Lethal Strain of Flu Kills 4 Children In Colorado....With Unusual Symptoms

Noney · Nov 27, 2003

Fran, what are the unusual symptons?

Noney

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Nov 27, 2003

The last boy who died was an eight year old. The only thing he complained about to his parents was a very bad stomach ache. Then it was suggested that all parents get their children a flu shot, because even though this year's strain is a different than the one that was around in the past, it does have one component that will at least lessen the effects of this new strain.

I hope this helps you, Nony. Would you like me to pray for you? Also Psalm 91 in the Bible is comforting to read. It tells of God's protection.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

sincerely,

Fran:nurse:

crankyasanoldma · Nov 27, 2003

Man, My pedi told my daughter when she was 6 that she didn't have to have another injecion until she was 14. My daughter has latched onto that very firmly.

Isn't there a nasal application now?

Anyway, I was out of work for two weeks with the flu. I'm three weeks post flu now and still not fully recovered. I got my flu shot at work in early October.

I hope no one else gets it- it was awful.

fergus51 · Nov 27, 2003

The nasal spray is still in research here (they had an ad looking for volunteers, but I had already gotten the needle).

I don't know why a doc would tell your doctor she was good until 14 (unless he was talking about immunizations and not the flu shot). The composition of the flu shot is different every year, so there is no way one shot would last 8 years.

kids · Nov 27, 2003

Originally posted by crankyasanoldma
Man, My pedi told my daughter when she was 6 that she didn't have to have another injecion until she was 14. My daughter has latched onto that very firmly.

Isn't there a nasal application now?

Anyway, I was out of work for two weeks with the flu. I'm three weeks post flu now and still not fully recovered. I got my flu shot at work in early October.

I hope no one else gets it- it was awful.

Yes, Flumist is available this year. As I recall it is not approved for children under 6 and I think I heard some where that it is not for use by (or around) anyone who is immune compromised.

blue280 · Nov 28, 2003

The nasal vaccine is a LIVE virus and can live in your nasal passages for up to 2 weeks. Where I work, if you got this vaccine you couldn't come to work for three weeks and there was disciplinary action taken against you. The flu is going to spread faster this year because of this vaccine

crankyasanoldma · Nov 28, 2003

Yes, Fergus, she was speaking about immunizations. I guess she didn't consider that I might want flu shots for the kids. I wanted to take both my chidren in for the flu vaccine, but my daughter reminded me very strongly of her pedi's words.

I didn't know that about the flu-mist. Thanks for the information. I'm going to look it up on-line to find out more.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2003

I have wavered about getting my DD the vaccine..they need two doses if they are under 9 and our peds aren't using the live nasal virus at our hospital because it has a lot of stipulations with it (ie if around any immunocompromised can't have it, have to be a certain age, etc).

I'd be hopping mad if my peds told my DD that she didn't need any shots before she was 14!

passing thru · Nov 28, 2003

3 of the 4 children who died in Colorado were already hospitalized and the 6 month old and 18 month old were

born with "severe" congenital problems.

These weren't 4 healthy children who died.

Only the 8 year old was a normal and healthy child, prior to becoming ill.

Don't let the media mess with our heads.

lanilpn · Nov 28, 2003

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL CHILDREN GET THE FLU VACCINE-THIS WAS INFORMED TO ME THROUGH A DRUG REP- I KNOW THAT THEY WANT THE $$, BUT THE DOCTOR THAT I WORKED FOR ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT ALL CHILDREN GET THE FLU INJECTION. I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS USED THE FLUMIST-DOES ANYONE?

kids · Nov 29, 2003

Originally posted by lanilpn
*snip* I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS USED THE FLUMIST-DOES ANYONE?

No, I don't know of who has used it...every single person I know (adult or child) can not use it because they are either at risk or have frequent, unavoidable exposure to someone who is.