H1N1 - Vaccinations in the Schools

I applaud the efforts of the Health Department, CDC and public school systems in bringing the FREE H1N1 vaccines to our schools. 

The school has sent home a package, and if I sign the consent form my daughter can receive the immunization for free.  For parents who want their children to have this, and who are financially struggling (that's all of us, right?) or have struggles with finding the time to take their kids to the doctors, this is wonderful.  Their choice seems fairly clear.   (Well, except that any reactions are likely to happen within minutes to hours after receiving the vaccine, and I am just wondering who will be carefully monitoring the kids during this time?  The teacher with 25 students in her class, all of which act weird everyday?)

But many parents have concerns about vaccines of any type.  There are also the kids like my 3 year old that can't have vaccines because of allergic reactions. 

And, then there are the parents like me.  The ones that don't ever get flu shots, as I think it's better for us to build up our immunity naturally.  And, the ones that are worried that the vaccine hasn't been studied enough.  I fall into both categories.

I actually think I actually already had H1N1:  See "H1N1:It's in Loudoun- Party Anyone?"  At the time of that posting, I was not planning on my kids getting the vaccine, even if it was ready in time.  But, since then, I keep hearing stories of kids - friends of friends of mine - dying from this flu.  Dying.  Kids.  I keep asking "Was the kid healthy BEFORE they got sick?  Did they have underlying issues?" and my friends look at me like I am trying to decide if I care about the kid dying.  OF COURSE I CARE.   My heart is grieving for those parents.  I think no parent should ever have to bury a child.  Ever. Including me.

Since I can not take back their pain, I am just trying to assess the risk here; the risk for my kids.  I really don't know what to do.  I would rather have my kids be exposed and build up immunity naturally.  I CAN'T let the youngest have the shot (or nasal mist, I don't think).  But, should I let my first grader?  I would never forgive myself if she died and I could have prevented it.

The info sent home from the school is not helpful.  It says they are probably offering either mist (a live attenuated vaccine) or shots (inactivated vaccine).  Both require two doses, a month apart. The nasal mist does not include Thimerosal.  Both have risks, and "rarely" cause death.  (Rarely?  Seriously?  Isn't that the same odds if they get the Flu?)

Better yet, it says if your kid does get really sick or die from it, your liabilities are legally limited; but they set up a federal fund to pay for the medical costs associated with a bad reaction.  I am not even sure what I should think about that.

What are you going to do?  On Facebook and Twitter, I posted this question and the answers I got included thoughts like:

-They'd never get my daughter to have the shot!  Maybe the nasal mist.

-There are concerns about the nasal mist.

-Don't want my kid to be the guinea pig.

-My kids are getting them; ASAP.

-I don't know which is worse, leaning towards allowing the vaccine...I have friends who's kids have gotten H1N1, and it is bad in Tennesee.
-My daughter's getting the vaccine (if the scratch test goes well), and she's even allergic to eggs! (Note: they have cautions if you have life threatening allergies to eggs.)
-Suggestions for researching the topic on other sites (listed below).
-Concerns about it being based in "egg", sometimes from people who don't like that concept, other times b/c of parents whose kids are allergic to eggs.
-Concerns because some use fetal tissue in the vaccines - I didn't know that, by the way (but this person indicated you can ask for the "ethical" version).
-Concerns about it being based in mercury (if it is, I didn't see that information anywhere).
-Responses that indvidiual doctors and nurses have responded, well, with just as much of a divided response as anyone else.

Of course, I also got comments from some comments with parents who aren't that educated or have been misinformed and said things that were just plain silly (those are the only ones that concern me).  But, of the educated adults, it's pretty divided.

And, then there was the reaction from my husband "Don't you dare let them give that to Rachael.  I've watched the whole thing on the news every morning and I think they rushed it.  I am not letting my kids have it."  While my husband gets a vote, it may not be the deciding one.  I will completely override him if I become convinced that it is better for my children.  Oh the other hand, he normally defers these judgements entirely to me, and doesn't even have an opinion most times.  This time, he has a strong opinion.  I have to seriously consider that.

I want to hear what you're planning to do, and why.  Please, share your thoughts. 

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Important Update:  I got my hands on another pamphlet floating around, "A Guide For Parents." It is from the CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and Dept of Health and Human Services.  It says that the antiviral meds that can treat this disease are most effective if started within the first 2 days of coming down with H1N1.   So, my typical "you must be sick for 3 days before we go to the doctor" theory is going out the window.  I think I will be one of those freaky parents who rush their kids to the doctor's office for testing at the first sign of every sniffle, and I will insist my children get the medicine and not wait and see if they can fight it on their own.  That is not the kind of mom I like to be, but these are my babies here.

