Swine flu

ShannonMVT · #1 April 30th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Is anyone else freaked out? We are holing up here at home (me and Matthew) and luckily Dh's boss told him yesterday when he came in that he could work from home today and Friday. It's been so nice to have him here.
We were going to have my mom come back Sun-Wed to help out and then my MIL sometime soon too but now we are both worried about having visitors, even family. They aren't sick but what if they got exposed and didn't know it?

My MIL said it is mostly hitting young healthy people like the 1918 flu did and she said she'd worry more about me than Matthew since he will get antibodies from my breastmilk.

WDYT, should I still have them come help? It really helps to have someone here during the day and I do need my rest so I can stay well. I just can't decide what to do and how paranoid I should be.

We are in Tx and there have been some cases here.

Resi · #2 April 30th, 2009, 05:46 PM

I know if it was me I would still have my mom come to help if I needed it. I guess it all depends on what their risk factor is.

IamMom · #3 April 30th, 2009, 05:55 PM

I'm really not that worked up about the swine flu.....I would be a bit more worried being in TX close to Mexico where alot of it is coming from but I'd still have family come and stay and help with the baby....just pay very close attention to ANY signs of sickness and rush right to the doc if you or anyone else (even little Matthew) experiences it.

Oriyan · #4 April 30th, 2009, 06:15 PM

I'm not too worried at all and I have it like 3 miles from me from me (confirmed cases). Its the flu -- it kills people every year -- i think the media is playing it up too much.

Mod-LadyCoconut · #5 April 30th, 2009, 06:38 PM

I too think that the media is making a huge deal out of this. The flu kills 36,000 people a year -- and so far not very many people have died altogether, and nearly all of them have been from Mexico where healthcare is substandard. Swine flu was transferred to human's in the 60's and the there wasn't a worldwide pandemic then.

With that said...

My glands are swollen and I've been having diahrrea for two days. It's been a week since Ben and I left Mexico. I definitely don't feel like I have the flu, or really feel that bad at all. The only other time I had the flu I feel like it just HIT me, so I'm assuming this isn't that. I'll be sure not to cough on anyone.

Anyway -- I think that people should be careful, wash their hands a lot, etc. but I definitely think it would be okay to have your mom come. If it were me, I'd "risk" it. Have you told your mom your concerns? What does she think her 'risk level' is? I'm sure she wouldn't come if she thought she could harm your newborn, ya know?

Lash · #6 April 30th, 2009, 06:51 PM

1918.. like spanish flu? OH man my head goes to Twilight no matter what

You guys should live here where almost all schools in Dallas are closing for 2 WEEKS, all sporting events, including regional and state baseball and softball and track are all cancelled and we have confirmed cases meaning people PANIC

Also the US baby that died was not a US citizen. It was a toddler from Mexico that came to the US

Totally ditto Shan, the regular flu kills almost 40,000 per year. This has killed a few hundred. Methinks someone is out to make a huge killing (no pun intended) on this panic, in the form of vaccines

1918.. like spanish flu? OH man my head goes to Twilight no matter what

You guys should live here where almost all schools in Dallas are closing for 2 WEEKS, all sporting events, including regional and state baseball and softball and track are all cancelled and we have confirmed cases meaning people PANIC

Also the US baby that died was not a US citizen. It was a toddler from Mexico that came to the US

Totally ditto Shan, the regular flu kills almost 40,000 per year. This has killed a few hundred. Methinks someone is out to make a huge killing (no pun intended) on this panic, in the form of vaccines

Mod-LadyCoconut · #7 April 30th, 2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lash

Methinks someone is out to make a huge killing (no pun intended) on this panic, in the form of vaccines

And FACE MASKS! haha... have you seen people out in public wearing them!?

Lash · #8 April 30th, 2009, 06:57 PM

Yep everyone here, almost like its SARS all over again. The worst part is that the masks are zero effective against it. Handwashing is way way more effective. Our psych hospital has all these sheets up about how to wash your hands

Clint says if its like the 1918 flu, its not Swine flu, its Swan flu

ShannonMVT · #9 April 30th, 2009, 07:16 PM

Dh is more worried than I am, I am leaning towards having her come. She lives in a more rural area of TX than I do. She does have to take my grandma to the doctors tomorrow and she has been around various people/places but she is not sick or anything. She said she will be okay with whatever we decide as its our baby (she's great like that) and if she comes she said she will immediately come in and change clothes/wash her hands, etc before she does anything else.

We're just nervous new parents, I think I am over analyzing everything, not just this but number of pees/poops, how often he feeds, I'm a worrier.

Adriana's Mommy · #10 April 30th, 2009, 09:41 PM

I'm a little worried. They have a few confirmed cases in my area.. I'm just thankful my baby isn't born yet.. Hopefully by the time he/she is here there will be a updated vaccine..As for Adriana, I'm just going to take her into the Pediatrician whenever she's sick.. I don't care if its nothing.. Just as long as she gets seen..

I heard on the news that there was a first death due to the Swine Flu, the victim was a 23 month old toddler..

