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Any one have thoughts on preventive measures for the flu now that it is in my house?

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Posted 2/14/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter just came home from the doctors with a confirmed case of the flu. We all got our flu shots so it is a strain that was not in the shot. NOW WHAT? I am still in the midst of a partial blockage and can't imagine what the flu would do to me. Do I call my GP and ask for Tamiflu? Do doctors even do that? My daughters doctor would not give her any because of the side effects. Other than standard germ protocols, does anyone have any ideas? I am freaking out.
Posted 2/14/2011 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
{{{HUGS!}}} definitely wash hands a lot, don't share food or drink or pillows, give her hugs but not kisses!!!
Posted 2/14/2011 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Zanne, I just went through the EXACT same thing in December. The whole house got it, even after flu shot. I went on Amoxicillin and it actually ended up helping my obstructions. lol

You can try to avoid the flu. Here's what I suggest: don't touch your eyes, mouth, nose, ears, unless hands are sanitized. Wash & sanitize hands after touching anything daughter-related. Keep your daughter in her room with her own garbage, tissues, etc. Don't use the same towels or bathroom as her. Make sure she coughs and sneezes in her arm.

Try taking some oil of oregano or some other anti-microbial. I didn't find it helped me though... ;-)

I hope you'll be well.
Posted 2/14/2011 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest getting her a hotel room until she's over it. Kidding! Hope you're able to avoid it.
Posted 2/14/2011 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
poor you and your family :) I would certainly ask your Doc whether you should have something given your chronic state. In NZ in some cases they will give the family memebers tamiflu but only if it is a strain that it help.
Posted 2/14/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has a script for tamiflu. His PCP prescribed it to him, with the instructions that if he thinks it's the flu to immediately go get tested for the flu at an emergency med. If it is the flu, to start tamiflu right away.

He was reluctant to do it, but given the fact that my husband is so immune suppressed with remicade and steroids this cold and flu season he was ok with it as long as he first got tested for the flu.

I hope you can keep the flu at bay.

PV
Posted 2/14/2011 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I remember my little brother came home with SWINE FLU! I'm on Imuran so I was crapping myself that I would get it. lol

Just avoid everything daughter related, TBH I'm useless at giving out advice.
Posted 2/14/2011 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I say all the above but with the addition of spraying the rooms and surfaces that you inhabit or touch with Lysol several times a day. Maybe try the Zinc lozenges also. I am a Paramedic and work for an EMS service that handles both emergency and non emergency calls and I have never caught anything yet and that is saying a lot because I have been exposed to just about everything under the sun. People ask me how I do it and I tell them I wash my hands frequently with soap and water, sanitizer and I keep Zinc lozenges in my bag and try to take a few every week. It seems to have helped me because I rarely, if ever, get colds or flu now. Take care!
Posted 2/14/2011 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
oh no you poor thing( and your daughter) so far i haven't gotten the flu yet ( my little one had it christmas day and 4 days after) My hubby delt with her the most, and i gave her little hugs but kept her face away from mine. I lysoled everything just about everyday.. wash yer hands. good luck
Posted 2/14/2011 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
I agree about the zinc lozenges. I heard that not all zinc lozenges are the same. The effective ones contain glycine. I believe Cold-Eze is one brand that works.

I am surprised nobody has yet recommended vitamin D3. You will find many threads on this forum because it helpful for Crohn's and other ailments such as fibromyalgia.. Besides working as a general panacea there is substantial research indicating that those with optimal blood levels of D are as immunized against colds and flu as those taking flu shots. I have been taking at least 3,000 iu per day and have had only one cold in the past 5 years. Get your blood levels measured the next time you have any blood work.
Posted 2/14/2011 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
LOL @ stephanie. That was great!

I have to agree...washing your hands is the #1 way to prevent spreading disease.

I hope you make it through and don't get it!
Posted 2/15/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I work I am the Lysol spray queen. Every couple of days I spray the copiers and printers etc with it. Even door knobs near me that are used by alot of folks get sprayed too. Stuff works great, along with regular handwashing and avoiding the sick people. Good luck and hugs!
Posted 2/15/2011 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I prefer a diluted bleach solution for disinfecting because it may be more effective than Lysol against MRSA and C Diff.
Posted 2/16/2011 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I just use the Lysol at work as folks are forever coming in sick, when they should stay home:) I so agree with you Babe on the Vit D3. I haven't gotten even a sniffle (knocking on wood) since I started it. It also helps my fibro pain immensley. Hugs!
Posted 2/16/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Zanne, how are you feeling? I hope your daughter is starting to feel better.
Posted 2/16/2011 7:36 AM (GMT 0)
Lysol, lots and lots of lysol.  Keep in mind the silly stuff to be sprayed, remotes, faucets, not just door knobs/handle, but as you are brushing teeth make sure you did not just use the same tube of toothpaste. :)

The actual buttons on the phone cupboard doors, drawers, fridge handles all that crazy stuff that you may touch right after washing your hands, not realizing it may be an infected surface.

