hubbys work mate has swine flu do i need to be worried for my 16 month old

Effie - posted on 08/09/2009

I work in an emergency department. Current recommendations are to screen only elderly, pregnants and those sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. These groups are also the only ones being treated with antivirals. Current information suggests that our screening tool may not actually be very sensitive for H1N1. It should also be understood that antiviral medications wont eradicate the flu, they merely shorten the duration of the illness.

Please understand that in most people, the flu is a mild, non-life threatening illness, like a common cold. Age groups at risk for severe illness are the very old, the very young (less than 18 months is what I've seen), and pregnants.

We are currently asking those with mild viral illness to NOT come to the ER, as they will only expose others who are potentially sicker. There are no work restrictions but sick, febrile people should not go hang out in the mall, the library, etc.

Hand washing is a most important tool. Do it often. I also recommend spraying doorknobs, bathroom fixtures with lysol.

I would hesitate to rush a sick kid to the doctor unless they are really sick. Keep mild viral illness at home and treat symptoms. Tolerate mild fever and treat accordingly. Encourage fluid intake.

Mel - posted on 08/09/2009

he is quite sick. sweating all day/night when its cold, sore throat, fever, coughing, tired, body aching etc but i am sure he will get past it soon. he is thinking of taking tomoro off work if he does not feel good in the morning. just hoping he doesnt pass it onto us and im sure he wont

Alison - posted on 08/09/2009

I have Swine Flu, my hubby hasn't got any sypmtons at all. I cannot say that you wouldn't get it, but, depends on contact and sneezes and coughing spread in your near vicinity.

Jeanne - posted on 08/08/2009

It is highly contagious, so you husband may get it. Just keep him out of her face till your sure he doesn't have it. 3 of my 4 kids had it, it ran it's course through our school. Was not as bad as you think, IF you do not have respiratory problems. Fever, and very bad cough for about 3-4 days was the norm for the kids at school, some had it a week. Tamiflu is the prescription.

Mckenzie - posted on 08/08/2009

really it is not that bad i have three children one who is 20 months old and its not really that bad. there really is to much hype over it being so bad

Casandra - posted on 08/07/2009

My niece just got over the HINI virus, she had a fever of 104, my brother rotated tylenol and motrin for about a week and keep her fluids up; she is fine today, but I am nervous too! I teach preschool special ed, and have a 3yr and 1 yr old at home. Lets see what the fall brings

Tracy - posted on 08/07/2009

I dont think theirs anythign to worry about.. you could catch swine flu ANYWHERE like at mums and baby groups health clincs the parks shops doctors.. friends kids .. just cos their out today doesnt mean they wont be diagnosed tomorrow like ur hubbys work mate.. and loads of people cough few times n go swine flu.... probably man flu

Mel - posted on 08/07/2009

i just heard now that they are not testing anymore because it takes too long to come back. i think hes convinced its ok -)

Jodi - posted on 08/07/2009

Melissa, maybe hubby should be isolated from you and Brianna right now? I know someone who did this - she and one child came down with the flu (they aren't bothering to test for it anymore, so most people will never know if it was swine flu or not) and isolated herself and the child from the rest of the family to prevent any spread. It can be done.

Mel - posted on 08/06/2009

lol thankyou Cindy and Lydia. you guys have been great. all night i kept waking worrying i didnt want to get too close to him just because if brianna but now im sure everything will be fine. we will be careful for a few more days

Cindy - posted on 08/06/2009

I wouldn't be to worried. Just wash your hands. Have hubby wash his hands too. give the door knobs a quick wash, telephone, anything that would have made contact with hubby, then with you. Get lots of rest. Lots of fluids.

If this guy really has the swine flu the transmission is done, you will either get sick or you won't. If you got shopping, could be on your cart, on the pen you picked up to write a check at the store. Could be anywhere.

There is more than 1 kind of flu. There can be up to 6 different kinds of flu floating around at one time. Even if you did get a vaccine (sp) for the "Flu" it only covers 1/2 of what is out there.

So, wash your hands. Don't cover your mouth with your hands, cough or sneeze into your ELBOW. (Seems odd but trust me) Wash your hands again. Take a shower everyday, clean your hair. Put on clean clothes every morning. Wash your hands.



And with any luck you won't get sick.

Did I mention wash your hands.

Have a great day.

