Paranoid about flu

I am so nervous this year since I have a baby under 6 months that can't be vaccinated. I see the season is starting in LI and can't help to be paranoid going to places for my older dd with my newborn. I know I can be super cautious with hand sanitizer and keeping dd covered but I can't always control what older dd touches(she is vaccinated and i realize that isn't a guarantee).

I am mostly worried about her catching it from people who are infectious but still in the incubation period and don't feel sick yet. I just cancelled a play date at an open play place bc I heard through the rumor mill that a mom that was there a few days ago got the flu.

Am I being super paranoid?

Paranoid about flu

IMO yes too paranoid but I am laid back about things and you can't stay inside and away from people for the entire flu season.

My DS was born during flu season (Dec) and I never worried.

Paranoid about flu

I think you need to be vigilant, but you also need to be out and about. I'm starting to accept this also. I'm a FTWM and DS has had a variety of colds/ear infections over the past month or so. He goes to daycare, I just have to accept it. Try to be aware but not make yourself crazy!

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I understand your concerns. I am a teacher, my son is in full-day pre-k and I'm due in August. I'm already thinking about next winter for us and potential illnesses. You just have to live your life. Kids (and adults) are going to get sick. As much as I wish we could put a bubble around ourselves, it's not happening.

Paranoid about flu

Did you receive the flu shot while you were pregnant? If so, then the baby is protected for up to 6 months.

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DS was born last year in January and I never worried about him getting the flu. When we were out in public, he was in the carrier and I never let strangers touch him. You can only do so much, and you can't stay inside all winter!

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If you live in fear of every disease out there, you will never leave the house.
I have never been vaccinated for flu and never got the flu.
Just be vigilant. Keep people from touching the baby, etc. Wash hands, etc

Also, I think a lot of people cry FLU for every sickness they get.
Stomach bug- oh I had stomach FLU (no such thing by the way)
Bad cold- I have the FLU
Fever- I have the FLU
Upper respiratory infection- I have the FLU
Unless they were specifically tested for flu and it came back positive, I think half the time it's overuse of the word.

Last winter I was sick as a dog. 103 fever, aches, chills, you name it. Felt like death. Though for sure it was flu, Dr even prescribed Tamiflu while we waited for the results to come back from the flu swab.
Tested negative for flu.

So just be vigilant, but don't hide in your house all winter.

Message edited 1/16/2014 1:16:26 PM.

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Sorry, I kinda agree with you.

I kept my DS AND my DD home with me when DD was a winter newborn (last January).

Flu is in full effect in NYC and open play places are breeding grounds for all kinds of stuff. Every time my DC goes to a children museum, they come down with SOMETHING.

You can go places, but I'd do relatively empty places (think adult places during weekdays).

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I didn't take them to open play places at that age. Now if they go, I use wet ones wipes, change clothes when they get home, lysol stuff. Yes, I'm nuts, but I like to at least try to keep them from getting sick. they did get the flu shot this year.

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Yes. I'm paranoid too (esp. since he already caught something at 2m and had to be hospitlized for a month because of it.)

However, I do whatever I can to keep the baby safe but I still need to live my life. I got the flu shot when I was only a few weeks pregnant and I got the flu shot a month ago (i'm still EBF). DH and I still aren't 100% comfortable with others holding him yet (aside from immediate family) but he's going to start daycare 2x's a week in a week or so so I have no choice.

Remember, the main reason people get so sick in the winter is because everyone is cooped up together inside all freakin' day. Just because the baby doesn't go out doesn't mean you can't catch something, not show any symptoms, and then transfer it to him. That's what I'm more worried about. When I catch the flu I always get hospitalized and I don't have time for that right now lol.

Message edited 1/16/2014 2:20:03 PM.

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I'm very vigilant during the winter months even though my boys are 3.5 & 4. My oldest is in school 3 days a week & he's had his battles with colds every 3-4 weeks. I'm forever wiping my boys hands & faces doe neither antibacterial wipes, we change our clothes immediately upon returning from school & constantly wash our hands. With that said, I can't put the in a bubble. They can catch through airborne.

We don't do open play places, we do get tons of fresh air when possible. Try to be vigilant & constant hand washing is important

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While "living in fear" isn't the way to live, I see NOTHING wrong with canceling unecessary play dates at an open play place that is a breeding ground. SO many people go out & take their kids out while sick, and it's disgusting, IMO. If your kids has a nose that won't stop leaking or sounds like they are about to cough out a lung, stay home! But I can't even tell you how many runny/coughy kids I've seen recently! If I had a newborn, I wouldn't be taking him out for unecessary outings. And I'd be disinfecting my DD EVERY time she got home to keep the germs she picked up at bay.

I would think of it this way: Soon enough the baby will be old enough for a flu shot and then you can go out and do fun things. Nobody is really missing out if you spend a particularly bad flu season at home. It will be over in a few months. An hour in a ball pit isn't worth a 3 day stomach virus or a hospital trip for the flu, KWIM?

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Couldn't agree more with the bunking down attitude...my 9w old just left the picu w a severe case of rsv and I'll admit I'm keeping outings to a bare minimum, I'm not happy to be staying in but the idea of spending another day in the hospital just isn't worth it.

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You can't stop you life. Even staying in, your kid is still at risk. Both my husband and mom had the flu this season and both were holding and breathing right on top of my son right before they came down with it, and were probably contagious at the time. Fortunately, he didn't catch it! I'd say the only way to ensure your baby stays healthy is by handling him with gloves and a mask and asking every other person to do the same and keeping him inside at all times but is that really healthy?

Yes it's flu season, but it's about being smart not scared!

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