OT--Mother caught Swine Flu

[sbpebbles]

This is for those who have had the H1N1 virus or who know someone who has:

So my mother and my daughter went to FL November 4th, already on the 5th my daughter was very sick..To make a long story short my mother and daughter weren't suppose to come home until the 14th but we booked them on Monday's last flight of the day..My mother has been very ill and went to the doctor yesterday and today it was confirmed she does in fact have the H1N1 virus..For all we know my daughter could have had it too but when she was tested at the doctor yesterday for influenza A it came back negative..

Now my main concern is I have a DS(14 months old) at home, whom I've been keeping away from my mother and my daughter..No one in the area has any of the vaccine available...Now my concern is how to prevent my Son from catching this? We have been keeping him away from them, but we all live in the same household..we have also been wiping things down like crazy with disinfectant and washing our hands A LOT..I know he's at high risk if he gets it but i want to do what i can to prevent it..My step father and I are the only ones who have been in the 2 rooms where my daughter and mother are sleeping, so I've been exposed more than anyone (trying to make everyone else better and take care of them)..I am not worried about catching it, if i do I do..I know I have a better chance of fighting it then my DS does..

And here I was the one not concerned about anyone in our family getting it..And I was even in Mexico back in April when the first cases were appearing here..Any advice from those who have gone through this would be greatly appreciated..I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything..TIA!

BTW: We have no idea how they could have gotten it since no one in this area has it, my mother is laid off right now and no one at my daughter's school has had it..We think my mother MIGHT(i stress the word MIGHT) have caught it on the plane, since we don't know for sure if my daughter had it..And I did ask the doctor about this and they said it could be possible since it takes only about 2 days for symptoms to show up and that's about how long it was for my mother to get actively sick..

 

[Jajone]

Where in WI are you because I work in healthcare in Green Bay and it is being reported all over WI. Could have been that trip to Walmart, lady behind you in church, at the bank, etc. Good handwashing is the best remedy. Masking them is another option, but likely you are all exposed already.

 

[sbpebbles]

Where in WI are you because I work in healthcare in Green Bay and it is being reported all over WI. Could have been that trip to Walmart, lady behind you in church, at the bank, etc. Good handwashing is the best remedy. Masking them is another option, but likely you are all exposed already.

I sent u a PM with that info..

 

[Jajone]

sorry, pm box was full, I cleaned it out now.

 

[sbpebbles]

ok resent it

 

[CJ's Mommy]

To make a long story short my mother and daughter weren't suppose to come home until the 14th but we booked them on Monday's last flight of the day..My mother has been very ill and went to the doctor yesterday and today it was confirmed she does in fact have the H1N1 virus.

While I feel sorry for your mom and daughter, I have to say that it would really stink to have been on that flight with her! I can't imagine how many people may have picked up H1N1 on that flight.

All I can say about keeping your other child healthy, is wash hands and keep them apart as much as possible. Good luck!

 

[sbpebbles]

While I feel sorry for your mom and daughter, I have to say that it would really stink to have been on that flight with her! I can't imagine how many people may have picked up H1N1 on that flight.

All I can say about keeping your other child healthy, is wash hands and keep them apart as much as possible. Good luck!

There were other ppl on the flight sick as well..We didn't know she had H1N1..we just knew she wasn't feeling well so we got them home ASAP, once their fevers had dropped..They did wear a mask on the flight to help prevent it so I too hope no one got sick but she is not fully to blame if other ppl did

 

[livndisney]

There were other ppl on the flight sick as well..We didn't know she had H1N1..we just knew she wasn't feeling well so we got them home ASAP, once their fevers had dropped..They did wear a mask on the flight to help prevent it so I too hope no one got sick but she is not fully to blame if other ppl did

I am confused. Your mom got on the plane sick? Or she got sick after she got back to Wi?

 

[sbpebbles]

I am confused. Your mom got on the plane sick? Or she got sick after she got back to Wi?

My mom wasn't feeling the best when she got on the plane(don't flame me for this, it was HER choice, not mine) and since she got back to WI she's gotten worse and worse..

 

[r4blessings]

I have been stressing big-time about my kids getting swine flu b/c ds8 has asthma. Couldn't get the vaccine around here, although they did get the regular flu shot. And we had swine flu throughout our community, DH's school where he teaches and our elementary school.

So, on Sunday am my ds8 woke up with a high fever and crying. Rushed him to the ped who said it was swine flu and started him on tamiflu. By the time I got home ds11 woke up late with similar symptoms. Brought him to the ped on Monday morning and she said the same thing...swine flu. They are doing ok, not too terrible and so far no complications (thank god) from ds's asthma.

