not sure toddler had flu - should I vaccinate?

[Anonymous]

Hi
My son is 20 months and has asthma
This week, he has had high fever for 3 days, then got better for a day, then again high fever for a day
He was congested, coughed, and at times was cranky but was at no point lethargic - even though he probably slept a bit more than usual (but not that much)
My ped. says if it was the flu, it was a mild case (despite the 103.3 fever) and that it probably was not, and says if we want to make sure he does not get the flu we should have him vaccinated
However, one kid in his daycare was told this very week that he had the flu (and seems to have had similar symptoms)
So I am not sure what to do: if I were sure he did NOT have the flu I would get him the vaccine, but now I don't know - maybe he was lucky and got a mild flu, and in that case why should I get him the vaccine???

Anyone has a view to share? I don't know what to do!
thanks!!!!

[Anonymous]

Yes, he should get it.

A. You don't know if he even had the flu, much less H1N1.
B. Your ped didn't think it was the flu.
C. Your son has asthma and is under 2 years old. Both are risks of H1N1 complications. So you could pay a high price if you guess wrong.
D. There is almost zero risk of a problem due to the vaccine.
E. Your doctor advised getting vaccinated.
F. Luck is not a good health care or parenting strategy.

[Anonymous]

What 13:16 said. Find a clinic and take him OP.

[Anonymous]

I would wait to see if other kids in his daycare come down with it. If they do, it's a safe bet he has it, too. Some people are getting a mild flu like you describe.

[Anonymous]

penguinsix wrote:Even if he had one flu, it doesn't mean he is covered against the other. He could have had a slight case of the seasonal flu and still be vulnerable to H1N1 (or vice versa).

If he was exposed to another child who was diagnosed with H1N1 and has the exact same symptoms he has, it's a rational assumption that he also has H1N1.

[Anonymous]

If you are not sure, why take the risk of not vaccinating when he is in TWO risk groups and his doctor has recommended that you do so? I don't see the upside in your calculation. People with asthma are the ones ending up in the hospital.

[Anonymous]

thanks a lot for all the avdvises

Just talked to a nurse from my son's pediatrician's office - she thinks he probably should get the vaccine but not now since he is still sick
I will confirm with the doctor on Monday

fyi, all the kids in his daycare have been sick this week, but the nurse thinks it is still worth getting the vaccine just in case.

Thanks again!