Random Thought Thread

[beeinak]

But...now that I've opened my yap, I'll probably die from it this winter.

Not funny- you have a book to write first!

 

[jlauffer]

Started getting flu shots almost 20 years ago. Never got the flu beforehand that I know of, and haven't gotten it since.

 

[Fonedork]

Nah, I don't think that's it. But I'm just one of your "dumbasses" who had just posted that he got a flu shot, so what do I know?

I dunno. But if you're my dumbass, I hereby release you. You are now a free dumbass.

 

[DocJekl]

I’m just a dumb bass

 

[Blues]

Not funny- you have a book to write first!

Thanks...but I think I'd as soon just share the stories in front of a real or virtual campfire. I've never really felt comfortable with the idea of writing a book or memoir profiting from my former employment. (Though recently I've become aware of a few by former colleagues.)

And anyway, that would somehow presume, (on my part), that the story would be worth the telling. And my hypocrisy only goes so far.

 

[bluemax_1]

Autoimmunity is down from social distancing and precautions for quite a while, so folks are going to be getting the flu pretty easily. I won’t waste time discussing vaccines, but for those of you who do get true influenza confirmed by swab, taking Tamiflu within 72 (48 preferred) hours of onset can really help with bouncing back. Many people claim to have the flu when it is another viral illness- the flu sucks and needs to be confirmed. Stay hydrated, rest as possible, and stay well!

Good points. Will post with more info on Neuraminidase inhibitors a little later, when I have more time.

 

[beeinak]

Thanks...but I think I'd as soon just share the stories in front of a real or virtual campfire. I've never really felt comfortable with the idea of writing a book or memoir profiting from my former employment. (Though recently I've become aware of a few by former colleagues.)

And anyway, that would somehow presume, (on my part), that the story would be worth the telling. And my hypocrisy only goes so far.

My father was planning to write a book about some of his wild career. He waited and waited and only got some things written before he passed. Meeting people in other countries who told me some things made me really wish he had written it if for nothing else than to read it myself.

 

[Jason M D.]

Good points. Will post with more info on Neuraminidase inhibitors a little later, when I have more time.

Take a look at Elderberry, Echinacea, and Black Pepper. Not saying these are replacements, but they have some interesting properties.

 

[Blues]

My father was planning to write a book about some of his wild career. He waited and waited and only got some things written before he passed. Meeting people in other countries who told me some things made me really wish he had written it if for nothing else than to read it myself.

He sounds like quite a man. I can definitely appreciate your thoughts there. I know that it was both gratifying and a bit unsettling to find out about my own family history over the years...when I was able to start finding out what was withheld while I was young.

 

[beeinak]

He sounds like quite a man. I can definitely appreciate your thoughts there. I know that it was both gratifying and a bit unsettling to find out about my own family history over the years...when I was able to start finding out what was withheld while I was young.

I hear ya! Nowadays it is so easy to write or dictate into text. If nothing else, journaling can be good just to reflect on things even if nobody ever sees your words.

 

[bluemax_1]

Autoimmunity is down from social distancing and precautions for quite a while, so folks are going to be getting the flu pretty easily. I won’t waste time discussing vaccines, but for those of you who do get true influenza confirmed by swab, taking Tamiflu within 72 (48 preferred) hours of onset can really help with bouncing back. Many people claim to have the flu when it is another viral illness- the flu sucks and needs to be confirmed. Stay hydrated, rest as possible, and stay well!

Wrt NAIs (Neuraminidase Inhibitors), folks may not understand the difference between antivirals and antibiotics.

Antivirals tend to work by interfering with the viruses replication, which is why it needs to be taken before the viral loads from replication are already overwhelming your immune system. One of the ways to take it, is in prophylaxis, i.e. if family members come down with the flu, get a prescription for an NAI, and take it to avoid coming down with it.

An NAI works by inhibiting Neuraminidase. Eg, Type A influenza is subtyped by their Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase subtypes (H3N2 = Hemagglutinin subtype 3, Neuraminidase subtype 2).

