Castro Bar Owner Falls to Swine Flu

[+ Lucky]

He celebrated his 41st birthday on August 3d not feeling well, was given a cold medicine by his doctor and went to his second home in Palm Springs to recover. By August 20th, Castro bar owner Doug Murphy had suffered pneumonia and kidney failure, dying in a Palm Springs hospital. The final diagnosis was H1N1 flu. The dramatic story is told in today's Bay Area Reporter:

 

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4153

 

No doubt people with HIV will be alarmed by the story as Murphy's HIV status may have contributed to his rapid demise, but other questions arise as well, especially with predictions that this flu is only beginning to spread further. Should you fly knowing that you are ill? I know I have. When you need to get somewhere, you go. But I sure would have hated to learn that I had acquired this disease from the passenger next to me.

[Luv2play]

This is indeed a sad story for the person concerned and his friends and family and co-workers. It is obvious we have not seen the end of H1N1 since here in the northern hemisphere, the flu season is quiescent and will resume with intensity in the fall, as the regular flu does every year.

 

It is not clear that the fact that Mr. Murphy had HIV contributed to his death, although it may have. The article states that people with HIV have not at least in San Francisco been more likely to be hospitalized with the Swine Flu.

 

From all I have read of this flu to date, there are certain risk categories and people with compromised immune systems are included as being at higher risk. But so are small children and older people as well as others suffering from chronic conditions. I imagine anyone with a condition that affects their lungs is particularly at risk since any flu can easily lead to pneumonia for a person with weakened lungs.

 

As for your statement that people with HIV would be alarmed at the implications of this death, while that may be true, there is no evidence I am aware of that HIV sufferers who are otherwise healthy (whether on meds or not) would be more at risk, say, than someone with emphysemia or chronic bronchitis.

 

I don't think, unless you have special medical knowledge and know a lot about H1N1 (which frankly no-one does), you should be making statements that might alarm some people who do not have a command of all the facts. That being said, it always pays to wash your hands frequently, as we have been told over and over.

[+ Lucky]

Honey, I doubt that anyone is going to be alarmed by anything I say. Thanks for the compliment, though!

[dcguy20]

I am very concerned as a healthy 20 something in Washington, DC a couple of months ago succumbed to the H1N1 virus. It got a lot of press here.

[seaboy4hire]

As an hiv positive person I have no intentions of changing anything I do because of this bug. It is unfortunate what happened but to get all worked up & lock yourslef inside is crazy. I've enjoyed life this long & I will continue to enjoy it.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ Lucky]

That's exactly the response I expected from Greg. People who have lived a long time with HIV do not scare easily. They have heard too many bad prognoses that did not pan out to get upset about something that is not yet clear.

[seaboy4hire]

That's exactly the response I expected from Greg. People who have lived a long time with HIV do not scare easily. They have heard too many bad prognoses that did not pan out to get upset about something that is not yet clear.

 

Exactly Lucky! I'm sure that the other poz guys out there can relate. I've expiernced some odd stuff & I've lived through it. I don't want to come across as I'm not worried about this swine thing but one thing I've learned during the 8 yrs since finding out I was positive is that yes be watchful of what's going on but don't let anything get in the way of me doing something & enjoying life to the fullest.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Guest greatness]

hmm

 

Thinking positively is always a good thing. Good for you. I hope a cure for AIDS could be discovered soon.

 

Exactly Lucky! I'm sure that the other poz guys out there can relate. I've expiernced some odd stuff & I've lived through it. I don't want to come across as I'm not worried about this swine thing but one thing I've learned during the 8 yrs since finding out I was positive is that yes be watchful of what's going on but don't let anything get in the way of me doing something & enjoying life to the fullest.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Guest zipperzone]

Being positive is always a good thing. Good for you. I hope a cure for AIDS could be discovered soon.

 

I trust you mean positive as to one's attitude - not positive as to one's medical condition.

[+ Lucky]

zipperzone, you must have been missing greatness' other posts. He is the most positive person in Hooville.

[Guest greatness]

Sorry

 

Yes thank you for clarifying zipperzone!

 

I trust you mean positive as to one's attitude - not positive as to one's medical condition.

[Guest greatness]

Anyways

 

Lucky this is not to make fun of you but your avatar makes whatever you say so sweet to me. So cute:).

 

zipperzone, you must have been missing greatness' other posts. He is the most positive person in Hooville.

[Guest zipperzone]

zipperzone, you must have been missing greatness' other posts. He is the most positive person in Hooville.

 

I'm not trying to be a dork - really - but your post highlights the confusion that the English language can cause. i.e. I could reply that in that case he had better not forget to take his meds.