Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with H1N1, or swine flu, in this special six-part blog.
H1N1 411: Part 5
By Joyce Heid
When I was little, Halloween safety precautions meant letting your parents go through your candy before you ate it. If the candy looked tampered with, though it was probably just a loose wrapper, it went in the trash.
This Halloween, for many parents the danger might not be what is in the wrapper, but what might be lurking on doorbells and other surfaces children may come in contact with while trick-or-treating.
According to the website flu.gov, H1N1 can survive on hard surfaces and possibly infect a person for up to 2 to 8 hours. Viruses, including H1N1, may be spread when someone touches droplets left by coughs and sneezes. With lots of kids heading out to get their Halloween loot, I doubt that many homeowners are disinfecting their doors between knocks. Theoretically, just one child with the flu who sneezes on his hand and then knocks on a door could possibly infect dozens of other children.
Hopefully, this scenario is a long shot, but with the CDC reporting widespread influenza in 46 states and the numbers of reported cases rising weekly, is it possible to be too cautious?
With everyone healthy at the moment, the last thing we want is another case of H1N1 in the house. My two children will be making the neighborhood rounds tomorrow night—but, along with glow sticks and a bag for their candy, they will also be armed with more hand sanitizer. I wonder if there’s a pumpkin-scented version.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
For Now, It's Hand Sanitizer
Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with H1N1, or swine flu, in this special six-part blog.
H1N1 411: Part 4
By Joyce Heid
I think Dylan is in the clear. No fever, no diarrhea, and only a slight cough remains. He returned to school on Monday. Unfortunately I know that does not mean our family can stop worrying about H1N1.
My older son is 11 years old and is still considered to be vulnerable, not to mention myself and my husband.
More doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been released by the CDC and production has been increased. The CDC recommends that young people under the age of 24, including children, pregnant women, health care workers, and people with underlying health conditions receive the vaccine first.
Also, several Maryland school systems have started vaccinating students. My children attend a private school, so to get Matthew vaccinated, we have to look elsewhere.
That is easier said than done.
Our pediatrician does not have it. The Anne Arundel County Health Department website says all the H1N1 vaccine appointments are full. It also suggests signing up for Twitter updates. I keep searching the web…
I have a childhood friend I keep in touch with through Facebook. Her family recently moved to Thailand. Last week, her youngest son was diagnosed with a mild case of H1N1. His doctor prescribed Tamiflu, and she had no problems getting the prescription filled. I wonder what the H1N1 vaccine supply is like in Thailand.
In the meantime, our family will keep restocking hand sanitizer.
At least there’s one member of our household who should be safe. A week ago, our dog Chloe received her canine flu vaccine.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
H1N1 411: Part 4
By Joyce Heid
I think Dylan is in the clear. No fever, no diarrhea, and only a slight cough remains. He returned to school on Monday. Unfortunately I know that does not mean our family can stop worrying about H1N1.
My older son is 11 years old and is still considered to be vulnerable, not to mention myself and my husband.
More doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been released by the CDC and production has been increased. The CDC recommends that young people under the age of 24, including children, pregnant women, health care workers, and people with underlying health conditions receive the vaccine first.
Also, several Maryland school systems have started vaccinating students. My children attend a private school, so to get Matthew vaccinated, we have to look elsewhere.
That is easier said than done.
Our pediatrician does not have it. The Anne Arundel County Health Department website says all the H1N1 vaccine appointments are full. It also suggests signing up for Twitter updates. I keep searching the web…
I have a childhood friend I keep in touch with through Facebook. Her family recently moved to Thailand. Last week, her youngest son was diagnosed with a mild case of H1N1. His doctor prescribed Tamiflu, and she had no problems getting the prescription filled. I wonder what the H1N1 vaccine supply is like in Thailand.
In the meantime, our family will keep restocking hand sanitizer.
At least there’s one member of our household who should be safe. A week ago, our dog Chloe received her canine flu vaccine.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
We Could All Use a Shot
Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with H1N1, or swine flu, in this special six-part blog.
H1N1 411: Part 3
By Joyce Heid
Things have started to look up! Dylan’s fever started to go down on day four and by day five was gone.
