Contagious Virus: Stay Home ? - Page 3

[savithny]

Originally Posted by jnet24

I did research it.. and the problem is they are contagious for up to a month. That is a long time to quartine them.

And if you do more research about how communicable diseases were handled prior to vaccinations and antibiotics, you'll learn that *that* is exactly what they did back in the Good Old Days. If you read old kids books, it seems funny that the kids are always put to bed as soon as they get sick and kept there for a week or two, and often kept home longer than that.

A half-century of antibiotic availability and we've all forgotten than our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took childhood illnesses very seriously. And so we combine rejecting the modern medical answers (vaccines and antibotics) with adopting the modern attitudes towards illness (NO big deal! Take them out in public!). I think that's a dangerous combination of attitudes.

I'd plan on keeping them home, if not for a full month, at least for the week that it says its very communicable, and preferably a week after that.

I'd certainly not take them out for a completely unneccessary event like a street festival. There are sometimes things you need to do -- go to the doctor, pick up prescriptions or supplies. But going to the fair? Nope.

[prairiemommy]

Yes, you absolutely can keep one or even 10 sick kids at home. We spent an entire summer in our house once because we were dealing with chicken pox and fifth disease and my three kids were passing them around s.l.o.w.l.y. Two whole months we didn't go to festivals, on vacations (it was summer vacation after all - we did actually have things planned), or to friends' houses. You do it because you have to.

As to spreading viruses in amongst big groups where there is a high risk of immunocompromised children *and* parents, I can't even get into that. It hits too close to home right now.

[preemiemamarach]

As the parent of an immunocompromised child, I am shocked that someone would be so selfish as to risk my child's life because they don't feel like skipping a FESTIVAL when their kids have a very contagious illness.

My son is three, and he is essentially homebound. I have already lost the ability to earn an income because he is medically fragile. We take every precaution we can, and it severely limits our lives. Occasionally, I like to do something fun for my children that doesn't involve being in our own home.

You think it's hard to keep your kids home for a few weeks? Try three years. But we get the added fun of inpatient hospital stays whenever DS contracts an illness that's harmless to 'most' kids.

[prairiemommy]

Originally Posted by preemiemamarach

As the parent of an immunocompromised child, I am shocked that someone would be so selfish as to risk my child's life because they don't feel like skipping a FESTIVAL when their kids have a very contagious illness.

My son is three, and he is essentially homebound. I have already lost the ability to earn an income because he is medically fragile. We take every precaution we can, and it severely limits our lives. Occasionally, I like to do something fun for my children that doesn't involve being in our own home.

You think it's hard to keep your kids home for a few weeks? Try three years. But we get the added fun of inpatient hospital stays whenever DS contracts an illness that's harmless to 'most' kids.

a million times over.

[grumpybear]

Originally Posted by savithny

A half-century of antibiotic availability and we've all forgotten than our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took childhood illnesses very seriously. And so we combine rejecting the modern medical answers (vaccines and antibotics) with adopting the modern attitudes towards illness (NO big deal! Take them out in public!). I think that's a dangerous combination of attitudes.

I agree.

I find the cavalier attitude towards disease disappointing especially coming from non-vax/selective vax households. I feel that while we are free to choose the appropriate path of healthcare for our families, we should also be responsible for the choices we make and not knowingly expose other people to harm.

[EdnaMarie]

A half-century of antibiotic availability and we've all forgotten than our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took childhood illnesses very seriously. And so we combine rejecting the modern medical answers (vaccines and antibotics) with adopting the modern attitudes towards illness (NO big deal! Take them out in public!). I think that's a dangerous combination of attitudes.

Red and bolding mine.

[lalaland42]

Last year, my DD got hand, foot, and mouth disease and was miserable for at least a week. As soon as I got the dx, I had to turn down a playdate for the following week with a friend (and MDC mom!) and her medically fragile DS. I was very disappointed and we moved out of the country shortly thereafter so I only see her on fb. I think it is easier to risk unknown medically fragile people, like my friend's DS because they are unknown people. OP, you should know that there are people undergoing cancer treatment everywhere in our society. Sadly, there are even children that fall under the umbrella of medically fragile, where a simple bug can be disastrous for them. Hand, foot, and mouth is highly contagious and not pleasant for a child with a robust immune system. For a child with a compromised immune system ->

Stay home, rent movies, have a sick family party. There will be other festivals.

[pianojazzgirl]

I had HFM a couple of years ago and it was really horrible. I wouldn't ever knowingly expose anyone to that disease.

[~Demeter~]

I really can't believe this is a question here... If my kids have an illness and have visible symptoms regardless of fever status, we stay home. I expect other parents to grant me the same courtesy. If it's a small group of people and we are just getting over something, the kids are feeling well but still a little symptomatic I get the opinions of the other parents before showing up. I think it's rude to knowingly take your sick children to festival... that's not a necessary outing at all. Like others have said, a trip to the grocery store or something that is a necessity is one thing... a festival is another.