FLU level high around Disney??

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the CDC's map of the degree to which flu has spread. They update it weekly.

The map says flu is widespread in FL. (duh, right?) I live in GA and our news this week said that our peak is typically in two weeks. However we, like other states here in the SE, have had flu start early so we could be at our peak now. We just have to wait and see what happens with the number of reported cases over the next couple of weeks.

The most current CDC map shows Widespread Flu activity through most of the US. There are only a few states that are not Widespread (which is peak activity), so wherever you are in the US, you are likely to run into flu.
The map is updated at the CDC gets information from state and local health departments, so it is not up to this week.

People who are ill should:
- stay home to prevent others from getting ill.
- cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue away and clean hands. If no tissue, cough into your shoulder.
- clean surfaces in the home that might have gotten coughed or sneezed on

To prevent getting ill:
- flu shots can still be received thru March 1 to prevent flu. This year's vaccine is a good match for the type A flu that is being seen most. There are other strains of flu and a lot of other flu-like illnesses out there.
- clean hands often.
- stay at least 3-6 feet away from people who are coughing or look ill if you can. Droplets from coughing can travel up to that distance before falling to the ground or settling on surfaces.
- remember surfaces can be contaminated. Germs that settle there can be picked up and spread by touch.
- clean hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
-avoid touching the 'T zone' - the area of the face including the eye, nose and mouth. Touching those areas with cold or flu germs on your hands puts the germs where they need to be to cause illness.

There are quite a few other things people swear by to prevent flu that have been mentioned. Many of them have not been proven to work in any studies, but are worth a try if you think they work.

 

[blessedby3]

To the Orlando residents/Disney employees that responded--- sounds just like what I thought-- news may be making a bigger deal than it is. They are good at putting FEAR in people!! I know some cities HAVE had it really bad....and I feel for all of them!! But here at home I don't know anybody at all that has had it. Our Drs offices and ER have been packed (my kids check-ups postponed for later!) I think alot of people are in fear as soon as they feel a cough coming on they run to the Dr, thinking it's the flu...therefore packing out the offices. Most everyone I know has had just bad colds, sinus infections etc. Nothing as serious as the Flu.
As for 3 of us, we can keep our hands out of our face, but my 3 yr old is a whole other story! She is hands ON everything!! She doesn't like dirty hands, but you can't see and feel a FLU bug! We were all sick all the way through Christmas Didn't get to celebrate until New Year's eve. I hope and pray we all stay well for the entire trip!!!

Thats the problem with the flu...in order to get Tamiflu to lessen the symptoms, you have to seek treatment within 2 days. I think people want to get in to the Dr. quick, in case it is the flu.
Im glad I got the flu shot for our family (and do every year). I know you can still get the flu, but the symptoms would be less in severity. At least this is one sickness I feel like I can control to a degree....the stomach bug...not so much and thats usually my main worry at WDW.
Hope you guys have a great trip and dont get taken down by any sickness

 

[RMulieri]

It is very widespread.I am an Rn and my hospital has alot of flu cases right now( all staff with direct patient care was mandated to get the vaccine in September, and if they didn't they had to sign a form stating why they didnt and have to wear a mask all season long ).Mostly kids and older adults that werent vaccinated( yes we do track this on admission).This years vaccine does cover the most prevalent strain out there so that should help tremendously.Plenty of rest, GOOD NUTRITIOUS food and wash wash wash wash wash WASHING your hands will help too.If you are sick , stay home.Important to remember if you arent vaccinated ( I know op said they were) is its not too late to vaccinate, but realize the vaccine takes 2-4 weeks to become effective, so it is possible to get vaccinated and still get sick.Also mentioned and another PSA..because I hear it from patients coming in with the GI bug and saying they have the flu and asking for tamiflu ALL THE TIME........

The FLU is respiratory,aka Influenza
The Stomach virus is NOT THE FLU

Tamiflu isnt going to help the stomach virus.Unfortunately NoroVirus started making rounds this year earlier than usual so thats another problem out there.Again washing hands is best prevntion

 

[chicagoshannon]

You'll probably be ok since you got the flu shot. When I had the Flu a couple of weeks ago the doc told me that the shot was a good match this year.