On the down side, it seems the diarrhea fairy has come to visit. At first I thought it was from the steady stream of Popsicles and juice that have been his diet staples of this week. However; diarrhea is listed on the CDC website as one of the symptoms children may experience from H1N1. We hope a bland diet nips it in the butt quickly—no pun intended!
Today, President Obama signed an emergency declaration for the H1N1 flu. This is intended to give health care facilities more options for treating patients. It should also free up emergency room beds. Clinics may open specifically for H1N1 screening and treatment.
Just think, if your child accidentally breaks his finger, the last thing you want to do is sit in the emergency room surrounded by coughing, feverish, H1N1 patients.
Unfortunately, what the declaration will not do is increase the vaccine supply. If you oppose having your child vaccinated, you don’t have a problem. If you want the vaccine, it can be nearly impossible to find.
There was a vaccine clinic in Rockville last week. The line started forming at 10 p.m. the night before. The next morning, 90 minutes after the clinic opened, it ran out of the injectable vaccine needed for high-risk patients.
There is also a shortage of anti-viral drugs. I am still frustrated that neither the clinic nor our regular pediatrician would prescribe them for Dylan. Another child in his class was diagnosed this week. She’s not considered high risk either, but her doctor gave her a prescription. Within two days, her symptoms had greatly improved. Her mother had to go to three different pharmacies to find one that still had the medication in stock, but it was worth the effort.
Dylan is coughing away in the other room as I type, but I know he is starting to feel better. He keeps asking for pizza.
Unfortunately for him, that is not part of a bland diet.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
H1N1 411: Part 3
By Joyce Heid
Things have started to look up! Dylan’s fever started to go down on day four and by day five was gone.
On the down side, it seems the diarrhea fairy has come to visit. At first I thought it was from the steady stream of Popsicles and juice that have been his diet staples of this week. However; diarrhea is listed on the CDC website as one of the symptoms children may experience from H1N1. We hope a bland diet nips it in the butt quickly—no pun intended!
Today, President Obama signed an emergency declaration for the H1N1 flu. This is intended to give health care facilities more options for treating patients. It should also free up emergency room beds. Clinics may open specifically for H1N1 screening and treatment.
Just think, if your child accidentally breaks his finger, the last thing you want to do is sit in the emergency room surrounded by coughing, feverish, H1N1 patients.
Unfortunately, what the declaration will not do is increase the vaccine supply. If you oppose having your child vaccinated, you don’t have a problem. If you want the vaccine, it can be nearly impossible to find.
There was a vaccine clinic in Rockville last week. The line started forming at 10 p.m. the night before. The next morning, 90 minutes after the clinic opened, it ran out of the injectable vaccine needed for high-risk patients.
There is also a shortage of anti-viral drugs. I am still frustrated that neither the clinic nor our regular pediatrician would prescribe them for Dylan. Another child in his class was diagnosed this week. She’s not considered high risk either, but her doctor gave her a prescription. Within two days, her symptoms had greatly improved. Her mother had to go to three different pharmacies to find one that still had the medication in stock, but it was worth the effort.
Dylan is coughing away in the other room as I type, but I know he is starting to feel better. He keeps asking for pizza.
Unfortunately for him, that is not part of a bland diet.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
Monday, October 26, 2009
No News Is Good News
Families all over the Baltimore area are beginning to feel the effects of the onset of this year’s flu season. Only now, parents are also looking out for signs of H1N1, commonly called swine flu.
Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with this illness in our special six-part blog.
H1N1 411: Part 2
By Joyce Heid
Today is day three of Dylan’s H1N1 battle. On day one, he slept from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. When he woke up, he felt a little better, but the fever returned in the afternoon.
He napped from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and went to bed at 8 p.m.
The next day was the same. Dylan felt fine in the morning, but the fever came back in the afternoon.
This week, Walter Brooks, Jr., became the tenth fatality in Maryland attributed to H1N1. According to the Brooks family, he was a healthy 18-year-old. He had no underlying health issues until he caught H1N1 the week before.
Dylan has no underlying health issues either. And, because he is not a “high risk” case, the doctor would not prescribe any anti-viral drugs.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advises parents to watch for the following emergency warning signs: bluish skin color, dehydration and not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or interacting, irritability, fever with a rash, and flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
I look over Dylan 10 times a day to see if he has developed a rash. After each coughing fit, I ask him if he can breathe okay. I place my hand on his chest as he sleeps.