Hemagglutinin is the glycoprotein the virus uses to attach to a cell, qhere it can inject its RNA into the cell and use it to replicate more virii. Neuraminidase is what it uses to release the replicated virions from the cell. Inhibit the Neuraminidase, and the replicated virions are trapped in the cell (and macrophages have time to destroy the virion-laden cell).

One thing to consider is that Tamiflu/Oseltamivir is the most commonly prescribed antiviral, and as such, there have been more mutations/strains (H1N1-pdm09) that have popped up exhibiting resistance to Tamiflu/Oseltamivir. It might be worth specifically asking for Zanamivir/Relenza, as the strains that have exhibited resistance to Oseltamivir, were still vulnerable to Zanamivir.

NAI resistant H3N2 still seems to be fairly uncommon.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

So, Truck People . . . is that a cool truck, or is it fairly pedestrian and I was just easily impressed due to my own ignorance?

I mean, I guess it's kind of cool. Or whatever

A cool truck will usually have the word "diesel" written on it somewhere. If it costs $200 just to top it off, it must be cool. You will also often see "Ford" and "Powerstroke" written on it somewhere. You'll see these a lot. Broken down on the side of the road.

 

[beeinak]

Wrt NAIs (Neuraminidase Inhibitors), folks may not understand the difference between antivirals and antibiotics.

Antivirals tend to work by interfering with the viruses replication, which is why it needs to be taken before the viral loads from replication are already overwhelming your immune system. One of the ways to take it, is in prophylaxis, i.e. if family members come down with the flu, get a prescription for an NAI, and take it to avoid coming down with it.

An NAI works by inhibiting Neuraminidase. Eg, Type A influenza is subtyped by their Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase subtypes (H3N2 = Hemagglutinin subtype 3, Neuraminidase subtype 2).

Hemagglutinin is the glycoprotein the virus uses to attach to a cell, qhere it can inject its RNA into the cell and use it to replicate more virii. Neuraminidase is what it uses to release the replicated virions from the cell. Inhibit the Neuraminidase, and the replicated virions are trapped in the cell (and macrophages have time to destroy the virion-laden cell).

One thing to consider is that Tamiflu/Oseltamivir is the most commonly prescribed antiviral, and as such, there have been more mutations/strains (H1N1-pdm09) that have popped up exhibiting resistance to Tamiflu/Oseltamivir. It might be worth specifically asking for Zanamivir/Relenza, as the strains that have exhibited resistance to Oseltamivir, were still vulnerable to Zanamivir.

NAI resistant H3N2 still seems to be fairly uncommon.

Good information for folks, but if you are swabbed positive for influenza- remember you may only have access to one kind of medication depending on the facility you are at if providing it, or what is available at the pharmacy.

One important thing for stubborn folks to keep in mind is the sooner you are confirmed and treated, the better. I know this goes against most people’s thinking of pushing through it, but true flu sucks and my opinion is this year people will get very sick from it. I will get off my soap box now! You can take a guy out of critical care, but he still has to spout off!

 

[Blues]

I mean, I guess it's kind of cool. Or whatever

A cool truck will usually have the word "diesel" written on it somewhere. If it costs $200 just to top it off, it must be cool. You will also often see "Ford" and "Powerstroke" written on it somewhere. You'll see these a lot. Broken down on the side of the road.


View attachment 2003381

Now I get where the term comes from...

You own a Ford...that's yourTough luck

 

[Murphjd25]

Not even December 1st yet and we got 15” of snow between last night and this morning.

I have a sweet meme for Nathan, hold on.

 

[Murphjd25]

Here ya go Nathan the Machinist

And for all the turbo diesel guys…I forgot where I put my wrench!!

 

[bluemax_1]

Here ya go Nathan the Machinist

And for all the turbo diesel guys…I forgot where I put my wrench!!

Along those lines, this one made me crack up

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

for all the turbo diesel guys…I forgot where I put my wrench!!

SHIT!!! There's my 10 mm wrench!!!

 

[SwarthyGnome]

Here ya go Nathan the Machinist

And for all the turbo diesel guys…I forgot where I put my wrench!!

That wrench looks like Tony Stark in Avengers when he got stuck in the Turbine.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

^ ohhhh... It does!