Tested Postitive for Swine Flu!

Posted: Thu, Jun 11 2009, 11:11 pm Post subject: Tested Postitive for Swine Flu!

I am terrified! My sweet precious 2 year old is having fever for a day and a half and she tested positive for swine flu at the dr's office. She has 102 now, and although it's not high, I am beside myself with worry. Plus I have an 8 month old and I'm so scared he will catch it.

Has anyone had their (young) children testing positive for it? What was your experience? Please make me feel better. My poor baby...

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 222

The H1N1 strain of influenza is relatively mild compared to many strains we've seen over the years. The deaths attributed to this strain were practically all to ppl with underlying medical issues, and in far fewer numbers overall than usual "winter" flu. The reason there's this massive hullabaloo is b/c it's so widespread. So unless your dd is chas v'shalom immunocompromised or has other medical conditions, just treat the symptoms as your doctor prescribes and don't worry. It passes quite quickly.
Refuah Sheleima!
_________________
With a coffee in hand, all is right with the world.

My nephew also tested postive and he is on the anti biodics as are his siblings...b"h they r all doing fine.
I am sure you are nervous but I"yh it will be okay. Hope ur child has a speedy refuah shelama!

Last edited by Twizzlers on Thu, Jun 11 2009, 11:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

first of all, calm down. I had swine flu the week before shavuos, and I'm still alive to tell the tale. people are really blowing it way out of proportion. I felt miserable for a few days, just like a normal flu. I was on tamiflu medication for 5 days, and by the end of it I felt better, bh.
What I would suggest is to first of all, keep giving her tylenol to keep the fever down (you can give that in addition to most medications). Secondly, be prepared for a cranky child for a couple of days.
I also had terrible chills. One minute I was freezing and no amount of blankets would warm me up, the next minute I was cranking the a/c I was dripping in sweat.
have her drink plenty, and dont worry if she has no apetite; I lived on soup for about 5 days.

refuah sheleimah!

Thanks shvigs. I'm very scared for my baby to catch it though.

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 222

yes they r taking tamiflu....

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 222

Op here.

Thanks people for all your help, but I want to know more specifically for young children. As I said, my 2 year old is infected and I also have an 8 month old who I'm scared for.

They are both taking tamiflu, but I don't know if it cures the swine flu.

Thanks shvigs, sorry I posted the same time as your last post. My MD had nothing to say about my 8 month old, just try to keep away as much as possible (almost impossible). MD gave baby meds too as a prevention cuz he is so young. Doc said she didn't so it for other patients' siblings but cuz my bubs is so young, he's more at risk. That's why I am terrified.

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 222

No Tamiflu doesn't cure the flu. It lessens the severity of the symptoms and the duration. It can also "immunize" a person who may be exposed to the flu but does'nt yet have it, so they either don't get it or get an exceptionally mild case.
Another point I wanted to add to my previous post: Don't minimize the benefits of frequent handwashing by everyone in your household. That means washing with soap and warm water- scrubbing under running water for around 20 seconds, and drying with a paper towel- not handtowel. Stock up on Purell for the times when you don't have access to soap and water.

Thanks shvigs. Problem is, ever since this whole thing broke out, I was OCD about washing hands (with soap and hot water!), didn't let the babysitter take the kids to the park, no school age kids at home... And I'm the one on the block to get it!

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 222

Believ me I did. I cried my heart out and said tehillim to HaShem.

May all of us have healthy children!

Moderator Joined: Nov 20 2005 Posts: 4868

The virus is a milder than normal flu. My almost 3 month old as well as a 3 year old had/ have it. They should be okay after several days. The only risk is for immune compromised individuals.
High fever, cough, congestion, chills and aches are all normal.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 23 2008 Posts: 9074

My grandson has it. Half his class is sick. Why don't they close the Yeshiva? Meanwhile, DGS is really feeling lousy; he's been home 3 days. DD is keeping him home at least till Sunday...he's not a complainer, but he really isn't well. In his case the MD didn't give any antibiotics. He's 9, so it's not as bad as for the very young & very old, or people with chronic illnesses & conditions.

Refuah Shleima to everyone.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 23 2008 Posts: 9074

Good point...except for the secrecy that this is why the kids are out (DD called the Yeshiva to tell them.) And of course, what about the kids who were not infected?

Gold Member Joined: May 11 2009 Posts: 1292

Wish your son a Refuah shleima.
shabbos hee m'lizok

Gold Member Joined: Jan 22 2008 Posts: 1742