His lips did look blue at one point today, but then I realized it was from the Popsicle he just finished eating.
This is a long road. I think I am going to stop watching the news. I know I will not let Dylan watch the news.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with this illness in our special six-part blog.
H1N1 411: Part 2
By Joyce Heid
Today is day three of Dylan’s H1N1 battle. On day one, he slept from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. When he woke up, he felt a little better, but the fever returned in the afternoon.
He napped from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and went to bed at 8 p.m.
The next day was the same. Dylan felt fine in the morning, but the fever came back in the afternoon.
This week, Walter Brooks, Jr., became the tenth fatality in Maryland attributed to H1N1. According to the Brooks family, he was a healthy 18-year-old. He had no underlying health issues until he caught H1N1 the week before.
Dylan has no underlying health issues either. And, because he is not a “high risk” case, the doctor would not prescribe any anti-viral drugs.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advises parents to watch for the following emergency warning signs: bluish skin color, dehydration and not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or interacting, irritability, fever with a rash, and flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
I look over Dylan 10 times a day to see if he has developed a rash. After each coughing fit, I ask him if he can breathe okay. I place my hand on his chest as he sleeps.
His lips did look blue at one point today, but then I realized it was from the Popsicle he just finished eating.
This is a long road. I think I am going to stop watching the news. I know I will not let Dylan watch the news.
Do you wish to share your thoughts about the dealing with swine flu? Send your comments to Dianne@BaltimoresChild.com.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Fun Begins
Families all over the Baltimore area are beginning to feel the effects of the onset of this year’s flu season. Only now, parents are also looking out for signs of H1N1, commonly called swine flu.
Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with this illness in our special six-part blog, H1N1 411.
H1N1 411: Part 1
By Joyce Heid
The day is starting off like any other school day—me trying to get the kids to school by 8 a.m. Both kids have eaten breakfast and appear to be fine in the car.
But, by the time we get there, Dylan, the 9 year old, is in tears.
“I have a stomachache,” he says.
He doesn’t feel warm, so I tell his teacher to let me know if he gets worse.
A half-hour later, he is in the school office. He still has no fever, so, after a short rest, he goes back to class.
He’s back again at 10 a.m. Still no fever, but he has chills, a sore throat, and a headache.
I take him home. By the time we get there, he’s got a fever of 101.
Our pediatrician’s office is swamped, so we go to Patient First. Though we are checked in quickly, we wait close to two hours in the examining room to see the doctor. Dylan is restless lying on the table and just wants to go home.
Finally, the doctor comes in and, after examining Dylan, diagnoses him with having swine flu or H1N1—even though his flu test was negative.
The doctor explains that the flu test was not designed for H1N1 and is only accurate about 15 percent of the time. And, since Dylan already had the regular flu vaccine a month ago and it is too early in the season for that type of flu anyway, the doctor concludes it must be H1N1.
Local writer and mom, Joyce Heid, reports on her family’s bout with this illness in our special six-part blog, H1N1 411.
H1N1 411: Part 1
By Joyce Heid
The day is starting off like any other school day—me trying to get the kids to school by 8 a.m. Both kids have eaten breakfast and appear to be fine in the car.
But, by the time we get there, Dylan, the 9 year old, is in tears.
“I have a stomachache,” he says.
He doesn’t feel warm, so I tell his teacher to let me know if he gets worse.
A half-hour later, he is in the school office. He still has no fever, so, after a short rest, he goes back to class.
He’s back again at 10 a.m. Still no fever, but he has chills, a sore throat, and a headache.
I take him home. By the time we get there, he’s got a fever of 101.
Our pediatrician’s office is swamped, so we go to Patient First. Though we are checked in quickly, we wait close to two hours in the examining room to see the doctor. Dylan is restless lying on the table and just wants to go home.
Finally, the doctor comes in and, after examining Dylan, diagnoses him with having swine flu or H1N1—even though his flu test was negative.
The doctor explains that the flu test was not designed for H1N1 and is only accurate about 15 percent of the time. And, since Dylan already had the regular flu vaccine a month ago and it is too early in the season for that type of flu anyway, the doctor concludes it must be H1N1.
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