Panicking!

[idoteech]

I've been reading on how December is the season for RSV and flu (which I did not think about when planning our trip). My dds will be 3 1/2 years old and 8 1/2 mo. old. Am I making a mistake by taking an 8 mo. old to Disney in December? I'd love to hear from those of you who have or anyone else who just wants to chime in. Thanks in advance.

 

[MagicalMom]

I wouldn't stress over it. I've raised 3 kids & none of them have every had the real, actual, flu or RSV. Use universal precautions & common sense, you'll be good to go.

 

[kikipug]

RSV is not as prevalent in FL as it is in colder parts of the country...

My son had RSV at 9 months old and hadn't gone anywhere out of the ordinary(we lived in NH at the time)... so my advice is go to WDW, have a great time, and enjoy the warmer weather...

 

[pinkdiamonds1007]

I have no idea if this actually helps..but I give my dd lots of extra vitamen C during flu season and around flu season. (she already takes a vitamen, but I buy Healthy Kids, OJ..with extra vitm. c and e i believe. We also don't stress about it. We are taking her in Dec. and had never even thought of your point. * a good one, you have.* just never thought of it. Try not to worry. Bring wipes wash hands alot. Lots of extra Vitamen C.

 

[dizneekim]

My #2 son was 8mo on his first trip to Disney. I kept him in the sling during naptimes and daddy kept him in the backpack during awake times, so he didn't have much contact with anything but us. It turned out to be a great age because he was aware and enjoying what went on around us, but wasn't yet able to run off! My then 4yo got a nasty 24hr bug that trip (from home or Disney-who knows?) but the rest of us were okay. I second the handwashing suggestion, too. Have a great trip!

 

[meandtheguys2]

We have taken little ones during the flu months since they were babies. We have actually never caught anything down there. We just took normal precautions, washing our hands as needed and keeping their hands out of their mouths as much as possible.

 

[minnie61650]

I've been reading on how December is the season for RSV and flu (which I did not think about when planning our trip). My dds will be 3 1/2 years old and 8 1/2 mo. old. Am I making a mistake by taking an 8 mo. old to Disney in December? I'd love to hear from those of you who have or anyone else who just wants to chime in. Thanks in advance.

My advice is to ask your pediatrician.
My grandson was hospitalized with the Flu and RSV when he was almost 2.
He became very dehydrated.
He is fine now but he was a very sick little guy.
RSV and Flu are very real dangers and the incidents seem to be increasing.
Hope this helps.
Linda

 

[idoteech]

Thank you guys so much for your advice. We are still going to take the trip, but I will use all precautions to ensure that the kids stay healthy. I teach school so I am used to washing my hands at every turn. Thanks again.

 

[muldey]

I also say tons of vit c.Hyland's makes little tablets(they just melt in the mouth,so ok for your baby) 25mg a tablet.I give my kids lots of these.My ds is almost 4,born with multiple heart defects.He had the flu once,never RSV.We live in New England.He also puts his mouth on everything,no matter how much I try to stop him.Thankfully never an issue.I'm sure your little ones will be fine,have fun!!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

For most full term healthy babies, RSV is not a major concern. Many children have had it and it was just taken as a cold. Very young infants and children who have compromised immune systems such as premature chilren need to be very careful. They even recomend the vacine for high risk children but it is very expensive and not recomended for the adverage child. Getting the flu short yourself is the best way to protect your young son if he is too young for it. I can not remember the age limit now. If he IS old enough, get it for him too.

Once there, be sure he gets enough fluids and rest. Do not let stangers touch him, Wash his little hands often and try to prevent him from touching or mouthing any public items.

Early DEcember is low in crowds but Christmas crowds make the situation much harder to control.

Take the best precautions and them relax and have fun!!!

Jordans' mom

 

[devmer]

A great thing to get for clean hands is Purell hand sanitizer. You just rub it on your hands until it evaporates and it disinfects your hands. I work in an NICU and we use it in there all the time. Also Bath and Body works has something similar in kid scented foam. Good Luck!

