Precautions because of new flu?--TOO LATE, got the flu!

[jennypenny]

We have a child with cystic fibrosis. We always worry about what he'll *catch* while we are at WDW. So far, he's caught 2 stomach flus, strep throat, and a mystery infection that required a few weeks of antibiotics. But, we keep visiting because we love WDW and we find it is easier to let my DH take my other kids to do things while my CFDS and I do things in the hotel when necessary.

We have a trip planned memorial day weekend. I'm getting a little nervous with all of the news coverage of the new swine flu. My son is strong enough to deal with most illnesses but swine flu is obviously a much more serious issue. I hate to panic, but I also feel like I don't want to take chances just to take a vacation.

Are any of you with family members with immune issues worried yet? I'm not sure what worries me more--WDW or the plane/airport. Last time something was going around we drove to eliminate one of the risks for him. And we cooked in the room most of the time.

I wouldn't be worried yet if he didn't have special needs. It's a fine line you walk with high risk kids between protecting them and overprotecting them.

EDITED TO ADD: My middle son (who does not have CF but has bad asthma) is exhibiting severe flu-like symptoms. Doctors are monitoring it closely. One of the moms in our group (who is a nursing instructor in Philly) has symptoms so it may have spread that way. I'm sitting here struggling with whether to send the other two kids to school. They have no symptoms, and my son may just have a virus, but I would be LIVID if another parent sent their kids to school in this situation. Ugh.

Our trip is two weeks from thursday. We'll see how the week plays out.

 

[Chuck S]

I wouldn't start panicking yet, though certainly it is a concern. We are approaching the normal end of flu season. The unknown is whether this swine flu will behave as "normal" viruses and diminish with the normal season.

Fortunately, the cases of the swine flu in the US, so far, have been mild and easily treated with tamiflu.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I imagine the plane would be more of a concern than the park itself because of the closed quarters and recirculated air system. The parks will also be a concern however because of the large concentration of people. People who are touching the same surfaces without washing their hands, people who will be standing close to you in line, etc.

My mom is a microbiologist and we talk about this kind of stuff all the time. the problem with the swine flu is that it never does what the flu is "supposed" to. The fact that this is incredibly late in the flue season means nothing. It is a type of H1N1, the same strain that was responsible for the 1918 pandemic. It is a fast mutating strain which means that our bodies have limited immunity to it. Thankfully, so far the only actual deaths have been in Mexico where sanitary conditions and health care are very much substandard. However, the World Health Organization has declared this an emergency situation and is taking it very seriously.

You don't know where in the world hte guests you come into contact with are from. I would not cancel yet, but if the swine flu outbreak is still present at the time of your trip I would consider rescheduling it since you state that your son gets sick very easily.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have time to write much now, but my advice (as an Infection Control Specialist) is to follow whatever your doctor has told you to do to prevent flu.

Swine Flu still is part of the influenza family and does not spread in any different way than any other influenza virus. So, it's basically spread by close contact (within 3 feet) to someone when they cough. Besides breathing it in, we can bring germs into our body by touching things that have been contaminated with germs and then touching our mouth, nose or eyes, which allows the germs to get into our body.

I would also suggest not taking advice from TV. Yesterday, I was watching CNN or Fox News when they were doing a story about Swine Flu. The anchor asked the "Medical Correspondent" what the symptoms of flu were. The Medical Correspondent (who was a reporter, not a medical person) said basically, "The regular flu symptoms; malaise, fever, vomiting, diarrhrea, stomach upset". Cough was WAY down on her list, but HELLO, influenza is a respiratory illness. Some people may have some vomiting, diarrhea, etc. but those are not the main symptoms and if people are looking at those as reasons to stay home because they may have Swine Flu, we will be in trouble (we'll have less Norovirus though).

www.cdc.gov is your best source for information. If Swine Flu is not on the front page, look around and you will find a link with up to date information. That is the source the reporters are getting their confirmed information for the US about anyway.

 

[jennypenny]

We are going to follow the doctor's advice. The problem is, if we always took the doctor's advice we'd never even get to fly to Florida. The doctor is very cautious, especially about flying. Ugh. It's so hard to balance things when you have special needs. You want to live life like everyone else but your life is different. There is no escaping that.