Now, dd5 and ds4 are healthy as a horse! I've been careful to keep them apart, sterilizing things, cleaning like crazy, the whole thing. So far, nothing! Of course I feel tired and run-down but no symptoms and DH is totally fine. All three of my boys share a big bedroom, but ds11 and ds8 like seem to always wind up in the same bunk bed..! So maybe that is why they both wound up sick?

So, there is hope that you can keep your baby healthy. And if he shows signs of not feeling well, get him into the dr right away.

And although no one wants to go out and intentionally infect others with swine flu, I think it was the best thing for your mother to come home with your dd. The last thing any of you wanted was a sick grandmother trying to take care of a sick child away from home, parents and help. What if your mother needed emergency care? Your daughter would have been all alone and terrified! They wore masks on the plane...no one could ask for anything more. Good luck!

 

[sbpebbles]

I have been stressing big-time about my kids getting swine flu b/c ds8 has asthma. Couldn't get the vaccine around here, although they did get the regular flu shot. And we had swine flu throughout our community, DH's school where he teaches and our elementary school.

So, on Sunday am my ds8 woke up with a high fever and crying. Rushed him to the ped who said it was swine flu and started him on tamiflu. By the time I got home ds11 woke up late with similar symptoms. Brought him to the ped on Monday morning and she said the same thing...swine flu. They are doing ok, not too terrible and so far no complications (thank god) from ds's asthma.

Now, dd5 and ds4 are healthy as a horse! I've been careful to keep them apart, sterilizing things, cleaning like crazy, the whole thing. So far, nothing! Of course I feel tired and run-down but no symptoms and DH is totally fine. All three of my boys share a big bedroom, but ds11 and ds8 like seem to always wind up in the same bunk bed..! So maybe that is why they both wound up sick?

So, there is hope that you can keep your baby healthy. And if he shows signs of not feeling well, get him into the dr right away.

And although no one wants to go out and intentionally infect others with swine flu, I think it was the best thing for your mother to come home with your dd. The last thing any of you wanted was a sick grandmother trying to take care of a sick child away from home, parents and help. What if your mother needed emergency care? Your daughter would have been all alone and terrified! They wore masks on the plane...no one could ask for anything more. Good luck!

Thank you for your response..I have been watching DS very closely..he's got a lil cough but I think that's from our weather..DD too has severe asthma so if she caught it while down in FL we could have had a HUGE problem so thank you for the support..

 

[livndisney]

My mom wasn't feeling the best when she got on the plane(don't flame me for this, it was HER choice, not mine) and since she got back to WI she's gotten worse and worse..

As far as how you can keep the rest of your family healthy-here is what is recommended by the CDC.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm

 

[r4blessings]

your welcome.

 

[C.Ann]

I hope your mom and your DD feel better soon..

As for coming home on the plane, in this case I don't see where there was much choice.. She was far away from home - the only adult with your child - and very sick.. It's not like she could have stayed there indefinitely - and what would have happened to your child if your mom was hospitalized? Tough call, but I'm sure there are many, many people flying right now that are sick - especially the ones who keep saying, "It's no big deal.. It's only the flu and I'm not going to throw away all the money I paid to go to WDW.."

Good luck - and stay well..

 

[amamax2]

My son had the swine flu, and no one else in our family got it! So there is a possibility no one else in your family will get it.

His symptoms started on a Friday night - he had been fine, and suddenly at dinner starting coughing like crazy - no other symptoms. He was coughing so much by the time it was bedtime, we put in in my bed with me, kicked my husband out to the guest bedroom, and had my other son just stay in his room (they share a room normally and this is our normal one-of-the-kids-is-sick routine).

He proceeded to get sicker over the course of the next few days and I took him to the dr on Tues a.m. - they cultured it and it came back positive, but it was too late for Tamiflu. The dr said to watch if any one else showed symptoms - to bring them in right away for Tamiflu.

So I was in bed with him - while he had a very high fever, cough like I have never heard before, and the nose running like a hose had been turned on full blast - for nearly two weeks. He coughed on me, laid on me, etc. And I never got it, nor did his dad or brother.

All I could do to try to minimize the spread of germs was keep the windows open as much as possible, keep him in the one room only, sprayed lysol in the air a few times, washed my hands a TON, changed his towels and pjs every day, and just kept everyone else away. Again, just our normal protocol for a sick child, but it usually works. I did ask the dr if I should expect us all to get it and he said no! I thought it was highly contagious, but he said in places like schools where kids are sharing food, desks, etc, it is, but if the sick person is good about covering when they sneeze or cough, washing hands, and keeping away, it isn't any more contagious than any other illness.

One thing I do want to emphasize: keep your baby and others away form the sick ones for at least TWO weeks. I know seveal people and have read much antedoctal stories of siblings getting the swine flu two weeks after, even when the illness lasted only a few days. The medical community doesn't really know what the incubation period is - I have read anywhere from one to seven days, but like I said, know several who got it two weeks after exposure.

