How Worried Would You Be?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I just a read a report that there could be up to 90,000 deaths in the US from H1N1 this year. Apparently it is hitting young adults the hardest. I am 24, have diabetes, and I teach special ed. Many of my kids have no concept of hygiene. To make matters worse, I have at least one kid who spits. He literally spit in my eye today. This worries me greatly because there is only so much I can do if a kid is spitting in my eye. How worried would you be?

I'm thinking of wearing my glasses (mild prescription that I normally only wear for reading) to at least protect my eyes, but I doubt that will do much. I admit, the situation does have me worried.

ETA: My insurance does not cover any doctor in my area and my new insurance won't kick until October 1. I see a doctor next Monday. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to inquire about a prescription for Relenza or Tamiflu to take in case of developing it or exposure since I am in a high risk category.

 

[Stacerita]

If I am not mistaken, I believe 90,000 is the average number of deaths a year due to the flu. I wouldn't be more worried about this strain than any other.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

This is from the CNN article:

Up to 40,000 U.S. deaths are linked to seasonal flu each year, with most of the fatalities occurring among people over 65.

What has me the most worried is that the most severe illness is not in the popluation that is typically thought to be at high risk (the elderly). Even then I would not be too worried. I have never had the flu, but with my situation in my classroom, I don't know how well I can prevent it. I know it's in our area because our school nurse was in quarantine the week before school started because she had it.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

We must have watched the same news tonight!

I am less worried about me, but a little more so for my toddler. He gets everything coming and going, and is usually sicker than most kids when he gets sick. He is also underweight and developmentally delayed. I worry about him getting it from his older brother who is in school.

I really don't know what to think about the vaccine, either. It is supposed to be somewhat widely available by mid-october, but I don't know if it will have thimerisol in it or not (he has sensory issues, and possible Aspberger's...so we avoid vaxes with thimerasol). And the newness of it scares me also.

I know the death rate isn't really higher than the regular seasonal flu, but it is the unpredictability of this flu that scares me.

I honestly don't know what to tell you... but it sounds like wearing glasses would be good if you have a spitter.

Let's hope all the 'experts' are wrong about how it will be this fall/winter.


Edited to add...I am not anti-vax, and my son has had all his vaxes. We just always get the thimerasol-free flu vaxes.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I am also a teacher. There's only so much that falls within my "circle of control". I wipe down my tables, phone, doorknobs, etc quite often with a bleach-based cleaner. I have hand sanitizer in my classroom and I use it if need be. I wash my hands as often as is feasible. I'll probably get the flu shot this year if I can; I have not gotten it in the past even though it was recommended (I have a lot of allergies and also asthma).

Aside from basic precautions, there's nothing else I CAN do, so I'm not going to worry about it.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I personally am not very concerned about this whole flu thing.

It has ALWAYS been around. I think they are totally blowing this out of proportion and I would really really like to see the exact amount of people that died FROM JUST this H1N1 flu. I don't think in the US it was more than 20 people.

 

[englishteacha]

If wearing your glasses makes you feel better, then wear them. Your eye doc might be able to get you a pair of clear lenses, too, if you're more comfortable with those.

Wash your hands when you can, use sanitizer or wipes when you can't, stay hydrated, take a vitamin, and get plenty of rest. I know that some of those things aren't always possible (especially the rest thing), but try your best! I was recovering from surgery this past winter and got every cold, virus and bug that came through, so I hope this year I can be healthy!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

OP, since this is your first year teaching, you are going to most likely get sick more than you have in the past. The first year my twin taught in an elementary school, she got the stomach flu as well as the regular flu (both of which she passed to me). She washed her hands as often as possible and used hand sanitizer religiously. She also wears glasses everyday.

I know she is planning on getting a flu shot but other than that, she isn't going to be doing anything special.

You'll be fine, but don't worry too much if you get sick because most likely you will due to having to build up an immunity to your students.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The only reason I was thinking of glasses is to keep the spit from hitting me square in the eye like it did today. Even if the kid is not sick, I don't want it in my eyes.

 

[IDoDis]

I teach elementary students (also special ed) and really am not worried about it. I've only had the flu once in my life and haven't even had a day of being sick in almost 3 years. Okay, so that makes me more vulnerable to this virus, I guess.

Worrying doesn't help. Just take extra precautions. One thing I'm going to do this year is not use community pencils where everyone pulls one randomly out of a class supply. I'm going to put names on pencils with a sharpie and make sure the students use their own pencils.

The biggest piece of advice is to train yourself not to touch your face. I'm very conscious of that which I believe helps me to stay well. Of course if someone spits in your eye, well there's not much you can do about that except teach your student not to spit. Easier said than done, I know, but with a good incentive program you can cut down on the spitting a lot. Your student is testing you right now to see what he/she can get away with.

 

[maelstrom]

I am not at all worried about the swine flu, not one little bit. It may be because I have a bit of a death wish, or because I'm not concerning myself with the hype, or I really just think the threat is way overexaggerated. Whatever the case may be, I am not at all worried about it. I have asthma and allergies and I don't even get a *regular* flu shot anymore, and I'm one of those people who is supposed to have first priority.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I teach elementary students (also special ed) and really am not worried about it. I've only had the flu once in my life and haven't even had a day of being sick in almost 3 years. Okay, so that makes me more vulnerable to this virus, I guess.

Worrying doesn't help. Just take extra precautions. One thing I'm going to do this year is not use community pencils where everyone pulls one randomly out of a class supply. I'm going to put names on pencils with a sharpie and make sure the students use their own pencils.

The biggest piece of advice is to train yourself not to touch your face. I'm very conscious of that which I believe helps me to stay well. Of course if someone spits in your eye, well there's not much you can do about that except teach your student not to spit. Easier said than done, I know, but with a good incentive program you can cut down on the spitting a lot. Your student is testing you right now to see what he/she can get away with.

I wish it were that simple. This student is very low on the spectrum of needs. Biting, hitting, kicking, spitting, all are par for the course (the student is coming to me from a sped early childhood placement). We are definitely working on it, but there is very much a lack of comprehension standing in our way. It's not a problem that will resolve anytime soon by current indications.

 

[IDoDis]

I wish it were that simple. This student is very low on the spectrum of needs. Biting, hitting, kicking, spitting, all are par for the course (the student is coming to me from a sped early childhood placement). We are definitely working on it, but there is very much a lack of comprehension standing in our way. It's not a problem that will resolve anytime soon by current indications.

Not in a few weeks, but you'd be surprised what kids with challenges can learn! I continue to be amazed and wowed every year. Try not to get discouraged and don't give up. Baby steps.