@@ November thread - covid/rsv/flu and general

[msmerymac]

Hi, what should I do with a brand new baby, besides never leave the house?

My mom is flying here for a week in December, so of course I anticipate we won’t be in a hermetically sealed bubble, unfortunately.

[UMaineTeach]

It’s getting bad with school attendance. The middle school had probably a quarter of the kids out.

Letters have been issued by school and daycare threatening closures. Suggesting masking, going back to staying home if you are sick, reinstatement of the 24 hour fever rule, requiring Covid results, canceling after school activities, moving meetings to larger room.

School is in daily updates with CDC. Pediatricians are running out of RSV tests.

[wanderingback]

Ugh yes sympathy to working parents navigating sick kids.
Healthcare workers continue to be stretched thin.

For me personally I've started my winter hibernation. Not too different than the past 2 winters, except will now have a new family member! I anticipate a lot of walks outside. RSV and flu have always made me nervous for newborns. But I've def continued to be super covid cautious all year, so I feel like this just continues for me. Hoping that once spring gets here will be comfortable with small gatherings. Just rolling with the punches of the new normal!

[kath16]

I had to take my kid to the ER last week for an injury and it was just awful.

If I didn’t absolutely know he needed to be there I would have left. They told me a lot of the children’s hospitals (Philly area) are on “divert”

I don’t know if standard hospitals are better, but I ended up taking him to one that also had a pediatric ER and both peds and standard patients were about a 5 hour wait

[pizzaandtulips]

My 10 year old is just getting over flu A. He developed croup from it, too. Awful flashbacks from the many times he had croup as a baby/toddler/preschooler. Croup is usually kids under 5, but the pediatrician said they are seeing it in older kids this season. DS is otherwise a healthy kid, so developing croup when I thought we had long outgrown that stage was surprising. Pediatrician’s office was packed on Sunday and she said the last few weeks have been brutal.

[waverly]

Nov 2, 2022 18:04:10 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Nov 2, 2022 15:36:40 GMT -5 waverly said:

DS was out for 3 days for Covid in September. Since it is middle school, it took him forever to make up all that work. Now, we all have colds. I suspect it is RSV, but how do I know since there are no home test kits? I wouldn't tie up doctor time with it since we are seem to be OK, so how do we know if we are spreading RSV or not? I an not around immune compromised individuals or babies/ elderly on a regular basis, but I would avoid seeing them right now just in case. But to take out of school, the school would not really understand this and generally only shuts down if the cases are high in the specific school or specific classroom. DS was hospitalized as a baby with bronchiolitis probably as a result of RSV, so I would definitely stay away from babies or anyone who has a baby. If I had known, I would have probably gotten a nanny that first year instead of the petrie dish that is daycare. And we did 7 years in daycare, so I am pro daycare.  

Definitely go to the doc and get the swab!

We are well past the stage of being contagious though at more than a week out. So at this point I’m looking for symptoms of a bigger problem (breathing, pneumonia), but so far we seem to be progressing to getting better. Maybe it really was just a cold since it doesn’t seem as severe as others are reporting with RSV. Could be the enterovirus going around.

[Velar Fricative]

Nov 2, 2022 20:45:59 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Hi, what should I do with a brand new baby, besides never leave the house?

My mom is flying here for a week in December, so of course I anticipate we won’t be in a hermetically sealed bubble, unfortunately.

How receptive would she be to wearing an N95 at the airport and on the plane? Can she stay at home 100% for a bit before flying too to minimize her exposure to anything before the flight? 

[wanderingback]

Nov 2, 2022 20:45:59 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Hi, what should I do with a brand new baby, besides never leave the house?

My mom is flying here for a week in December, so of course I anticipate we won’t be in a hermetically sealed bubble, unfortunately.

I’m definitely limiting interactions all winter. Flu and RSV have always been scary for me for babies under 6 months.

My mom is coming as well, but via the train. Right now she has already told me she has limited her interactions, she was already covid cautious and still masking everywhere, but has limited things even further. I know she’ll wear a good mask on the train. She obviously had her flu, covid, shingles and Tdap vaccines. I’ll have her Covid test when she arrives and for a few days. I think that’s the best we can do!

To be honest if my mom were flying I’d def "make" her wear a n95 and if paying for business/first class were a possibility so could sit at front of plane I’d consider that too. But that’s probably overkill. And obviously good hand hygiene is important as well.

Yay for baby!

[msmerymac]

Nov 3, 2022 8:08:49 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Nov 2, 2022 20:45:59 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Hi, what should I do with a brand new baby, besides never leave the house?

My mom is flying here for a week in December, so of course I anticipate we won’t be in a hermetically sealed bubble, unfortunately.

How receptive would she be to wearing an N95 at the airport and on the plane? Can she stay at home 100% for a bit before flying too to minimize her exposure to anything before the flight? 

Maybe to the mask. Unfortunately her job involves home visits, sometimes with children. I'll try to see what the status is in her area and if she's been able to do some virtual. 

