H1N1 Poll. Will your child get the flu shot?

[redshoes]

My boys both got the mist last Saturday. They got their regular flu shot the first week in September. I still have some questions. Can someone help?

1- How long does it take to have immunity? Our school has what seems to be a huge outbreak going on but the H1N1 is being paired with Chicken Pox so we have alot of kids out and a ton of parents sending sick kids to school only to have to come and pick them back up (which is another rant, if your kid has a fever on Tuesday of 103 and you get a call to come pick them up, don't send them back to school on Wednesday with that same fever).

2- The health department said two doses for my boys. Why? Do they not have full immunity until they have both doses or does the one just wear off? What happens if they can get the two doses within 30 days of each other?

3- If someone in your family had the flu and you were given Tamiflu but never actually got the virus can you catch the flu from someone else quickly or does the Tamiflu provide some immunity against the virus for a small amount of time? (This is more of a how does this all work question than something that I'm dealing with here).

4- I heard rumors that the mist has a longer immunity range than the shot. True?

I honestly don't know what to believe anymore because there's so much crap out there it's hard to sort through it to find the facts and at this point I really don't know what is crap and what is fact anyways. I made the decision to give my boys the vaccine but I struggled with this decision more than any other time that I've been faced with a vaccine issue. It has been a source of great stress in our house.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

My boys both got the mist last Saturday. They got their regular flu shot the first week in September. I still have some questions. Can someone help?

1- How long does it take to have immunity? Our school has what seems to be a huge outbreak going on but the H1N1 is being paired with Chicken Pox so we have alot of kids out and a ton of parents sending sick kids to school only to have to come and pick them back up (which is another rant, if your kid has a fever on Tuesday of 103 and you get a call to come pick them up, don't send them back to school on Wednesday with that same fever).

2- The health department said two doses for my boys. Why? Do they not have full immunity until they have both doses or does the one just wear off? What happens if they can get the two doses within 30 days of each other?

3- If someone in your family had the flu and you were given Tamiflu but never actually got the virus can you catch the flu from someone else quickly or does the Tamiflu provide some immunity against the virus for a small amount of time? (This is more of a how does this all work question than something that I'm dealing with here).

4- I heard rumors that the mist has a longer immunity range than the shot. True?

I honestly don't know what to believe anymore because there's so much crap out there it's hard to sort through it to find the facts and at this point I really don't know what is crap and what is fact anyways. I made the decision to give my boys the vaccine but I struggled with this decision more than any other time that I've been faced with a vaccine issue. It has been a source of great stress in our house.

1. For those who only need one shot (ages 10+), it takes 10-14 days to reach the desired level of immunity.

2. Kids 9 and under need two shots or mists, four weeks apart. They may have some immunity 10-14 days after the first shot or mist, just not the desired level. The second shot or mist will boost them to the desired level of immunity. They would reach that level 10-14 days after the second shot or mist.

3. Tamiflu protects you while you are taking it, but you would not continue to have protection once you stop taking it.

4. No. Both vaccines protect you from a specific strain. Neither the shot or mist will "wear off." If the strain mutates, you will no longer have full protection. That's why you have to get a new flu shot every year. It's not that the shot wears off, but that the strains mutate.

 

[redshoes]

MickeyMomto2- Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I really do appreciate it.

 

[laurie31]

Laurie31-- yesterday my dds got their h1n1- I just pulled the cards out of my purse that they gave me the cards have different exp dates. Is this the date that the vaccine expires or the date when they will need another flu shot because the immunity will where off. My dd7 has asthma and her date is 2011. Dd9 has no health problems and her is 2010. I don't want to bug the doctors office they are slammed. I have to take dd7 in next week for her seasonal flu shot, (they only had the mist) and I can ask then if you don't know. Thanks for your help

Erin

MickyMomTo2 actually answered this, but it's the expiration date of the vaccine itself.

Everyone will need a new flu shot next year.


And yes redshoes, trying to tell what's fact and what's crap is almost a full time job these days!!

