The Swine Flu - Readers Beware!

Yes, you read it correctly!  But go ahead and read it again - it's true. I can hardly believe it myself - I think mostly it's because H1N1 has been so blown out of proportion, in my opinion, by the media.

First, let me preface this recollection by saying that it may be hard for some to stomach. :) I'm not writing this to gross anyone out, but as a Mom, I know other Moms may appreciate knowing a little more about this virus.

Last night around midnight, Mia began crying hard, and it was the sort of cry that I knew needed immediate attention. I ran into the kids room, and she had already thrown up in her crib. She was choking and panicking and coughing. I swooped her up as quickly as possible and carried her down the hall to the bathroom. (She made a trail the whole way.) I called for Ron and he got to the scene right away.

Now, a very important fact about this story is that almost exactly four years into Motherhood, this is truly the first time where I have experienced a vomiting child.  I thought my first time would be a little more alarming, but nope, instinct kicked in and all I could do was care about Mia, and comforting her. I wasn't focused at all on being thrown-up on.... :)

So, Ron cleaned up the whole mess. Mia was VERY hot. I tried to take her temp. by mouth as she was on my lap. I started and very quickly, the digital reading went to over 102, but then she gagged and got sick one more time. Right after that, we gave her a dose of Motrin and over 30 minutes later, we checked her temperature rectally, and it was still 103 AFTER she had had Motrin in her system for over 30 minutes!!!

After clean-up time, clothes changing, and rocking and sweet-talking, Mia finally fell asleep in our bed. The whole ordeal took about three hours.  She woke up at 7am with the exact same fever of 103!! I gave her Motrin right away, which is supposed to cover 7-8 hours, and only 5 hours later, she had the same fever again! I called the Dr. because I was concerned that I couldn't give her another dose of Motrin since it hadn't been 7-8 hrs. yet! The Dr. reminded me of something I did know, that I could give her Tylenol, and alternate between Motrin and Tylenol when I thought it was necessary. The Dr. did say that they would need to see her right away though. She needed a nap. While I changed her diaper, she was shaking like crazy - I couldn't keep her still. I gave her a dose of tylenol and rocked her and she took about an hour nap. (I had to wake her to go to the Dr's at 2:00) Ron came home from work which was great. Originally, my Mom was going to come on her dinner hour and watch Matthew and Kayla, but Ron didn't see the point of subjecting Mom to our germs.  A good idea for sure. Especially now that I know it's the swine flu.

The Doctor said that it was 99% sure that it was the swine flu. He said there is no seasonal flu going around in this area at all. Every instance that has been tested has been the H1N1.  I asked: "So, is everyone under my roof going to get it?" And he, and the medical student with him half-chuckled and said "Yes." He expects that we'll all get it. Of course, the seasonal flu shots that the kids and Ron got mean absolutely nothing against this bad-boy virus. Fabulous. This virus has a general footprint. It usually lasts about 4 days, the first two and a half or three days with a high fever. Mia has kind of hazy eyes, and has had 2 diapers that seemed to be diarrhea. The Dr. said that what's different with everyone is that not everyone gets diarrhea with this virus, and not everyone gets the vomiting. In fact, some get the fever and nothing else.

I also asked, since we are anticipating our Florida trip, how long a person will be contagious after the symptoms are gone? He said 2-3 days after the symptoms are gone you're no longer contagious. Wow.

Now, by my thinking I say to the Dr.: "So, basically I might as well have Mia go home and open mouth kiss Matthew and Kayla, and Ron and I too since we're all going to get it." He laughed, but he said he didn't think I'd need to - that it was pretty much inevitable that it will hit everybody in our family. I know it sounds a little crazy - but I'd rather get it over with and keep our Florida plans! At the same time though, we may postpone our trip for one week later to give everyone some more time to be completely well and refreshed. It depends on who gets sick and when.

This is just the beginning though. Tomorrow is only day two for Mia. Kayla had a fever when we put them all to bed. (They were all sleeping at 6pm)

Anyway, as far as H1N1, it's not so bad - but having all of us get it, and three of us being kids 4 and under, it will be no fun. We'd appreciate your prayers in this matter! We try to keep a good attitude and joke about all of this. We have to I guess.

Has anybody reading this experienced the swine flu or one of your family members? Share if you feel like it. I know that knowledge is power sometimes in all this craziness of sickness!