zika virus

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tonia
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zika virus

Postby tonia » Mon Feb 01, 2016 6:32 pm

Let me start by saying I am sorry if this offends anyone, not my intention AT ALL.

The zika virus is a horrible, awful thing and I am in no way downplaying its need to be eradicated. Having said that, I am frustrated and upset by the fact that this virus, that is just now getting on everyone's radar, has the whole world jumping through hoops to find a way to stop it. "International emergency" according to the WHO.

WHY, WHY, WHY, for heavens sake is c diff not getting the same attention??! Or has it and I am just too late in the game to know it? I had never once heard of it until I got it. It was not mentioned constantly on the news or showing up in my FB feed. Where is the INTERNATIONAL media frenzy on this? Where is the "international emergency" status for us? This may sound so childish, and I feel bad for that as I know innocent babies are being affected by this virus and that is truly heartbreaking. But what makes one virus/bacteria so much more important than another? I would think anything taking lives, ruining lives, and able to be passed from person to person should all get the same fast action. Am I alone in feeling like this? I hope not.

Makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs as I feel like we have all been hung out to dry........rant over

NikaNik
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Re: zika virus

Postby NikaNik » Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:30 pm

Tonia - I completely agree! Zika is awful as are all illnesses but what drives me so crazy about c diff is literally ANYONE can get it and it's completely preventable. The only known route of transmission is fecal/oral. So, if it's on a surface and you ingest it, congratulations, now it's in your gut and you probably won't know at all until you take an antibiotic or PPI and it begins to proliferate (even if it's months/years later that you take an antibiotic). I was never warned as a visitor or patient to any hospital, doctors office or nursing home to not touch surfaces as they could have c diff on them or, if I did, to keep my hands away from my face (and also that sanitizer is useless). I want to shout it from the roof tops because so many people touch things, then eat or touch their mouths. Much blame is on antibotics (and yes of course they are a HUGE part of the problem - but if no one ingested c diff to begin with then antibotics wouldn't be a "cause" for it).
Last edited by NikaNik on Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

AllisS
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Re: zika virus

Postby AllisS » Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:53 pm

Tonia and NikaNik, I agree with you both wholeheartedly. Those of us who have had C. difficile, as well as others who are aware of and concerned about the massive threat it poses, need to start organizing and lobbying elected officials and confronting the so-called watchdog agencies, e.g., CDC, in my opinion. This forum is great, but online, virtual information exchanges among ourselves won't bring this to the forefront the way that it needs to be.

To make matters worse, CDC, which should be taking a leadership role, appears to be generating contradictory, misleading information within healthcare facilities themselves. In Boston, where I live, the major teaching hospital at which I see my PCP and some specialists, as well as a second hospital specializing in joint replacement (and, I suspect, other hospitals, both in this area and nationwide as well), seem to be waging a "disinformation" campaign whereby they are using computer screensavers that claim alcohol-based hand gels are "better than soap and water" for killing bacteria. I've contacted the first hospital's infectious disease department, its patient relations representative, and even the CEO's office, all to no avail, as they have responded that they get their guidelines from CDC. I haven't believed this for a long time, as CDC has issued guidelines stating the opposite, which is what we've understood to be the case as well, that being that only soap and water kills C. difficile spores. However, the other day I saw the CDC logo at the bottom of one of these screensavers.

At very least, I wonder if several of us could try and set up a conference call with someone at CDC to try and get clarification of its guidelines. If either of you, or anyone else reading this, is interested, please PM me.

Allison
If your illness was preceded by use of a medication, e.g., an antibiotic, please fill out an FDA Adverse Event Report at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

Bobbie
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Re: zika virus

Postby Bobbie » Mon Feb 01, 2016 11:23 pm

Sorry I have not gotten back to you, Allis. I lost my billfold - credit cards, drivers license, medical cards, etc., and have spent hours trying to trace them.

If anyone can set up a conference call, I am willing to participate. I used to talk to Dr. Clifford McDonald, who tracked c diff cases for the CDC but have not in years. He is participating in a radio show re c diff in May.. I will post the info in Media Reports.

Liz said Mt Sanai Hospital and other hospitals in CA stress hand washing with soap and water.

NanciT
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Re: zika virus

Postby NanciT » Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:50 am

Many of our local hospitals including the one I am at has "Gel' which is everywhere throughout the hospital but Hand washing is the ultimate choice.
In the orientation I teach for the hospital, Hand washing is the focus. Students are taught the specifics to the skill and stickers are placed on all doors where patients may have a various amount of contact illnesses. It is required along with masks, gloves, etc. I have seen a big change in the last 5 years. They have also changed what is required at the hospital.

I still see CDIFF cases.

iamsick
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Re: zika virus

Postby iamsick » Tue Feb 02, 2016 1:48 am

Tonia, I was thinking the same as you after reading about the Zika Virus. Media has really jumped on the band wagon about it. Why have they not shown as much interest in cdiff. It is such frightening illness in so many ways.
Teresa_68

Bobbie
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Re: zika virus

Postby Bobbie » Tue Feb 02, 2016 2:04 am

NanciT,
Good for you. We need more experts to teach how to treat c diff.

TowerL
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Re: zika virus

Postby TowerL » Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:18 pm

I agree with you Tonia! How had I not heard of c diff before getting it? he worst part the toll it takes financially, socially, and emotionally. Zika and its effects are horrible but C diff can be much more deadly.

I did see an article on my FB feed about c diff. Seems the word is getting out there although not fast enough to make major change.


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