 

[suzannen]

I honestly don't know what to do. I've been told that my 15 year-old DD should NOT get the flu mist because she spends a lot of time with my 82-year old MIL who is on chemo battling breast cancer. Her pediatrician does recommend the shot, but she's not getting any in her office because all of the public schools will be offering it for free. That's nice, except my DD is in a private school which will not be offering it. My family doctor is not recommending the shot at all for anyone and is not having anyone in his family vaccinated. He was in med school during that last round in the 70s and treated many patients who had severe bad reactions, including paralysis. He says he will only recommend it after at least 10-15 million people have received the shot and at least 12 weeks have gone by without serious incident. Only one pharmacy is planning on offering it, but they have said the earliest they would receive it would be the last week in November. I would like to get her the shot, but honestly feel that the end of November is just going to be too late to help us this year.
Meanwhile, one of my co-workers' 49 year-old brother died yesterday in Oregon, and for right now, they are attributing it to the flu. He had been sick for several days, seen his doctor who told him to take TheraFlu (not Tamiflu) and he was found dead in his bed. They will be doing an autopsy, but he had no pre-existing conditions like asthma or diabetes, etc. He leaves behind 3 kids ages 12-21. Really sad and scary.
Like many of you, I'm frustrated by all of the conflicting information from the media and even from my own doctors. We have all gotten our regular flu shots and are just hoping we can stay healthy for as long as we can.

 

[sersee05]

The conflicting information is appalling. I think this is part of the reason everyone is so scared. The problem is that our health care providers who we tend to rely on and trust..aren't getting the info either!

I have 3 kids 12, 7 and 5. My 12 and 5 year old have asthma. My DD5 has very bad asthma and if a cold gets him good, it goes straight to his chest. I have had him in the hospital with pneumonia after what started as a simple cold...so I weighed the pros and cons of getting the vaccine because I was so stinking scared..and I give my kids flu shots and generally am not worried about vaccines.

If you look on the internet, it's horrible and ridiculous. There is so much crap out there . If you try to decipher which is true , it is nearly impossible. So what do you do? You call your pediatrician and ask them.

That is what I did, and my pediatrician's response? "oh, our office's policy is to leave it up to the parent". There were not guiding anyone one way or the other. She told me "each parent needs to research it and figure out what they want to do". Cop out in my opinion. So I asked that a doctor call me. I spoke with the one doc I don't know that well and who doesn't know my kids. Now this pediatric office is highly reputable. They do a good job and one of the docs is head of pediatrics at a very good hospital in my area.

I spoke with the doc and she gave me a run around . I asked her if she would give it to her kids . She said initially no, but now maybe but said I should give it to mine. Hmm. It's not ok for her kids, but it is ok for mine... I called to speak with the doctor who I am more comfortable with. The office again told me of there "policy". At this point I was at the end of my rope...I was scared and just wanted to make the right decision. I said "Well that isn't really helpful " I told them that "you are my pediatrician and I trust you with my kid's lives..I call you to ask for information..since all the research I have done isn't helping..I need the facts..and if you can't tell me ..then why would I trust you to tell me anything again?"

I called my friend who knows a pediatrician who is not getting her kids the shots because it "is too new" Yet she said since my son has asthma she would get the vaccine. So after much stressing ..I decided to get him the vaccine. My older daughter's concussion doctor called(different story) to clear her to play again. I talked with him..since he is fantastic..and he gave me some facts as he knew them and said "your son does not want this"..so I ran with that and got my son the vaccine yesterday.

While at the health department , I learned he would need two shots ...no problem. I asked "Does the first shot provide some immunity?" He said "No the first shot really doesn't do anything". I was shocked. As I left, I was talking to my mom and saying that it doesn't make any sense..what is the point then. So I called the health department in my county and asked . She told me he was "wrong, it does provide some immunity, the booster is exactly what it sounds like..it boosts him up to the correct immunity and will carry him through until next year. " She told me within 10 days or so , he will definitely have some immunity though.

Two health departments giving completely different information!!!! My pediatrician not giving any!! Some docs not going to give the vaccine because it's too new!!! There is so much misinformation out there..it's no wonder there is so much controversy over this.