I took my kids in for a regular checkup and discussed it with our doctor, she strongly encourages the vaccine.  Since my kids are healthy, she recommended the nasal mist.  I asked her "what if" and asked her about the effectiveness of the antivirals.  She reiterated that they MUST BE STARTED within 2-3 days of getting sick to ensure effectiveness!!!  This is critical and not being widely discussed.  Please, spread the word!  At her practice, if you come in with flu like symptoms they will test you - the initial test can be done in 8 minutes in their office.  They send a second specimen to the CDC for confirmation and study, but if the initial test comes back positive, they give the antivirals immediately.  It's a 5 day course. As your doctor about their policy.

I told her I typically have a "you must be sick 3 days" policy before we go to the doctors.  She chuckled a little and said that is normally why she likes me, but warned "Don't be messing around like that this year.  This is something to take very seriously. Whether or not they have the shots, if your kids get a fever bring them in immediately."

Then, I watched a doctors show on afternoon TV.  Consistent with everything else I've learned, the major differences between a cold and flu are that with a flu, you have a fever, muscle/joint aches a dry cough (not post nasal drip cough) and maybe tummy problems.  It is nearly impossible to know if you have the seasonal flu or H1N1 without testing.

Ironically, at the end of the day I decided we'd forgoe the shots and monitor carefully, and do lots and lots of preventative stuff.  My husband came home and said he thought about it and maybe the kids should get the vaccines.  I looked puzzled and told him I had been leaning towards not doing the vaccines.  He laughed and said, whatever you decide I will back you 100%.  What is a parent to do?  It's a tough call this year.

Regardless of where you stand on this issue, remember we're all just trying to do what we hope and believe is right for our children. Even if we disagree with each other, I respect your thoughts, and I pray for the safety and well being of your children and those you love. Please do the same for me.

***

If you are undecided, these are the resources the school provided:

http://www.flu.gov/

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

www.cdc.gov/flu

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents

http://www.vaers.hhs.gov/

Email: flu@loudoun.gov

Some parents recommended these sites:
http://www.momsagainstmercury.org/
http://www.nvic.org/
http://www.909shot.com/
http://www.vaccineeducation.org/

H1N1 - It's in Loudoun. Party Anyone?

10/13/09 IMPORTANT UPDATE:  Yes, this is a funny little post, and has some good information.  BUT, more information is now available - and getting the latest and greatest updates is important - PLEASE, refer to my more recent post and the update at the bottom.  It might be the tidbit of knowledge that saves your life: http://livinginloco.blogspot.com/2009/10/h1n1-vaccinations-in-schools.html  .

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Yep.  I am sure that's what I've had all week.  No, I didn't have testing... the cdc doesn't really recommend it.  It's been a long time since I had a flu that did more than inconvenience me.  This one put me in bed for a few days.

In case you're wondering, here's what I now know:

- It doesn't really matter "which" flu it is.  It's all contagious, it all makes you feel terrible.

- Symptoms are fever, sore throat, cough, sneeze, running or stopped up nose, achy-all-over feeling, fatique.  Some people get tummy problems, not all.  It seems pretty much like any flu we're used to getting.

- For most people you don't need medicine and you don't need to go to the doctors'.  You need to stay home.  Treat your symptoms like you would normally - cold medicine, fever and pain medicine, vitamin C, fluids and rest.

- Don't panic.  It sucks, but it is not the end of the world.

A couple of things I thought were interesting:

- In most cases, people over 60 are considered high risk for complications from the flu.  For some reason, that's not so with this one. It seems that people over 60 have an antibody to help fight against this flu strain.  Did a similar virus circulate 60 years ago? It seems the only logical conclusion.

- My friend said dogs can get this flu.  I didn't learn that from any reputable news source - but my friend tends not to circulate silly rumors; and dogs can get lots of our illnesses.  So, if you're one of those "my dogs are my children" people (like my best friend), your dogs are at risk - keep them out of your bed for a few days.

- Apparently, there are people out there that are intentionally getting the flu.  They are organizing Swine Flu parties, and going to visit some one who is sick with it and trying to get the flu themselves.  Their hope is that they'll get "a little" sick now, rather than deathly ill later.  I am just wondering how people know that they'll get "a little sick" rather than "deathly ill" now?  The CDC agrees with me and recommends against this.... but I am a sarcastic person so I posted on Facebook that I was having a Swine Flu party.  Look, when you're sick, you have to get your jollies where you can.

