, sweaty skin, although this year,winter didnt seem to bother the nasty mrsa bacterium. "Tracking MRSA and as I have posted VRSA (the new up and coming really bad one) should become a top priority of the health agencies in the United States." I could not agree with you more. You are spot on with your comments. Think about all the patients that think they have a simple common boil or rison, squeeze it, and do not seek medical care until more infections crop up elsewhere on thier bodies. Think about the ppl. now who do not have money to see a doctor because of the economy, or they lost their jobs and no longer have health insurance. Can you say MRSA Epidemic possibly followed by VRSA epidemic secondary to economic collapse.