My parents both had the vaccine and took my kids who both had the flu, for a few days. Neither one of them got sick.

 

[Mom2six]

If you haven't had your flu shots, consider getting them before you go. Otherwise, make sure to get plenty of vitamin C (which will also help you combat regular colds that you will run across in a big crowd). Before our last September trip, I was super paranoid that the family would get sick right before we left, so for a 2 weeks before the trip and during it, I gave everyone extra vitamin C. No one got sick. For our December trip, I didn't worry so much, and we didn't do the vitamin C - we all got a bad cold. It's probably a coincidence, but next time we are back to taking vitamin C tablets/drinking lots of juice.

While there, use hand santizer. Also, if you are really worried, I read a tip that when checking into a hotel, always use a sanitizing wipe on common surfaces that don't get disinfected regulary - light switches, dresser handles, door knobs, the telephone. They get dusted but that leaves germs from the previous guest.

 

[TDC Nala]

The flu is bad everywhere. And people all over the country are coming to WDW. Don't think of it as any different from going to work or school or the store, unless you are already sick. Even if you stay home you will not be able to coccoon yourself. You got the flu shot. Wash your hands. That's all you can do.

 

[Racemom17]

We will be there roughly the same time...arriving on the 24th...leaving the 29th...I am in the same boat....pray that nobody comes home sick....lysol, etc...and flu shots on board.

 

[brucerob62]

its bad across the country...no sanitizers will do...building up immunity and getting the flu shot will keep you from getting it..or lessen the severity of it..take it from a nurse..get a little dirty once in awhile eat some dirt..ok maybe a bit extreme..i am rarely sick dont use sanitizers alot ..all that does is weaken your immunity to germs.go about your day doesnt do any good to worry about getting sick.

 

[DisHmsklMom]

We were just in Disney last week, the best prevention for my kids was seeing a little boy waiting in line for TSM with his mouth all over the hand rail. Both of my kids observed this and for the rest of the trip didn't touch any rails and became very aware of not touching their faces and using hand gel as often as possible. Not much coughing heard in the parks and everyone, including the cast members looked healthy. Enjoy your trip, just keep your hand gel close by and stay hydrated.

 

[tajz90]

We were just in Disney last week, the best prevention for my kids was seeing a little boy waiting in line for TSM with his mouth all over the hand rail. Both of my kids observed this and for the rest of the trip didn't touch any rails and became very aware of not touching their faces and using hand gel as often as possible. Not much coughing heard in the parks and everyone, including the cast members looked healthy. Enjoy your trip, just keep your hand gel close by and stay hydrated.

All the sick people must have left with us We were there from Dec 30 thru the 4th and wow... Coughing, sneezing, people with big red noses. No one understood personal space, but of course there was barley room for personal space.

 

[Traveliz]

There are still plenty of us sick here. Disney is a huge work area and while one area might not be seeing anything; another is seeing a lot of illness. I had the flu for a good week, my daughter (a CM now has it), her roommate (a CM and who had it first in our condo), my daughter is a trainer and her trainee has been out with it and reported his mother as well. From reading FB it appears there are still plenty in her group or Orlando (and then USA wide) friends with the flu. It is the worst I have ever had and it does not appear to care whether you have had a shot or not -at least this particular strain.

And yes I am talking fever, chills, achy, headache flu not a stomach or other bug.

Liz

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

Drink 100% Welch's grape juice... 2 glasses everyday starting tomorrow. This is a preventative measure to protect you guys from the flu... I have done research and this really does work...

This is not for influenza, this is an old wives tale preventative for a stomach virus (ie Noro or Rotavirus). The only preventative for influenza is getting the flu vaccine and hand washing. Although, you can get Noro at WDW, too, so it may not be bad to try.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

Drink 100% Welch's grape juice... 2 glasses everyday starting tomorrow. This is a preventative measure to protect you guys from the flu... I have done research and this really does work...

Wrong kind of "flu"....that's for the "Stomach Flu" which isn't really a flu at all....plus it's just an old wives tale.

First of all - just so we are all on the same page - the flu is NOT a stomach bug.

