Would you go to this family gathering?

[halfpint]

In-laws' Christmas gathering is scheduled for this Saturday at SIL's house. She emailed us yesterday to tell us they had a round of the flu go through the house. Their son got it first, tested positive for Influenza A. Then SIL got it. Did not get tested, but sure it's the same thing. They are "at the tail end of it". Their daughter got sick on Tuesday and as of yesterday was kind of at her worst. She said they expected to be well by the weekend. 

Google tells me average contagious period is 5-7 days for flu. Not sure if this means from when symptoms appear. I am imagining their house as a cesspool of flu germs right now. 

No one else seems bothered by this, and I feel like a stick in the mud for not wanting to go. 

Would you take your 15 month old into this house? Am I right to be concerned, or is this overly cautious?  The only one in the family not to get sick is BIL, and he had the flu shot. 

[teatimefor2]

I would call my pedi and ask what I should do. I would make my decision based off of his/her recommendation.

[Deleted]

No. Flu is not something I would want any of us to be exposed to.

[ssmjlm]

[ECB]

Probably not.

[ilikedonuts]

Hell no!

[mellimel19]

Nope

[spk926]

No. Influenza A is nothing to mess around with. My mom has been sick with it for a week now and been on Tamiflu since Saturday. She still feels like death.

[hski2349]

Nope. I would not go. I would not want to risk it.

[cece]

No way in hell. And I am always surprised when people give me a look or say something when I choose not to participate in something where someone is or has recently been sick.

For example, I give out cookie trays to my family each year, and this Friday is when I plan on doing that. My SIL and her daughter are getting over the flu. (Started at the beginning of the week). So I told them I won't be coming in, I will just be handing it to them from a safe distance. My mom is all rolling her eyes and shit. Why put yourself or your child in a situation to possibly catch something if you can avoid it. I would completely understand if someone wanted to avoid me for a couple days if I had been sick. Rant over....sorry.

[halfpint]

Thank you for validating my feelings.

[azurely]

No I wouldn't go.

[Deleted]

I would not go.

[CrazyLucky]

Would not go, would not feel guilty. The flu is miserable as an adult, and I hated when my kids had it. Tell them you'll get together with them the following Saturday.

[zarapipe]

Nooooope!

[jeaniebueller]

Another nope!

[timorousbeastie]

Even taking your DS out of the picture, I wouldn't go over there because *I* don't want to get sick! Add him back into the equation, and it's a definite no.

[speckledfrog]

Noooooope!

[stacyb1983]

NO!

[aspentosh]

No. And this is coming from someone who worked with flu and knows quite a bit of the ins and outs.

Had she gotten sick on Sunday, it would have been better because she'd be done shedding the virus and *most likely* wouldn't be contagious. She's still in the infectious window having only gotten sick two days ago. So no no no.

[Odonata]

Nope. I would not go. Especially this year because influenza A(H3N2) is the common virus this year and not covered by this year's vaccine.

I would not risk you or the baby getting sick. It's not worth it - even if people think I was being a stick in the mud.

[AmyRI]

Did the people in the house that did get sick get the flu shot, or was the husband the only one that got the shot and didn't get sick?
Did you and your son get the flu shot?
Have they mentioned how they're cleaning everything in the house to make sure no one gets it?

[elocrates]

Another vote for 'nope.' I try not to knowingly put my family at risk of illness when I can avoid it, but particularly when it is something that doesn't have an easy cure and is potentially dangerous.

[pinotgrig]

Noooooooo. I think I'm recalling correctly that kids are contagious way longer than adults - like 2 weeks.

[deo]

Right now my house is the cesspool of germs (both kids have HFM). I cancelled all plans for people to come over this weekend. I would not be offended if people did not want to come over.

It's no fun being sick over Christmas, I wouldn't go.

[SallySparrow]

Nope. Nope nope nope.

[halfpint]

Dec 18, 2014 13:57:17 GMT -5 AmyRI said:

Did the people in the house that did get sick get the flu shot, or was the husband the only one that got the shot and didn't get sick?
Did you and your son get the flu shot?
Have they mentioned how they're cleaning everything in the house to make sure no one gets it?

I'm pretty sure only the husband got the flu shot. 
I have my flu shot, and B got one - his pediatrician recommended two, but we were lazy and never made it back for the second round. Since he stays home, I didn't make it a huge priority. My H hasn't had one. 
If it weren't in their house I might not be quite as nervous - but they've been rolling around that place sick all week long. Not enough Lysol.

[formerlyllizzyb]

Nope

[AmyRI]

Dec 18, 2014 14:27:57 GMT -5 halfpint said:

Dec 18, 2014 13:57:17 GMT -5 AmyRI said:

Did the people in the house that did get sick get the flu shot, or was the husband the only one that got the shot and didn't get sick?
Did you and your son get the flu shot?
Have they mentioned how they're cleaning everything in the house to make sure no one gets it?

I'm pretty sure only the husband got the flu shot. 
I have my flu shot, and B got one - his pediatrician recommended two, but we were lazy and never made it back for the second round. Since he stays home, I didn't make it a huge priority. My H hasn't had one. 
If it weren't in their house I might not be quite as nervous - but they've been rolling around that place sick all week long. Not enough Lysol.

Then I definitely wouldn't go.
The only way I'd consider it is if you knew for sure that the ones that got sick hadn't been vaccinated, your whole family was fully vaccinated, AND they used up the state's supply of Lysol (and bleach) to disinfect the place. Especially since your DS isn't fully vaccinated and your husband isn't at all, I wouldn't risk it.

[halfpint]

Dec 18, 2014 14:55:28 GMT -5 Maud said:

I wouldn't go and I'd be pissed at my SIL for not being the one to stay away.

Well, to be fair, it's at her house, so...

But I wish she would just cancel so I don't have to feel like the asshole.