Flu

[Anonymous]

I have a newborn, toddler and preschooler and am super stressed about flu this season. How are others coping/managing this? Doesn’t help that we have family flying in to visit. Everyone but the newborn has had a flu shot, but it’s just so stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have a newborn, toddler and preschooler and am super stressed about flu this season. How are others coping/managing this? Doesn’t help that we have family flying in to visit. Everyone but the newborn has had a flu shot, but it’s just so stressful.

We mask and only do all socializing outside.

[Anonymous]

Accept that it's going to happen and don't stress about it until it does. Stock up on sick supplies (Tylenol/ibuprofen for fevers, cold meds, barf stuff if you've got pukers, crackers, juice, masks for doctor's appts, thermometer at the ready). It gets less stressful and scary as they get older and you've been through it more and they understand what's going on. But best to accept it's probably going to happen vs. worrying about it.

- Family with elementary school kids who both currently have Flu A (as do many of their friends), both had the flu shot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accept that it's going to happen and don't stress about it until it does. Stock up on sick supplies (Tylenol/ibuprofen for fevers, cold meds, barf stuff if you've got pukers, crackers, juice, masks for doctor's appts, thermometer at the ready). It gets less stressful and scary as they get older and you've been through it more and they understand what's going on. But best to accept it's probably going to happen vs. worrying about it.

- Family with elementary school kids who both currently have Flu A (as do many of their friends), both had the flu shot

Me again, just realized you have family coming in. Let them know it's going around in the kid circles and warn them that you may end up being sick so that they can plan for alternate travel/lodging, or just preparing to perhaps being exposed. I wouldn't be any more worried about them bringing it to you vs. kids getting it in the wild.

[Anonymous]

Flu shot is worthless as usual. We’re in the same boat with ages and just avoiding what we don’t absolutely need to be at. Lots of washing hands and taking supplements, eating healthy. I’m also breastfeeding the baby until atleast this winter has illness has passed.

[Anonymous]

No advice really since we’re also in the same situation, but we have set up a separate bedroom space for DH in case so he can take care of sick kids while baby and I try to stay in our bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Flu spikes in FEB. Always.

I’d keep the kids at home for a few weeks rather than send them to daycare or preschool.

And I’d minimize visitors. Have everyone wash their hands as soon as they arrive. Use paper towels and dial soap in the bathrooms.

[Anonymous]

Keep nursing. That’s basically your best bet besides of course, safe hygiene practices. I have an 11 month old and I really want to stop pumping - but pushing through to the spring so we can get over this hump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flu spikes in FEB. Always.

I’d keep the kids at home for a few weeks rather than send them to daycare or preschool.

And I’d minimize visitors. Have everyone wash their hands as soon as they arrive. Use paper towels and dial soap in the bathrooms.

Lol this is not a reasonable suggestion

[Anonymous]

With the shots, my kids had very mild symptoms - 1 day of fever and then a normal cough. Since you have a newborn, make a plan and maybe you can isolate if someone tests positive. My husband and toddler had Covid when my son was newborn; they had a fun 4 day sleepover in the basement and my son and I lived upstairs. It wasn’t ideal but it worked.

[Anonymous]

I got it first time in 5 years. Looking back, I REALLY wish I had Sambucol elderberry syrup handy when I got it. I had zero energy to find it, went to the store, did not have it, I gave up, was sick for over a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flu spikes in FEB. Always.

I’d keep the kids at home for a few weeks rather than send them to daycare or preschool.

And I’d minimize visitors. Have everyone wash their hands as soon as they arrive. Use paper towels and dial soap in the bathrooms.

Lol this is not a reasonable suggestion

Agreed - that’s an overreaction that no one actually suggests!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flu spikes in FEB. Always.

I’d keep the kids at home for a few weeks rather than send them to daycare or preschool.

And I’d minimize visitors. Have everyone wash their hands as soon as they arrive. Use paper towels and dial soap in the bathrooms.

Lol this is not a reasonable suggestion

Agreed - that’s an overreaction that no one actually suggests!

And this is why my kid masks and only does outdoor preschool for now. Has never had a fever over 100.4 and is 2.5

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flu shot is worthless as usual. We’re in the same boat with ages and just avoiding what we don’t absolutely need to be at. Lots of washing hands and taking supplements, eating healthy. I’m also breastfeeding the baby until atleast this winter has illness has passed.

Actually, it's not. This year's flu shot is closer to 60% in effectiveness, which is higher than in past years.

[Anonymous]

We all got it except the newborn. Everyone was vaxxed so severity wasn't too bad but it seems like every family I know in the DMV has been hit this year.