Flu shot

[AustinsMom]

Are you all getting flu shots for your kids? We have never in the past, but all the media on this flu season--particularly the children who have died in Colorado--have made us reconsider this year. So today after school, the whole family got the vaccine. I know it wont take effect for several weeks, but felt I needed to be proactive. I was curious if anyone else was doing this...or am I the only paranoid person influenced by media hype:-)

[HooDunnit]

Oh you bet. Flu shots all around!!!!!!

It's not paranoid. Further to that, I might mention that my grandfather died of the flu in 1918. It was called the Spanish Flu that year. A lot of people died from it.

I had the Sidney Flu about four or five years ago, and I swore that I would always get an annual flu shot.

[Amsmom]

My ds7 and I both got the flu shot last week. I had not gotten them before, but the same media stories you mentioned scared me too. Plus, his pediatrician recommended it. I was really lucky, while we were at his dr, they gave me the flu shot too. I didn't have to worry about taking more time off of work to go to my dr. My sister who is a microbiologist/bacteriologist says that everyone should get a flu shot. Most of my friends at work have not gotten one, but I'm glad we did.

[eaccae]

I, personally, stay away from them. I have had two bad experiences with the flu shot. The two times that I had it I immediately came down with the worst two flus I have ever had. I am that minority, I guess, that breaks out into full blown flu with the shot. As soon as I get the shot - bam - I have the flu.

[Momof2Boys]

I too was afraid after all the stories that have made the news. I didn't even let my little ones know yesterday, I went straight to the Dr's office and sprung it to them there. I know that might sound cruel, but if I would of given them too much warning, they would of never taken it. This is also the first year my family has taken it. The nurse told me that my 9 yr old has to go back in a month for another shot, due to his age. Ever heard of that? HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL

[Honeysmom]

My kids are getting them next week. I am like Eaccae, I will get sick from the shot than from the actual flu.

[lofo]

Austins Mom,
My DD4 is on her 8th day of suffering through the Panama flu, the predominant flu spreading across the U.S. She has had up and down fevers starting Thanksgiving day. 3 out of 12 children from her preschool class have it; their symptoms all started on the same day. It lasts usually 7-10 days with most children. She has been lethargic, glassy eyed, sleeping a lot, upper respritory congestion, and stomach sickness (some have loose stools, some have vomitting.)

I recommend to everyone if you or your family get a high fever and feeling miserable go immediately (within 48 hours) to get a flu test. This virus can be deadly to anyone with a suppressed immunity system. Even healthy people have died from the ill effects.

If you are started on the Tamiflu antiviral medication (or similar) the Panama flu can be shortened and lessened. Our entire family has been taking Tamiflu and no one else has started showing flu symptoms. Yes the media is hyping it, but for good reason. The Center of Disease Control has recently upgraded their recommendation from -watching others in the family for syptoms before medicating with Tamiflu (or similar) - up to the level of -medicate all family members (and others in close contact) with an antiviral immediately, before symptoms start- to stop the virus from spreading.

I know I would have gotten the flu due to my close interaction with DD; however, my husband and I have been getting flu shots for the last 5 years. The ped said I could still get a very light form of the virus and perscribed the antiviral for me and DH.

The sad thing is that she probably got the virus from her Sunday School classmates. It makes me mad when others are so inconsiderate to bring sick children to church. I was told afterwards a child with this flu was in her class.

Rumors are going around that the flu shot does not cover this Panama flu, they are false, it does. I did not know many children got the flu shot, the ped said yes many do. We will now all get it.

My question to you all: Does the flu shot have mercury and other bad ingred. which affect my body negatively? I have heard of the mercury-Autism link found in regular vaccinations.

Wash your hands, doorknobs, use antibacterial wipes, stay germ free as much as possible during this terrible outbreak. Some states may be affected by this more than others, I don't watch much news anymore.
Pay close attention to your young children's friends health before letting them play together. Tell a teacher if you see symptoms of another child that need to be called attention to the parents.

If you are a caring teacher of children's classes please tell the parent of a obviously sick child (even if it means getting the parent out of their own class),

"I'm sorry your dear child appears to be ill. He or she will need to be removed from the class. My job as the teacher is to watch over the class's saftey and health. She may return to the class after 24 hours after her fever has left. Thank you for understanding and cooperating."

The only time our church deviates from this policy is if the child is a 1st time visitor and then we keep the child distanced from others and explain to the parents afterward why this was done.