ETA: small airport, small plane. Not sure the plane will even have first/business class. But hey, at least it's fewer people until she gets to Philly, where we'll pick her up.

[hermione]

At the end of last week and over the weekend, my 9yo had 5 COVID tests, and a flu, strep, and RSV test. All negative. Never had a fever. I still felt guilty sending her in this week with a cough and runny nose. But those might linger for weeks and we can't keep her home forever. I hate making these judgement calls.

[waverly]

Nov 3, 2022 8:28:05 GMT -5 hermione said:

At the end of last week and over the weekend, my 9yo had 5 COVID tests, and a flu, strep, and RSV test. All negative. Never had a fever. I still felt guilty sending her in this week with a cough and runny nose. But those might linger for weeks and we can't keep her home forever. I hate making these judgement calls.

You did all you could do. It’s probably just a cold. Also if it’s been a while then they are less likely to be contagious.

[mpm]

Nov 2, 2022 20:45:59 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Hi, what should I do with a brand new baby, besides never leave the house?

My mom is flying here for a week in December, so of course I anticipate we won’t be in a hermetically sealed bubble, unfortunately.

If I had a new baby now, I’d limit visitors to only very close family, ask them to avoid unnecessary exposure for 10 days before visiting, and to wear a n95 mask 100% of the time during travel. I’d make them wear a n95 around baby if I didn’t trust them to do all that. I’d also only allow visitors who are up to date on their covid booster, tdap, and flu vaccines, and draw a hard line on even the slightest symptoms of anything (even “just allergies”) meaning we’d reschedule. We’d also ask for negative covid tests, at a minimum day-of rapid but preferably also a pcr and serial rapid testing before the visit. And yes, definitely no indoor public places until baby could get vaccinated, full cover on the car seat for any necessary indoor excursions like the pediatrician, call when you arrive to avoid waiting rooms, adults in a n95 whenever in public, etc. Any fever in a very young infant could quickly lead to hospitalization so I’d take no chances during a winter wave of numerous respiratory illnesses and anyone who pushed back doesn’t need to see my baby.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 3, 2022 8:08:49 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Nov 2, 2022 20:45:59 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Hi, what should I do with a brand new baby, besides never leave the house?

My mom is flying here for a week in December, so of course I anticipate we won’t be in a hermetically sealed bubble, unfortunately.

How receptive would she be to wearing an N95 at the airport and on the plane? Can she stay at home 100% for a bit before flying too to minimize her exposure to anything before the flight? 

This is kind of what we did with my parents when covid started and it worked well, so if this is feasible, this is what I'd recommend.

Basically, we didn't limit contact with my parents but required them to isolate for at least a week before visiting and if they had to go out, like for groceries or something, to mask.

Like I said, worked well for us.

[mpm]

Nov 3, 2022 8:23:23 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Nov 3, 2022 8:08:49 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

How receptive would she be to wearing an N95 at the airport and on the plane? Can she stay at home 100% for a bit before flying too to minimize her exposure to anything before the flight? 

Maybe to the mask. Unfortunately her job involves home visits, sometimes with children. I'll try to see what the status is in her area and if she's been able to do some virtual. 

ETA: small airport, small plane. Not sure the plane will even have first/business class. But hey, at least it's fewer people until she gets to Philly, where we'll pick her up.

Keep in mind (and in case this may help get her to mask on the plane) that all of those “planes are so well ventilated!” studies were done on larger, newer planes, not the tiny old planes. Many of the smaller planes did not get the upgraded hepa ventilation that airlines bragged about.

[msmerymac]

So we’re thinking COVID mitigation is going to help with RSV? Like, flu is less contagious than COVID, so COVID stuff like distancing and masking obviously helped even more with flu. But where does RSV fall?

Mostly just wondering, since obviously tiny immune systems pick up everything, I assume. Also, it’s not like we have a lot of options other than hibernation, masking, etc.

[wanderingback]

Nov 3, 2022 9:15:16 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

So we’re thinking COVID mitigation is going to help with RSV? Like, flu is less contagious than COVID, so COVID stuff like distancing and masking obviously helped even more with flu. But where does RSV fall?

Mostly just wondering, since obviously tiny immune systems pick up everything, I assume. Also, it’s not like we have a lot of options other than hibernation, masking, etc.

Yes those mitigation strategies help for the flu and RSV. 
Hand washing is also key for those as droplets that can potentially be infections can also live on surfaces for a few hours. 

[fancynewbeesly]

DD2 has pneumonia and an ear infection. We suspect she probably had RSV which turned into pneumonia. Luckily the antibiotics are doing their job and she is on the mend quickly.

[waverly]

Everyone is better but DS, so I took him in. Influenza A.

[abs]

DD started feeling bad yesterday at school. She went to the nurse but didn’t have a fever so they sent her back to class. She somehow made it through the rest of the day (and took 3 tests) and started crying once she got to my car because she felt so awful. Got her home, 101. This morning? 103. Made an urgent care appointment. I am annoyed DD had to stay at school all day feeling so bad. I told her next time text me and I’d come get her anyways.

