zOMG SWINE FLU!!!!111!!1!

[aylaanne]

So, I haven't been concerned about this H1N1 flu AT ALL. Seriously, when people first started freaking out about it, I was chill. It responds to anti-viral medications, and it's just a flu like any other. For young healthy people like myself who practice good hygiene, especially good respiratory hygiene, my risk was low.

Then I got pregnant. Still, not too concerned, really. But now the Swine Flu is in the hospital where I work. I had a patient on flu precautions last night. There's been something like 20 cases and 2 deaths in my state, which I was NOT expecting. And there's all this buzz about a vaccine that I won't get anyways.

Elsewhere I read about people who are avoiding crowds where there may be infected people, washing their hands, etc. That's great, but part of my job is to care for sick people, so I'm likely to be directly exposed. So I'm freaking out just a little.

What about you ladies? Anyone worried about the swine flu?

[ivymae]

My husband works in the airport (administrative, but still spends time on the checkpoint as a supervisor) and when I let myself obsess about it, I get twitchy and anxious, even though I know I am just getting worked up over something fairly small. I can't imagine the worry that you must go through. Just make sure you are supporting your immune system in every way possible (nutrition, exercise, stress reduction) and trust that most people who contract this flu (or any flu) are not dying, and that you know better than most of us when to seek medical attention.

[rollergirl]

no not worried, but i'm not working in a hospital. i would just pay extra close to yourself, and if you get any symptoms at all, don't hesitate to see someone right away.
yeesh, like we need ONE MORE thing to obsess about with these pregnancies, eh?

*HUGS*

[jenfl]

Yeah, my DH works as a nurse in the Emergency Department. I can worry about swine flu, which has been in the department. Or I can worry about other ones -- he had someone the other night with the nastiest of nasties -- quite possibly Ebola or similar.

We're very careful. He changes clothes and shoes before he comes home. Dirty scrubs go in their own (very hot) wash, and don't touch our clothes until they're clean. He washes his ID badge. And we'll get the swine flu vaccine as soon as it comes out.

[susla]

I'm worried now and I wasn't worried before I got pregnant. We live in NYC and I work in a school where there were a bunch of cases of it right before school closed for the summer. It's expected to come back with a vengeance in the fall, especially in schools. I don't know if that's media hype or what but I am a little bit freaked out about it when I go back to work in Sept. I haven't done any research on the vaccine yet. I wonder if my doctor is going to recommend I get it? I normally don't get flu shots and I don't think I want to get one while pregnant, but my job might really put me at risk. Yikes. I really don't know what to do, I guess I'm hoping that it won't end up being as much of an issue as it's been portrayed to be....?

[aylaanne]

Originally Posted by jenfl

We're very careful. He changes clothes and shoes before he comes home. Dirty scrubs go in their own (very hot) wash, and don't touch our clothes until they're clean. He washes his ID badge.

Hmm. I might see about using only Hospital Scrubs while I'm pg. At my current hospital, not all the floors have them, but I hate bringing my scrubs home. I don't change at work, either. Maybe I should start.

[lurve]

also remember the statistics are WAY skewed. most people NEVER get tested when they get the flu. so your figures of 20 people with swine flu and 2 dead are more probably like 2000 people with swine flu and 2 dead. and in my state, all the people who have died from it all had compromised immune systems to begin with. it's just the flu. we will all do great!

[lovbeingamommy]

Not in your DDC, but wanted to post. It's good to see that others aren't too worried. I have OCD and tend to worry excessively. In fact, I'm putting off ttc until next month I'm so mad about it, but since I'm a teacher and school starts next week I want to be prepared with a plan and find out as much info as I can.

I'm really so sick and tired of all the scaremongering that is going on it's driving me crazy. I plan to talk to my Ob and midwife to see what their recommendations are too.

[marie1080]

I'm also a pregnant RN and work in an area where we already have and will continue to care for flu patients- so I expect to be exposed.

I'm dosing myself with vitamin C, making sure I get enough rest, avoiding all sugar on days that I work, and drinking iced green tea at work.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137775

I think it's still pretty unlikely that I will get it, but it makes me feel good to know that I'm doing something for prevention

[RedOakMomma]

*

[NoraFlood]

I am suddenly REALLY concerned about the swine flu, both because of being pregnant and because I have asthma. I probably will end up deciding to get the vaccine. It does ease my mind a little that there are plenty of thimerosal-free, single-dose options out there.

[Oliver's Mama]

My son's pediatrician, who didn't know I was pregnant when we saw him a few weeks ago, was talking about how they'll get a shipment of the swine flu vaccine, but that it first and foremost goes to pregnant women since they are supposedly at a higher risk of contracting it. UMM!! So he told me to call in early September when most places get the vaccine and I should be prioritized.. since there isn't going to be enough for everyone. I usually don't do flu vaccines, but I think I'll get this one this year.
I do work in a hospital setting too, though not doing hands-on care. But geez- I think the computers have more germs than any of the patients...

