~~~FLU~~~

Hi all,
I can't find the flu vaccination for me or my son!!!
What do I do "IF" I end up with the flu?
I know there is nothing I can take for it so what will I do?
The schools all around me are closing their doors so it is only a matter of time before my town gets hit just as hard.
I am a homebody so I'm not out in the public any more than I have to be but my son goes to school and we all know how things go from child to child.
Any advice would be great, that way I am at least prepared.
Oh, by the way....I fly out on Wednesday so I will be amongst hundrends of people that day, is there anyway to protect myself since I can't find the vaccination anywhere?!?!?!
Help!!
Vikki

[shelbert6]

If you do get the flu, you can take Tylenol/acetaminophen to reduce fever and help with muscles aches and pains.  Drink lots of fluids to keep from dehydrating.  Keep in contact with your Dr. to monitor for signs/symptoms of bacterial pneumonia.

As far as your son in school, kids do spread diseases to eachother rapidly.  The best that can be done is to make sure he follows good hygiene rules.  Wash with warm soapy water every time he uses the bathroom, before eating, etc..  Also, you can send him to school with the waterless hand sanitizer to use in between bathroom visits.  These are also some of the things you can do to protect yourself while travelling.  

I've had my flu shot, and still worry about the same things you do.  Hopefully we can all get through this healthy and happy.

Regards,
Shelly

[JustME9]

I am in the same predicament! I can't find the flu shot for my son.  I get them free at work, but opted NOT to this year because it made me so sick when I DID get it.  I don't know.  I'm staying home mostly with my kids too but my older boys are in school and I put the hand sanitizer in their back packs, and tell them to WASH WASH WASH like crazy.  I keep reminding them to stay away from the kids coughing in their face etc and keep telling them to cough into their kleenex, sleeves anything but not in the air and WASH WASH WASH! I know how you're feeling right now! it's SCARY! anyhow! best of luck! =) Kellie

[Danasel]

Can you get the nose spray vaccine?  I don't know if that is safe for kids or pregnant women.  It isn't quite as effective as the shot, but it offers some protection.

Dana

[Danasel]

I have another question regarding the flu.  I got the shot in October, so I know I am protected.  My husband did not get the shot, and refuses to go now since he is in retail and works 12-15 hours a day 6-7 days per week (between Thanksgiving and Christmas.)  I plan to breastfeed.  Will the baby be immune to the flu if my husband does get sick?

[JustME9]

I'm not sure how that works but my girlfriend had her baby NOV 4th, she got her flu shot in October near the end and her doc said that her baby should be protected for 6 months.  Her kids are both really sick AND her hubby, but so far, her and her baby are doing ok.  Hope that helps at all! =) Kellie

[Melissa Prevost]

They are all out of flu shots here also and my son is only 7 1/2 weeks old and I need his flu shot asap I'm scared to go out much of anywheres wif him I was woundering what to do also.

[JustME9]

I don't know the rules, but from everything I've read here you can't get a baby a flu shot under 6 months of age? I don't know - Andrea and Christie would probably know more since they are nurses.?

[shelbert6]

Even if you had the flu shot, don't let your guard down.  This year's vaccine did not cover the Fujian strain, and that appears to be the one that is creating havoc.  But, the other strains that were included in this year's vaccine are relatively close to the Fujian strain and they believe that it may help somewhat if you do catch that strain.  Practice good hygiene techniques and stay clear of sick people as best as you can.

The intranasal spray version of the flu vaccine is made from a live virus, so ask your Dr. before getting that one.  But, I assume if the flu shots are hard to find, that will be, too.  

Regards,
Shelly