Any teachers dealing with flu outbreaks?

LO95 · December 2014

I am thinking about cashing in my personal days this week to try to buy myself some time for this stomach bug and influenza combo that's sweeping our school to get the hell out over Christmas break next week. 1/3 of our kids are out. My SIL, who teaches in another school, also has the stomach and influenza both and is at risk of having to go to L&D and she's at least 25 weeks and at the point of viability. I know it sounds paranoid, but my anxiety is going through the roof even thinking about getting what she has.

Anyone else dealing with flu situations?

rivers714 · December 2014

Yes. But the bug was brought in by my son. It was flipping miserable

LexiSophie55 · December 2014

DS was puking, fever, diarrhea - Wednesday and Thursday. Still dealing with diarrhea.

My mom (watches DS) started it last night, still going today.

My husband started it this morning and is currently telling me he is going to die and that I should call the neighbor for an IV.

My niece (with my mom and DS wednesday) threw up about an hour ago.

I'm just a sitting duck - waiting to get picked off. No one will allow me in their house, and I don't even want to risk it.

The way the rest of them looked/look - I might just stay home if I were you.

rivers714 · December 2014

"I'm just a sitting duck"- hilarious but sad but trye

Jamilg · December 2014

Everyone in my house has had it.

. My 2 older sons are in middle shool and high school and they must've brought the germs home. So many kids have had it recently.

LO95 · December 2014

I guess it just freaks me out to be right under the point of viability. Maybe if I were 7 or 8 months I'd feel better, but holy cow. It sounds absolutely nasty from what I've heard.

squeezebean · December 2014

Y'all are scaring me! If I've had my flu shot, is there still a chance I could get infected?

Right now my school is doing fine, but there's one girl out with strep. So I'm monitoring how my throat feels, trying not to freak out.

LO95 · December 2014

You're probably okay right now if you're not having a massive outbreak. (We had 7 kids in one class as an example.) That said, my SIL had the flu shot months ago and is now dealing with the BS of people sending kids that they know are sick to school.

ScarletBegonia79 · December 2014

i got the flu shot and still got it. stupid shot was worthless. i am sicker than i can ever remember being before, it is pure misery.

Lalalady54 · December 2014

I work in a Peds ER, all I can say is wash wash wash your hands

(the flu while pregnant is miserable I had it during my last pregnancy and ended up in the hospital...)

LO95 · December 2014

Lalalady54 said:

I work in a Peds ER, all I can say is wash wash wash your hands (the flu while pregnant is miserable I had it during my last pregnancy and ended up in the hospital...)

@Lalalady54 That's exactly what I'm afraid of.

I know in theory you can get it anywhere, but people who work with sick kids are so much more exposed. The CDC's website says that the most common form of transmission is from coughs, sneezes and being breathed on from up to six feet away.

I am so torn. My new boss is a jerk and so I'm sure I'll be in trouble if I take off. That said, if I know I can prevent exposing the baby to something dangerous I don't really giving a rat's ass...

Lalalady54 · December 2014

It's hard because in the hospital we wear PPE so we protect ourselves with gloves, masks, gowns...if only you could put your students in masks

and Purell for everyone, all.day.long.

LO95 · December 2014

NeverTooManyShoes said:

Not going through this right now, but earlier in the year we did and people still sent their sick kids to school. Its so frustrating. In a previous year when a colleague was pregnant we sent a note home saying how sick kids were endangering the pregnant colleague's baby (chicken pox and slap cheek outbreak) and that seemed to do the trick! I also checked all her kids first thing and sent the unwell ones straight to sick bay to go home. Eta: typo

You sound amazing. Wish you worked in my building.

Our stupid nurse sends kids back who then puke in my room.

ScarletBegonia79 · December 2014

@Lalalady54‌ was your baby ok? I am freaked out because I feel so sick, may see if my ob can see me next week for a hb check but will prob spend the weekend worrying

Lalalady54 · December 2014

Yes baby was totally fine, I just needed fluids because I was so dehydrated, I lost 15 pounds in week 19 because of it, but still gained it all back and another 20 by delivery so have no fear

ScarletBegonia79 · December 2014

Thanks, I am not as worried now! Glad you and baby were ok!!!

squeezebean · December 2014

NeverTooManyShoes said:
Not going through this right now, but earlier in the year we did and people still sent their sick kids to school. Its so frustrating. In a previous year when a colleague was pregnant we sent a note home saying how sick kids were endangering the pregnant colleague's baby (chicken pox and slap cheek outbreak) and that seemed to do the trick! I also checked all her kids first thing and sent the unwell ones straight to sick bay to go home.

Eta: typo

What a good idea! I'll have to bring this up, especially since I'm not the only pregnant teacher in our building right now.

kel182 · December 2014

I just got over the flu and another pregnant teacher got it as well. It was pretty miserable. Luckily, mine didn't last too long. I teach K so there is no avoiding sickness. I've also had strep and bronchitis within the last two months.

catlover790 · December 2014

Popping in from April!

I am a teacher too and I understand the extra worry that comes from being exposed to a lot more germs on a daily basis. We currently don't have that many kids out sick with the flu at my school but I understand your worry.

Depending on where you are I would check your contract and rules for your personal days. As long as you're within your rights to use them now and you want to use them then I don't see why your boss could be mad at you for using them. I had to take two personal days during finals last year but I did the proper paperwork and they were for days that I could use them so my principal couldn't hold it against me in any way. My principal is very understanding though too.

However, I personally wouldn't use them all at once just because I'd hate to use them all up at this point of the year. When does your school start Christmas break? I might take two this week and save the other two. Our sick season is usually worse in January and February so I'd want to have a couple for then if needed. GL with your decision.

roxygirl234 · December 2014

Yes, I use the hand wash Hibiclens daily and at times wear gloves.

a316b · December 2014

Teach HS- and had 4 kids out with influenza last week.

Had someone sanitize the desks (student, because he swore in class), have my own hand sanitizer and Kleenex away from kids.

My own kids were home with fever and cough- but so far I seem to have escaped it. (Knock on wood)

I too am worried, as I have pretty bad asthma and would prob end up in the hospital- which would be even worse while pregnant.

FX that everyone stays healthy!

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