[rhiOrion]

Yeah, I'm "cautious" feeling about it, because I am pregnant, have asthma, and work at a medical school where a lot of the faculty has clinic hours at least once a week where they are sure to come in contact with it a lot.

My manager was saying that they might try to get employee health to come to our building and do the flu shot. I *might* do it if they come to me. But I doubt I'd ever go out of my way. I'm just lazy like that.

[Pepper44]

We don't vaccinate, and I would be terrified to get that barely tested vaccine, especially while pregnant!

I am a little worried about swine flu. We will probably avoid germy places, like the library, as much as possible this flu season. We use grape fruit seed extract at our house--any time I have a sore throat starting or feel like I'm coming down with something, I drink 10 drops in a glass of OJ 2-3 times a day for several days, and I don't get sick. It kills bacteria and viruses. It gets rid of my sinus infections, kills stomach viruses in the gut...It's great stuff! And it's safe for pregnancy, and I've never noticed any side effects from taking it other than burping up the bitter taste sometimes. You can also gargle with it, put it in the neti pot, and use it mixed with water or vinegar for cleaning.

[aylaanne]

Originally Posted by Oliver's Mama

I do work in a hospital setting too, though not doing hands-on care. But geez- I think the computers have more germs than any of the patients...

Computers, doorknobs, railings, counters, etc have more germs than the patients do, however, the patients have more dangerous germs. Everyone carries germs around with them, living on their skin, and those are the germs that we see everywhere. If someone gets a cold or flu, coughs or sneezes into their hands, then touches stuff, then those germs will get everywhere, too. However, more people (especially hospital workers) are improving their respiratory etiquette and hand washing.

Patients in a hospital, however, have some seriously virulent bacteria, and that's what worries me. I'm super careful about PPE these days, and neurotic about hand washing.

I do not get any vaccines when I'm pregnant. I worry about triggering an immune response that might start attacking my baby. I especially won't get a new vaccine that has no longitudinal studies done on pregnant women and their babies. Mercury or no, aluminum or no, we still don't know how this shot will affect our growing babies, perhaps not until decades into their futures. So I'm not taking any chances.

[KoalaMommy]

well, seeing as, if I don't already have it, I will in a few days, I guess, yes I'm worried.

My 3 year old is upstairs in bed with a confirmed case of flu, strain A. They're not testing for swine flu anymore, but honestly, what other flu is circulating right now in August?!

I've been coughing all day, so I'm pretty sure I'll wake up tomorrow or the next day with a fever and aches to go along with it. What a joy. I only hope that the non-sleeping dealing with a sick child doesn't weaken my immune system.

Guess we don't have to worry about the vax debate on this one.

Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it like crazy. But honestly, let's face it, this illness is going around and people are going to get sick, just like some people get sick with any other kind of flu.

[aims1029]

I wasn't concerned before, but now that I'm pregnant I am a little bit. I am a nurse tech in the ER so I have a good chance of coming across it. I would never get the vaccine though. I probably should up my vitamin c....

[Mandynee22]

Originally Posted by KoalaMommy

well, seeing as, if I don't already have it, I will in a few days, I guess, yes I'm worried.

My 3 year old is upstairs in bed with a confirmed case of flu, strain A. They're not testing for swine flu anymore, but honestly, what other flu is circulating right now in August?!

I've been coughing all day, so I'm pretty sure I'll wake up tomorrow or the next day with a fever and aches to go along with it. What a joy. I only hope that the non-sleeping dealing with a sick child doesn't weaken my immune system.

Guess we don't have to worry about the vax debate on this one.

Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it like crazy. But honestly, let's face it, this illness is going around and people are going to get sick, just like some people get sick with any other kind of flu.

I hope you feel better :-(
I had the (regular) flu when I was preg with DS and it sucked. Especially since I'm an independant contractor and had to go to work anyway. BLECH
And I hope your DS feels better, too.

[christina10106]

I'm not at all worried about it. We don't get out much and are careful about washing hands and stuff when we do. My kids aren't in daycare or anything either. No way in hell am I getting the vaccine! It's barely been tested! I'm not even considering it.

[Ashes]

I am suddenly really concerned too. I had the regular flu with my last pregnancy at around 3.3 months. It was horrible. I felt 5 times worse than when I have had the flu and not been pregnant.

I definitely am interested in the swine flu vaccine when it comes out. Reports in Canada say that around 20 pregnant women have had a confirmed case of Swine Flu, and of these 20, 3 have died. I know those numbers are small, but that is just heartbreaking to me.