Flu Strain around Orlando

[jtbdas]

Here is a copy of the article..... http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...dec17,0,5033726.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Curious as to thoughts about this, we are going to be at WDW for the New Year with our 2month old and was wondering if maybe we should skip it???? Or are we overreacting. From all I have seen without talking to our pediatrician there is no vaccine for our son's age.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We are also going to WDW over new years (Jan 1 to 7th) and yes I cam concenred or paronid about getting sick (in genral not just the flu.) We did all get flu shots.

Are you nursing? Breast feeding gives a great deal of protection and you have to worry about contaimination less. Did everyone in your party get a flu shot beside the baby. If others keep from getting sick, your baby will be heath too. It is easier to control what a 2 month old touches and puts in his or her mouth then a older child who has more freedom. My DD was a passie child, if she keep it in her mouth she didn't put her hands or other objects in. When out at places like WDW we let her have it all the time for that reason. What has your Dr. said?

My rational mind knows that my chances of getting the flu are better here at home where we are inside all the time (Michigain) and there is less sunshine.

I plan to be very careful with hand washing, and maintain vitimans (but then again I have too, I am currenlty 6 weeks pregant!)

2 months is kinda young to go, but if your Dr. is fine with it and you are too go. In other words if you would of went before the flu scare, I see no reason not to now. I recomend taking the baby to the Dr. before you leave to be sure his or her ears are clear. ( do this every trip and it seems to help.)

 

[catherines_mama]

Do you have other children?

Just asking because your DS is young and I see you live in So Fl, so it won't be difficult to go again later in the year.

I agree, young babies esp those that BF do have a good immune system. Also, if your DS was old enough for the vaccine, this vaccine is not against the strain that is doing the biggest damage. They created this vaccine off last years main strain. Oh well! DD and I got the shot, and although I feel safe that if we do get it we wont be AS out as those who did not, I am still cautious of doing our best to stay healthy.

THAT said. If you and DS go out at home, you have as much change to get the flu as you do at WDW. If you and DS stick close to home.. different story. Its a personal call, and I hope my comments will help you to decide.

Take care, and stay well,
deedee b.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

One more piece of advice if your decide to go is to use a front carrier for your infant. People are much less likely to touch your child if he is in a carrier than in a stroller. If someone want to touch the baby I would very kindly voice your concern over his exposure to germs and ask that they just peep at him. Be careful to wash your hands after touching things like public tables and railings. If you had the flu shot and are nursing, my guess is that your child might also have some of the imunity also????


Jordan's mom

 

[bethnburke]

My daughter (9 months) had this flu over Thanksgiving and she was sick for 2 weeks. This is a really nasty strain and she was miserable, even after taking Motrin every 6 hours.

We both had a flu shot and I am still nursing her. If little ones are exposed to this Im not sure what you can do to protect them from it. My daughters whole class at day care had it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Sorry to hear you had such a hard time with this. Good she is feeling better finally. However it is almost inevitble that a 9 month old in day care will get it if anyone there is infected. Children that age who are just starting to get moblie, sit on the floor and put everything in their mouth in such close quaters with other young children are going to get sick. It is one of the rules of day care (belive me I taught pre-school at a daycare center for 6 years.) Even if the kids don't touch the same toys, having the same care providers passes it around (no mater how many times they wash their hands.) Also this is their frist year being exposed to anything. While day care center babies tend to get sick more (almost gauranteed to get sick more often) they also tend to be healther later in life, because they have already been exposed to so much.

Also I heard the shot takes 2 weeks to fully start working, was she exposed to the illness shortly after getting the shot?

You are much less likely to get sick on vacation, outside most of the time and not where the baby will be touching and mouthing things other children have touched. Also being outside in the sunshine is good for you and getting fresh air really helps.

As a northener we are used to this as part of winter and part of life, but I guess the flu is effecting places that it doesn't normally this year.

Heres to a healthy new year!!!! Having a sick child is so much harder then being sick yourself, it is so difficult to see them suffer!