Will H1N1 change your plans?

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Probably not, but you never know what a doc will do. My dh is a physician (pediatrics) and he wouldn't do it. He's had people ask for stuff like that before, and he always says no.

I think it depends on the DR nd the pre-existig conditions. When I went to China, my Dr prescribed antibiotics for me just in case I got sick because I am high risk.

They think all the kids in my friend's family had it, but they didn't test because it wouldn't change their treatment. If it's within the first 24 hours, they would give Tamiflu for H1N1, but it was past the 24 hour timeline.

My DR said the timeline is 48 hours. After that it doesn't work effectively.

I'm home right now with my DD3 who has the H1N1 virus. At least her pediatrician says that it's most likely the case. She said that they only do a definitive test if they are hospitilized but that 95% of the flu cases are the H1N1 variety. She fluctuates during the day between a mild temp and runny nose and then in the late afternoon and evening, her temp starts to rise, the coughing increases, and the vomiting starts.

I was just diagnosed with the flu. I was given a test and an hour later they knew if I had the flu or not. They swab inside your sinus cavity. Perhaps they just don't want to run the test because they are sure that's what it is based on your symptoms? That kind of doesn't make sense though, because how can they give a definitive report to the CDC if they aren't even running the test? Strange... It's the high fever that just kills me and I'm sure your DD is the same. My whole body aches. Even my feet aches and I haven't been on it, I'm in bed all day long! so far I've been lucky no stomach issues for me. I think the key is to keep the fever in check.

I would advise anyone flying out to DL to take antibacterial wipes on the plane (small travel size pack) and immediately disinfect chair arms, travel trays, window ledges and blinds, etc., and sanitize hands well. Anyway, also, in the hotel room we sanitized the door handles, remote control, telephone, light switches, etc. What if the person who vacated your room that day earlier had been really sick?? It's good to have things sanitized.

I agree and I also did the same. I actually sprayed alcohol hand santizer spray on all the lights switches, remotes, handles -- basically anything that your hands come in contact with -- and we didn't get sick on our last trip in September. Alcohol kills bacteria and viruses if it's over 62%. Those hand sanitizer wipes only kill bacteria. Otherwise Lysol is also very good for bacteria and viruses and they do sell a travel sized can, however I can't stand the smell of lysol spray.

 

[Leggyb]

I have known a few people who have taken Tamiflu and it made them feel worse than the actual Swine Flu. It's nasty stuff. All 3 of my kids got the Swine Flu about 3 weeks before our trip to Disneyland. neither DH or I caught it and since then he and I have been vaccinated; both of us work in EDs.

I wouldn't let the scare of the Swine Flu change my plans.

My Nephew was taking Tamiflu right before our September disneyland trip. He was over the swine flu but the Tamiflu caused him to have HORRIBLE migraines. So much so that he was in bed half the time because he couldn't lift his little head (he is 8). Oh it was so sad.

 

[snickerboo]

I would advise anyone flying out to DL to take antibacterial wipes on the plane (small travel size pack) and immediately disinfect chair arms, travel trays, window ledges and blinds, etc., and sanitize hands well. When we were in DL 2 weeks ago, we sanitized our hands after every ride;sounds extreme, and I don't normally like to use sanitizer all the time, I prefer soap and water - but in this case, all of the rides have handles, etc. to hang onto, or seat belt buckles to touch, etc. It was so gross to see all of the kids and adults hanging onto the rails and then sticking their fingers in their mouths, etc. Blech!!

Anyway, also, in the hotel room we sanitized the door handles, remote control, telephone, light switches, etc. What if the person who vacated your room that day earlier had been really sick?? It's good to have things sanitized.

Yep, good point. I am learning s much about how long viruses live and on what surfaces. From my research, soft surfaces like paper, sheets, etc., the virus cannot survive very long, it's those hard (plastic & metal) surfaces that need to be cleaned. I have never been a Disney ""germaphobe". I always mad emy kids clean their hands/sanitize before they eat but that's just good hygiene. This year, I will be doing a little extra cleaning in the room. We've been vaccinated but our vaccines will only be one week old by th4e time we're in Disney-enough that we shouldn't have to go to an ER but not enough antibodies to be immune, so we could still catch it.