 

[idoteech]

Again thanks for your responses. We are going to be leaving before the Christmas crowd arrives. I will talk to the ped. about vitamin C and make sure I wash her hands. Thanks a lot!

 

[minkydog]

Well, you've chosen a great time of year to go--low crowds and good hand-washing are definitely good ways to keep the kids healthy. RSV in most children looks like a bad cold, with lots of nasal congestion and some coughing. RSV has been around a long time and the majority of kids who get it do NOT have to be hospitalized. Of course, if they get any virus and can't breathe right, they have to be examined.

Go and have a good time. Try not to worry about the things you can't control. I would guess that more kids catch the flu and RSV from their daycare or Church nursery, than while visiting at Disney World.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Another thing to consider is that breastmilk will provide some additional protection, through the antibodies. Handwashing will help tremendously. Take some wipes to frequently clean stroller trays and toys that may fall to the ground or touch other surfaces, and do a quick "handwash" a few times a day. My guess is that one of the easiest ways to catch RSV is kids touching the rails that separate lines in the waiting areas and spreading germs that way, so perhaps you could do a quick clean-up afterwards? Good luck!

 

[Nicole]

My kids will get sick ant time of the year. Do your best to keep their hands clean and out of their mouths. Bring hand wipes for frequent use, this really helps. Enjoy your time with your family.

 

[CleveRocks]

To the poster who said the incidence of flu and RSV are on the rise, that is just not true. I'm married to a pediatrician -- in addition to her and her partners telling me that this past winter (2004-2005) was a rather LIGHT flu/RSV season, I have my own barometer -- I was woken up only rarely by middle-of-the-night beeper beeping and telephone ringing this past winter. Not as many sick kids last winter ....

My healthy, full-term 3.5 month old was hospitalized for RSV 2 years ago. THAT was a bad flu season -- we narrowly escaped having our 3 year old in the hospital for flu one week earlier.

There's been some excellent advice in previous posts: talk to your pediatrician, take normal precautions, and use lots of soap and water as well as Purell.

-- Eric

 

[KerriMc]

Do what all of the other posters have said I went in February 2004 with my then almost 3 yr old dd and my 7 mos old dd. My 7 mos came down with RSV while we were there. Of course, she had been sick with a cold two weeks before that and was more likely more apt to be vulnerable to it. She was VERY sick and so lethargic and we were a bit scared being so far from home. She ended up at the hospital and had a vapour treatment and x-rays done. She didn't end up being admitted thankfully. She was healthy by the day we were flying home Poor kid. I was still nursing her, so I think that did help her somewhat. She reverted to wanting to nurse frequently, so needless to say mommy didn't get a lot of sleep on this trip!

We went again with the kids in March of this year and again the same dd became sick. This time she had the Norwalk Virus (the lovely vomitting and diarrhea bug). It started our third day there and didn't end until the day before we left. It was great fun . Thankfully the older dd didn't get it at all. She had a great trip (my parents were along so we had extra hands to help keep her entertained).

I worry that she will be the kind of kid that will get sick every time we travel. So many people tell me about the "air on the airplane" being at the root of it ... and I do wonder ... but am not entirely sure this is the reason. I am just praying that she doesn't get sick on our next trip. She has missed out on so much fun

Oh ... and we did have both of the girls get their flu shots. I felt that at least this way they had a better chance of not coming down with it. You can do a flu shot by 6 mos, so you may want to consider this being that you are going during the time that flu season begins.

Have fun ... and don't worry too much ... it may end up being totally fine for you or it could be something like an ear infection or cold, which you just can't prevent! Just be prepared for anything

Kerri

p.s. I teach school too ... what grade do you teach? I teach kindergarten!

 

[lamb1022]

In additon to the Purrel hand sanitizer, I highly recommend Clorox Disinfectant Wipes. They can be used to wipe off the stroller, surfaces in public restrooms, doorhandles, in general, any nonpourous surface that might harbor germs. I have three children and am a huge fan of these. Good luck...