I am happy my son got the shot though. I have some piece of mind. Especially since it is now hitting the middle and high school here. Oh and get this..my daughter's 4 friends have been out with a "flu like illness". I talked to the one friend's mom..I said "Is it swine flu?" She says "No, it's just the flu". I said "How do you know?" She says that her pediatrician had an x ray done and "there was no issues in the lining of the lungs" so it can't be swine flu! I was shocked..of course it is swine flu! Meanwhile the two other girls she sits with have been out with 104 fevers. My daughter was exposed to two of the girls and is feeling achey , sore throat and having diarrhea. So she stayed home today. Is it swine? I have no idea since she doesn't have a fever..Who Knows with all the crappy info out there!! I am sick today with congestion, headache, sore throat but no fever..

I will get my other kids the shot when they get it back in. I got lucky and drove an hour and a half to go get that shot for my son. WE are going to the World in 10 days..so hopefully..if he doesn't catch it from us..by the time he gets on the plane..he will have some immunity.

You hear basically ...get the vaccine , this virus will kill you..and Don't get the vaccine because the vaccine will kill you..and then the people who you look to and expect them to know at least something say ..Oh it's the same as the flu vaccine, get it...and No it's too new, my kids won't be getting it. Or the swine flu is all hype..I have also heard swine flu was manufactured as population control.

With info like this, it's no wonder we are all stressed, upset , getting no sleep and worried. Well at least drinking helps.. Just kidding..kind of..

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Okay - if this is their first time EVER to get a flu vaccine, then yes, they need two doses. NO, the two doses don't have to be the same form.

There is no waiting period between shots of seasonal and H1N1, and no waiting period if you get one shot and one mist. It is only the two mists that require the 28 day separation, AND ALSO if your child needs two doses of either vaccine, those two doses (mist or shot) must be separated by 28 days.

So....(gosh this sounds confusing, even to me) your kids can get H1N1 SHOT anytime. They would need to wait until Nov 7th to get H1N1 MIST. They also need a booster (either shot or mist) for the seasonal flu on Nov 7th, and they will need a booster for H1N1 28 days after they get that vaccine.


ETA - Nov 4th is close enough

thank you so much for your help!!

 

[maroo]

The conflicting information is appalling. I think this is part of the reason everyone is so scared. The problem is that our health care providers who we tend to rely on and trust..aren't getting the info either!

I have 3 kids 12, 7 and 5. My 12 and 5 year old have asthma. My DD5 has very bad asthma and if a cold gets him good, it goes straight to his chest. I have had him in the hospital with pneumonia after what started as a simple cold...so I weighed the pros and cons of getting the vaccine because I was so stinking scared..and I give my kids flu shots and generally am not worried about vaccines.

If you look on the internet, it's horrible and ridiculous. There is so much crap out there . If you try to decipher which is true , it is nearly impossible. So what do you do? You call your pediatrician and ask them.

That is what I did, and my pediatrician's response? "oh, our office's policy is to leave it up to the parent". There were not guiding anyone one way or the other. She told me "each parent needs to research it and figure out what they want to do". Cop out in my opinion. So I asked that a doctor call me. I spoke with the one doc I don't know that well and who doesn't know my kids. Now this pediatric office is highly reputable. They do a good job and one of the docs is head of pediatrics at a very good hospital in my area.

I spoke with the doc and she gave me a run around . I asked her if she would give it to her kids . She said initially no, but now maybe but said I should give it to mine. Hmm. It's not ok for her kids, but it is ok for mine... I called to speak with the doctor who I am more comfortable with. The office again told me of there "policy". At this point I was at the end of my rope...I was scared and just wanted to make the right decision. I said "Well that isn't really helpful " I told them that "you are my pediatrician and I trust you with my kid's lives..I call you to ask for information..since all the research I have done isn't helping..I need the facts..and if you can't tell me ..then why would I trust you to tell me anything again?"

