Linda, I think this is some of the most frightening news I've heard. I'm
glad we are being heard, that's great. But the thought that most pregnant
women exposed are dying with this is terrifying.

 

LLLLeaders (and generally the whole lactation community) are at high risk,
at that point, and should be very very careful when working around others.
We have the potential of catching, carrying and infecting others if we are
not. Most LLLLs are of childbearing age (well, except for those of us who
have just slightly exceeded that stage of life.) From what I understand,
this virus is contagious *before* the onset of symptoms.

 

As always, handwashing is the single most effective way of preventing the
spread of disease, but it may not be enough with this virus. I don't know
how effective a simple mask would be, it may be that masks used for Tb
patients may be more effective, but it would be unlikely to see that in the
general public, let alone in a field such as ours.

 

With the "terror alert" constantly at orange and the US being always at
"high risk" of terrorist acts, it is difficult to imagine anything as deadly
as this virus could be. I think many of us are tired of terror alerts, and
tend to not take them very seriously (the rubber band has been stretched
repeated to ridiculous proportions). But it certainly makes sense to really
watch and protect ourselves, and others, with great vigilance. 

 

Best wishes,

Sam Doak

Who apparently picked the wrong time to become a nurse.

 

 

<< 

News Flash: LCs HAVE BEEN HEARD.

 

I just received this email (see below) from Kat Shealy at the CDC, and spoke
with her at length a few minutes ago. CDC has been swamped with feedback
from LCs and others (much of which gets to Kat's desk). They are very
grateful with the input and insightful feedback from the "real world" of
those who work directly with breastfeeding mothers. 

 

..

 

I was shocked to hear the really bad news: most pregnant women who have
contracted H1N1 get very sick, very quickly. They're hospitalized on
ventilators first, and most have died. [A mother in Ohio came to the
hospital in late pregnancy with severe H1H1; a C/S was done to save the baby
before the mother died. Obviously she can't breastfeed or even pump her
milk.] >>


             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome