My Son Has a Fever and Now I Am in a Panic!

All this pandemic talk is alarming but try to remember- the chances of getting the regular flu are infinitely higher. If your son had regular cold symptoms like he has now you wouldn't panic about it possibly being the flu, so try not to panic about the swine flu.

As far as catching it, it is contagious about 1 day before and 7 days after the symptoms appear. If he hasn't been in contact with anyone who has come down with swine flu in the last few days there is really no reason for concern.

I have to admit I have been nervous myself about taking my kids to day care, but once I read about the Swine flu I feel much better. Here is a link to the CDC info: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm

L.,

Anytime your child has a fever I think the responsible thing to do is to stay home. Regardless of it's a family event or not, a fever is your child's body's way of saying "I need a break. Take care of me." So regardless of if you think it's due to vaccinations, or a cold or a flu virus.

Try not to get overwhelmed with why he has a fever. Pay more attention to his symptoms - how severe are they, how is he acting. If you think his symptoms/behavior are severely off, I would get him to the dr. Trust your Mommy instincts.

As for your questions about N1H1: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

The bottom line is it's a flu virus. You of course are going to do your best as a parent to keep your family safe. They are still going to get sick - especially kids - they just don't have the immunity that we do. Try to stay calm and take care of your son (and the rest of your family.) Make sure they're washing their hands, often, your sanitizing phones, remotes, doorhandles, etc. Teach them to cover their mouths with their elbows (not hands) when they cough. Make sure all dishes, bedding, towels, etc. are washed and sanitized. Your job as Mom is to teach them good habits and to take care of them the best you can.

Your only human. If he's sick, keep him home, don't spread his germs to everyone else and try to reassure him that "everyone get sick" and you'll take care of him.

That's the best any of us can do.

I would say call the ER and or your ped and ask them for advice. The medicine for the H1N1 works best when taken within 48 hours I read. I think calling your ped again with the addition of the fever is fine as well. Trust what your instincts are telling you.

I would say to miss the communion to make sure that he gets some rest as well as not sharing germs.

As a mother, I am always alarmed when my children show signs of sickness. However, the media is making this H1N1 flu thing more than it should be. I work in a hospital, and the statistics show over 30,000 people die in a year from the regular flu. I would monitor your child for a few days, and if he continues to show signs of "a flu", then you can visit your Pediatrician.