I called my friend who knows a pediatrician who is not getting her kids the shots because it "is too new" Yet she said since my son has asthma she would get the vaccine. So after much stressing ..I decided to get him the vaccine. My older daughter's concussion doctor called(different story) to clear her to play again. I talked with him..since he is fantastic..and he gave me some facts as he knew them and said "your son does not want this"..so I ran with that and got my son the vaccine yesterday.

While at the health department , I learned he would need two shots ...no problem. I asked "Does the first shot provide some immunity?" He said "No the first shot really doesn't do anything". I was shocked. As I left, I was talking to my mom and saying that it doesn't make any sense..what is the point then. So I called the health department in my county and asked . She told me he was "wrong, it does provide some immunity, the booster is exactly what it sounds like..it boosts him up to the correct immunity and will carry him through until next year. " She told me within 10 days or so , he will definitely have some immunity though.

Two health departments giving completely different information!!!! My pediatrician not giving any!! Some docs not going to give the vaccine because it's too new!!! There is so much misinformation out there..it's no wonder there is so much controversy over this.

I am happy my son got the shot though. I have some piece of mind. Especially since it is now hitting the middle and high school here. Oh and get this..my daughter's 4 friends have been out with a "flu like illness". I talked to the one friend's mom..I said "Is it swine flu?" She says "No, it's just the flu". I said "How do you know?" She says that her pediatrician had an x ray done and "there was no issues in the lining of the lungs" so it can't be swine flu! I was shocked..of course it is swine flu! Meanwhile the two other girls she sits with have been out with 104 fevers. My daughter was exposed to two of the girls and is feeling achey , sore throat and having diarrhea. So she stayed home today. Is it swine? I have no idea since she doesn't have a fever..Who Knows with all the crappy info out there!! I am sick today with congestion, headache, sore throat but no fever..

I will get my other kids the shot when they get it back in. I got lucky and drove an hour and a half to go get that shot for my son. WE are going to the World in 10 days..so hopefully..if he doesn't catch it from us..by the time he gets on the plane..he will have some immunity.

You hear basically ...get the vaccine , this virus will kill you..and Don't get the vaccine because the vaccine will kill you..and then the people who you look to and expect them to know at least something say ..Oh it's the same as the flu vaccine, get it...and No it's too new, my kids won't be getting it. Or the swine flu is all hype..I have also heard swine flu was manufactured as population control.

With info like this, it's no wonder we are all stressed, upset , getting no sleep and worried. Well at least drinking helps.. Just kidding..kind of..

I totally agree with you.

The studies showed that younger kids got anywhere from 26% to over 70% immunity with just one shot. So they have recommended two for that age group (9 and younger). So the first shot does offer some immunity. Just not enough.


Having said that...I see where your Peds office is coming from, too.

The pharmaceutical companies are protected from lawsuits. The government is protected from lawsuits. But so far I have not heard any legislation saying that the doctors can't be sued.

If I was the manager of the peds office...I would do the same thing. It is crazy...I know...but it is so controversial and the CDC keeps changing their mind, changing the info they are providing and for physicians to even keep up is mind boggling...and take care of their patients.

So until the legal system is fixed, it seems like this is what we are left with.

It is crappy.

 

[laurie31]

The conflicting information is appalling. I think this is part of the reason everyone is so scared. The problem is that our health care providers who we tend to rely on and trust..aren't getting the info either!

I have 3 kids 12, 7 and 5. My 12 and 5 year old have asthma. My DD5 has very bad asthma and if a cold gets him good, it goes straight to his chest. I have had him in the hospital with pneumonia after what started as a simple cold...so I weighed the pros and cons of getting the vaccine because I was so stinking scared..and I give my kids flu shots and generally am not worried about vaccines.

If you look on the internet, it's horrible and ridiculous. There is so much crap out there . If you try to decipher which is true , it is nearly impossible. So what do you do? You call your pediatrician and ask them.