Well, we have two weeks before we'd have to cancel. I guess I'll watch and see what happens. Thanks everyone.

 

[SueM in MN]

I can't write much now (typing on my iPod), but I will have some more suggestions later this evening.

 

[buffettgirl]

Thank you Sue for that great info.

My son has diabetes and while not more succeptible to viruses, they can land him in the hospital becuas they can play havoc with blood sugars - and anything that causes him not to want to eat is troublesome, so that said, we're just taking regular old precautions on how we prevent viruses the rest of the year. We make sure we hand wash. We make sure we purell when we're in public. We try to avoid sick people. I think if this were to continue at it's current levels I might consider wearing a mask on a plane...maybe...I'm generally not one to panic but even still, people wear masks on planes all the time because bugs are so prevelant on them. So maybe we'll all start seeing that a lot more often. Who knows.

I'd say just follow Sue's advice and do what you'd normally do.

 

[chris1gill]

We are going to follow the doctor's advice. The problem is, if we always took the doctor's advice we'd never even get to fly to Florida. The doctor is very cautious, especially about flying. Ugh. It's so hard to balance things when you have special needs. You want to live life like everyone else but your life is different. There is no escaping that.

Well, we have two weeks before we'd have to cancel. I guess I'll watch and see what happens. Thanks everyone.

All I can say is this, my immune system is slightly compromised, I just flew from Orlando to Montreal Saturday and starting yesterday morning I have been sick with what I think is a cold, a lousy cold, but a cold nonetheless. That's not taking into consideration any influenza. I'm much better off driving and honestly I'd rather do that, but when you're just going for a week, it's not quite worth it.

I feel for you, this is obviously even more serious for you.

Coincidentally, my son's homeroom and social studies teacher came back from Mexico this past weekend himself & came to school Monday, as well as Tuesday. Well, don't you know he's out sick today. My son was exposed to him for 2 period blocks plus homeroom for two days, if he gets sick from him & it does turn out to be H1N1, and I'm exposed to something like that, I don't imagine it will go well for me.... I totally understand your well founded concern.

 

[disfan07]

I have asthma, eczema, allergies, and i am on immunosuppresents (methotrexate) and i am flying to california tomorrow.

I talked to my infectious disease dr, my pulmonologist, adn my dermatologist about it and they said there is no problem with me flying. There advice is, do whatever you normally do. For me that means taking anti-bacterial wipes with me and wiping down the arm rests, tray table etc (which i do normally b/c of my peanut allergy) adn bring purell with me.
I also know that at the first sign of any problems with breathing that my inhaler doenst take care of, to get my butt to the Emergency Room.
I htink of it this way.....I am suceptible to everything...bronchitis, pneumonia, the flu, strep etc.....and all of those things can be potentially deadly.....i figure if i never went anywhere b/c of what i "might" get, than i would never leave my house

 

[Selket]

I believe the CDC has issued a new statement to take antivirals for those who may be more prone to severe illness:

Swine Flu: People With Diabetes Should Take Antivirals While Traveling
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with diabetes who travel, even within the US, should take the antiviral medications Tamiflu or Relenza:

"Antiviral Medications: Persons traveling within the US that are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill."
More information can be found at the CDC's site:
Outbreak Notice: Swine Influenza in the United States

 

[jennypenny]

Thanks for all of your support. As you can see from the edit of my first post, we think we have the flu here. I was so worried about catching it in Florida and we got it here! Sometimes life is funny.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

I hope it isn't the flu and it passes quickly.

Keep us updated!

 

[Selket]

Does he have a fever? Are they testing him for swine flu? Did they give him one of the antivirals like tamiflu? Just curious - I certainly hope he is better. Let us know.

 

[jennypenny]

They will not test him or give him an antiviral--yet. They don't even want him in the office today. If the symptoms go beyond what's normal for a virus, they will put him on it and test him. If his asthma kicks in, or if my other son with CF gets it, then the plan will change and they will treat them with antivirals. They will see them during *off* hours which I thought was interesting (and fine with me!)

I'm ok with the plan. I know the asthma signs and I certainly won't hesitate to go in if his breathing is affected.

It's funny, families used to dealing with special needs are probably better equiped to handle situations like this. We know when to go in, and when we can manage at home. Silver lining I guess