In case you're old like me... there's a new rule, do you know it?  We no longer cough into our hands... you're supposed to cough into your sleeve.  There's supposedly a hit video you can buy if you want, but that's all it's gonna tell you: http://www.coughsafe.com/index.html

Okay... but, I want to say something important - so keep reading.  In February or March of 1992 there was a flu going around - it was a bad one.  I managed to catch it.  I remember watching on TV where the ERs were flooded and the news cast was saying that because it was viral there was nothing they could do, so stay home.  And, I hate hospitals, so I stayed home.  It was a stomach flu.  I got so bad that my stomach was swollen from vomitting and I couldn't lay on my stomach because it hurt, and I couldn't lay on my back because the weight of my stomach was so heavy against my lungs that I couldn't breath.  My 2 year old son was keeping me alive with Dixie Cups of water, because I couldn't get out of bed.  If I tried to get out of bed or even sit up, I passed out.  And, I lived alone with my 2 year old son, so that was not OK.  Eventually I had my mom come get my son, I thought I would die and he would be there alone with me.  I truly went 3 days without getting out of bed.  Three days.... not even to go to the bathroom, and no I was not wetting my bed - I was that dehydrated.  My mother begged me to go to the ER, I refused and refused.  Eventually she convinced me.  She said "so you're going to die and leave me to tell this little boy that his mother didn't even try to stay alive for him?".  I went. Guilt wins every time.  But, Mom had to dress me, and carry me to the car.  I was really bad off. 

As it turns out there IS stuff they can do for the flu.  (Wish someone on TV had said that, I'd have been there sooner.) For me, it was that they could put me on an IV so I didn't die of dehydration.  The doctors actually thought I should have already been dead at that point.  They also have anti-viral medication... I don't know if they had it then, but they have it now.  They won't give it to everyone, but if you get sick enough, you can get some.

I share this story so that you learn, there's a balance.  Yes, give yourself a few days.  Use grandma's remedies and try to heal yourself.  For most people it will work.  But,  when you start thinking that you're going to die, you probably are - so go to the hospital.  There is no good reason to suffer like that.  My son almost lost his mommy.  As much as you hate hospitals, or as much as I do, there's a time for them.  Ask for help when you need it.

So, the points of my post are this:

- Don't panic about this flu.  Most of us will be just fine, and the news media just likes using buzz words.... pay no attention to them.  Besides, as I pointed out, listening to the news nearly cost me my life once, so now I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

- An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure (ever hear that?) - it means wash your hands, take vitamin C and try to stay in overall good health.  IF you get the flu, you're more likely to get through it just fine if you're otherwise in good health.

- If you're likely to get complications, get the shot when it's available.  If there are limited supplies, let those at the highest risk get the shot.  It's the right thing to do.

- If you get the flu, use grandma's remedies, and you'll likely be fine (cinnamon toast, chicken noodle soup, orange juice, cold cloth on your head while the rest of you is buried in layers of blankets, and have someone rub your back - that always helps).

- Don't let the dog sleep in your bed, or eat your leftovers.  There's no reason to have a sick dog if you can avoid it.

- Watch for complications and use common sense.  When you're sick enough, you may not really be able to judge for yourself just how sick you are.  Rely on others to help you judge.  If you live alone, make sure someone is checking on you. 

- Do go to the hospital if you need to.

And, when all else fails - plan a Swine Flu Party!!!

For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1Flu/

For information on Loudoun's plans for a pandemic (because we are prepared), for plans for dealing with this in school, and other information, visit the LoCo Health Department site: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=652

LoCo Health Dept is offering a meeting for the public on 9/23 at 7pm in Ashburn - and details are available on the above web site... in case you don't think a real estate agent has the best health information available (Note: I am a real estate agent.  I am not a doctor, although I do play Dr. Mom at home.  I am just trying to share my experiences with you - I take no liability if you rely on this and die.  Got it?).

***

Flu Shots:

The vaccination for the H1N1 (Swine flu) is not yet available.  But, getting any flu sucks.  So, if you're interested in protecting yourself against our regular flu bugs, get yourself a shot... Where?

*  Yes, you can get a flu shot at your doctor's office.  It might be covered by your health insurance, so check.

*  Most local health departments are also offering them....although I don't see that on LoCo's web site.  Hmm....

*  Shots are available for about $25 at just about all major pharmacies - CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid.  Check out their web sites, call or just stop in and ask.

*  An urgent care center is offering Drive Thru Flu Clinics where they'll give you the shot and you don't have to get out of your car.  Seems a little strange to me, but there are 2 dates, the cost is still $25 and they're doing it in Ashburn and Leesburg... check it out:  http://www.novaurgentcare.com/.  Also I picked up a coupon for $5 off at their Urgent Care, so sneak in (in advance) and pick one up at the front desk if you're thinking about trying this out.

Hope something in here was helpful.  I will try to make my next post on something a bit more fun.  My last ones (about Obama and the school speech, and 9/11, and now this - the flu)... well, they're kinda downers; but that's how life is sometimes.  There's lots of good stuff, too. So, I will try to write about that next. 

Stay tuned.... and stay healthy.... until next time....

*****

Found this article  by NY Times - watch the video (they won't let me imbed it, darn it):

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/nyregion/13critic.html?_r=1