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.
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