Okay, I have a question: they say masks aren't that effective. Agree or disagree? Are people wearing masks on the flights? Dh travels for business and was flying last week, said no one coughing on plane, no one with masks.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Okay, I have a question: they say masks aren't that effective. Agree or disagree? Are people wearing masks on the flights? Dh travels for business and was flying last week, said no one coughing on plane, no one with masks.

I went to Vegas and Disneyland in September, June and January of this year. I got sick in June and January. In September, I took a mask like this http://www.amazon.com/3M-8511-Particulate-Sanding-Respirator/dp/B0002YKBV2/ref=pd_sim_dbs_hpc_3 that my Dr gave me. BTW, this N95 respirator is the only mask that truly prevents you from inhaling airborne viruses and bacteria. I didn't get sick in September. In addition to the mask, I took antibacterial hand wipes and wiped down everything near my seat on the plane like the remote controls, the armrests, the tray. I also brought a small spray bottle with alcohol hand sanitizer in it and used that to spray down everything in my room that I would physically come in contact with like light switches, remotes, lamp switches, toilet flushing mechanism, faucets on the bathroom sink, and tub, door handles, closet handles, refrigerator door, etc. It worked. This was the first trip I've taken in several years that I didn't get sick either during the trip or immediately following the trip. The mask really helped because a lot of people don't get enough rest in Vegas and are hacking and coughing the entire flight home, and we end up breathing it all in since the air is recirculated constantly. Also, I washed hands obsessively during trip, used hand wipes and more alcohol hand sanitizer either in the spray bottle or the squeeze bottle during my entire stay. Tried to remember to use alcohol hand sanitizer every time I came in contact with anything in public like the doors for hotels, elevator buttons, etc.
The N95 respirator is not the most comfortable mask to wear, but it is the only one that cuts out all airborne viruses and bacteria. I would say, it's worth wearing one if you are high risk. The other thing is, in asthma patients, you have to see how they'll react to wearing one. For some people it could trigger an asthma attack because they feel like they have to work harder to breathe in/out. I have asthma and didn't experience any of that. The most difficult thing was wearing my glasses while wearing the mask. It works though! They use them in hospitals when dealing with TB patients, etc.

ETA: I inquired and was told that although they clean the rooms, they never santize anything, so yeah, the previous person who stayed there could have been really sick and it's easy to pick up from common things/areas.

 

[jory29]

I actually sprayed alcohol hand santizer spray on all the lights switches, remotes, handles -- basically anything that your hands come in contact with -- and we didn't get sick on our last trip in September. Alcohol kills bacteria and viruses if it's over 62%. Those hand sanitizer wipes only kill bacteria. Otherwise Lysol is also very good for bacteria and viruses and they do sell a travel sized can, however I can't stand the smell of lysol spray.

Thanks for the FYI, I didn't realize that the antibacterial wipes won't work on viruses. Doh! The wipes only state antibacterial, so I should have been paying more attention. Very good point, and I too, will be spraying hand sanitzers on light switches, etc. I realize I didn't wipe down the safe in our room, where you have to key in your code. Lots of things to wipe/spray down on our next trip! I am so thankful you posted this info. Very good to know!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I was just diagnosed with the flu. I was given a test and an hour later they knew if I had the flu or not. They swab inside your sinus cavity. Perhaps they just don't want to run the test because they are sure that's what it is based on your symptoms? That kind of doesn't make sense though, because how can they give a definitive report to the CDC if they aren't even running the test? Strange... It's the high fever that just kills me and I'm sure your DD is the same. My whole body aches. Even my feet aches and I haven't been on it, I'm in bed all day long! so far I've been lucky no stomach issues for me. I think the key is to keep the fever in check.

DD's pediatrician said they are only running the test on people who are hospitilized. I don't know if that's the policy of our medical group or a local health decision based on the monetary cost of running the test on so many people. I know DD's ped's office was FULL of people with flu-like symptoms. They are usually incredibly prompt and the waiting room has a few people in it, this time they were running late for the first time in seven years and the waiting room must have had 9 or 10 families in there.

