Questions about swine flu

[jonnell]

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?

[Linda196]

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.

[KYMOM]

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

[lindar]

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. 

[wednesday mc haggis]

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

[JannaLee]

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

[jonnell]

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? 

[Linda196]

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.

[Dolly Dimples]

  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
             



       

[cinmac]

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

[jonnell]

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

[skygirl]

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.

[jonnell]

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.

[JannaLee]

Cinmac,

You are so funny!

[irish]

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