Good luck!

 

[sbpebbles]

My son had the swine flu, and no one else in our family got it! So there is a possibility no one else in your family will get it.

His symptoms started on a Friday night - he had been fine, and suddenly at dinner starting coughing like crazy - no other symptoms. He was coughing so much by the time it was bedtime, we put in in my bed with me, kicked my husband out to the guest bedroom, and had my other son just stay in his room (they share a room normally and this is our normal one-of-the-kids-is-sick routine).

He proceeded to get sicker over the course of the next few days and I took him to the dr on Tues a.m. - they cultured it and it came back positive, but it was too late for Tamiflu. The dr said to watch if any one else showed symptoms - to bring them in right away for Tamiflu.

So I was in bed with him - while he had a very high fever, cough like I have never heard before, and the nose running like a hose had been turned on full blast - for nearly two weeks. He coughed on me, laid on me, etc. And I never got it, nor did his dad or brother.

All I could do to try to minimize the spread of germs was keep the windows open as much as possible, keep him in the one room only, sprayed lysol in the air a few times, washed my hands a TON, changed his towels and pjs every day, and just kept everyone else away. Again, just our normal protocol for a sick child, but it usually works. I did ask the dr if I should expect us all to get it and he said no! I thought it was highly contagious, but he said in places like schools where kids are sharing food, desks, etc, it is, but if the sick person is good about covering when they sneeze or cough, washing hands, and keeping away, it isn't any more contagious than any other illness.

One thing I do want to emphasize: keep your baby and others away form the sick ones for at least TWO weeks. I know seveal people and have read much antedoctal stories of siblings getting the swine flu two weeks after, even when the illness lasted only a few days. The medical community doesn't really know what the incubation period is - I have read anywhere from one to seven days, but like I said, know several who got it two weeks after exposure.

Good luck!

Wow..so glad to hear you and the rest of the family didn't catch it as well..I will just keep doing what we've been doing and keep them away from each other..it might be a lil hard given we live in the same house and whatnot but we'll do our best..thanks so much!

 

[princessmorgan]

I have 3 daughters who are 5, 2, and 14 months. My oldest daughter on Halloween had a little cough and was in good spirits. We went out and did the trick-or-treat thing. In the middle of the night she spiked a fever of 103. I gave her Motrin. Then the next day she was so lethargic and had a fever of 105. It was crazy to me how fast it happened. I took her to a Pediatrics at Nite place and he prescribed her Tamiflu. He said if anyone else in the house got a fever to come back and get Tamiflu. I think the Tamiflu helped her and soon her fever and symptoms were better, though she still has a cough.

About 5 days later my 2-year-old started to get a fever (about 101). So of course I think it's the swine flu and take her to our regular pediatrician. I took her early so she could get tamiflu and start on it before all the other symptoms started. Our doctor said she would not prescribe Tamiflu because it's being overprescribed and they'll run out of it for the people who really need it. She said even if DD did have swine flu that motrin and tylenol should help with the discomfort and to bring her in if she was having trouble breathing. I was kind of annoyed, but it turns out she had a fever of 101 for another day and that was it. It was nothing like my older DD had. I'm really glad I didn't give her Tamiflu. Not only does it taste AWFUL, I mean really awful, but it causes side effects in a lot of children. If it had been my 1 year-old, then I probably would have done Tamiflu right away, because she falls into the really needs it category. So far my youngest DD has stayed healthy through it all!

I just washed hands a lot and tried to keep them away from each other as much as possible, but they're sisters. They love to play together. I hope everyone stays healthy!

 

[sbpebbles]

So I took both my kids to the doctor today and they gave my son the tamiflu as a preventative measure...they also gave me a script for some so I don't get sick..my daughter is too late in the time to get it but she's just got a cold..thank you everyone for the advice!

 

[seashoreCM]

(Did not read the whole thread so this may be repetitive)
]
Hate to say it but your mother and your daugher will have to be confined to their rooms except to go to the bathroom, and others not go into those rooms. Do you at least have two complete bathrooms?

And you will have to bring them their meals.

If someone is vomiting I suggest promptly rinsing out the mouth a few times with water (to protect teeth from acid) and then fasting a few hours or until all stomah distress and pain goes away.

 

[DebbieB]

I hope your mom and your DD feel better soon..

As for coming home on the plane, in this case I don't see where there was much choice.. She was far away from home - the only adult with your child - and very sick.. It's not like she could have stayed there indefinitely - and what would have happened to your child if your mom was hospitalized? Tough call, but I'm sure there are many, many people flying right now that are sick - especially the ones who keep saying, "It's no big deal.. It's only the flu and I'm not going to throw away all the money I paid to go to WDW.."

Good luck - and stay well..

They weren't alone:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325752