That is what I did, and my pediatrician's response? "oh, our office's policy is to leave it up to the parent". There were not guiding anyone one way or the other. She told me "each parent needs to research it and figure out what they want to do". Cop out in my opinion. So I asked that a doctor call me. I spoke with the one doc I don't know that well and who doesn't know my kids. Now this pediatric office is highly reputable. They do a good job and one of the docs is head of pediatrics at a very good hospital in my area.

I spoke with the doc and she gave me a run around . I asked her if she would give it to her kids . She said initially no, but now maybe but said I should give it to mine. Hmm. It's not ok for her kids, but it is ok for mine... I called to speak with the doctor who I am more comfortable with. The office again told me of there "policy". At this point I was at the end of my rope...I was scared and just wanted to make the right decision. I said "Well that isn't really helpful " I told them that "you are my pediatrician and I trust you with my kid's lives..I call you to ask for information..since all the research I have done isn't helping..I need the facts..and if you can't tell me ..then why would I trust you to tell me anything again?"

I called my friend who knows a pediatrician who is not getting her kids the shots because it "is too new" Yet she said since my son has asthma she would get the vaccine. So after much stressing ..I decided to get him the vaccine. My older daughter's concussion doctor called(different story) to clear her to play again. I talked with him..since he is fantastic..and he gave me some facts as he knew them and said "your son does not want this"..so I ran with that and got my son the vaccine yesterday.

While at the health department , I learned he would need two shots ...no problem. I asked "Does the first shot provide some immunity?" He said "No the first shot really doesn't do anything". I was shocked. As I left, I was talking to my mom and saying that it doesn't make any sense..what is the point then. So I called the health department in my county and asked . She told me he was "wrong, it does provide some immunity, the booster is exactly what it sounds like..it boosts him up to the correct immunity and will carry him through until next year. " She told me within 10 days or so , he will definitely have some immunity though.

Two health departments giving completely different information!!!! My pediatrician not giving any!! Some docs not going to give the vaccine because it's too new!!! There is so much misinformation out there..it's no wonder there is so much controversy over this.

I am happy my son got the shot though. I have some piece of mind. Especially since it is now hitting the middle and high school here. Oh and get this..my daughter's 4 friends have been out with a "flu like illness". I talked to the one friend's mom..I said "Is it swine flu?" She says "No, it's just the flu". I said "How do you know?" She says that her pediatrician had an x ray done and "there was no issues in the lining of the lungs" so it can't be swine flu! I was shocked..of course it is swine flu! Meanwhile the two other girls she sits with have been out with 104 fevers. My daughter was exposed to two of the girls and is feeling achey , sore throat and having diarrhea. So she stayed home today. Is it swine? I have no idea since she doesn't have a fever..Who Knows with all the crappy info out there!! I am sick today with congestion, headache, sore throat but no fever..

I will get my other kids the shot when they get it back in. I got lucky and drove an hour and a half to go get that shot for my son. WE are going to the World in 10 days..so hopefully..if he doesn't catch it from us..by the time he gets on the plane..he will have some immunity.

You hear basically ...get the vaccine , this virus will kill you..and Don't get the vaccine because the vaccine will kill you..and then the people who you look to and expect them to know at least something say ..Oh it's the same as the flu vaccine, get it...and No it's too new, my kids won't be getting it. Or the swine flu is all hype..I have also heard swine flu was manufactured as population control.

With info like this, it's no wonder we are all stressed, upset , getting no sleep and worried. Well at least drinking helps.. Just kidding..kind of..

You poor thing! I think you could use some chocolate as well, but I don't see a smiley for that.

As for your DD, I'd be willing to bet my kids' college fund that she has it, and so do you. I normally shy far far away from diagnosing people over the internet, but your description of her classic symptoms, coupled with known exposure...I don't see how she could have anything else. Up to 30% of people with swine flu do NOT have fever. That is weird, and it goes against everything we were taught in school (high fever= flu) but obviously this virus didn't read that book, because that's what we're seeing in actuality. You do NOT have to have a fever to have + H1N1, true lab-confirmed cases have shown this.


Hopefuly you should all be over it by the time your trip comes around. You can relax and have a wonderful time and not worry about catching it, as it's VERY likely that you've already had it.


