This is going to sound very stupid but im concerned about this swine flu. We have alot of Mexicans in our town(nothing against them) but Im scared that Jenna might pick up something at preschool from a child who has visited mexico or contact with a releative. Would something like that be fatal to a chlld with autoimmune issues and what can we do to protect ourselves as you all have autoimmune issues?
There have been outbreaks in some schools in Canada (middle and high schools , involving students who travelled to Mexico for spring break). Luckily the cases here have so far been mild, and there has been no call for medical emergency status, or quarantine.
The recommendations have been the same as every communicable disease- frequent hand washing, never share utensils, dishes or glasses, avoid contact with sick people, and, if you start to feel ill, stay home, rest, and only see the doctor if you have severe symptoms. So far there hasn't been any information regarding immunocompromised patients.
If there are sick children at the school, I'd keep Jenna home, and also ask about the schools policy regarding asking parents to keep children home if they have been exposed.
People with autoimmune disease fall into 2 camps, those who catch a cold if a neighbour sneezes a block away, and those who never catch anything, supposing they live in the middle of an epidemic filled swamp. (Luckily I'm one of the second) Because of Jenna's history with MRSA, I'd be a bit overcautious, but it's really unclear as to whether her frequent infections are a result of a faulty immune system, or the frequent infections triggered the dysfunction in the immune system. There is a huge difference between autoimmune and immunocompromised.
Jonnell, Not stupid to worry about Jenna. With all that you and Jenna go through day to day it is understandable that you would be concerned about adding another problem. It is difficult for little girls especially but Linda is right. Reinforce what I am sure you have already tried to teach Jenna. Don't share personal items, don't share food or drink and wash hands frequently. Speak to Jenna's Doc about this. I am sure that he/she could help put you at ease. Roxanne
I am going to Mexico for a month this summer and I'm very concerned also. Linda, you said there are 2 camps of people with autoimmune disease. How do you know which camp you fall into? Is there more info on this subject? Even though I was dxd 2 years ago I was only recently diagnosed as primary sjogren's so there is a lot I don't know.
Jonnel,
I think Lindas recommendations are very good. I really think it is important to contact the school about their "sick child" policies.
jonnell
easy to understand your concern, i know at my sons school they do not like kids being at school who aint well, and are very strict on this as a bug last year had alot of teachers and pupils floored.
There are two cases of swine flu in my local hospital press confirmed, with sine flu, theyd been on holiday to mexico, so be careful lindar , its hitting british holiday makers hard right now, and not just a slight flu, theyre in infectious diseases unit quite unwell but stable..
id say way to know if your one category or the other is, how often do you pick up chanc einfections,,,clods , D&V bugs etc, if your not rpone to picking things up, then your one category, if your prone to catch everything thats going around, then your the other, i luckily dont pick up that much, never have, but yup other ppl just seem to get all thats going, if your imune ssytem is busy attacking you, it just ignores bugs, others seems to be able to do both
T x
That would be an interesting Poll.
I'm in the category that never catches the bug.
Janna
Jonnell,
This is a tough one and as she gets older... missing school has greater consequences and the decision will be even harder! Probably I would keep her home if ANYONE in the building so much as sneezes!
Janna
Well Jenna fits into the category where she gets everything, she has had mrsa 6 times. Epstein Barr virus, the flu colds and sinus infections every other week. She is allergic to penicillin, sulfa drugs and bee stings. Thank you guys for not thinking Im overreacting. Maybe someone could answer what would happen if a sjs person got a infection such as the swine flu would the symptoms be any different?
Aside from the obvious...do you catch everything or nothing?...there are quantitative tests for Immunoglobulins (Ig) which are antibodies. There are five major classes of antibodies: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE. If the test results show a deficiency, you are the "catch-all type" if they show excess amounts you're the "never sniffle".
For the people with deficiency, it's thought that the remaining Ig goes into overdrive, causing autoimmune disorder.
Jonnell, in answer to your question, it seems that any time a person with SjS gets an infection it has the possibility to trigger a flare, which makes the symptoms of the infection seem worse, even if it's actually not. It seems to take longer to recover from everything, and generally, people with SjS feel the impact of infection more, because their systems are already dealing with too much.
Jonelle, no it isin't stupid to worry about these viruses that go round. we live in dangerous days so one can't be over concerned, especially for your little Janna!
Today it was reported that a lady from Canada who is visiting friends in Manchester here in the UK, is suspect of this swine flu..and has been hospitalized
having tests.. But I haven't heard of anyone in the British Isles being actually diagnosed as yet..
Hopefully all countries are well prepared, and if everyone followed Lindas advice it could be contained !
Obviously stay well clear of anyone who has any signs of the symptoms!
and God be with us!
Dolly
Me again. I know you might not want her to be on another drug but u might want to ask doc about having Tamiflu on hand in case someone in her school gets the flu. It can prevent this flu in about 75% of cases if u take it within 48 hrs of exposure- at least right now(they r afraid flu could mutate eventually to be Tamiflu resistant). I would also speak directly to her teacher and ask to be called if anyone in the class comes down with a respiratory illness. Schools sometimes r a bit slow notifying parents and in her case time is of the essence.