Hopefully whatever he had doesn't spread... vary sad.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6398202.html

chellerenee · #11 April 30th, 2009, 10:39 PM

I'm definitely a little worried about it being in the Dallas/Ft Worth area like Lauren, where they are shutting down all schools, etc. for 2 weeks! Plus, my nephew has been sick for the last 2 weeks, been to the Dr. several times, but the Dr. hasn't tested him for this because she doesn't think he has it. I really hope he doesn't, but it definitely worries me. Plus, he was in New York visiting family with his Daddy just last month and I know they've had several cases up there too.

Mars · #12 May 1st, 2009, 05:28 AM

To be honest, now that I've read up on it, I don't think swine flu is any worst than the regular flu, except that it's a new strain of the virus. I think the media is making a huge deal out of it like Shannon mentioned. I've heard of one case here in Barbados, don't know if that's true or not, but I'll do the same thing I do if I have the flu which involves sanitizing, drinking lots of liquids, being cautious of any medication I take and watching out for fever. When I first heard of it I thought it was more serious but from reading more and more on it, I have come to realise that it doesn't seem to be any more dangerous that the regular flu if you don't take care of yourself.

Adriana's Mommy · #13 May 1st, 2009, 06:03 AM

Looks like they raised the level to Phase 5 at the CDC.. That's the highest phase they have..

Quote:

In response to an intensifying outbreak in the United States and internationally caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on April 29, 2009. A Phase 5 alert is a �strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.�

CDC H1N1 Flu

Quote:

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

WHO | Current WHO phase of pandemic alert

Quote:

Originally Posted by chellerenee

I'm definitely a little worried about it being in the Dallas/Ft Worth area like Lauren, where they are shutting down all schools, etc. for 2 weeks! Plus, my nephew has been sick for the last 2 weeks, been to the Dr. several times, but the Dr. hasn't tested him for this because she doesn't think he has it. I really hope he doesn't, but it definitely worries me. Plus, he was in New York visiting family with his Daddy just last month and I know they've had several cases up there too.

I never considered DFW.. We were planning on visiting my DH family this summer.. Looks like we'll have to cancel..

I like Texas.. So much to do and I love the WARM weather..

*krista* · #14 May 1st, 2009, 06:22 AM

With the quality of health care we have in the U.S., I think we should only worry about the extremely old or extremely young, just like any other strain of flu. Having a newborn in Texas, I would be a little more paranoid than if it was just me and DF. But, the chances are pretty slim, considering how few cases there have been in this area vs. how populated the area is.

Are your parents flying or driving? If they are driving, I would have them come over. If they are flying, they will be in a confined area with a lot of other people for an extended period of time, so I would be a little more hesitant.

JMHO, but remember, the chances are so slim they are almost non-existant!

~*Bethy*~ · #15 May 1st, 2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lash

1918.. like spanish flu? OH man my head goes to Twilight no matter what

LOL MINE DID TOO

Yeah media sucks, Flu can kill anyone, Swine flu isnt any worse - I say just wash your hands and keep an eye on symptoms - you should be fine

~Beth

#16 May 1st, 2009, 03:16 PM

I ditto Sam, Shannon and Lauren.....

But I do understand how easily it is to get "paranoid" with a newborn. Go with your gut. Your little one is just a week old....you need help, rest, and a little break....so I hope you let them come!

ShannonMVT · #17 May 1st, 2009, 03:21 PM

I called the pedi's office today and they said as long as the family members were not sick and had not been to Mexico, that it would be okay. So I really want them to come now and we'll just be careful about hand washing. I just have to convince Dh now, he is more paranoid than me. He went out to Target today for baby supplies and when he brought them in he wiped down all the packaging with Lysol wipes!

soImarriedAnerd · #18 May 1st, 2009, 03:22 PM

I think its funny that people are getting worked up about it....its just the flu. I also think we need to stop giving flus names-----we have thousands of flus most called H1Nv (or whatever), but we give them a name and people freak. LOL However its been good for the economy....masks being made, cleaners, tamiflu maker, etc. So I can't complain that the media is making a big deal about nothing because its helping the economy.
Some stats:
250,000 people die world wide from the common flu.
150 people have died from swine flu world wide (which is LESS then 1% of the people who get it---and 98% of THOSE are people who have other health aliments or are elderly and weak).
And the flu strain is smaller molecules then the masks protect against ----so thats not doing much but making people feel safer.

Heck me and Troy were looking at doing a Mexico trip right now because prices are STUPID cheap because of the panic. We got some great deals on vacations during the dengue fever (also a flu like disease) in Thailand----it really clears out the tourism!

ANGWife · #19 May 1st, 2009, 03:33 PM

Normally, I wouldn' t be so worked up either. But seeing it all over the news is making me cry alot

There are confirmed cases in MD/DC as well.

ShannonMVT · #20 May 1st, 2009, 04:48 PM

I normally wouldn't care much either. It's just having a newborn makes you rethink everything. I will say that I am SO glad that he was born a bit early and is already here at home. I wouldn't want to be at the hospital right now because I bet it is crazy (I'm in the Houston area).