Swine Flu Common Courtesy??

[GabbyJacobsmom]

I have a co-worker who's family has been sick with flu like symptoms for a day or so. They were holding off going to the doctor but our office finally convinced him to have them checked at the doctor. He says so what if they have it and they have the oh well attitude. If they come back positive with Swine Flu I feel like they have put so many at risk, with this spreading like crazy. My opinion is that you should think of others around you, just because you don't have a family member with a compromised immune system doesn't mean that that person you are seeing everyday doesn't. Isn't it common courtesy to test and let your co-workers and schools know?

What is your opinion? Am I overreacting?

 

[Acklander]

By the time you show the test results come back, it would be too late. My son had the flu - not sure if it was swine or regular, since we didn't bring him to the Dr. (he's not in a high risk category). We kept him home from school until his temp. had been back to normal for 24 hours. No one else in the family has caught it. We just do the standard precautions like washing hands. Neither DH nor I missed work over it.

 

[ICF]

I probably wouldnt have gone to the doctor after 1 day of flu symptoms. I would most likely stay home, but can't say I would have gone to the doctor after only "a day or so" of being sick.

Did you want your co-worker to stay home too just b/c his family had it, even through (and Im guessing) he had no symptoms?

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a co-worker who's family has been sick with flu like symptoms for a day or so. They were holding off going to the doctor but our office finally convinced him to have them checked at the doctor. He says so what if they have it and they have the oh well attitude. If they come back positive with Swine Flu I feel like they have put so many at risk, with this spreading like crazy. My opinion is that you should think of others around you, just because you don't have a family member with a compromised immune system doesn't mean that that person you are seeing everyday doesn't. Isn't it common courtesy to test and let your co-workers and schools know?

What is your opinion? Am I overreacting?

Yes, you are overreacting. My son has what I believe to be H1N1 right now and I'm not taking him to the doctor for it. They aren't even testing for it anymore here. Unless he needs emergency care, he won't be going to the doctor.

But, I'm not holed up in the house just because he's sick. I'm fine and perfectly able to go out in public. Just because you (general you) have a family member that is sick doesn't mean you need to quarantine yourself or your family (that isn't ill). Obviously, the person that is ill shouldn't be going out unless absolutely necessary (doctors visits, etc). My DD is still going to school and my DH is still going to work.

 

[luvmy3]

Is your co-worker sick, or just members of their household?

 

[golfgal]

The doctor's don't want to see you unless you have underlying medical conditions-they are not going to give you anything unless you do. There is no reason for them to go to the dr. Are they sending the kids to school sick? Is your co-worker sick? If not, yes, you are over reacting. If they are coming to school/work sick then no, you are not over reacting.

 

[theeisens]

We have a neighbor with 5 kids. They all have had the swine flu. The mom let one of the younger daughters (age 6) attend school because the daughter wanted to go. The mom didn't even seem concerned that her daughter was coughing all over everyone at the bus stop and would be spreading it all over the bus and school. I couldn't believe it!!

 

[GabbyJacobsmom]

No, not expecting him to stay home, but if he knew they had it, then I could let the people know that I am around that I was exposed. As I know not everyone gets it as some can be carriers etc. My thing is I have been around several people with not great immune systems and they would need to know so they could be prepared. I personally would feel bad that I could have passed this along to someone and they because so ill they end up in the hospital or death. I know that you can't see the future but just common courtesy to those around you is all I was asking for.


Yes, kids went to school one day when they were not feeling well.

 

[krcit]

Is he sick? Or just members of his family? If he is not sick then i think you are overreacting a bit. My dd had swine flu in June-we couldn't all be quarantined for a week b/c she was sick. I'm not trying to be snarky-I do understand your concerns but it is just not realistic to expect family members of the sickies to stay out of work. If you mean that he, himself, is sick then I think he is wrong for exposing all of you.

 

[ICF]

do you want him to carry a sign saying...MY FAMILY HAS THE SWINE FLU, STAY AWAY!!

IMO, if he himself is not actually sick it is no business of yours if the wife & kids have it.

Really.....any # of people you come into contact with could have family members that have it and you would never know.

 

[GabbyJacobsmom]

We work in an area where alot of employees have contact with Seniors, that was the reason for the common courtesy of testing.

