When should we start staying home?

[Cyndlouwho]

With the kids in school and such, I have started to wonder when I should start keeping Dylan home and away from public places. He seemed to catch everything last year, even with keeping him home and I really want to try to avoid that this year. Especially since he has a sedated echo coming up in November and I just don't want to have to worry about him being sick when he has it (the last echo he had was sedated and he had the tail end of a cold and his oxygen levels kept going up and down during it). So I thought I would post here and see what anyone thinks.

Cindy Green (mom to Dylan, truncus arteriosus and a coarctation)

[Heart Mommy]

I just started wondering the same thing. Gator is starting this year out with a bang and a nice clear runny nose.

I was also wondering if anyone will be having the vaccination for H1N1 virus (swine flu)?

Are you having all of your family get it, or just your heart baby?

My ped office just called and said they would like to petition our insurance for another year of synigis...AAAAHHHHHH!!!

He is Two years old... I thought we were done...

We have already had reg flu shots, it seemed really early this year....glad thats over, anyway.

Let the hand washing and sanitizing begin.

[Alli and Kyle Hicken]

Our pediatrician told us last week that he has already seen a lot of flu and other illness and that it seems to be an early season. He predicted that since last year was fairly light, this year would be a doozy for the flu and other respiratory illness. We were advised to start now being very careful and to keep him away from groups of people and that his days of going on errands with us were over beginning the first of October. Sad.

Brynn, we are all planning on getting the H1N1 vaccine as well as my mother who helps to watch Grant when we need to get out. I am a little nervous, but seeing the results of their recent clinical trial encouraged me and so we will get it as soon as it is available.

Anyone know of any good books to keep me sane during the winter months??!! :)

[deanna.m.gourley]

I have felt uneasy about the swine flu vaccine, especially for Gracie. I have felt that the research on the vaccine isn't realiable enough for me to place Grace in danger since most of the research has been done on relatively healthy individuals.

Two weeks ago at Gracie's cardiologist appointment, I asked Dr. Su and Dr. Jou what they thought concerning the vaccine and Gracie. They said that we shouldn't get the vaccine for Grace or even our two year old. I was thrilled with their response since it allowed me to go with my gut feeling. I don't know completely what their reasoning was, but I thought I would share.

They did advise us to get it if we are going to be out and about, so I think just Jason will be getting it since he is out working around others. Meanwhile we will get the regular flu shot, practice good hand hygine and bear down for the hibernation season.

Deanna--Gracie (HLHS), Morgan (HH)

[Heart Mommy]

I was at the library today, and there was information regarding Novel H1N1. As I understood it, If we even start to notice any flu symptons in our heart baby, we should contact our ped.... It gives some good ideas on staying healthy. I also picked up a book on cardiac care post surgery... For .50, what a find.. I will post if it is any good.

I also loved that You got to talk with Dr. Su and Jerry... Since they are our guys... I am going to take that advice and run with it.

I need to find a hobby that requires I stay indoors...

I just have a feeling this IS going to be a crazy year.... Last year the triple bunked the PICU for RSV season... I can only imagine what it will be like this year. One time we were bed 18 and 1/3...

I like these tips-
-once a week, wipe or spray door handles.
-wash hands with soap and water as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday 2 times.
-Change clothes on older children when they get home from school...
-Change pillow cases very often to wash away germs
-after having a cold sterilize or throw out tooth brushes
-avoid touching face and mouth

I am also going to try and find and older kid poem to post on my window/door.

[Chrissie]

Good question. I am not sure when to stay in. I am still taking Kylie out, but only for a few minutes and not very busy places. I think it has to come to an end soon though. I am so parinoid because I have 2 school kids this year. We have all ready had our round of colds and Kylie got it. Our ped said to stay away from big groups just to be safe. I get so frusterated with this but its all for a great reason. Oh and the H1N1 vac, I am saying no. I don't trust it yet and have heard only bad things. I still am up in the air about this, but the weather has been so nice lately its hard to realize that there are germs and we need to be careful. Brynn thanks for all the info those are great ideas!

[Kaidence's Mommy]

I received a letter in the mail from the transplant team at PCMC. They stated that all transplant kiddos and families, care givers etc. should get both the regular flu shot and the H1N1 shot. They also state that Kaidence and anyone else around her is not to get the "flu Mist" because it is 'live vacine'. She already has her flu shot but we are waiting for the H1N1. I am more worried about what the "Swine Flu" would do to Kaidence with her suppressed immune system, than I am about her getting any side effect from the vaccine. So it sounds like we will all be getting all of the shots unless I get a feeling otherwise.

Good luck to everyone this winter as we all retreat back into our homes and wait out the winter germs.

[SBAimee]

I was totally leaning against the H1N1 vaccination, then I read this article (http://jacksonville .com/news/ metro/2009- 09-27/story/ child_born_ with_rare_ heart_defect_ could_not_ beat_new_ foe)and I called my pediatrician to find out how soon it will be available.

I seriously think I might go out of my mind this winter. It wasn't so bad last winter staying home with a little snuggly baby. This year could be interesting.

Aimee

[AngelMom]

Though I don't have a heart child now that I am concerned about, I do have other children that I am. . .and don't want to take the risk with anything happening to them. We have all gotten our seasonal flu shots and I plan on us all getting the H1N1 vaccination too.
My younger sister who lives in Round Rock Texas is dealing with the last of her family getting the H1N1 flu. Her one son has Asthma and they were very concerned about him. They upped his breathing treatments and immediately was put on Tamiflu. WHEW. . .he made if through okay. From what my sister said, EVERYONE has the H1N1 flu there and it's only a matter of time before it hits here.

[ksimon]

Dr. Su would like me to clarify that the CDC recommends that all high risk children get the H1N1 vaccination. That means most of our heart kids will need to get this shot (and booster if < 9yrs. old). Though we all have our own choice to make if we do this or not this is the recommendation from the CDC which PCMC cardiology is supporting. Try to stay healthy!!

[BraveHeart]

Kim does this mean that if our heart kids are younger than 9 yrs. old that they will require a second H1N1 shot? Thanks:) for passing along this information!

[ksimon]

Yes, that's what the CDC recommends which you can look at there website which is pretty informative (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/general.htm). I know that some locations are not giving booster shots yet until more of the "high risk" population is vaccinated. I just check weekly on my county health website to see if they are giving boosters yet.

[BraveHeart]

After your post we contacted Brinley's doctor and did discover that they forgot:mad: to mention the second shot. She did receive the second shot on Friday afternoon last week. Thanks for your post!:D