Flu season...

[luvourjayco]

I normally don't bother with the shots instead relying on common sense and good habits to keep us healthy. With all the bugs going around almost half of the girls school has been out I finally broke down and took us to the clinic and got us shots. DH unfortunately is allergic to eggs so cannot get one. I am hoping they help keep us healthy. After having Norwalk walk through our house last year I am becoming more and more paranoid about these bugs floating around. We rarely take antibiotics in fact I refuse to see our family dr anymore because he thinks give them a pill they go away instead of taking time to educate.  Here in our area thankfully the vacine is still available!

[Miss-Teri]

Oh no!  I hope Holly is feeling better soon!

[brainpause]

Update:

It appears that Holly is on the mend. After a full 14 hours post-ER, she is still able to eat and drink. In fact, she almost overdid it today, by eating TOO MUCH chicken noodle soup! :eek:

She still has a pretty bad cough, but I think she'll remain among the living!

Larry

[NCSunshine]

Glad to hear Holly is feeling better.

[brainpause]

Well, crap, I spoke too soon.

She started all over again this AM. I had really rather be at home taking care of her (even though the house is unbearably HOT ), instead of at work.

This stuff is tough! I wouldn't wish this on Saddam! Well....

Larry

[wiininkwe]

I'm sending best wishes and hugs for Holly, and of course for you, too.   Here's hoping tht things are going to be on the upswing soon.

Last week my DGD had some kind of viral infection, started with vomiting and lethargy, fever of 101.  After a few days the fever went up to 104, so into the ER they went.  They were told just to give her children's Motrin and keep her warm, with lots of fluids.  They said there was nothing else they could do for it.  They actually suggested Gatorade rather than pedialyte.   She was sick for 8 days before it finally went away.   104 is a very scary number to hear when it's a child's temperature.
T

[Camperroo]

I hope Holly is better soon.

For parents I ask you to do what I did today.  I contacted the school and asked that they be particularly vigilant in sending sick children home.  Unfortunately some parents can't take the time off from work or won't take the time off from work to tend to a sick child, so they send them off to school figuring it's just a cold or cough and they'll be fine tomorrow.  Personally, I would never let my employer dictate how I care for my family...but I realize others might feel tremendous pressure from some tyrant boss, but speak up and put them in their place if they so much as hiccup at you for taking care of your child.  This flu is so severe, that it is imperative that any child with fever symptoms, cough, vomiting,etc., STAY HOME.  It is not just your child at risk, but you would be risking the health of other children and their families too along with the teachers and their families.  My child's school has sent home a notice informing parents that any child showing any symptoms of illness will be immediately removed from the classroom and brought to the nurse where the parents will be called to pick up the child.  Teachers are also wiping down desks at the end of the day to be ready for the next day (they stay at their own desks during the school day)

Vigilant handwashing is key as well as keeping hand sanitizer tucked in your handbag or car after coming out of a grocery store, office, etc.  Keep your hands away from your face until your hands are clean.  That's so hard to do when you think about it.  How many times do you rub an eye, itch a nose, wipe a little lipstick off your lip after being somewhere? If you are stuck next to someone who is coughing alot, don't hesitate to pull your scarf,coat or shirt up around your nose and mouth to protect you, don't worry about offending the cougher!!  

Be well everyone!!

[angelsmom10]

FYI!   Yesterday on our local news, they were talking to an ER Dr about the flu shots and he said that normally they expect them to work about 70-80% of the time, however this year, the shots are only expected to work about 50% of the time.  Also, they are saying that the nose spray shot seems to work better.

[Acts 2:38 girl]

I also heard at a Christmas party last night that the shot does not inFLUence the strain that is deadly.  (I know, bad pun!)  I volenteered at DS#! school Thursday and almost every child in the class, except three were sneezing, coughing, etc.  'Tis the season.  Take your vitamin C  :XMas