Okay, I have a question: they say masks aren't that effective. Agree or disagree? Are people wearing masks on the flights? Dh travels for business and was flying last week, said no one coughing on plane, no one with masks.

I know DD's pediatrician's office gave a mask to everyone with flu symptoms that came in (that's how I knew who the "flu" people were). I don't think it was to keep her from catching anything else as much as to keep her from spreading germs when she coughed. Anyone ever try to get a 3 year old who's sick and cranky to wear a mask when they don't want to? I basically held it in the general proximity of her face (which was against my chest since she was tired and cuddling) for the entire wait.

 

[firefly87]

Thanks for the FYI, I didn't realize that the antibacterial wipes won't work on viruses. Doh! The wipes only state antibacterial, so I should have been paying more attention. Very good point, and I too, will be spraying hand sanitzers on light switches, etc. I realize I didn't wipe down the safe in our room, where you have to key in your code. Lots of things to wipe/spray down on our next trip! I am so thankful you posted this info. Very good to know!

I have some Lysol wipes here at home and on the can, it states that:
Kills Flu virus
Kills 99.9% of Germs** (**kills salmonella and Influenza A in 10 minutes)

I also have some Clorox Disinfecting Wipes which says:
Kills 99.9% of bacteria in 30 seconds* (*E. coli, strep, staph, and pneumonia)
Kills Flu Virus* (* Influenza A2)

And I keep a travel size bottle of Purell in my purse and it says it kills 99.9% of germs. It also says the alcoholis 65%.

So I guess my questions is about these wipes.....they both say they kill the flu (does it include H1N1?) and wouldn't you think they'd both kill the same germs or is it purely a marketing ploy?

I never really paid any attention to this before. Now in my quest to be better informed, I am thoroughly confused!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Hellos, quick question- I took our ds 18 months- to an ear specialist 2 weeks ago, and I swear he caught the H1N1 from the docs office. He was awfully sick 3 days after his visit. The fever lasted for 3 days- on and off, I kept giving him the tylenol every 4 hours. He was really sick, no vomiting though. Now he is much better- just a little cough here and there- so here is my question- ok 2 questions- I run a daycare- and some of the other children seem to be sick, mostly coughing, runny nose. No fevers. We dont allow kids with fevers to come to daycare, and my son prolly got them all sick. So first question is- do you think he can get the flu again before our DL trip- Nov 19th? what are the odds? I sanitize toys nightly, wash all clothes in our new washer and dryer- on the sanitary cycle (which I love)- I also have a great dishwasher- that also has a sanitary wash cycle. I spray lysol every hour on all surfaces... and we just had the carpets cleaned. All the kids love washing their hands with soap- so that isnt a problem. I just hope he cant get it again.
The second question- our baby is supposed to go back for a follow up check up on nov 17th. I am so nervous that he might get sick from the doctors office again. And we leave on the 19th. Should I skip the visit? Thanks for your advice!
Also- does the cleaning crew at DL ever clean or wipe down the rides and ropes in the waiting area, after the park closes or before it opens? Just wondering.

 

[Anater]

I would call your doctor and ask if when you arrive for your appointment you can bring your baby immediately to a room, instead of having to wait in the general waiting area. Then keep him or her in the stroller (or a sling) until the doctor arrives. Our doctor's office was very accommodating for babies.

 

[Anater]

New Zealand expected 18,000 deaths from swine flu (they have already had their "flu season") and the actual number turned out to only be in the hundreds.

Just wondering where you got that stat of 18,000? That seems like an overestimate. Australia estimated 6,000 deaths tops - absolute worse case scenario. Australia's population is around 20 million and New Zealand's population is around 4 million.

It seems like random number are being thrown out. I'm just saying....

 

[Bamboozled]

I guess I'm in the minority, here. I am thinking we will postpone our trip until I can get the vaccine. We (Me, DD28, DGS2) are scheduled to fly to WDW Nov. 13. I have severe asthma that is barely controlled with multiple medications and I have to take prednisone often. I have been unable to get the H1N1 vaccine and have no idea when it will be available. With my history, I can't risk getting sick with H1N1. At least at home I can limit my exposure. So glad I purchased trip insurance.

