Let's talk about the flu and its duration

[holly116]

Hi friends. Okay, so I know everyone is super paranoid about getting the flu and with Christmas this week, I'm trying to wrap my brain around how to approach gatherings. Help?

My FIL started having symptoms on Tuesday night and tested positive for influenza A on Wednesday morning. He was absolutely miserable wed-Friday but, according to my mil, really turned a corner yesterday and is doing much better today. He is apparently fever free, but he's an old out of shape old guy that smoke cigars, so he still has a cough/cold and probably will till March, honestly.

We're supposed to travel and stay there Tuesday night and my inlaws host a huge Christmas Eve party at their house for the extended family. Family knows FIL has the flu so there's a bit of an uproar about whether or not the party should be cancelled and MIL needs to decide today.

This is complicated by the fact that we (my little nuclear family ) gave everyone the stomach flu at Christmas Eve last year lol. We thought we were good, had 48 hours where everyone was fine without puking, so we went. DH pranced around "unscathed" only to start throwing up right after we leave this huge family gathering. Everyone and I mean everyone got it, and I really do feel horrible. One cousin has posted on Facebook last night about how it completely ruined everything and they are pushing to move the party this year. We should have stayed home, I feel we've learned a valuable lesson about norovirus lol, and I get the hesitation this year.

So how contagious is influenza A? I trust my MIL's cleaning, she's an excellent housekeeper and fully embraces bleach and Lysol. If FIL is fever free now, three days before the party, and MIL remains well, are we okay? I certainly don't want history to repeat itself but flu season lasts until March so there's no guarantee about next weekend being a better option, kwim?

WWYD?

[carolinagirl831]

I would cancel! Don't mess with the flu, it can be really serious!

[holly116]

Dec 21, 2014 12:25:25 GMT -5 carolinagirl831 said:

I would cancel! Don't mess with the flu, it can be really serious!

I know!  That's my reaction too but I don't want it to be a knee jerk.  Because if everyone really is okay I'd rather just get the gathering over with instead of risking someone else being sick the following weekend.  Gah.  I HATE the cesspool that is this time of year.

[pitterwoo]

I think you can have the party. The flu doesn't survive well outside the body on surfaces, and I believe being symptom free that long means you will be in the clear.

See:www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/preventing.htm


www.cdc.gov/flu/school/qa.htm

[spk926]

My mom was sick starting last Thursday (so 10 days ago). Diagnosed Saturday morning (8 days ago) with Influenza A. She's been on Tamiflu, a z-pack and cough syrup with codeine. Over the past 10 days she's been to her doctor once, urgent care twice and ER once. The doctors are telling her after this weekend she's no longer contagious. She hasn't been to the store, work or anywhere except medical facilities since 10 days ago. It's a nasty virus. Every time she thought she was getting better she would then take two steps back. I would cancel, sorry.

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[anna7602]

Everyone in my extended family has had some kind of malady or other in the last week. DD was puking her guts up yesterday. Our big Christmas gathering will go on as planned. I can't avoid places out of fear of getting sick. We just hand wash meticulously and I plan to wear the baby in a carrier so he's not being passed around at Christmas.

In your case, I would go.

[babyrn]

Influenza is typically contagious for 5-7 days after symptoms start. It lasts no more than 24 hours on hard surfaces, you really are most likely to get it from being in contact with someone contagious.

We are dealing with a similar situation. We all have the flu here. DH started feeling sick Monday night and didn't really feel better until yesterday. I got it Thursday and DD got it Friday so I am a little nervous about Christmas day and wondering if we should cancel as well. We just now today are all finally fever free.

[ilikedonuts]

I had my friend over for a playdate 8 days after she was diagnosed with the flu (influenza A). She started tamiflu on day 1. She brought both her kids (who did not get it) to play with my two girls.

If its been a week since he started tamiflu and was fever free for multiple days (like at least 4), I'd be fine with it.

BUT I would do whatever everyone else wants. I get that your MIL wants to host but if the rest of the family wants to postpone it then she needs to accept that IMO.

[Deleted]

I would still go out. 3 days out and you trust her ability to clean is the best you can do.

This time of year, if you wait a week for everyone to be well it will never happen.

[holly116]

Thanks for weighing in everyone. I think we're going to continue to play it by ear. Luckily it's just a 100 mile drive and not a flight or anything.

If FIL doesn't backtrack at all and MIL stays 100% healthy, we've decided that we will drive up and back on Christmas Eve and not stay overnight at all. I think MIL is planning on still having the party and if people choose not to come, of course zero hard feelings. I'm not stepping into telling her or even suggesting what she should do lol.

[lg28]

Dec 21, 2014 13:56:18 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

The main thing I was concerned about was that DH or the girls would catch it from me and then pass it along to someone during their prodromal period. So if I were your extended family, I would worry about catching it from MIL, not necessarily FIL. But really, anyone could be incubating the flu right now. So personally, I would still go, but I can see why your extended family wouldn't want to.

I was thinking the MIL is the real threat too! Lol.

[holly116]

Dec 21, 2014 20:29:30 GMT -5 lg28 said:

Dec 21, 2014 13:56:18 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

The main thing I was concerned about was that DH or the girls would catch it from me and then pass it along to someone during their prodromal period. So if I were your extended family, I would worry about catching it from MIL, not necessarily FIL. But really, anyone could be incubating the flu right now. So personally, I would still go, but I can see why your extended family wouldn't want to.

I was thinking the MIL is the real threat too! Lol.

Oh I agree, she's the one I'm worried about too. But if she's symptom free over a week after FIL first came down with it? Where is that line? I can't just live in a bubble, kwim. I mean, eventually, we will need to get together and celebrate Christmas lol. If we don't go up there Wednesday, will next weekend be far enough out?