I'm sorry for going on and on. Just stay on your guard.
Lori

[catatonic]

From what I've read, this year's flu vaccination is not adequate to deal with this year's strain of flu. They prepare the vaccine based on predictions about what strain of flu to expect and are not always entirely correct. Even people who've obtained a flu shot are at risk for contracting this flu. I know this was the case with my brother's 3 children. Certainly they had a milder case, but they still came down with the flu. I'd go ahead an get the shot anyway, but I wouldn't expect it to provide particularly comprehensive protection.

[jdmom]

I always get a flu shot, since my job provides them for free. However, I have never given Jarrett one. After all the media hype (we have schools closing over this in Arkansas and Oklahoma), I got Jarrett one this morning. I also heard that the particular strain going around is not contained in the current vaccine, however, it does help to lessen the symptoms. I look at it this way, if (heaven forbid) Jarrett were to come down with the flu and have such a serious case that he was seriously ill or worse, I would not be able to live with myself knowing that I could have done something as easy as getting him a vaccine, especially since I always get one. (though I must admit that I would probably not take the time to get myself one if they were not provided at my job)
My job also provides a pneumonia vaccine, and there is a woman here that used to get pneumonia EVERY winter that would last weeks. Since she got the vaccine, she hasn't come down with it again. So, I guess they work!

[eaccae]

Well - I think they key words here are they can't hurt. For me - I know that if I get the vaccine - I am going to get the flu. And probably for my kids. So we aren't going for it. We used to get them free at work too - but I would say a good third of the people in the office (300+) receiving the flu shot would get the flu every single year. - So I am a little skeptical. Both children received the chicken pox vaccine and got the chicken pox. After talking to the school nurse it turns out that 50% of the children who had the chicken pox that year in the school had the chicken pox vaccine (there was a good number). The good news is that it wasn't as bad as it could have been. So some vaccines that are tried and true - I believe in whole heartedly - with others like this one - I am just a little skeptical. But if it can help lessen the sympoms of this nightmare flu - then it may well be worth it.

A couple of years ago - here on the NorthEast there was a very dangerous Strep A virus going around - multiple children died - it came on strong, hard and fast. They were tracking all cases. Well - whole house got it. It was dibilitating and DD age 2 was in the hospital for a week. Even with penicillin it took me a good 4 weeks before I could kill it! So I think the other key here is what Lori said - to just be aware of sympoms, etc. Lori - I wish you and your familly all good health and that your daughter recovers soon!!! (And the rest of us good health too)!

[finnmom]

Hi
We´ve just had a MASSIVE flu around here, as some of you may have noticed. Me and all 3 kid´s down, so Lori I feel for you, stay strong!! Get well soon.

Still: I didn´t take the shot by myself, in here it´s not able for kid´s at all. Only older person´s get it free(over 65). The flushot in here is mainly for that influenza that might get here around new year/january, so it would not even help for regular flu´s. I´am not shure what´s the story in U.S.?!

I believe in washing hand´s, avoiding obviously sick person. What I´ve heard: the keyword is not to get viruses near your nose or eys, those are supposed to be the best way to a human system for viruses. So: dont thouch your nose or eye-area with dirty hand´s ;D ;D Sound´s funny, I know, but you gotta try everything...

Everybody: STAY HEALTHY!!
Marja

[jdmom]

MSN has a story on it's home page about the flu epidemic. It says that they are already running short on the vaccine and that the CDC is investigating what regions have quite a bit left so that they can redistribute it to areas in need. So, if you haven't got your vaccine yet, and you have been thinking about getting it, I wouldn't put it off any longer, it sounds like there won't be any left soon. They said it takes 4 months to make new vaccines. They made 80+ million vaccines and they usually destroy several million at the end of the season, but they are already running short - Scary.
It was a very interesting article. Evidently, the worst regions are the midwest and central areas of the US.
BTW, Jarrett is almost 7 and has to go back and get a booster in one month.

[mom2tj]

DS is asthma its a must..... we all got the shot

[jachkldavis]

We are going on Monday to get the shot. My ds isnt to thrilled but I dont want to take any chances! My other son is only 4 months so he will not be getting one. This flu season is a little scary with those children that have passed from the flu already.
Christine

[Honeysmom]

I got a flu shot for DD2 today. Poor Honey is too old. Only kids under 3 and those who are chronically ill. That stinks. I understand why, but it still stinks. Our County Health Dept is out so I has to go to the Dr.'s office, of course not covered by insurance. Something tells me this is going to cost an arm and a leg. Oh well, she is worth it!!

Oh yeah forgot, Honey actually got kicked off of the list for the shot. So much for appointments!