Summer Camps Slammed by Swine Flu

5- to 24-Year-Olds Now the Most Affected Group; Some Camps for Kids with Other Health Problems Shut Down

(CBS)  A study out today says that the H1N1, or swine flu, virus is very similar to the strain that caused the 1918 pandemic. Researchers say this latest strain thrives in the lungs. But anti-viral medications can be effective against it.

People born before 1918, it appears, are immune. But there's concern about the very young, especially as they go to summer camp, reports CBS News medical correspondent Jennifer Ashton.

Kids have been coming to North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains for the Blue Star camp experience for 60 years. But this year 13-year-old Nikki Jaffe experienced something she never expected.

"I had a really bad headache. I just didn't feel good overall, and I was coughing a lot," Jaffe said.

Eleven-year-old Jessica Bachner says she'd never felt so bad.

"It felt different than having a fever," she said. "It was more."

it was, in fact, likely H1N1 or swine flu, now spreading through summer camps across America. At least 50 have reported outbreaks and the Centers for Disease Control is urging all camps to take precautions. Since the new flu is affecting people between the ages of 5 and 24 more than any other group, campers and counselors are especially vulnerable.

At Blue Star, two campers tested positive and 35 others were believed to be infected, but none of the cases were serious. They were given anti-viral medication and isolated.

"They'd come in the first day with about 101, take their Tamiflu," said Rodger Popkin, owner and director of Blue Star Camps. "By the third day they wanted to go back to camp."

This session, Blue Star isn't taking any chances. Kids showing up with fevers are sent home. At the mess hall, sharing is out and hand sanitizer is in.

"Always use the antibacterial and wash your hands before you eat," recited camper Mason Redler. "I'll try my best."

Camps for kids with health conditions like muscular dystrophy or asthma have shut down altogether so as not to put more vulnerable children at risk.

[drstu1]

The notion that is repeatedly spread with respect to alcohol based hand sanitizers needs to be qualified.
There are two primary (and otherwise generic) active ingredients used in the manufacture of hand sanitizer products. One is the legacy, alcohol-based gel type. The other, is a non-alcohol formula that uses the antiseptic benzalkonium chloride ("BAC"). The latter is the same active ingredient found in dozens of health care/antiseptic products, ranging from Bactine antiseptic to most spermicidal foams.

Alcohol kills germs. It also kills protective skin cells, industrial floor wax, paint, and most fabrics and materials.
Alcohol does not penetrate dirt. Which is why Purell and other manufacturers recommend washing with soap and water before applying. That makes sense; wash with soap and water and then pour alcohol on to your skin so that your skin protective skin cells are destroyed.

Flammability risk. Yes, alcohol hand sanitizers are highly flammable.

Yes, the CDC has been telling people to use ?alcohol hand sanitizer? when washing with soap is not convenient.

Here?s a fact: On May 5, in the midst of the Swine Flu ?crisis?, when Dr. Richard Besser, the recently displaced interim director of the CDC was pointedly questioned as to why CDC has not changed their recommendation since 1996, and has made little to no reference to non-alcohol formulas being equally effective, Dr. Besser stated ?Thanks for bringing this to my attention. We have some internal communications that we?re working on.?

Yes, the email was directed to the undersigned. It was followed by an email from a CDC staffer saying that Dr. Besser had requested him to follow up and clarify the CDC?s position. It said
1. CDC does recommend alcohol-based hand sanitizer products.
2. CDC does not recommend products.
3. The inquiry pertaining to non-alcohol hand sanitizer formulas is ?beyond the scope of the CDC Infection Control Desk.?

All despite the fact that several government agencies, including the GSA have prohibited alcohol-based sanitizers, as have more than 500 schools throughout the US and Canada. Oh..so has the United States Navy.

We know this because the entities described above are merely a sampling of those that have procured our company?s products on a completely unsolicited basis.

Why? because products such as the ones that we make (and we tip our hats to our competitors) are proven to be equally, and arguably more effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens (including Swine Flu) when compared to legacy alcohol-based products.
1.non-toxic
2. non-flammable
3. antiseptic (can be safely applied to cuts/abrasions)
4. hypoallergenic
5. non/drying and non-irritating to the skin
6. provides greater persistency

MGS Brands
US Distributor Soapopular (www.soapyusa.com)
Global License: Hy5 (www.hy5sanitizer.com)

[nolongersick]

I have a suggestion for swine flu prevention that could be taught right at camp! My daughter learned this great program at school called Germy Wormy Germ Smart. It teaches kids to understand how germs spread and how to NOT spread them. It was so much fun for her, and amazing how quickly the kids learned healthier hygiene habits! The website speaks for itself:

www.germywormy.com

[quidam56]

As a former health care giver, I am shocked and saddened to see what has become of health care in America. $ 1. 4 million is being spent per day in DC by the health care lobbyists so your elected representative is getting taken care of and has quality health care we pay for and can't afford ourselves for our families, I know what is deemed, defended and supported in Tennessee and Virginia as quality health care and clearly profit care comes ahead of patient care. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 MRSA ( methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureas ) is infesting our communities because filthy, uncaring hospitals and emergency rooms are breeding them and spreading them into our schools, homes, restaurants. How many more Americans' will be diseased or die while 74 % of Americans' are begging for health care reform ? More people died in America last year from MRSA complications than AIDS. When MRSA and a flu bug start mixing, it won't be pretty and we are being infected by the very health care system we depend on and trust to keep us safe and healthy.