Lydia - posted on 08/06/2009

Id ask him to go to the doctor and get checked out. If its nothing then its nothing but if its soething then better to keep him away from bub for a few days til the worst of it passes.

Mel - posted on 08/06/2009

ahh hes having a little bit of a cough and sore throat and last night was not feeling that well just head ache etc but he assures me that it is not that so i feel better still being a tiny bit careful though

Mel - posted on 08/05/2009

oh yeah i am so glad about that! cant wait til the warmer weather not so much washing and i can get out of bed without freezing my arse off

Lydia - posted on 08/05/2009

Heheh - Im sure she will be fine. It never helps when the media is using every scare tactic in the book to keep viewers coming back for updates they must have for their very survival. I am a bit over it - mostly coz its the flu! its no more likely to kill you than any other strain - its just that its the new one this year (although helps that my parents are nurses and are also mocking the current scare campaign) Good news is only about 4 more weeks of flu season left :)

Mel - posted on 08/05/2009

your right thanks Lydia i dont know why i was so worried tonight. i dont think she will get it :)

Lydia - posted on 08/05/2009

They are now calling for infants to test the vaccine - has been trialed on adults already.

Lydia - posted on 08/05/2009

It takes a couple of weeks to test for swine flu at the moment so it may be any strain of flu. By the time hubby realises he has it he will already have been contagious so there is no point in worrying before anything happens. If she gets flu like symptoms including a high temp then dont even bother with the doctor - go straight to PMH - they have relocated all the flu meds there anyway and you will need aprescription from within the hospital system to get access to it.



In case my message got lost in that - dont worry about it until someone gets flu symptoms - theres no point! Might as well make the most of having sometime with hubby :)

Mel - posted on 08/05/2009

thanks as far as i know it is not available the vaccination i mean but i could be wrong. we will jst be careful for a couple days

Jodi - posted on 08/05/2009

Christina, is there actually a publicly available vaccination for swine flu? I thought it was still being tested and wouldn't be widely available until much later this month.

Shanda - posted on 08/04/2009

I would be nervous too! I am already paranoyed about my daughter getting it and we haven't come into contact with anyone who even knows anyone who has had it! ...

Jessica - posted on 08/04/2009

it is most important to take your child 2 the dr. and tell them of your situation about how your husband worked w/some1 that was diagnosed w/ the swine flu.and tell them u would just like 2 b sure. your child is prob. fine, but the elderly, pregnant women, and children have an easier chance of contracting it.hope i could help.

SORRY THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REPLY 2 A QUESTION. SORRY

Cris - posted on 08/04/2009

I would be concerned..I would not have the hubby smother or shower the baby with kisses until we know that he's in the clear..I heard that the swine is bad for children under the age of 5. Don't worry too much but be concerned enough to make sure you are all in the clear. I haven't heard of any young kids getting it out here but I'll keep my ears and eyes open.

--- - posted on 08/04/2009

I would get her vaccinated if it is available to you. with girls like ours (tiny FTT) I would not want to take any chances. Contact a public health nurse , explain your daughters history and see what they recommend. Remember that a child with FTT have have other underlying issues that we have not yet discovered so better to be safe than wind up with a very ill child in the ER. If she has not had health concerns I would say keep her away from that guy and have your husband wash his hands before seeing her. watch her close over the next 2 weeks and if she seems fine she probably wont get it.

Heather - posted on 08/04/2009

Is it confirmed to really be swine? Within 10 days of your hubby being exposed? Make sure he washes his hands really good before touching the kiddo, strip down and wash clothes before playing with the baby. I'm an RN and we've had a few cases at our hospital and so is my husband and they've had them too. So far (knock on wood), we haven't had symptoms, nor have we passed anything to our 15mo old baby girl. As long as there aren't symptoms, don't worry. But do keep an eye out for symptoms for any of you guys within 48 hours of exposure b/c that's when it will come up. If you guys have any, or if the baby does, call the Pedi immediately. GL

Geneva - posted on 08/04/2009

I don't know what the statistics are - but still, hubby should be extra careful about kisses & coughing around the baby & sharing food or drinks - just to be on the super-safe side. I think most cases of swine flu aren't serious & like pretty much every other flu, but flus have to potential to be a little more serious in the very young & the very old.

Jade - posted on 08/04/2009

My daughter has not gottin it but I would be a little concerned. They say the swine flu starts with flu like symptoms. If that happens I would take the doctor immediatly..