 

[jory29]

I guess I'm in the minority, here. I am thinking we will postpone our trip until I can get the vaccine. We (Me, DD28, DGS2) are scheduled to fly to WDW Nov. 13. I have severe asthma that is barely controlled with multiple medications and I have to take prednisone often. I have been unable to get the H1N1 vaccine and have no idea when it will be available. With my history, I can't risk getting sick with H1N1. At least at home I can limit my exposure. So glad I purchased trip insurance.

Aw, I feel so sorry for you but I think you made the right call in this case. I am glad too that you had trip insurance that will allow to change your plans.

 

[wvnative]

Unless something huge happens between now and March, I think our plans will remain the same. Well, except for a bit of extra disinfecting upon arrival anyway. Guess I should go add clorox wipes to my list. lol

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have some Lysol wipes here at home and on the can, it states that:
Kills Flu virus
Kills 99.9% of Germs** (**kills salmonella and Influenza A in 10 minutes)

I also have some Clorox Disinfecting Wipes which says:
Kills 99.9% of bacteria in 30 seconds* (*E. coli, strep, staph, and pneumonia)
Kills Flu Virus* (* Influenza A2)

And I keep a travel size bottle of Purell in my purse and it says it kills 99.9% of germs. It also says the alcoholis 65%.

So I guess my questions is about these wipes.....they both say they kill the flu (does it include H1N1?) and wouldn't you think they'd both kill the same germs or is it purely a marketing ploy?

I never really paid any attention to this before. Now in my quest to be better informed, I am thoroughly confused!

I don't know if it will kill the H1N1. I'd be willing to bet that if it doesn't say it will, it won't. All I know is that my Dr told me to make sure anything I use has at least 62% alcohol in it, and if you can get it higher like 70% better yet. The industrial strength wipes they use in his office have 69% alcohol in them along with a whole bunch of other germicidal ingredients. Alcohol will kill bacteria and hard to kill viruses like the Noro Virus, E Coli. etc., but I'm not sure if all hand wipes do. Noro Virus is another one that is nasty that people often get while on vacation. (People often refer to it as the stomach flu.) So for me, I got some antibacterial hand wipes and I always carry alcohol spray sanitizer to spray things down in the room, (on my last trip I even sprayed down the stuff on the plane as the alcohol spray is not as strong smelling as lysol spray); I also carry alcohol gel like Purell (they also make the spray version as well) for use on my hands if there is no where to wash with warm water and soap. My Dr told me the key is to saturate whatever you are disinfecting as much as possible and let it sit for several minutes before wiping down. If it's filthy looking, do it once to remove gross filth and then again to disinfect/sanitize.
Now everyone is going to think I am a paranoid germaphobe, but really, I am just sick of going on vacation and coming home sick. Even my DH who almost never gets sick, joined me in spraying down everything from the plane to the hotels on our last trip as he and DS have gotten ill on several of our trips the last few years and were so bad off I had to call Drs on call to come to the hotel room to treat them.
I was really disgusted to find out on our last trip that the vast majority of hotels never sanitize their rooms or things in the rooms unless there is a serious outbreak and something is traced back to the hotel, i.e. E Coli/NoroVirus, by a governmental agency and they are then ordered to sanitize. The housekeepers clean up gross filth and that's it. If you want it sanitized, you have to do it yourself. Seriously, in a place like DL you could be exposed to any number of viruses at the park alone, so how many people would trace their illness to the hotel they stayed at? Not many. Most would attribute it to the railings and ropes, rides, etc., at the park. Also, I've seen housekeepers go from room to room using the same dirty gloves to 'clean' the next room. What if the person in the next room had E Coli, Norovirus or H1N1, and they then used those same nasty gloves to 'clean' my room, and move my toothbrush aside while they clean the sink or toilet? Ewwww! That's why when I check into the room and sanitize, no one else comes into my room until after I leave. If I have trash I give it to the housekeepers and if I need towels I'll request that and tell them I don't need my room 'cleaned'.
ETA: Airlines do not sanitize either. They clean/remove gross filth and then turn the plane right over for the next flight out.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I guess I'm in the minority, here. I am thinking we will postpone our trip until I can get the vaccine. We (Me, DD28, DGS2) are scheduled to fly to WDW Nov. 13. I have severe asthma that is barely controlled with multiple medications and I have to take prednisone often. I have been unable to get the H1N1 vaccine and have no idea when it will be available. With my history, I can't risk getting sick with H1N1. At least at home I can limit my exposure. So glad I purchased trip insurance.

