Flu!!

ljordan722 · January 2015

Not sure if it's as bad everywhere else, but the flu is spreading like wildfire where I live! I'm being induced Monday & it seems like both sides of my family have it right now, but they're still planning on coming to the hospital to visit? Um, trying to figure out the best way to let them know that they will not be allowed in the room or near baby. My sister has had it for 2 days, so that exposed my mom, dad, & other sister. MIL just posted on Facebook that she wasn't feeling well, and she & my grandmother in law live together and both work with the public. Is it crazy to not want them near baby even though they haven't been officially diagnosed (except for my sister)? Does anyone know the incubation period/typical length of flu type a? And is there anything my husband & I can do to prevent ourselves & 4yo from catching it, he's a lieutenant at a correctional facility so he can't really quarantine himself like DD & I have been.

caitlindenise · January 2015

Yes! I think it's perfectly fine to tell them to stay away! If your newborn catches it and gets a fever, baby will have to be in the hospital and they'll do a spinal tap! Tell them to stay away. My MIL who is an RN says 5-7 days that you can catch it from someone who has it. Wash your hands as often as possible, and don't touch your face! And if you know someone who is feeling sick, obviously do not be around them.

ljordan722 · January 2015

The CDC stated that flu shot is useless against this strain, that's why it's so rampant across the country. :-S

osupegs1 · January 2015

Most all hospitals in the midwest are on severe patient visitor restrictions secondary to flu. Check with your hospital, they may not even let them in or make them were a mask. DONT RISK IT!

britb618 · January 2015

agree with pp's just tell them no visitors allowed since its flu season. you can tell them its what you want or you can tell them its what the hospital wants but I assure you if you tell the nurses that your family has the flu they won't let them in anyways and will make sure to keep baby away from sick family! good luck! family should understand but I know it doesn't always work that way.

[Deleted User] · January 2015

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Disneygeek77 · January 2015

If their symptoms just started, tell them to take Tamiflu to shorten the duration.

They might not be able to see the baby the day it is born, but maybe a few days later.

kcsparky · January 2015

Tell them to stay away!! Use hand washing and mask up to reduce your risk!! All the hospitals and even offices in my health system (on east coast) have come out with a masking policy. Not only for those that are sick but employees as well because it's so widespread this season.

BookitBoo · January 2015

I think the CDC article says that the flushot isn't as effective as it normally is against this strain. Not quite the same thing as useless, but still pretty scary.

Tell your family that unfortunately they will have to wait until they are better to visit the baby. CDC says that The typical incubation period for influenza is 1—4 days. Adults shed influenza virus from the day before symptoms begin through 5—10 days after illness onset.

Hopefully they are understanding, as Flu is deadly for babies!

shakalex · January 2015

Yeah get the flu shot.,,

beccs88 · January 2015

I wouldn't worry about hurting their feelings. If they don't understand then they are not being considerate enough about babies health. I waited a week to visit my best friend after her baby was born because I had severe allergies. It wasn't even contagious, no fever, just heavy sniffling, coughing and watery eyes but I understood that it wasn't appropriate to be around her baby feeling sick and they should too.

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