PSA NBR: Influenza

mwagner25

Hey all, not here to start a debate but wanted to let everyone know that this has proven to be a virulent flu season. I am getting emails daily from CDC and work regarding how many patients we are seeing ( mostly influenza A H1N1) and how sick people are getting from the flu this season. We are seeing our typical at risk populations (elderly, young, immunocomprimised) in addition to a large population of young to middle aged adults (20-30s) being hospitalized in ICU in critical condition. We had an otherwise healthy 27 year old pass from the flu already this year. Hopefully you got your flu shot if not, consider it. At the very least Tamiflu is effective against the strain but needs to be started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset. So see you doctor or urgent care if you think you may have the flu. Stay healthy bumpies!

ball.and.chain

Thanks for the PSA...glad I got my shot in October!

2MamazInSeattle

I swallowed hard but got my shot this week while pregnant. My MFM said she worries more about having the flu while pregnant than any supposed side effects. So I'm shot up

trisholiosboi

No shot for me, but I'm not pregnant either.

ATXmommas

This was the first year I've gotten the flu shot. Hope we're all protected!

2MamazInSeattle

trisholiosboi said:

No shot for me, but I'm not pregnant either.

Just so you don't get yer wifey sick!!

Neuron79

I work with elderly patients. I get the flu shot every year, for them more than me!! But now my wife is pregnant so for my two favorite girls now.

trisholio

I got the flu shot in 2002 and ended up in the hospital for 3 days.  I haven't gotten it since, I am sure it was a coincidence, but I rarely get sick otherwise.  I know that I am taking my chances, but I am crossing my fingers I won't get sick this year either.  

I wish health and no sickness for all the bumpies!

2MamazInSeattle

Your OB will definitely push you. Just so you're ready for that. My MFM pretty much said I wasn't leaving without one...and proceeded to educate me on the impact of flu on my pregnancy and how many usual treatments aren't safe for baby but may be necessary for you anyway. That scared me into it.

I hope you don't get sick! Does seem crazy this year already with young people dying. Yikes.

p.s. I'm not a fan either and may not have done it if not for the baby.

trisholiosboi

Our Family practioner has already tried to push the pertussis vaccine on me. Trish got it, but I didn't/won't. Just a personal preference.

JGY

Just a note about my personal experience; I'm certainly not trying to apply pressure but I wanted to let people know what I went through so you can all have a realistic picture of what things can look like  ... last winter, while pregnant, I got really REALLY sick.  I was sick for-EVER.  The Dr. and I both believe that I contracted Pertussis.  I was tested so long after getting sick that the Dr. didn't trust the negative result of the test.  I coughed so hard and for so long that I cracked ribs, and ended up on narcotics for the pain.  I typically have a high tolerance for pain, I've had cracked ribs before and was able to deal with it then, but this time the constant coughing made it unbearable.

I realize everyone here is different, and many are not pregnant.  All I can speak to is my own experience and it was miserable.  Also, for the record, the Pertussis vaccine was not offered to me prior to my illness (and I didn't know enough at the time to ask for it).  I am still trying to figure out why. 

Stay healthy everyone! 

 

 

 

2MamazInSeattle

@JGY that is awful! I had a massive ear infection that I was sick with for 3 weeks last year, essentially the worst head cold ever. I didn't know you can safely take antibiotics while pregnant and didn't go in until I literally couldn't hear anymore!

I think what you said scares me most- that you get so sick you require treatment that is not proven safe for baby. In my "no regrets" approach this time around, I'd feel horrible if me not getting a flu shot resulted in me needing medication that hurt my baby. I'm glad all turned out ok. And agreed, personal preference and honestly a choice I didn't think I'd make, but it's different now that its not just me to think about anymore.

shelly2314

Thanks! I got my shot in November. Our work pays for it as part of our health iniative!