Any thoughts on the possible flu virus in the parks?

[JuliaPooh]

Go and have a blessed time! I took my very precioius DS between chemo treatments and before a bone marrow transplant. He did not survive the transplant but what has survived are the very special memories we have of our trip with him to WDW. Smile and hang in there!!!!

 

[Melrosgirl]

We were at WDW last week. While waiting for the monorail, the child behind me was totally coughing. A bad cough. Her mother actually said and I quote, "Oh she's not sick."

Yeah, sure, Lady!

The next day my dd came down with something horrible. It was so bad we had to call a doc to our room to see her. It was strep throat and the doc said she had been all over the WDW hotels that week treating kids for it.

 

[cinder1]

I agree with all the tips. We will be there Jan 3 to 9. My son has the flu now. If you get flu like symptoms, go to the dr immediately. If you have the flu (they can do a nasal swab test that is very accurate and fast), the dr can put you on an antivirul medication that lessens the severity and duration of the flu. It has been great for my DS. The dr also gave us prescriptions for our DDs since they may end up with it too.

But I must add, in defense of some of the parents at WDW whose kids seem sick, that many times, well after a person is not contagious, they continue to have a cough. I myself and my kids have had coughs for 3 to 6 weeks after an illness. The kids' dr says 6 weeks is completely normal for a cough to linger. Also, the drs and schools do not consider someone to have a fever until it hits over 100 deg. (I think if my kids have a temp of 99 or above they are coming down with something, but the school did not send my DD6 home a few weeks ago when her temp was 100 deg, but not above AND she wanted to stay.) Also about runny noses...kids have them all the time. If you stayed home everytime your otherwise healthy child had a runny nose, you'd never go anywhere from at least Oct to March and they'd never go to school. I go by how the kid feels and how they are acting. Laying around and only watching tv, they are SICK!!

Don't misunderstand and think I'm advocating taking sick kids anywhere. We at this very moment are skipping our normal Christmas Eve family festivities because DS is sick. I'm also one to use a paper towel to open bathroom doors when I leave, etc. And I'm definitely bringing hand gel and Lysol on this trip.

Merry Christmas to all!! And good health to the OP's sweet daughters.

 

[khawk]

I didnt read all the replys so someone may have already offered this advice. If you havent already had flu shots and you can still find a Dr.s office that has any you should get them. Whenever you are in an area with many people you have a chance of catching something. Make sure everyone washes their hands frequently and cover your mouth when you cough. Bring alcolhol swabs to wipe down everything in your hotel room. Even the light switches and remote controls....anything that you can think of that someone may have touched....wipe it down. Also, If you cant find the flu shot you might look into the flu mist. Its a nasel spray and healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 can get it. Its more expensive put 2 insurance companys have decided to cover it. check with your Dr. Its also a live virus but it takes effect immediately where the flu shot takes 2 weeks to kick in. It will also protect you against more then one type of flu strain. But you have to be a healthy person. There is a questioner that you can fill out and go over before you get the mist to make sure you can take it. good luck and have fun.
Kim