I don't think you are overly concerned a bit. No one knows yet how bad this is going to be, and while panic serves no one, it is good to be planning ahead. Frankly our government has failed on many fronts when it comes to communicable illness-the response to AIDS was disgraceful, so better to rely on your own common sense.
Does dumbass know about hand gel?
They're going to kick me off this website if I don't mind my manners!
cinmac
Thank you I am going to call right now. They know about Jennas illness so they should work with me. Also you should see her when she comes home from dases I dont think he knows what soap is let alone hand gel. Me and Rick really worry about her because her dad and grandmom live in filth. I have obsessive compulsive disorder so I am overly clean but him hes the opposite. Hugs and Kisses Jonnell and Jenna
I wonder if we start walking with that white mask, like Michael Jackson used to use...
if that would help as a barrier LOL
It is weird and funny to wear that, but if that helps,
hey ! is better than put the health and pockets at risk!
Not to mention...never touch your nose or your mouth or
eyes, they say..always wash your hands first.
skygirl, yea that would help. The scary part of this whole thing is are we getting the truth. I can remember when they said we were safe
against anthrax look what happened there.
Cinmac,
You are so funny!
jonnell, I am one of those persons who is immunocompromised due to severely low t-cells. I don't go out a lot because I know I would have more illness that I have now. I have a lot of MRSA and Klebsiella and am on antibiotics alot along with IVIG one time a month.
I plan on keeping a very low profile for now and hope to keep in touch with DIL's about the grandkids. Have one who is asthmatic and catches a lot of stuff.
I would not hesitate to keep Jenna home for days or weeks if the flu is increasing in your area. Get lessons from the teacher and just hunker down. Life is too short to worry about what someone else is thinking. It is your child---not the school nurses or superintendents.
The primary common sense things like handwashing etc are good but you have to keep your eyes and ears open and have access to information from your friends and relatives about the flu situation in your area. You do whatever you need to in order to keep her healthy. Keep us posted. Irish ;D
You all bring up a question I've been trying to get an answer to. First, I just flew back from Texas, not worried about the swine flu, cause I dont get sick anymore since I got whatever I have. MS, or SJS, or some other autoimmune thing the docs cant seem to find. So? One of the things I keep telling my docs is, I dont get sick anymore, with regular stuff, like colds, flu's, etc. Doesnt that mean something? Isnt that wierd? I also run low temps, and low blood pressure. I think this is significant, but, the docs never seem to think much of it.
Is there something to this?
Thanks, and I pray your little girl stays well.
Cathy
Hi Cathy
you seemed to have hit on something there - I too never seem to catch colds either - this winter all around me were ill - but not me? Could this be something to do with our immune system being in overdrive :-\
Issey
I think with autoimmune diseases there are two different camps the ones that catch everything and the ones that dont. I think one of the moderators could tell you more. Hugs and Kissess Jonnell and Jenna
Thanks, I really dont want to be in either camp anymore.............had enough. LOL :'(
I am a school nurse in a school near Chicago with many students who have recently returned from Mexico. Our school district sent home letters explaining that if a student or their family has any of the symptoms they should stay home. In spite of reading the notes, parents still sent their vomitting children to school or those with harsh coughs and runny noses even though they had fevers yesterday.
Because preschool is not manditory....I would be inclined to keep Jenna home. Even though the policy may say one thing you still have a lot of parents who are sending their kids to school because they must go to work just to keep a roof over their heads.
Last week when I saw my doc he said that I would need a flu shot next year because the Plaquenil reduces our immune response. There is no vaccine against the swine flu at this point. I'm hoping my immune system doesn't fail me now with all those sick kids around me! Ologist appts. have kept me away from my office a little too much this year.
Debbie
Jonnell, Love the pic of Jenna. Just noticed it. Had not really noticed most of the pics. Have to pay more attention. Roxanne
I don't think you're over-reacting at all, I'm concerned about it and I live in MN! It's not here yet that I know of, but I kept Brady out of school earlier this year when a bunch of things were going around the school, he gets everything that comes around, and I'm assuming that is because of the autoimmune neutropenia he was diagnosed with, the low WBC, but I don't know. I have told the teacher if anyone is sick to let me know so I can keep him home, but she never has!
Alanna
Alanna. Jenna also had autoimmune neutropenia I have a question about that. She had it for quite a while and they one blood test they did the WBC was normal so they never did another or mentioned it anymore. Is that something that comes and goes? And what if any are the symptoms? Its hard to tell with her because she is always sick. Have you had any more luck with finding a doctor for Brady? How is he doing? Hugs and Kisses Jonnell and Jenna
Debbie. Thank you for the advice. I am lucky Jenna has a very good school nurse at the Child Family Center were she goes. She is well aware of Jennas condition, but sometimes I think they might not be honest because they dont want to cause a panic. Because we are a diverse community I do fear that someone could bring it into the school. I dont know about you but we live in a little hick town our local er didnot know the defference between chicken pox and a allergic reaction to penicillin (lol) thank god for out of state hospitals. Hugs and Kissess Jonnell and Jenna
Roxanne, Thank you yea she is our little princess and she knows it lol Hugs and Kissess Jonnell and Jenna
Well guys time to hit the panic button we have 5 cases of swine flu in our wonderful state of New Jersey/