Swine Flu?

[bakenatj]

The H1N1 (as it should be called, you can not get it from pigs or by eating pork) is no worse than the common influenza. Signs and symptoms are the same. Influenza can cause pneumonia which can be deadly especially to the elderly and younger children if not treated quickly. There are far more deaths due to influenza than the H1N1 strain that is going around now. So don't get paranoid over all the media attention that this strain is getting.

Hand washing and standard precautions are the best way to help form getting this but influenza is passed through aerosols that are passed into the air by coughing or sneezing. Then pass into the body through your eyes, nasal or mouth.

I personally would not let it affect my vacation plans. If you are going to get it you're going to get it. Let mother nature run her course.

 

[Tiger926]

The thing with testing. The state labs are overwhelmed and it takes about a week to get the results back. So if they wait to get it verified by the lab test, the patient could have already recovered if they were given Tamiflu. So most physicians are going by the symptoms and their professional judgment.

Plus when a person gets the H1N1 flu, the entire family is not being put on Tamiflu, only the sick person.

My son was diagnosed with H1N1 and neither my husband nor I were given Tamiflu. Both of us have not developed any symptoms at this time.

I guess it depends where your are from, as I've read posts on here, as well as many other articles that say that several family members are being put on Tamiflu as precaution.

I totally get that state labs are overwhelmed - here in Canada we don't have that problem as we have such a small population. I totally get that testing might not be the answer, but I still worry that people may be misdiagnosed. I guess there might be no other choice though...?

Tiger

 

[joshua121301]

My family and I all got the vaccine on Monday. The kids need to go back in 21 days for a second booster, but we were glad to get it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I guess it depends where your are from, as I've read posts on here, as well as many other articles that say that several family members are being put on Tamiflu as precaution.

I totally get that state labs are overwhelmed - here in Canada we don't have that problem as we have such a small population. I totally get that testing might not be the answer, but I still worry that people may be misdiagnosed. I guess there might be no other choice though...?

Tiger

When we took our son to the doctor, my husband asked him what we should do. He said, just wash your hands, stay away from his coughs and get enough sleep.

 

[JimMIA]

My family and I all got the vaccine on Monday. The kids need to go back in 21 days for a second booster, but we were glad to get it.

Was that H1N1 or the regular flu shot? They're not the same, although there is some speculation that the regular shot offers some protection from H1N1.

The regular shot didn't seem to help DD7, though. She woke up this AM with a cough, sore throat, and a 102.7 temp. She's had her first flu shot and was due for the final one today. Taking her to the pediatrician when they open.

 

[DMKEDM]

Hey, Jim...just a thought and prayer from an old cyber friend to say hope your little girl recovers fast and suffers little...same-same for her parents!

Hang in...our thoughts are w/you...Dani

 

[JimMIA]

Hey, Jim...just a thought and prayer from an old cyber friend to say hope your little girl recovers fast and suffers little...same-same for her parents!

Hang in...our thoughts are w/you...Dani

Thanks Dani. She'll be fine.

It's gonna be H1N1, but that's probably better than the regular flu, so it shouldn't be a biggie once we get her on Tamiflu. The only real concern we have is that we are scheduled to go up to Boston for 5 days next Thursday, but she should be past it by then.

 

[Tiger926]

Was that H1N1 or the regular flu shot? They're not the same, although there is some speculation that the regular shot offers some protection from H1N1.

The regular shot didn't seem to help DD7, though. She woke up this AM with a cough, sore throat, and a 102.7 temp. She's had her first flu shot and was due for the final one today. Taking her to the pediatrician when they open.

Sorry to hear that - I got the flu shot for about 6 years as I have lots of allergies/sensitivities and chronic fatigue. After 6 years of being really sick each and everytime I got the shot (I am sensitive to eggs, but based on my allergy tests, my specialist didn't think the reactions were from that), my specialist said, "No more!"

It bothers me each time I hear people say that you can't sick from the flu shot. I know how it works, and perhaps people already were harboring something as the flu shots are given during cold and flu season, but myself, and so many other people like me who struggle with this, become sick each time we get the shot. There is some connection there, as my allergist would say each and everytime it happened. Perhaps your daughter had a mild virus, and the flu shot caused her immune system to push it out? Or, maybe she already had a mild flu?

Hope your daughter feels well soon, Tiger

 

[kimberh]

I'm sorry to hear this, and will pray for you and your family.