Second - we live locally and are active in a lot of extracurricular activities so come in to contact with a LOT of families - haven't heard of one single person having the flu. Stomach bug - yes - flu - no.

Really unless you don't leave the house you MAY be exposed - whether at home or on vacation.

That's what's going on here as well. LOTS of stomach bug going around.

Thanks for that tip!!! I will be stocking up on that tomorrow and making everyone here guzzle it up!!!!! I'll try anything that might work! We've been pumping vitamins like crazy too

Don't waste your time unless you just really like grape juice.

This is not for influenza, this is an old wives tale preventative for a stomach virus (ie Noro or Rotavirus). The only preventative for influenza is getting the flu vaccine and hand washing. Although, you can get Noro at WDW, too, so it may not be bad to try.

Exactly!


Just wash your hands people. With regular old soap and water for a good amount of time.

 

[katt789]

I'm pretty sure (as people have been saying) that the flu is high down there. And honestly, on every trip but 4 (everytime I've been in a group...ha) I have had someone in my travel group get sick.

Being from Canada, sometimes it was the heat, or the constant going from the extreme heat to the extreme air conditioning and back. It is harder with kids to "avoid" it as you can't really tell when they start to feel it coming on. Just make sure everyone's washing hands before eating, attempting to get them not to touch their mouths/noses/eyes, and just take the regular precautions.

Also be aware that it is just easier to get run down in Disney, you get up earlier than your used to, are running around outside all day in weather you're probably not used to, and staying up longer than usual. Combine that into a week, and you'll get run down.

I live off of taking Cold FX the week or so before I go, and carrying Emergen-C with me to take daily while I'm down there, make sure I get enough rest, and drink a ton of water and I'm always fine. Also be wary that no one's diet is changing dramatically, keep everyone eating healthy and it helps a lot

 

[wvasweetness]

Report from my doctor (just had the flu and promptly got hubby in for a flu shot so he doesn't get it) is that the flu shot is effective for this year's flu virus, so as long as you don't have a compromised immune system you should be ok if you got the shot. A bunch of my team at work were sick last week including me. By show of hands at our meeting today, everyone who got sick had not gotten the flu shot!

I think you'll be fine. Might pack some NyQuil just in case though. I bet it would be hard to come by t the park right now...

Katie (mostly recovered now and counting down to Feb 1)

Strange to hear conflicting versions of this. There was a huge write up on the front page of the biggest newspaper in our state about how they are considering this year's flu shot to be "one of the least effective" flu vaccines in the past 10 years.

Fingers crossed we all steer clear for our trips!

 

[dadddio]

Report from my doctor (just had the flu and promptly got hubby in for a flu shot so he doesn't get it)...

It takes something like two weeks to build your immunity after getting the vaccine. In other words, in a few days please tell your husband that I hope he feels better.

 

[dadddio]

Strange to hear conflicting versions of this. There was a huge write up on the front page of the biggest newspaper in our state about how they are considering this year's flu shot to be "one of the least effective" flu vaccines in the past 10 years.

Fingers crossed we all steer clear for our trips!

Someone from CDC was on the news this morning. He stated that this year's vaccine was a good match, but reminded that the flu shot is only something like 70% effective.

 

[RMulieri]

its bad across the country...no sanitizers will do...building up immunity and getting the flu shot will keep you from getting it..or lessen the severity of it..take it from a nurse..get a little dirty once in awhile eat some dirt..ok maybe a bit extreme..i am rarely sick dont use sanitizers alot ..all that does is weaken your immunity to germs.go about your day doesnt do any good to worry about getting sick.

agree..Also a nurse and agree..there is such a thing as too clean

 

[Coyotesweat]

It takes something like two weeks to build your immunity after getting the vaccine. In other words, in a few days please tell your husband that I hope he feels better.

He's a tough old bird. So far he's not sick yet (and boy did I rain virus around the house!!). ...hopefully if he does get it the shot will help keep him from being sicker.

 

[momma2gap]

We're supposed to leave on Thusday night...DD just got diagnosed today with flu. I'm trying not to stress, but I'm a hot mess stress pot!!! I know at this point there's not much we can do other than keep her brother (4) out of her face as much as possible & wash, disinfect, etc... and yes, we've all had flu shots