Update: Flu A

[redheadbaker]

Are kids able to get the bivalent (don't know if I spelled that right) booster? DS is almost 11 and got both his initial COVID shots, the last of which was in November 2021. He has never been diagosed with COVID (never had any symptoms that would prompt us to have him tested).

[dcn]

Nov 5, 2022 12:56:24 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Are kids able to get the bivalent (don't know if I spelled that right) booster? DS is almost 11 and got both his initial COVID shots, the last of which was in November 2021. He has never been diagosed with COVID (never had any symptoms that would prompt us to have him tested).

Yes!

[noodleoo]

Nov 5, 2022 12:56:24 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Are kids able to get the bivalent (don't know if I spelled that right) booster? DS is almost 11 and got both his initial COVID shots, the last of which was in November 2021. He has never been diagosed with COVID (never had any symptoms that would prompt us to have him tested).

Yes! DD1, age 7, got hers yesterday. CVS had tons of appts so she could have got it 2 weeks ago, but I waited to get her Moderna at Walgreens. She has a fever today, but I think she will be fine by tomorrow. I’m glad I booked it on a Friday though.

Speaking of RSV, our neighbor who is an elementary school teacher has RSV and pneumonia. She’s very sick. 🙁 I didn’t realize adults could get it badly, I thought it was more of a pediatric virus.

[wanderingback]

Nov 5, 2022 13:07:22 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Nov 5, 2022 12:56:24 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Are kids able to get the bivalent (don't know if I spelled that right) booster? DS is almost 11 and got both his initial COVID shots, the last of which was in November 2021. He has never been diagosed with COVID (never had any symptoms that would prompt us to have him tested).

Yes! DD1, age 7, got hers yesterday. CVS had tons of appts so she could have got it 2 weeks ago, but I waited to get her Moderna at Walgreens. She has a fever today, but I think she will be fine by tomorrow. I’m glad I booked it on a Friday though.

Speaking of RSV, our neighbor who is an elementary school teacher has RSV and pneumonia. She’s very sick. 🙁 I didn’t realize adults could get it badly, I thought it was more of a pediatric virus.

Nope it’s definitely a virus that anyone can get, it’s just that historically, like most viruses, it affects the super young and old with the worse symptoms the most. There’s clinical trials for a RSV vaccine for adults, but the trials I’m pretty sure have been with people over 60 only and I presume that’s how it’d be approved (separate from the pediatric RSV trials for pregnant people).

[Poppy]

We have been sick for like the last month. I can't tell where one illness ends and the next begins.

My 4yo has been complaining of stomach pain and headaches and even eye pain the last few days and I don't know how much of it is her just being 'sick of being sick' or whether I should try to take her in. Ugggh, I hate this part of parenting.

[lucybrown]

Our 11yo has COVID again. The rest of us are negative so far, but DS (4) has a cough that is very barky sounding. No fever. I’m debating taking him in to make sure it’s not pneumonia. H and DS have had colds for a week or so, but seemed to be on the upswing.

November 2020 and 2021 were complete shitshows. I feel myself involuntarily bracing for the worst. Circumstances are better now, but the fatigue is higher.

[dcn]

Ds2 made it a whole week since last being out sick from school. He’s home today with a runny nose and barky cough. Blah.

[aspentosh]

I was hit over the weekend with whatever H and DD had a couple weeks ago. Sore throat for a day but better about 36 hours later. COVID negative on a home test.

Then yesterday DD started coughing again and woke up with a very sore throat, barky cough and random ear pain. So H is taking her to the doctor. Last time was flu and COVID negative and I didn't have time to test her before shuttling them off to the doctor. This is unreal and so unlike her, so I am bracing for a *rough* winter.

We haven't been well enough over the last few weeks to get family flu shots and she was sick two weeks ago so hasn't had her most recent COVID booster. I need us healthy!!

Update: ear infection. Fun!

[abs]

I am sorry for all the sick kids. It's going to be a rough winter indeed. DD is still down bad with the flu. It sounds like literally every virus that exists all got together for a tour no one wanted to see.

[gerberdaisy]

We're here too. DS has been sick off and on for three weeks. No COVID, but a croupy cough, runny nose and just not feeling well. I thought yesterday morning we had turned a corner, but then was coughing again this morning.

Our school sent an email Saturday morning (which is not like them) from the nurse saying they are seeing many kids get ear infections a week after recovering from RSV and Croup, so something else to look forward too!

[lucybrown]

Nov 7, 2022 8:27:37 GMT -5 lucybrown said:

Our 11yo has COVID again. The rest of us are negative so far, but DS (4) has a cough that is very barky sounding. No fever. I’m debating taking him in to make sure it’s not pneumonia. H and DS have had colds for a week or so, but seemed to be on the upswing.

November 2020 and 2021 were complete shitshows. I feel myself involuntarily bracing for the worst. Circumstances are better now, but the fatigue is higher.

Update: DS tested positive for Covid this morning and quickly went downhill. High fever, barky cough, fatigue, aches, zero appetite. I’m still concerned about pneumonia, but don’t want to take him in unless absolutely necessary.