Terrified of Swine Flu

coolmama2009

We have our baby moon coming up in a week to Maui.  My outbound flight is on labour day and it's a full flight but now we realized we could leave on sunday and that flight is half empty.  But to change the flight and hotel it's like $600!!!  Am I just being too paranoid...but DH thinx it's worth to avoid the crowds.  *vent* don't know what do do...

kciriello

I've been nervous too so I sat down the other day and did some research. What I learned is that as long as you receive treatment (Tamiflu) within 48 hours of onset of the swine flu, you will be FINE.

The women who had major problems or died - none of them had received treatment in the early stage.

For me, the moral of the story is that if I start getting any symptoms, I need to get Tamiflu pronto. That's it.

Go to Maui, on either flight...and enjoy!

PAIrishBride

FYI Pregnant women can't take Tamiflu

Edit:  Research is unsure of the effect of tamiflu on the fetus so they aren't sure tamiflu can be used in pregnancy

flyer23

"To avoid the crowds?" There are going to be WAY more people just in the airport than on either flight. Heck, you're around more people on your average grocery store run.

If you're really terrified of the swine flu, cancel the entire trip, stay home, and don't leave the house for the next six months... no no, better still, sign your flights over to ME, and I'll go in your place!

Otherwise, GO, HAVE FUN! And try not to worry so much!

flyer23

Oh, and pregnant women MOST DEFINITELY can take Tamiflu.

https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm

Edit: It's thought that the benefits of taking it (if you have a confirmed case of swine flu, of course) far outweigh any potential risks.

kciriello

flyer23:

Oh, and pregnant women MOST DEFINITELY can take Tamiflu.

https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm

Edit: It's thought that the benefits of taking it (if you have a confirmed case of swine flu, of course) far outweigh any potential risks.

Yes, that's correct. There is another flu drug which is not necessarily safe in pregnancy, which is also prescribed for swine flu. For pregnant women specifically, Tamiflu is THE drug of choice.

jkz1985

Tamiflu is not proven safe for people who are pregnant it will only be given to you while pregnant if you get swine flu really bad and they will risk the baby. I had swine flu when i was 14 weeks pregnant and took tylenol once for a slight fever with swine flu fevers are not as high as normal flu. Also check for lung symptoms as that is the main problem with swine flu. I also took green tea and 3 garlic tablets once a day as the antioxidants help with viruses. My doctor was not concerned swine flu is not as severe as normal flu

tuicatmama

I met with my doctor yesterday, and she said that the only prevention for swine flu, (or any other flu, for that matter), lies in handwashing, avoiding droplets, and sanitizing surfaces....and of course, staying home when sick.

?She was not overly concerned, and did say that if there were symptoms, it would be best to get checked out, just in case.

?I do however, have a box of Tamiflu, incase it gets to a stage where it becomes necessary (I live in a very isolated place where the drug may not be available when needed), and was assured by both the doctor and pharmacist that the drug would be safer to take that risking the possible complications that swine flu could bring to a pregnant woman.

?

epphd

It's not flu season.  And even if it was, a person sick on a full flight is no more contageous than a person on a half full flight. 

Check the CDC flu update webpage:

https://www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/update.htm This will give you updates on how much the disease is spreading - right now it's not very active here.

Moreover, the rate of transmission is low - even if you live with someone who has swine flu, the rate of transmission is only 18%.  

https://www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/surveillanceqa.htm

What is the secondary attack rate of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in the household setting?

The secondary attack rate reflects the risk of someone being infected with a disease by an ill close contact (for example, a family member, classmate or co-worker). Epidemiologic field studies in several states found a secondary attack rate in household contacts for acute-respiratory-illness (ARI) was 18 % to 19% and 8% to 12% for influenza-like-illness (ILI). ARI is defined as two or more of the following four symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, and rhinorrhea (runny nose). ILI is defined as fever and cough or sore throat. In general, these household secondary attack rates are slightly lower than what occurs in seasonal influenza. The use of antiviral medications (which can reduce viral shedding) to treat cases or prevent influenza in household contacts may have decreased secondary attack rates.

***

Long story short, panic is not necessary.

 

 

coolmama2009

epphd:

Thanx for all the info!  I just breathed a sigh of relief.  It's just hard not to freak out a little when u're pregnant.

MrsHyphenated

Now I'm not a medical professional but I honestly think swine flu is overhyped.  Think about the number of people who die from the regular flu every year vs the number of accounted deaths in developed North America.  I recognize the reason why it's listed as a pandemic is the how fast it's been spreading, but I think our bodies are healthy enough to fight this naturally.  Honestly ladies, I think we're going to be fine.  I don't know about you, but I'm not exposing my baby or myself to a drug that hasn't even been tested for pregnant women.