Worried About H1N1!!!

DONT PANIC...and stop watching the news. I know a ton of people that had it and they didnt even realize it until the results came back. There is no reason to panic. Continue to eat as healthily as you can, get lots of fresh air and sunshine and you will be fine!!!

There was an article I believe in USA Today (don't quote me) but how the hype was nonsense. Like the other post said, it is just a flu that takes longer to get rid of...there are over 200 flu viruses and getting the flu shot is like going to Vegas, the drug companies pick 3 viruses that they think will be the biggest problems...more often they get it wrong (this is why you still here people getting sick with the flu) it is a very wasteful vaccine that doctors profit from. It is the same with the swine flu all scare tactics to get us to buy in and take the swine flu vaccine.

You can read my family health columns here on how to stay healthy during the swine flu:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

Also The American Academy of Pediatrics is now encouraging that expecting moms get 5000iu of Vitamin D3 daily b/c they are so deficient, they tested this b/c babies are so deficient. Exclusively b-fed babies need an extra 400iu per day. Vitamin D3 also helps boost the immunity. (The AAP recommends kids get 1000iu per day for every 25lbs) With that all said, b-feeding your baby will protect your baby from the swine flu b/c of the protective properties breastmilk offers. There is a big push from the public health to encourage all mothers to breastfeed throughout flu season. Breastmilk has anitviral and antimicrobial properties that protects the baby from colds and flus.

Also taking 1000mg of Vitamin C is crucial starting around 27wks of pregnancy. Vitamin C helps prevent premature rupture of membranes, also boost immunity and absorp iron in the body. We lose a lot of iron and blood during delivery, with ample vitamin c in your body, you will recover quicker and be less fatigued.

Hope some of this stuff helps. Fear not, just boost your family's immunity. I just bought my 2 year olds supply of liquid vitamins and probiotics gearing up for the season.

Feel free to contact me if you need more info.

Be well.

J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Edcuator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

I did test positive for the H1N1. I was not pregnant so the concerns are different but in all honestly other than feeling pretty crummy and being laid out for awhile it was no worse than the regular flu. Also, the quarantine wasn't bad either, I sure got enough rest! The medication I was on was worse than the symptoms from the flu so I wouldn't worry about not being able to take the medication either. I agree with everyone else it is basically a lot of hype. Hang in there and don't let the media stress you out :)

It's no worse than a regular flu, and you have no greater chance of getting it than regular flu. Do you live in terror every year over the regular flu? No. So why would you over this one.

And the media is jumping on it, like they do any time there is going to be a NEW vaccine for something. Please don't be one of the sheep lining up to get this NEW, UNTESTED, INEFFECTIVE, vaccine. I find it so funny that people just want to get a shot for something... anything... out of fear of the unknown. How about fear of the vaccine? There is no research and flu vaccines are highly ineffective, anyway. Plus, the new vaccine WILL contain thimerisol (mercury) if you get one from a multi-dose vial. Scary stuff, that is.

Just eat right, take your prenatal vitamins, get 1000-1500 extra mg of Vitamin C, take fish oil... exercise... just keep your body really healthy. Eat tons of fruit and veg... just take care of yourself. And NURSE THAT BABY for as long as you can, so that she is protected with your immunity during the upcoming cold and flu season.

In short, the swine flu is not a threat to you any more than the regular flu. THOUSANDS of people die of the regular flu... of the common cold, even... every year. You don't worry about that, do you?

Don't fret. :)

Don't waste your energy and immune system on it -- I hear your concern but you'll be ok. Its a normal flu.

I was in the last month of my pregnancy when the hype started and honestly I was so scared to get it that I hardly left the house. I probably weakened my immune system with all the stressing out about it. So try and relax, people get the flu all the time and just because this one has a "name" doesn't make it any more serious than the regular flu. The hype is going to continue especially since they are working on a vaccine.. they will want everyone to get the vaccine as I am sure some drug company has spend a TON of money developing one quickly. Stop stressing, enjoy the last weeks of your pregnancy and just keep yourself happy and sanitize!!

You should refer to the CDC for updates on H1NI: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/ You can subscribe to their site for daily updates. There is a vaccination in development that they are trying to have ready for fall use. CDC is the expert on this, so try and get your information from the source.

i was thought to have that back when it was first brought to light. no im not pregnant but either was i was pretty scared about it. i was at the dr.'s office and asked what it was exactly. basically it is just a new form of the flu that we already know. it just takes longer to get rid of because of that fact. i was told to just keep clean(washing hands all the time, covering month when sneeing or couching etc.) turns out i had strep throat, but really its just the flu like any other strain any of us could possibly get. hope this help ease some of the stress especially while you are pregnant. dont worry to much and enjoy the life you are carrying:)

I completely understand why you might be worried. But you're likely to deliver before flu season starts. Although H1N1 is spreading outside of flu season, what CDC officials are really worried about is if it will spread more during peak season and/or become more virulent. (And no one can predict this.)

I get a flu vaccine every year, and while it is true that efficacy ranges from 40% to about 75% (because the vaccine is based on predictions of which strains will dominate), I have noticed that I have become sick far less often since receiving the vaccine. I do not believe that companies that make vaccines are any more or less sinister than companies that make vitamins. All businesses do want to make a profit, but they have no interest in poisoning people or endangering children as suggested by some. In fact, I would point out that vitamins and supplements are even riskier because their contents are not regulated by the FDA; and only your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional should recommend dosages, even of over-the-counter medications, when you are pregnant (or really any other time). As a future pharmacist (in my third year as a PharmD candidate), I have a very conservative view on putting drugs of any kind in my body...but sometimes the benefit outweighs the potential harm.

Of course, I'm sure you know this, but getting sleep and eating well can help boost your immune system. Best of luck with the new baby!

Don't freak out. A kid in my children's daycare had it in June and it did not even spread through the daycare (there are still new cases being reported every week in Illinois but there is less press on it due to other important news events). Just take care of yourself, wash your hands well, avoid people that are seemingly ill, and take some vitamins (I took my prenatals plus extra C and zinc while pregnant and feeling ill -- doc told me that it probably made me feel better physically due to mentally thinking it would - ha ...expensive pee is what the result of extra C is-- like 500 extra mgs a day). Flus in general are harder on those with compromised immune systems so take care of yourself and your little kiddos (both the one inside and one out).

Blessings...

I have no more information to add to what everyone else has said other than my personal opinion....

When it's a slow news day, the media goes nuts over this. I wouldn't worry about it and treat it as you would the "regular" flu. This is just another strain of it and just continue washing your hands and using tissue to sneeze normally.

I hope the following links might help to ease your mind...

http://home.mindspring.com/~djsnjones/id58.html

I've found that using Oscillococinum has usually cut down our bouts with the acute symptoms of the flu to just 24-48 hours. The vitamins and herbs have helped too, I'm sure.

http://www.homefirst.com/content/view/42/79/
(click on "Vaccine Webinars" at the bottom of the page)

Best wishes,
J.