Bobbi

Thank you Bobbi, He is better today, but My DGD did start running a fever today in school. She said, " her chest hurt" will update tomorrow. Praying hard for her. She is the one with Asthma that I told you about.

 

[racefanof88]

My DS11 and I both tested positive for H1N1. We were at Disney a week ago and drove home last Friday(a day early)as son woke up sick early Friday morning. He was started on Tamiflu that evening. I was started on Tamiflu Tuesday. The worst for me has been the cough and sore throat, for DS the body and headaches.

Honestly, there is no way to protect yourself from getting it. You are totally at the mercy of those around you. Sneezes can travel at a speed of 100 miles per hour and the wet spray can radiate five feet.
So, if hand washing, wipes, Lysol and Lysol wipes were the answer my DS and I would not have gotten H1N1. As a nurse I have always pushed hand washing as a way to avoid getting sick. My DS11 has asthma so we have always been very careful.

These are the recommendations from WHO:
(1) avoid touching your mouth and nose;
(2) clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
(3) avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
(4) reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
(5) improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
(6) practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

These are GREAT recommendations, but they will not give you 100% protection. All you need if for one person to sneeze within 5 feet of you and not cover. I am not trying to scare anyone by any means, my main point is....... Go to Disney for the reason you intended, to have fun with your family and friends, don't worry about getting sick. Even though DS and I got sick we still had a wonderful time and I am already in the preliminary stages of planning our next trip for February or March 2010.

 

[JimMIA]

Thank you Bobbi, He is better today, but My DGD did start running a fever today in school. She said, " her chest hurt" will update tomorrow. Praying hard for her. She is the one with Asthma that I told you about.

Keep us posted on both kids' progress and know that they're both in a lot of people's thoughts and prayers.

I think Dana is right - it's really impossible to protect yourself, especially at a place like WDW with all the line standing, crowded buses and monorails, crush at the fastpass machines, sitting almost in peoples laps in the shows, etc.

Our girlie is fine. She almost certainly has the flu, and her pediatrician said it was 90% that it is H1N1. When I asked her what she would say if she knew 100% for sure, she said, "Oh, about 90%. But I haven't seen a single case of seasonal flu yet this year."

Our DD is not on Tamiflu. The doctor said she only prescribes Tamiflu for people in high risk categories (immune deficient, underlying respiratory or cardiac conditions, etc.). We just have to keep her away from Grandma who has underlying respiratory and cardiac issues.

The Dr. did a nasopharyngeal swab for Flu A, but said there is a very high incidence of false negatives, so she didn't really trust a negative. She said the best indication is the clinical impression of the child, and "...if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck -- it's a duck."

We just have DD on Tylenol whenever her fever goes up, and so far today I've just given it to her twice -- 7 AM and 2 PM. Her highest temp after the initial spike was 101.4 yesterday and 100.6 today, so she's fine.

I expect her fever to be gone tomorrow and she should be back in school on Monday. We have her schoolwork and hopefully she'll get that done. She's been working hard at it when she feels okay, but if not, oh well -- the important thing is her feeling better and getting well.

 

[Redbunny]

Alot of good advice- I wish more people would take the time to research and read the facts about H1N1.It is everywhere and anyone can get it just like the regular flu, colds,and any virsus, but the best thing to do is wash your hands-frequently. Stay home if you are sick and cover your coughs and sneezes.

 

[dopeygirl76]

My oldest DD5 woke up at 3:30am saying her throat, stomach and head hurt. Ofter calming her down and checking her temp (normal) I gave her motrin for pain and put her back to sleep. an hour later she wakes up crying that she is SOOO hot. Fever of 102.5 with Motrin in her!

We had been particularly worried because she has asthma. I just had her sister in for her seasonal flu shot and asked about the H1N1 vaccine and of course they were unsure of its arrival date.

They saw her this AM and ruled out strep, they did do the swab (nasal) for flu and said if it was positive they would start her on the Tamiflu. Won't know until tomorrow AM. She is doing pretty well considering. She is taking Mortin and Tylenol (alternating) and eating fairly regularly so I am glad for that. I disinfected the house - clorox to doorknobs, light switches, etc and lysoled everything else. Dr said to keep little sis (2 1/2) away - VERY HARD!!!

H1N1 or regular flu a sick kid is no fun!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

Dr called this AM DD is flu free!!

Still pretty sick but at least a virus won't get the rest of us!!