From the article: Swine Flu and Toddlers
The World Health Organization has declared the novel h1N1 influenza (or swine flu) a global pandemic. It's the first time they've done that in 41 years. Governments are preparing for the worst. Pharmaceutical companies are readying more antivirals and working on vaccines. But what are you, as parents, doing at home? Are you doing anything differently or are you taking a watch and see attitude? Are you prepared to take off work for child care or other closings? If a vaccine becomes available to you or your children, are you planning to get it or not? Share with other parents any of the precautions that you're taking.
Prepared, yet still got it...
- Ever since the swine flu got labeled a global pandemic I have been sanitizing everything, not going anywhere unless necessary, and washing our hands like crazy... Needless to say, my 15-month-old daughter got the swine flu. It started out seeming like the common cold, with sneezing, runny nose, congestion... Then within a couple days turned into a fever of 102.3.. last night we brought her to the ER. She was put on Tamiflu.. We had a very rough night last night, she was soo weak, just laying there, didn't want to eat.. and puking..... I guess my advice would be if you think your child may possibly be getting it, get them into the docter and on tamiflu or releza.. and keep the fever down. Rotate between giving tylonal and motrin... it helps.
- —Guest Jade
Vitamin C!
- I want to hear what others are doing. I take a lot of extra vitamins!
- —Guest Celeste
limiting contact/use of hand sanitizers
- I took my child out of daycare several months ago so I hope that will minimize impacts. I keep hand sanitizers in every vehicle and in my home and office. I wipe off shopping carts. I limit trips to the store and other public places for only "as needed" basis. I make sure we wash our hands after restrooms and before eating. We take our daily vitamins. Of course, we can try and minimize but we are all still somewhat at risk. One trip to the store could prove the kicker because you are virulent before you know you have it. I hope we don't and it does worry me but I can at least rest assured that I am doing all I can to prevent/minimize the chances of getting it.
- —Guest cgm
Limiting Contact
- My wife lost her job earlier this year and she's been home with the kids. We didn't think we could make it without her income but it hasn't been bad. She's stopped looking for a job now that she's pregnant again. We'll have a new baby to care for in the fall right when that swine flu is probably gonna be bad. She's already said that she's just going to stick around the house as much as possible so that everyone doesn't get exposed to this flu or any other. Maybe I'm just trying to put a positive spin on her losing her job and the kids not being in daycare, but maybe it will keep us all healthier this year. Seems like they catch every little bug that goes around when they're in daycare and we end up paying for days they're not even there.
- —Guest RogerRoger
Hand Sanitizer
- I have to admit that I've stockpiled some hand sanitizer. When swine flu hit the news earlier this year and schools started closing I went to get some and after 7 stores were sold out, I gave up. This time, I'm ready. I've got like a gallon of the stuff.
- —Guest Aimee