Is anyone concerned about the flu?

[leopardspot]

...and going on a trip to Disney with our little ones??? I mean there are all those tourists there from all over the place!!!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

 

[Cruisin]

In this day and age I don't think it matters whether there are all of those tourists from all over the place or not.

Our world is such a small place now. You might be surprised at who you come into contact with and where they are from or have been.

I am not going to let that thought spoil my vacation. Everyday in life you take risks, this is just one more to add to the list.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I teach in a school building with 800 kids. We already have confirmed cases of the flu in both adults and kids... It seems very early this year, so I am hoping it will get through before we travel in April. Luckily the teachers are all offered flu shots for $5.00... Unfortuntaely some of the people who have had the flu have gotten the shot... I guess we should all take our vitamins and cross our fingers...

 

[Ellester]

My dd5 has the flu right now. It is not fun. She is normally very healthy (only one sick visit in the past 3 years) and it is tough to see her so wiped out. I would definitely get your kids a flu shot. We were supposed to get the girls' theirs last week, but they were out. We were going to try again this week, but now it looks like it's too late. I'm praying that my dd2 stays healthy. You can still get the flu after getting the shot, but it will most likely be less severe. I think I may have had it last week, but I had the shot in October (I'm high risk, asthma and pregnant) so it wasn't full blown. Personally, I'd be more worried about SARS or something like that (not to get a panic started or anything). Just my $.02.

 

[chirsty'smom]

I have been EXTRA dilligent on makng sure our 4 yr old takes his daily vitamins and started everyone on drinking more OJ. I know it's only preventative measures but I can't chance losing out on Christmas at WDW!


1st case of flu just hit my work yesterday and no cases at school as of yet. I'm off to buy OJ for lunch!!

 

[DisFam95]

I guess I'm worried a little. My sil has asked me to meet her at the mall to let the kiddos play in the play area. I'm not letting him play in community areas until after our trip next month. I look at those play areas and just see a germ swamp!!! My little guy 16mo, sucks his fingers when he gets tired so all that hand to mouth action makes me nervous. I'll definitely have the bottle of purell in my pocket at Disney!!

 

[disneyfan551]

Usually I am not worried about this type of thing, and always refuse to get the flu shot. However, NC just had their 1st case of a 5yo child dying from the flu this season. That definitely has me a little spooked.

We just returned from our land/sea vacation, and our dd had the sniffles somewhat. We were sicker than she was! But, we took lots of meds and took Zicam for the 1st time! It worked!

Wash, wash, wash your hands!!!

 

[leopardspot]

What do you do with the Zicam? Is it a nasal spray? We have been taking airborne before we go out into large crowds.

 

[celebrate life]

Just a quick note about the flu. (We just returned from WDW
last week). I had been concerned about this too at this time of year, one reason we canceled our cruise part. Our family had all had a round of it two weeks before we went, but it was a quick one.

We live in the Northwest, so the strains on the East coast can be different. None of us (immendiate) family returned with anything.
I made sure that we always washed hands alot, and I used hand sanitizer lotion after as many rides as I could remember, and waiting in lines with railings, etc, that my daughter would put her mouth on. (kids.....)

My father did get the flu though, and actually had gotten it before we met up with them (they traveled in motorhome), but it got VERY bad while we were there, and he spent most of his days in the hotel room they rented. (I think he just wanted a private escape .) My youngest niece got it too just as they were about to head home, and kind of spoiled their last few days of fun, and it was very bad with high fevers, cough etc. It took her over a week to get better.

No one coughed on us that I remember, but you TOUCH EVERYTHING without even thinking about it. (I was always sure we dressed appropriately though, and got dry after water rides, etc, and my sister-in-law did not do that with her daughter, (as it was warm, and it can be deceiving), so that is a possible reason my niece got sick, or more suseptible?

Celebrate life

 

[MosMom]

Hopefully this will set your mind at ease a bit...

The flu virus isn't one to hang around on surfaces for long, especially in the sun. It will die pretty quickly and will most likely be transferred through the air (which Disney is pretty open, you would be at highest risk on the airplane or mears bus etc.). Hand sanitizer WILL NOT prevent you from getting a virus. Washing your hands is the best way to prevent flu transmission. Use hot soapy water and wash long enough to sing "Happy Birthday". Hand sanitizer is for bacteria only and under no circumstances will prevent you from contracting the flu. But, like I said, the flu isn't likely to live long on surfaces anyway.

Disney actually wouldn't be an easy place to catch the flu. You would be more likely to catch it at work or where you are in close quarters for long periods of time.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We leave in a few weeks and yes I am worried. On top of having a 2 year old (2 years 9 months) I just found out I am pregnant, (will be 8 weeks the time of the trip.) I was very sure we got all got flu shots this year, and let me tell you it was work. Hubby and I got ours back in Oct, but it was too busy for kids that day so hubby took DD back early Nov. Well since it was her 1st shot they said she needed a second one in a month. At this time there was no shortage of vacinations.

Well a 2 weeks agon when I returned to the heath center right when it opened at noon there was a least 200 other people with the same idea, someone said 3 hours at least. Well being newly pregnant, I didn't have the engery for that and left. I heard later they ran out after the 1st hour.

So DD doctor office ran out. I did end up getting it for her at her couisns office, (I had to take him to get the 2nd half off his shot, so they gave it to her at the same time. ) Well not really gave, they made me pay 28$ for it!!!!! Better safe then sorry.


So yes I am concerned about the flu, but more about morning sickness!!!!!

I see lots of hand washing in our future.

Thanks for the post MosMom, that did help!

 

[viluvsdisney]

And our state has had 9 children's deaths due to the flu. I suppose the only thing you can do is to use common sense. Get the flu shot and don't subject your kids to high risk situations (especially if they suffer from comprimised immune systems). It's a hit or miss situation - you can get the flu being in the grocery store at the wrong time. Be wise about it and do what you think's best for your kiddos.