As for the docs saying it's "too new", yes, when it was first being produced, this is what we were all told. It was going to use some mysterious scary untested production method. But THAT DIDN'T WORK and they used the normal tried-and-true method used to make the seasonal flu vaccine every year.

In other words, if you have no concerns about seasonal flu vaccine, you should not have any concerns about H1N1 vaccine. It's the same thing, just made with a different strain of flu virus. Next year the H1N1 virus will be part of the regular seasonal vaccine and we won't (hopefully) have all this confusion.

Go have some soup, some hot chocolate, and rest up. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[madmom1030]

MickyMomTo2 actually answered this, but it's the expiration date of the vaccine itself.

Everyone will need a new flu shot next year.


And yes redshoes, trying to tell what's fact and what's crap is almost a full time job these days!!

Thanks for your help.

 

[binny]

No we will not be getting it.

1) We are not in a high risk group (kids are homeschooled and normally very healthy)

2) I think there are a lot of people who need it worse than we do so I would rather it go to them.

3) there is just something about it that worries me.

Several people I know have had it and they have been ok. It is bad for a few days but nothing worse than the normal flu.

now if my kids were to get sick and it was really bad I would never forgive myself.

Its mommy guilt to the Nth degree and a darned if you and darned if you dont situation

 

[sersee05]

Hey Laurie..Can you come live with me??? You could just walk around with me and tell me everything is going to be ok.. Thanks for your post..it was helpful ..Maybe you could call my doc and set them all straight??

I just got a call from one of the girls mom on my daughter's soccer team. She is the one that sits with the other two girls that got it
(swine) at lunch and is attached to the hip to one of them. And then these two girls are the ones my daughter hung with about 4 days ago and now are at home for the week with 104 temp... I am sure there was an easier way to say that..but I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night

Anyway, this girl has exercise induced asthma like my DD12. Her mom has been the one to keep me updated . She had about 101 fever and it was kind of coming and going..then was fever free and back at school yesterday. Well as of today, she has a fever, pneumonia and is on 60mg of predisone and on a watch to go to the hospital They said she was textbook of what the virus can do.

They went over symptoms and yep laurie(like you said) diarrhea is one of them. So I am keeping a close eye on my daughter..Still no fever, but on and off diarrhea(not horrible), sore throat(also not horrible), achey and just says she feels crappy and sweaty.

For me it came on more like a cold..I have had a little congestion for the past couple days..and then a headache yesterday..Last night I started feeling really crappy..and today I have that sore throat (kind of sand papery feeling), congestion in my chest that I can feel(this is normal when I get a sinus infection), slight cough on and off. The headache comes immediately back and makes me feel bad when the ibuprofen wears off. I just feel kind of sick..I called the doc to kind of ask am I have cold symptoms ..or could it be swine? They told me swine must have the fever But my daughter's doc says..not necessarily....Just plain ole misinformation..

Maybe they should have a meeting and really figure out what to say to the public The Pres could invite the health department over for a beer Oh I think i am getting a tad delirious now..

What is the incubation period before symptoms?

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

No we will not be getting it.

1) We are not in a high risk group (kids are homeschooled and normally very healthy)

2) I think there are a lot of people who need it worse than we do so I would rather it go to them.

3) there is just something about it that worries me.

Several people I know have had it and they have been ok. It is bad for a few days but nothing worse than the normal flu.

now if my kids were to get sick and it was really bad I would never forgive myself.

Its mommy guilt to the Nth degree and a darned if you and darned if you dont situation

I feel the same way (bolded).

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Nope. No flu shots of any kind in our house.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

They told me swine must have the fever But my daughter's doc says..not necessarily....Just plain ole misinformation..

Your daughter's doctor is right. Around 30% of cases do NOT present with fever. I am really amazed that doctors are not more up to date. I personally know several people who had confirmed cases that did not have fevers. Of course, most of the hospitalized cases have had fevers, so if you don't, that is a good sign.

 

[laurie31]

Hey Laurie..Can you come live with me??? You could just walk around with me and tell me everything is going to be ok.. Thanks for your post..it was helpful ..Maybe you could call my doc and set them all straight??

