H1N1 virus in Kids School!

[robinb]

Does that make sense?

I think that we're not going to come to an agreement on this one ... but we can agree that we both hope that your son stays well .

 

[luvmy3]

I think that we're not going to come to an agreement on this one ... but we can agree that we both hope that your son stays well .

I think you are right, and thanks for your well wishes

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

In response to the "you can't keep your kid in a bubble" argument, I would agree that you can't. HOWEVER, as parents, we all protect our kids from known threats. We all buckle our kids when we go in the car or we have them wear helmets when they are riding a bike because we know it could prevent serious injuries or death in an accident. For a parent with a child who has respiratory issues, if they KNOW a child has had the swine flu at school, I think they are being wise to keep their child home because their child is more at risk of dying or suffering from severe complications. This flu is different than regular flu to an extent because most of us have never been exposed to it and there are no vaccines available. For those with preexisting conditions that could complicate an illness, it's not about completely avoiding every risk that's out there, it's about avoiding a known risk that could be very dangerous to your child.

 

[monsterkitty]

We had a student who tested postitive for the H1N1 three weeks before the end of the school year. Because of the HIPPA laws, we could not disclose which child. We were able to disclose it was our school because our school is large enough that people couldn't figure out which child was ill by process of elimination. If our school had a smaller population, we would not have been able to release which school had the confirmed case.

This was not the decision of our school or district, but rather our state health board.

We did have about 25 families refuse to send their children to school for the rest of the year. However, many of these same families still allowed their children to play in soccer games and little league games. 3 of these students came down with the flu even though they had not been in school for 2 weeks.

 

[Disney Doll]

I feel very confident that even though this version is mild, future versions (and there most likely will be future versions) will not be mild. This flu is following the exact same pattern as the 1918 flu did, government downplayed it back then, just as they are now. Mild version is the spring, deadly one in the fall. I have a child with severe asthma so none of my kids will be going to school if there is a known case in their schools. I feel that it will be too little too late come fall. I personally am very scared for the fall.

One district refuses to reveal which building the swine flu is in, in order to protect the child. This is ludicrous.

You call the amount of press cioverage that this flu has gotten in the last month downplaying?

Wow...I am thinking just the opposite...that they have made a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[Va-bear]

I had the flu a couple of weeks ago. Frankly, I'm hoping it was H1N1, so if/when it does come back this fall, I'll be somewhat protected.

Yes, I almost would like to get it now, rather than in the fall. As someone stated earlier, once this thing mutates, it could easily become much more deadly (or less so, ofcourse..) If it mutates to a resistant form, there is nothing modern science can do for you - but developing resistance now would save you. I think to say it's been 'over-hyped' is ignoring science and history. Yes, the media may have over-hyped it some, so ignore THAT, but dont ignore the threat as a counter-reaction to that. A pandemic will come - either now or later (hopefully, later, so maybe we will have a drug that it can't mutate against.)

I wouldn't keep my kids home for the same reason so many stated - there are viruses all over - I would remind them to wash their hands FREQUENTLY and to try to not touch their noses.

 

[Tinijocaro]

You call the amount of press cioverage that this flu has gotten in the last month downplaying?

Wow...I am thinking just the opposite...that they have made a mountain out of a molehill.

First half of May-tons of coverage, second half-not nearly as much. Something that could potentially become the next deadly pandemic is worth covering.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I wouldn't keep my kids home for the same reason so many stated - there are viruses all over - I would remind them to wash their hands FREQUENTLY and to try to not touch their noses.

I teach in an elementary school. When this first became news in late April, I assumed good hand washing would take care of it. After coming to school and observing, really observing the students, it's no wonder it's spreading as it is. My own daughter can't keep her fingers out of her mouth. Students constantly rubbing their noses when they have an itch or sniffles....it's quite gross. In the fall, all students entering my classroom will use a hand sanitizer and will re-wash if they put their hands anywhere near their faces.

Also, since I'm on a rant-this whole business of sneezing into your elbow-great in theory but have you ever observed kids doing this? They sneeze right through the hole between their elbow and body, right into the open air. I know it's supposed to be better than sneezing into hands but there has to be a better way!

 

[Va-bear]

I teach in an elementary school. When this first became news in late April, I assumed good hand washing would take care of it. After coming to school and observing, really observing the students, it's no wonder it's spreading as it is. My own daughter can't keep her fingers out of her mouth. Students constantly rubbing their noses when they have an itch or sniffles....it's quite gross. In the fall, all students entering my classroom will use a hand sanitizer and will re-wash if they put their hands anywhere near their faces.

Also, since I'm on a rant-this whole business of sneezing into your elbow-great in theory but have you ever observed kids doing this? They sneeze right through the hole between their elbow and body, right into the open air. I know it's supposed to be better than sneezing into hands but there has to be a better way!

Well, you are right, ofcourse, but I still remind them....who knows, maybe they will wash off the 'bad one' before they get infected with the 'not-so-bad one'!

 

[DisneyWalker44]

if I know there is a case of swine flu in school, my kid's not going.

I'm curious, would you keep your kid out of school for every other case of flu, or is this just for swine flu?

 

[golfgal]

I feel very confident that even though this version is mild, future versions (and there most likely will be future versions) will not be mild. This flu is following the exact same pattern as the 1918 flu did, government downplayed it back then, just as they are now. Mild version is the spring, deadly one in the fall. I have a child with severe asthma so none of my kids will be going to school if there is a known case in their schools. I feel that it will be too little too late come fall. I personally am very scared for the fall.

One district refuses to reveal which building the swine flu is in, in order to protect the child. This is ludicrous.

From what I have read it is better to get the mild form now, allow your body to build up natural antibodies so they are able to fight of a severe case that might show up in the fall. My oldest had flu like symptoms a couple weeks ago and although we didn't get him tested his symptoms sounded more like the H1N1 then the regular flu so I am hoping it was as he is asthmatic as well.

 

[tigger813]

There have been a few cases in our town. One at the middle school and at least one at daughter's school. Got recorded message from superintendent both times. Best thing is not to panic! The schools are all being very diligent about dealing with the situation and if necessary they would close the schools. Some schools have closed because of the stomach bug and a lot of children being sick.

I got diagnosed with the flu 10 days ago. The dr does an initial test for the flu and if that is positive then the 2nd test is sent out for further testing. Didn't hear anything until today when the dr's office called to check on me. I asked about the test and was told that when it was sent in it was rejected because it didn't meet the criteria for further testing. OK. Was sick for 7 days and still have the residual cough that I always have after a bad cold or bronchitis. Fever lasted for 5 days with 101.9 being the highest. When your normal temp is 96 then I know I'm sick when it's over 99. No one else in the family got it. We did air hugs and blow kisses which was funny to watch but I didn't want anyone else to get it and nobody did. Only DD2 had the flu shot in the fall.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I'm curious, would you keep your kid out of school for every other case of flu, or is this just for swine flu?

I've already explained this in this thread.

 

[Ppufi]

No! Germs are passed so easily in schools. I'd wait till an official statement is made before stepping in to that school.