If your kids had the H1N1 virus (unconfirmed)...will you vaccinate?

[Minnie_me]

My 8-year old DD had unconfirmed swine flu in June. The doctor said that since the seasonal flu hadn't been around for months at that time, that they were told to assume that anyone with "flu-like illness" had the swine flu. She had absolutely every single symptom during her 8-day illness: headache, fever, body aches, chills, nausea/diarrhea, cough, congestion, sore throat.

Two weeks ago, my 12-year old DD had "flu-like illness". She was sick for 7 days with all of the exact same symptoms listed above.

Both times, the doctor told us that they were not doing cultures to confirm H1N1.

So now our school has sent home forms for our children to receive the vaccine (as soon as it's available).

What do I do!??! Have them vaccinated? I am not an anti-vaxer, but I'm just not sure about doing this if I'm 90% sure that they've already had the virus.

 

[Christine]

My son had uncomfirmed flu in October. I will still get him vaccinated because, really, it could have been anything.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

It does sound like both your kids had it, so I understand your dilemma. I think my daughter had it, but I still got both my kids vaccinated. I believe the vaccines are safe, so I thought it would be better to know they have some immunity than to wonder.

 

[clutter]

My dd12 had it in June, too. I'm not vaccinnating. In October, she was at a sleepover where there were a number of confirmed H1N1 cases a couple days later. (One was the bd girl's brother, and they all came down w/in 24 hours. His exposure had to be the party.) My dd had nothing. I'm pretty sure she's immune, so I'm not going to try to find the vaccine. Too many others need it more.

 

[luvmy3]

My dd had an unconfirmed case in June as well and it was assumed it was H1N1. I still plan to vaccinate since there was no real confirmation.

 

[kldmom2000]

My girls were suspected of having it last week... sudden onset of chills, nasty cough, and a fever that lasted almost 6 days (never got higher than 102 though...) Pediatrician's office wasn't testing any longer because there were so many confirmed cases.... DD's BFF that she sits with in school all day long with started w/ same symptoms/same day and was confirmed by a different pedi with Influenza type A .... so I'm *assuming* my girls were also + for it????

I AM still getting them vaccinated because we just don't know. Both have underlying health issues (heart, kidney, and asthma) so I just can't risk it.... PLUS, my mother has metastatic breast cancer and is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy... we've got to keep anything and everything away from her....

 

[Temair]

My DD is just recovering from the flu, suspected H1N1. I asked the Dr. about the vaccine, and he said to still get the vaccine, just in case its a different flu than what has been going around, and to give a stronger immunity. If you are not sure call your Dr's office and leave a message for the nurse and they will get back to you.

 

[nmmom95]

My boys and I all had suspected H1N1 last week. A paper came home from school today about the vaccine and I declined. I was on the fence about the vaccine anyway, but now that I'm reasonably sure they had it, I'm not going to vaccinate.

 

[mrs. magoo]

Well the kids got the vaccine on Wednesday and came down with suspected H1N1 on Friday. Ironic I know.... So far my 8 year old is the only one who is still sick and home from school. She needs to be fever free for 24 hours and we are not able to accomplish that. I am glad that we vaccinated and hope to get seasonal when and if it ever becomes available.

Kathe

 

[LadyZolt]

DH is an RN and sees cases all the time in the ER where he works. He says, "It's not going to hurt anything to get the shot even if you already had H1N1." So, I'd err on the side of caution and get my kid the shot.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[Irish9697]

My kids got the seasonal flu mist (which they have received every year since 2005) on September 21st. They both tested positive for Type A & B flu on Monday, October 12th. Because seasonal flu is NOT going around here yet, only Swine, they were diagnosed as Swine. They started Tamiflu immediately and both were only ill 3 days total. By recommendation of the pediatrician, they got the Swine Flu Mist on October 27th. He is also recommending a 2nd dose 30 days later to guarantee immunity and also because of the potential of mutation.

By the way, neither had any side effect from the Mist and they are 8 & 9. I got the seasonal flu mist and was the same. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the Swine mist because I wasn't under 24, a healthcare worker or pregnant. But, both kids, while sick, slept with me. I think I'm ok.

 

[goofy's friends]

Just asked my kids' dr. the same question. His response after hearing symptoms and how long they were sick was "I'm 99.9% sure you've already had H1N1, and I wouldn't vaccinate at this point."