Would you cancel cross-country flight bc of H1N1?

[Anonymous]

If you're toddler wasn't vaccinated for H1N1 yet?

[Anonymous]

I have 2 toddlers. One has pretty severe asthma, the other doesn't. I probably would for the one with asthma, but I'd be less inclined to do so for the healthy one.

[Anonymous]

I just flew to Dallas and then on to New Orleans. Not exactly cross country. Full planes. Didn't catch anything.

I think I'd rather get the shot for the child first then fly without it, though.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would cancel the flight.

[Anonymous]

nope

[Anonymous]

I would not cancel, but I'd be very aware of anyone around me displaying symptoms. I'd use sanitizer liberally and consider bringing some n95 masks for the kids. Keep their hands away from their faces.

[Anonymous]

I have to say, I would cancel. We recently flew with our DS (who is 13 months). I was so careful- used hand sanitizer the whole time, wouldn't let him touch anything... I was basically cognizant of it the whole time. Sure enough, he got sick. Not with H1N1 thankfully, but some kind of nasty virus (fever, cold, etc.). I think at the end of the day, there's only so much you can do. If you are in a crowded plane, and someone sick is sitting close to you, hand washing won't cut it.

[Anonymous]

We're in the same debate right now as we have a flight planned to SFO with a 3 and 1 year old. I've read that due to the circulation on a plane that someone sick breathing in row 2 isn't that big a deal to someone in row 20, but there are many surfaces on a plane that a toddler would likely want to touch during the six hours cross country (have you ever run a wet towel or diaper wipe across the headrest of a plane--will frighten you). Right now our current thinking is that we postpone for a few weeks until we get some shots.

[Anonymous]

No

But also, if they were eligible for the shot now, I'd go get them vaccinated between now and then. I know it takes 2 weeks for immunity, but the sooner the better.

[Anonymous]

The immunity kicks in 2 weeks after the SECOND shot, so actually 6 weeks from the first shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The immunity kicks in 2 weeks after the SECOND shot, so actually 6 weeks from the first shot.

Are you certain? I read that they have pretty good immunity 21 days after the first shot and then they have better immunity to it after the 2nd one (not sure how long after 2nd one).

[Anonymous]

N0

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn't cancel unless one of the children has serious underlying conditions (such as asthma) Even then I'd probably just use a mask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not cancel, but I'd be very aware of anyone around me displaying symptoms. I'd use sanitizer liberally and consider bringing some n95 masks for the kids. Keep their hands away from their faces.

Have you tried breathing through n95 masks? No easy task.

[Anonymous]

My DC is younger than 2 -- I can't imagine that she'd let me keep a mask on her face for 7 hours of flying.