I totally feel your pain. I struggled with the decision to go or not to go back in June. I went and ended up getting a sinus infection and bronchitis. I was sick for about 3 weeks after I came back and had a productive cough for like a month and a half. I also have severe asthma that is barely controlled by meds. I was lucky. I just got over the flu and it didn't go to my lungs. If it did, who knows what might have happened. Thank goodness for trip insurance! In my area, there is such a shortage of H1N1 vaccine that even some health care workers in our hospitals have been told they couldn't get it! That's just ridiculous!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I know DD's pediatrician's office gave a mask to everyone with flu symptoms that came in (that's how I knew who the "flu" people were). I don't think it was to keep her from catching anything else as much as to keep her from spreading germs when she coughed. Anyone ever try to get a 3 year old who's sick and cranky to wear a mask when they don't want to? I basically held it in the general proximity of her face (which was against my chest since she was tired and cuddling) for the entire wait.

Yes, at our hospital they have masks and sanitizer every so many feet and there are signs everywhere saying, "If you have a fever or cough, please wear a mask to prevent the spread of illness." When I went to the Dr for the flu recently he asked me to wear a mask too. I didn't mind though, because if we are sick, we should take measures to prevent the spread of illness. In Asia, it's common for the sick people to wear the masks. In fact if you go to Japan and you are coughing, they will give you a mask to wear. (It happened to my friend.) In America the well people have to wear the masks to protect themselves from the sick idiots who go on planes hacking up half a lung, don't cover their mouth, and don't care how many other people they infect! It seems it would be simpler to make the sick people protect the well people by making them (the sick people) wear a mask. I can understand your frustration though with a small child. I'm sure it was difficult to make her wear it and at that age she probably didn't understand why she had to wear it. I'm thinking about the 40 something year old that sat across from me on the plane, and the 20something year old in the row ahead of me, who were hacking up half a lung each the entire 6.5 hour flight.

 

[Teki]

I dont even get the regular flu vaccine, so going out of my way for H1N1 was not something I even considered and honestly dont trust because they pushed it out so fast. As far as being in a crowded place I probably wouldn't worry for starters your more likely to get the regular flu which is also more dangerous, second you've already said your pretty healthy people so you probably all have pretty good immune systems. My advise be cautious but don't let it ruin your vacation.

 

[kdflaherty]

We just got back on Tuesday. On our last day, I started feeling a little under the weather. I spent the week feeling yucky. Two days ago, my son started with a fever and then yesterday with a cough. I took him in today thinking I was being a crazy mom making a big deal out of nothing. It turns out he does have the flu. He is on Tamiflu. He is only two, so I am worried.

If you do go, research and see what things you can do to try and keep from getting it. I have read about gargling salt water, swabbing your nose with saltwater, taking clorox spray or wipes, etc.

I have had my kids on a multivitamin, vitamin c, and omega. We washed hands frequently and I even requested my food preparer to wash their hands.

Now I know we could have picked it up somewhere else, but Disneyland was the only place we had been to for the several days before.

You have a chance of getting it if you go. You just have to decide if it is worth taking the chance. I wish we had stayed home. I thought we would beat the odds, and now I am sitting up listening to my son breathe for fear he is going to have complications.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

kdflaherty sorry you and your son got sick. It sucks to go on vacation and come home ill. Hope you all get better soon...

 

[Kevenswife2]

I've never gotten the reuglar flu vaccination, but H1N1 scares me. It's causing changes in the lungs. I'm in 'medical school' and had 2 confirmed cases of H1N1 in my classroom this week!

I can't imagine what will be floating in the airplane air DD11 and I will be breathing for 7+ hours, so we got the nasal spray yesterday...not a single side effect!