i was wondering if anyone had an infant who contracted the swine flu - i have an almost 4 month old son and am concerned about him contracting the swine flu. my husband and i both work (i wish i didn't have to, but that's another story!) and my mother takes care of our son while we're gone during the day. i work on a university campus and 4 of my siblings still live at home (with my Mom) while they are going to college (where I am sure the swine flu will make an appearance!)
he has his 4 month check up in two weeks and i will talk to his pediatrician about it but was wondering if anyone had any input from first hand experience. thank you!
I would say that if you are worried it would be good to have your baby as well as yourself,husband and mom on some good nutritional support. That is my 2 cents.
Well, he's going to be too young to get any sort of flu vaccine anyways. The doctor will probably recommend that the entire house be vaccinated for the flu. So that's one way to keep him from getting it. Making sure everyone washes their hand before picking up the baby will help prevent passing of germs. One thing you need to understand about the swine flu is it's just another strain of the flu. So all of the things you do to keep from passing the flu during flu season apply. Anyone beginning to show flu like symptoms probably shouldn't be around the baby. So with proper handwashing precautions you should be fine.
I agree with the other posters on this. It is most important to remember that H1N1 is no more dangerous than the seasonal flu - in fact, some will argue it is a little less dangerous, but the reason that more people are getting sick from it is because very few people have been exposed (and those exposures only started happening with the initial emergence of this strain).
For your little guy, I agree it is about being vigilent regarding people washing their hands and not holding him if they are sick - even if they "think" they are fine. If he is 4 months, the doctor will most likely still vacinate him once he hits 6 months - and that will still be befor the major flu season hits. Our daughter turned 6 months last December and they still gaver her the flu shots that late in the season because it was still worth it. I am guessing the same would be true from your doc as well.
Anyone can catch the flu and on a college campus there will be an increased "opportunity" especially for those living in the dorms, but this does not mean that it is inevitable. I would also encrouage you to stay home if you are sick (and those in your family too) because the more people do that the less likely everyone will be from getting sick.
I know it is scary with a little one, but I am sure that your little guy will be just fine. If he does get sick, just give him all the TLC you normally would and keep him hydrated. Good luck!
My 2 year old had this in the spring and gave it to me. I had it very badly and my 4 month old got a very 'diluted' version. My doctor and his pediatrician said that the immunities in my breast milk could be passed to him and either prevent him from getting it or make it way less problematic. Are you nursing? While it was a really awful, long sickness that turned into a bacterial infection, I was so thankful that I got it first and he didn't have it that badly. You may ask your doctor if vaccinating yourself against it would have any effect on your baby being protected?
Hi, My doctor told me that infants need to be at least 6 months old to get the flu vaccine, so they recommend that everyone else who is in frequent contact with them (older siblings, parents, caregivers, etc.) get vaccinated to reduce the chances of spreading it to the baby.
My son Zack was diagnosed with "A" Flu when he was 4 months old. He is now 6 1/2 months. He had stuffy nose, fever, wouldn't eat and seemed miserable. He also had thrush infection at the same time which we didn't catch for a couple of days later. When I took him to the doctors, they swabbed his nose and tested it. She came back into the room wearing a mask and of course I got upset. I knew it was positive. She told me they tested him for the flu, but not specifically for the swine flu because it is so expensive so they just wanted to treat him for it since he was in the high-risk group. The prescribed Tamiflu which is the medicine they give to cure it. (It was expensive..$50 co-pay). We had to stay in quarantine mode for 7 days which was hard also having an almost 4 year old!
Anyway, now he is doing great. So, I would keep up with the hand washing to prevent from catching any flu, but if he does...don't worry. Also, I just had him in for his 6 month checkup and he did get the regular season flu vaccine.
Hope this helps.
