I could use some advice for treating kids with the H1N1?- update 12/16

[Katy Belle]

My DS12 had it. The Dr. was worried about his lungs and had us come in and have them checked often. First every day, then every other, then every third, until he was happy that it was gone.

With your DD having asthma, I'd take her and have them listen to her every day for a few days. It seems the people who have ended up hospitalized, or worse, had lung issues.

It sounds like you are doing everything possible to keep the rest of you healthy! Good luck!
Katy

 

[klynn]

Why are you working so hard to make the fever go down? Fever is a usually benign thing, and it's a sign that the body is working. So why give those drugs to stop the body's natural response?

And if you do want it to go down, a cool cloth is very nice. Ice pack. Tepid bath. All lovely things, and if the fever goes up again, at least you're not worried about side effects and all of that. Don't have to worry about too many ice packs.

Is a fever always "a benign thing"? Both my kids had H1N1 plus my son had pneumonia along with H1N1. Both kids had fevers over 104. Would this still be considered a benign thing? I chose to give them fever reducing medicine as per doctors instructions.

 

[Christine]

Is a fever always "a benign thing"? Both my kids had H1N1 plus my son had pneumonia along with H1N1. Both kids had fevers over 104. Would this still be considered a benign thing? I chose to give them fever reducing medicine as per doctors instructions.

Fevers are benign in that they are the body's way of killing the virus. So you want them to do their job. A very high fever can be problematic though. I always aim to get it down into the 100 range when treating.

 

[EthansMom]

Your daughter had the H1N1 vaccine and now has confirmed H1N1???

My son also had the H1N1 vaccine and now has H1N1. In the younger children, they are recommending a series of two shot, given one month apart, for younger children to be completely covered. Also, the shot takes 2 weeks before it is really good for immunity to the flu. And there is a lag with the flu mist also (1 month maybe?).

In my son's case, he had his first of two shots about 2.5 weeks ago and one (or more of his classmates came sick to school right about at his 2 week mark from the shot).

DS8 does seem to have a mild case of H1N1, though, even with his asthma (knock on wood).

 

[DMickey28]

I have no problem letting a person and even a child run a fever in the 100 range. That's good for fighting off things. However when DS gets sick, like he was this past week, his fever was running up in the 102.8 area and he is usually in the mid-97's so his ped has told me to add a degree to any temp I get out of him. He was running close to 104 and you could tell .... No way in HECK am I letting a fever that high hang out. If I couldn't have gotten it down with one round of meds, tempid bath and all the other methods we would have been in the ER.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Your daughter had the H1N1 vaccine and now has confirmed H1N1???

I "think" the OP's DD had a negative flu swab on another thread. ??
But that does not mean a lot since there are many false negatives.

Could be a bad flu like virus, probably will never know. If the Tamiflu is not helping I would bet it is just a bad virus. It is all so confusing.

Hope your DD is feeling better today OP!

 

[Christine]

I "think" the OP's DD had a negative flu swab on another thread. ??
But that does not mean a lot since there are many false negatives.

Could be a bad flu like virus, probably will never know. If the Tamiflu is not helping I would bet it is just a bad virus. It is all so confusing.

Hope your DD is feeling better today OP!

My son swabbed negative, had all the symptoms, and didn't really get better with Tamiflu, so it COULD have been anything.

Remember, lots of other viruses existed/exist and H1N1 hasn't taken over all the other garden variety things that school kids seemed to get plagued with once school is in session.

 

[klynn]

Fevers are benign in that they are the body's way of killing the virus. So you want them to do their job. A very high fever can be problematic though. I always aim to get it down into the 100 range when treating.

That is what I thought as well. I felt that when their temps were over 104 it was time to do something and the doctor agreed.

 

[kidshop]

In regards to fevers, you also have to look at the kid. My ds7 recently ran 101-102 over a two day period, but he felt ok. I had him rest a lot, but he still wanted to play, he was eating and drinking and sleeping, so I did not give him any meds...also b/c if he felt better I figured he would want to run around outside! His body was doing the work. Now if the child is miserable and unable to sleep or drink, then yes I do give the meds to make them comfortable. I have never seen a fever over 103 in my kids, thank goodness, but I don't fear a fever. I look at them to see how they feel to judge the severity of the illness. I think of the fever as a germ killing tool.

 

[Mermaid02]

My ped didn't bother to swab my son- he said if it came back negative he wouldn't believe it and would treat him with Tamiflu for H1N1 anyway. I guess there are a lot of false negatives with this one.

It is not uncommon for a secondary infection to occur with H1N1- I know several folks whose kids then came down with bronchitis or pneumonia.... if you think she is getting worse... take her back in and ask for a chest xray!

 

[C.Ann]

How are things today? I hope there has been some improvement..

 

[LuvOrlando]

Dd was Admitted yesterday with low oxygen. She has pneumonia and blood infection from 'flu like' Illness . Is on 2 Iv antibiotics. Seems strong f eels better for now. Prayers please

 

[C.Ann]

Dd was Admitted yesterday with low oxygen. She has pneumonia and blood infection from 'flu like' Illness . Is on 2 Iv antibiotics. Seems strong f eels better for now. Prayers please

Oh no.. I had a bad feeling when we didn't hear from you yesterday that you were probably in the ER or your DD had been admitted to the hospital..

I will pray as hard as I can that she makes a full recovery.. This just isn't fair - after all you went through to have your kids vaccinated..

Hang in there and keep us posted as you can..

 

[NHdisneylover]

Oh gracious--I will keep your DD in my thoughts
My own DD "recovered" for three full days and then ended up almost back at square one around 10:00 this morning--but not as bad as the first go around. Seeing your post makes me feel lucky to have only this much (and makes me want to check on her every 10 minutes all night long).

 

[Wonderlandmom]

She has pneumonia and blood infection from 'flu like' Illness

Oh no! So sorry to hear this.

So did they confirm it was not H1N1 since she was admitted?

Praying for quick improvement!

 

[gonzo76]

Dd was Admitted yesterday with low oxygen. She has pneumonia and blood infection from 'flu like' Illness . Is on 2 Iv antibiotics. Seems strong f eels better for now. Prayers please

LuvOrlando, I am praying for your daughter.

Oh gracious--I will keep your DD in my thoughts
My own DD "recovered" for three full days and then ended up almost back at square one around 10:00 this morning--but not as bad as the first go around. Seeing your post makes me feel lucky to have only this much (and makes me want to check on her every 10 minutes all night long).

Did you take her back to the Dr? Could be a secondary infection.

 

[S. C.]

Prayers said!

 

[Pennykay]

My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery for her.

 

[Bluestars]

Dd was Admitted yesterday with low oxygen. She has pneumonia and blood infection from 'flu like' Illness . Is on 2 Iv antibiotics. Seems strong f eels better for now. Prayers please

I'll keep her in my prayers for a quick recovery. I hope she starts feeling better soon.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Did you take her back to the Dr? Could be a secondary infection.

Thanks for the thought. She already had a secondary sinus infection to get through. I called the doctor yesterday and got a recording that the office is closed becuase the entire staff is sick (yeah everyone here has it rigth now)--it gave the other pediatrician in town's number as they cover for one another. Called that doctor and got a recording that they are closed and sick to call DDs doctor! I guess they did not check with one another yesterday before assuming they could cover each other She slept well through the night (no coughing, breathing regular) so I am just keeping a lcose on on her. Obviously if she take a dramatic turn for the worse I will not hesitate to get her to the hospital.

LuvOrlando, I hope your DD is doing better today. I have been thinking about her ever since I saw your update