Also, if they don't want everyone know their business about having swine flu or not - then the family/wife shouldn't post on facebook. Oh gosh, I think I have the swine flu for all of us to read and then they laugh about it.

That's alittle more of the background as to why the question came up.

 

[luvmy3]

If they haven't gotten the results back yet, how do you know he isn't planning on letting people in your office know that people in his household have it (if it comes back positive)?

 

[luvmy3]

We work in an area where alot of employees have contact with Seniors, that was the reason for the common courtesy of testing.

Also, if they don't want everyone know their business about having swine flu or not - then the family/wife shouldn't post on facebook. Oh gosh, I think I have the swine flu for all of us to read and then they laugh about it.

That's alittle more of the background as to why the question came up.

Honestly, unless the employee is having symptoms and its required by your employer that he be tested, its really alot to ask him to go get everyone in his family tested and report back the results. Maybe he figured since you were reading facebook, you'd know people in his household may be sick with it

 

[GabbyJacobsmom]

If they haven't gotten the results back yet, how do you know he isn't planning on letting people in your office know that people in his household have it (if it comes back positive)?

Figured out how to quote . . .

I know he would tell us if they went to the doctor and were positve, their is no denying that. My concern was if they were walking around with it and didn't realize and infecting more people. Sending your kids to school when they are sick is a big no, no.

My daughter was sick, the school called - we picked her up took her right to the doctor. She had strep - school nurse told me I had to have a note with her illness from doctor before she could return and of course had to be fever free for 24 hours.

Because all of the co-workers said something to him this morning about going to doctor because she didn't want to. He has diabetes, so he needs to be alittle more careful also. We (office) were concerned if he got sick too, that his recovering could be alittle longer. It wasn't the fact that he was keeping a secret it was more of a concern about his family, all of us in the office, the seniors we work with and so on.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

Figured out how to quote . . .

I know he would tell us if they went to the doctor and were positve, their is no denying that. My concern was if they were walking around with it and didn't realize and infecting more people. Sending your kids to school when they are sick is a big no, no.

My daughter was sick, the school called - we picked her up took her right to the doctor. She had strep - school nurse told me I had to have a note with her illness from doctor before she could return and of course had to be fever free for 24 hours.

Because all of the co-workers said something to him this morning about going to doctor because she didn't want to. He has diabetes, so he needs to be alittle more careful also. We (office) were concerned if he got sick too, that his recovering could be alittle longer. It wasn't the fact that he was keeping a secret it was more of a concern about his family, all of us in the office, the seniors we work with and so on.

Most doctors aren't even testing anymore. And they recommend staying home (don't want them in the office) unless you have an underlying condition.

My son had it last week, and the doctor told us NOT to come into the office. 104.9 fever and we never stepped foot in the doctor's office, just communicated by phone. The ERs around here are also not testing, saying the number of false results is huge and it is not worth it.

So, your co-worker was only doing what was recommended by most docs today by just having the sick person stay home.

Yes, I believe you are over-reacting and expecting something that docs are not even recommending.

 

[1stluvispooh]

Lets face it you've been exposed. Not necessarily by your co worker but by someone in the store, at church you name it. I'm not saying people are going out sick but they are in the incubation period and not having symptoms. If people are in a high risk population they should be taking precautions.

 

[sbell111]

No, not expecting him to stay home, but if he knew they had it, then I could let the people know that I am around that I was exposed. ...

I'm confused.

You have been around your coworker who is fine, although he has family members who are ill. How have you been exposed?

Wash your hands, don't touch your face, and move on with your life.

 

[GabbyJacobsmom]

Thanks, all for your opinions. Using my Germx and will keep chugging along. Have a great day

 

[alizesmom]

There is no way to totally stop the spread of any virus but the OP is correct that people should care more about those around them. My 4yr old daughter is in the very high-risk category of dying should she get H1N1. There are many others like her in this world. Would it really hurt anyone to realize this and do their own part in reducing the spread instead of thinking "it's not my problem"?

 

[NewCrew42]

Just thought I would post this. It looks like you are contagious before you have symptoms and for a few days after your fever breaks.

Doctors here are saying as well, not to come into the office to be tested unless you have an underlying condition.