What should I do? Calling all moms and Dads....

[Chicken Fruit]

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Yeah I dont want to freak out about it. Kids do need exposure to things whenever possible, thats not my deal. Iam just waiting for this this to mutate. I guess there hasnt been any case here in the US where someone has caught it domestically and then been so sick they died. That little boy in texas was FROM mexico, which is where people seem to be finding it deadly. I do think its getting a lot of hype globally, but even the regular flu in a toddler can be deadly, and a strain like this with such a rich DNA base of so many species could easily mutate. Hopefully into something more species specific. lol.

 

[claud]

As a working mom and a mother of a 3 year old I can feel for both sides.
As a working mom it is really tough when you have a sick child. Daycares keep children who have colds and the like but not with fevers. But it is hard and kids get sick all the time. I am a healthcare worker and I have 5 days I can call in a year. After that I lose my raise and am "written up" for not meeting dept requirements. That's not many days for 2 children and myself.

Has the little girl you've been keeping just started school? Does she have a sibling that just started daycare? I know this can cause many illnesses from exposures to new viruses. The first year my son was in daycare he always had some type of respiratory thing and so did I. If any of this is true she may be fairly "normal".

As a mom, I see where you are coming from. I must take my little boy to daycare which is always a big exposure risk. I also have a child in school which is another big exposure risk. But he has to go or I don't have a job.

This is really a personal decision for you but I don't think the swine flu(as scary as it sounds) should be any more of a concern than the seasonal flu(which IS a concern).

 

[GaDawg]

Sounds like she is just having a hard time getting over a chest cold or it could be allergy related. Ask the parents if they have been to the doctor or ask that they go see one. Make sure everyone is washing their hands and use sanitizers on all handles in the house and toys.
Sounds like your son has a good immune system.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

yeah he was breastfed and eats really well, I feed us ridiculously healthy food- my husband is a helpless health nut. my kids got the immune system of a horse. We'll all get sick, and of us all my husband always gets whatever it is the worst. My son just plows through it all. lol.

I dont think she's got allergies. She just had that same cold we all got and no one makes her blow the snot out of her nose, so she ends up with all that post nasal drip and thus the lingering cough. She eats horrible food- she's the size of a bean pole and eats like a hummingbird. Sugar sugar sugar, and her parents dont do anything to curb her ridiculous pickiness with food. She'll eat white bred, jelly, cookies, ice cream, candy, donuts, cakes, chocolate... and apples if theyre the right kind and peeled. and clementines if theyre especially small and seedless. And thats literally it.

She's 10. she has a 19 year old sibling off in college. So pretty much an only child.

 

[Donnadzitall]

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This is good advice. I would ask for documentation or just a note from the doctor to confirm the visit. I run a daycare and have had to do this on occasion.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

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This is good advice. I would ask for documentation or just a note from the doctor to confirm the visit. I run a daycare and have had to do this on occasion.

my point though is that with any virus theres no symptoms during the incubation period- and the person is contagious during that point. So she could be here and seem fine and be spreading viruses around...

 

[SophieLain127]

If she's been sick like this for awahile and your child doesn't seem to "catch" whatever it is she has. It is more likely it is not contagious. She could have some type of fluid on her lungs or and extra build up of mucus. Coughing is our bodies natural way of cleaning things out. You could mention to her parents that her "cold" just doesn't seem to be clearing up and ask "is there anything that the doctor recommends we do to make things a little bit better for her?". If you assume she's already been to a doctor then if she hasn't it might guilt her parents into taking her. Just keep things clean and you'll be fine. You could also mention seperately to all the parents of the kids that you watch if they've "had their flu shot" that way you are not singling her out. When she comes to your house you might want to have her sit down at the kitchen table to do her homework and run a humidifier. It will probably clear up pretty fast. I don't think you have that much to worry about. Panic will only make it worse.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

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Its only her here. Iam not concerned about what she has or had, other than my concern for HER that HER immune system is already taxed. We already had what she has and are all already over it.. I think that got mixed in some how with someone else confusion that iam concerned with what she is sick with. My concern is that she's the only element in our lives who's contact I cannot control. I can keep our hands washed, keep us from groups of people, play it safe- but she's in school, in an area where the flu has already been found present.

My only issue is deciding whether its smart and prudent to close my own home borders and have her parents send her elsewhere until things cool off in our area.

 

[SophieLain127]

Which state are you in. I'm in Ohio and from my understanding the two cases that we've had (a healthcare worker at OSU) and a boy in school have already been taken care of. Once the boy was found to have it he was removed and is being cared for at home. I think it is best to inquire about her "cold" to her parents and see what they say. Maybe they don't have the time or means to get her to a doctor. Then you could offer your assistance in getting her there.

First and foremost talk to the parents that is your first line of defence against anything. Once you talk to them then go from there if you feel they aren't doing anything to help their child you can contact the proper authorities who will do something. When it boils down to it the girl is the main concern. You can also call the school to find out what they are doing to head off this swine flu. They are probably cleaning diligently and are disinfecting like they should. If the school is doing what they are supposed to and the parents are then you should have nothing to worry about.

I still say try a humidifier and she will more then likely clear up. Besides a humidifier is good for the whole family.

 

[Silkie's Grandma]

Are the girls parents smokers? My step-Grandson's mother has a 3 pack a day habit, that poor child has a horiable smokers cough & CONSTANTLY has a cold or chest congestion. (the mother can't figgure out why!)
It would explain the cold hanging on longer for her & not affecting the other children.

(this post is NOT to offend any smokers out there, I have smoked myself & know the addiction is a powerful one. When I am exposed now, for even a couple hours in a social situation I suffer a headache & stuffy nose for a couple days, it would make sense that the child could be doing the same.)