I just got a call from one of the girls mom on my daughter's soccer team. She is the one that sits with the other two girls that got it
(swine) at lunch and is attached to the hip to one of them. And then these two girls are the ones my daughter hung with about 4 days ago and now are at home for the week with 104 temp... I am sure there was an easier way to say that..but I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night

Anyway, this girl has exercise induced asthma like my DD12. Her mom has been the one to keep me updated . She had about 101 fever and it was kind of coming and going..then was fever free and back at school yesterday. Well as of today, she has a fever, pneumonia and is on 60mg of predisone and on a watch to go to the hospital They said she was textbook of what the virus can do.

They went over symptoms and yep laurie(like you said) diarrhea is one of them. So I am keeping a close eye on my daughter..Still no fever, but on and off diarrhea(not horrible), sore throat(also not horrible), achey and just says she feels crappy and sweaty.

For me it came on more like a cold..I have had a little congestion for the past couple days..and then a headache yesterday..Last night I started feeling really crappy..and today I have that sore throat (kind of sand papery feeling), congestion in my chest that I can feel(this is normal when I get a sinus infection), slight cough on and off. The headache comes immediately back and makes me feel bad when the ibuprofen wears off. I just feel kind of sick..I called the doc to kind of ask am I have cold symptoms ..or could it be swine? They told me swine must have the fever But my daughter's doc says..not necessarily....Just plain ole misinformation..

Maybe they should have a meeting and really figure out what to say to the public The Pres could invite the health department over for a beer Oh I think i am getting a tad delirious now..

What is the incubation period before symptoms?

First off, I'll be praying for your DD's friend, that she doesn't end up in the hospital, and that you and your DD have mild cases. The diarrhea thing is weird. It's not usually associated with influenza, but it IS commonly seen with H1N1. Once again, the virus forgot to study the book.

The incubation period is usually 1-4 days, but can be up to 7 days. (that's according to the CDC website )

 

[C.Ann]

Well I heard on the news today that all further flu shot clinics (for the regular flu) have been cancelled up here in this county (Public Health Dept.) and they currently have no plans of rescheduling them.. They have little hope that they will receive any additional shipments of the regular flu shot..

As for the H1N1 flu shot, still no deliveries, still no anticipated arrival dates, but plenty of people sick with "some sort of flu".. I think I have pretty much given up on the idea that we will be able to receive them in time for them to be of any help..

It's going to be a scary flu season for us..

 

[HLAuburn]

So I have a few questions...

Does anyone know the chances are of getting "sick" from the H1N1 FluMist vaccine? I know it says you may have a "very mild case", but what is the likelihood that you'll be symptomatic?

Also, is a person who had the mist actually contagious at any point since the virus is live or is it "too weak" to spread?

Thanks!

 

[kilee]

The first H1N1 clinic was announced today for a neighboring county. Only it will not be held until the end of November and only for students of 1 specific school district.

I visited our counties DOH website and it states they will not be offering clinics anytime. Rather they are shipping their supplies to doctors offices.

We still have some doses left at work and I am in the camp to immunize my son--- so I'm hoping we still have them when he's out of his waiting period from the seasonal flumist next week.

 

[Geoff_M]

So I have a few questions...

Does anyone know the chances are of getting "sick" from the H1N1 FluMist vaccine? I know it says you may have a "very mild case", but what is the likelihood that you'll be symptomatic?

Also, is a person who had the mist actually contagious at any point since the virus is live or is it "too weak" to spread?

Thanks!

From the CDC:

Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu?

Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened) and cannot cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist. Some children and young adults 2 years to 17 years of age have reported experiencing mild reactions after receiving seasonal nasal spray flu vaccine, including runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. Some adults 18 years to 49 years of age have reported runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. These side effects are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of influenza infection.

The CDC was also said that there's about about 2% chance of passing the virus on to someone else if you come into "close contact" with them, but you'd still be passing them the "cold-adapted" virus that can't live past your nose.