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Swine Flu: A CafeMom Fears Her Kids May Have It
April 29, 2009 at 2:03 PM by Cafe Cynthia - Comments (19)
The swine flu news is scary enough on its own -- and today reports that a Mexican 2 year old is the first victim in the U.S. So troubling, especially for toddler moms.
But just imagine the panic you'd feel if your toddlers were sick with flu-like symptoms this very moment.
CafeMom LoveMyMonkies, who has four kids ages 3, 5, 7 and 11, is worried that the swine flu is sweeping through her home. The kids' doctor can't say one way or another, but isn't taking the possibility seriously enough in light of all the facts, says LoveMyMonkies.
"I'm not sure if we have it, but based on the symptoms I would say we do," LoveMyMonkies says. "Right before I got sick, I had a lady from Mexico here cleaning my house, though I am not sure when she was in Mexico last.
"We've also been to San Antonio several times in the past month, because all the good stores and restaurants are there."
LoveMy and I chatted today about what's going on in her home:
When did everyone get sick?
The two little ones have been coughing and running fever, and the two big ones had it a few weeks ago and are over it now. I have been sick for about a month. It started out with flu-like symptoms -- sore throat, fever, and diarrhea. It got to the point that I was having trouble breathing, so I went to the ER and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
So you took your kids to the doctor. What did he say about it? Could it be swine flu?
The doctor did not say what the kids actually have, just that they don't appear to have any ear infections or swollen glands. He said it is probably just a cold and that if the fever doesn't go away by the end of the week to bring them back. As for treatment, he said to give them Motrin for fever and cough medicine for their throats.
With everything that's going on, wasn't he at all concerned?
He didn't act that way, even when I told him that there was a person in my home from Mexico right before I got sick. I am very concerned because this community is predominantly Hispanic and a lot of people come and go from Mexico all the time. There is even a girl in my daughter's class that was in Mexico over Easter break.
What symptoms did he say to watch for, if any?
He didn't tell me to watch for any symptoms at all, just that if the fever persisted to bring them back.
Why do you think he wasn't taking the situation seriously?
I understand that people overreact, and maybe that's what I'm doing, but we are sick and have been around someone from Mexico. I think that they should at least test for it to be safe. I read somewhere that treatment in the first 24 to 48 hours is the best, so why should I have to wait until the end of the week? It is very frustrating.
How are you and your family spending your days?
My oldest ones are in school. I kept my 5 year old out, and will send him back when he is fever free. I am in the middle of moving, so I have been out and about this week. When I was running fever I stayed in bed. I have not taken the kids into any public place other than school.
Do you feel this situation is under control?
I am becoming more and more scared daily. I'm not sure if it is the media hype, or now knowing that a little baby has died in the U.S., but I feel like this is going to cause a lot of sickness and death.
I do not feel like the government can control it, especially because there is no vaccine. If it spreads as quickly as it has been, a lot of people might die before they can get it under control.
++ Do you feel LoveMyMonkies' doctor acted reasonably? Is all the media hype causing undo panic over the swine flu? What would you have said to your kids' doctor in this situation?
FILED UNDER: doctor visits, health, safety, swine flu
Comments:
I think the dr should have tested, but I dont think the mom is helping. She is going out and about, sending her kids to school. SHE is not helping with the situation and helping spread it, if infact her kids and herself are infected.
I think the Doctor should have tested the family as well. It will not look good on his record if something does happen. He will have mom standing there in a court room going "I wanted him to do tests but he refused and blew me off!"
I understand wanting the Ped to TEST for it, but also thinkin it may be paranoia regarding the "MEXICAN LADY" that "in her home" and hadnt even ASKED if this lady had been to mexico ? is nt this just a LITTLE BIT prejudice already? Just what i feared.. blaming Mexicans for something / anything- AGAIN...
Just so you know I am married to a Mexican, and am FAR from prejudice. My concern is that this lady who cleaned is from Mexico and that is where this is coming from. I seriously am not trying to blame Mexicans for something/anything...Honestly. If it was coming from Houston I would be worried because my sister in law was here, it has nothing to do with being prejudice.
I don't think the doctor acted unreasonably. Thousands of people die every year from the flu, swine or otherwise. This is a new strain which, like all others, will go through the population, mutating as it goes regardless of what measures are taken by governments, with most people recovering as they would with "regular" flu strain, which also mutates constantly, hence the yearly vaccines, which are a best guess of which strain will go through the population on any given year and no guarantee. I would only be concerned for those who's immune systems are compromised, weak or not strong enough yet due to age - in other words, the same population at risk during the regular annual flu outbreaks. If your family members fall into these categories, then concern would be valid, but I don't think any more so than the annual flu. But hey, I could be wrong...this could be the pandemic to end all pandemics and everybody should panic now, stock up on canned goods, bar the doors, and hunker down until the CDC gives the all clear to go about your business...Who knows, but I'm not going to panic if I or my son get the flu. I'll leave that to the general population...panic wastes too much of my energy.
I think that the dr should have at least tested. I understand people are probably flooding the dr offices and ers because of this, but if the symptoms are present they should be tested.
As far as being prejudice or placing the blame I think that is ridiculous. She just stated the facts as they pertain to her situation.
If it would have been my children i would have not left doctor until they had been tested i mean what would it have hurt to test them he was just being lazy!
I think he should have tested so the WHO can have accorate numbers on the Swine flu..... and I also do NOT agree with sending sick kids to school wether it be the swine flu or the reg flu.. Keep Your Germs At HOME........
*sigh*
A sore throat, fever and diarrhea can easily be A COLD - exactly what your doctor said.
Can they be symptoms of the flu? Yes, but generally the flu is going to be a lot harsher - muscle aches, inability or hesitation to even get up and move around, etc.
I think this is exactly why the media needs to back the hell off. This mom is freaking out over what is most likely a cold... and even if it WERE the flu... hell, even if it's the swine flu, unless you're getting very ill or getting pneumonia and not getting treated, YOU'RE GOING TO ALL BE FINE.
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I think given the circumstances, that doc should test the family for swine flu and the mom/kids should stay home until they're well: swine flu is most contageous the day or two before symptoms break out and for six days after the onset of symptoms. It's an airborn disease and therefore if she's sending the children to school and they do have it, the rest of the school is at risk.
twinclubmom Apr. 29, 2009 at 2:27 PM