My family has been through several colds and seem to keep them isolated.

Also, just cuz you got the flu shot does not mean you won't catch the current strain.  You just be less susceptible to it and shouldn't have it as bad or as long.  Flu shots are not a gurantee.  Just saying.

Posted 2/16/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Zanne,

Just checking in with you and seeing how you are feeling. Hope the blockages are quieting down and you haven't caught your daughters flu. Big hugs to you my friend!
Posted 2/16/2011 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
So Update. My daughter is starting to feel better, just a little. But last night my husband started to feel like he was "not right". So I think I am sunk. We have done as much separation as possible, kept my daughter in her room, disinfected EVERYTHING, she is the only one using one bathroom, so no overlap on that stuff, but still Hubby seems to have caught it.

On my blockage front, I had a SBFT this morning and now I am waiting for the contrast to pass through. The tech said the radiologist saw something, but I won't really get any results until tomorrow possibly. I have a surgery consult 3/7 but I am hoping my GI can get me in sooner cause this is really not fun.

Thanks for all the tips and concern.
Posted 2/16/2011 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Response from Kandc88:

I'm currently trying to avoid a stomach bug that took out 3/5 of us so far..

I wash all the door knobs daily, all the drawer pulls, anything that people touch, refridg door handles, teapot handle, you get the picture. Also the toilet flusher, sink water knobs, replace the bathroom towel daily and I never ever use it myself, I keep a towel reserved just for me, or use paper towels.

Am vigilant about not touching my hands/face, wash hands before eating anything!

The one thing that sinks me on occasion is getting sneezed on, for example while I'm helping pull on my little one's pants, then achoo. Just know you're done for when that spit hits me in the eye, LOL!

I slept in a different bed then my DH when he got it. Washed all clothes, bedding and kids often. it's exhausting!

Good luck

Oh, my son got a confirmed case of flu B when he was a baby and we called the doctor and they wrote tamiflu scripts for us to use, there is evidence that you can avoid flu this way too, not just lessen the duration, we didn't get sick that time...
Posted 2/16/2011 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Oh big hugs Suzanne! I hope another resection isn't in your future. Hopefully they can just release that adhesion. That is one of my worries too, as I have ALOT of adhesions too. Hugs!
Posted 2/16/2011 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Can you send your hubby to another room to sleep in? I hope you don't get it as well...hopefully you've done enough and it'll pass you by.

I also have tons of adhesions and scar tissue, and have had tons of obstructions, so I understand being completely over it sometimes. At one point I was hoping for surgery just to keep me from obstructing for a while. My surgeon thinks maybe he'll try a strictureplasty next time and see if it helps. It's a vicious cycle though...fix with surgery only to create more scar tissue that causes problems eventually...

Maybe after your GI gets results they can push the surgeon to see you sooner...I'll cross my fingers!
Posted 2/17/2011 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
vitamin D seems to help but a flu shot would have been the best bet if this is indeed "THE" flu
Posted 2/17/2011 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Huh, how did my post get put under your name?

Nanners said...
Response from Kandc88:

I'm currently trying to avoid a stomach bug that took out 3/5 of us so far..

I wash all the door knobs daily, all the drawer pulls, anything that people touch, refridg door handles, teapot handle, you get the picture. Also the toilet flusher, sink water knobs, replace the bathroom towel daily and I never ever use it myself, I keep a towel reserved just for me, or use paper towels.

Am vigilant about not touching my hands/face, wash hands before eating anything!

The one thing that sinks me on occasion is getting sneezed on, for example while I'm helping pull on my little one's pants, then achoo. Just know you're done for when that spit hits me in the eye, LOL!

I slept in a different bed then my DH when he got it. Washed all clothes, bedding and kids often. it's exhausting!

Good luck

Oh, my son got a confirmed case of flu B when he was a baby and we called the doctor and they wrote tamiflu scripts for us to use, there is evidence that you can avoid flu this way too, not just lessen the duration, we didn't get sick that time...

Posted 2/17/2011 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Kandc88, you must have hit post new topic instead of post reply. Nanners just moved it to the right thread for you.

I am already on huge doses of Vit D, so that isn't going to help. I take 50,000 1X week, and an additional 10,000 a day. Can't really boost my intake up any more.

We all had our flu shots. This is a strain that was not covered by the shot. My daughter went to the doctor who tested her and it popped almost instantly. For her it was 5 days sick. She is back to school today, but not feeling 100%. Hubby is sick, but not as sick as my daughter was. My other daughter seems to be OK. Its hard to tell with me since I have so much other stuff going on and just plain don't feel well. I feel like I might be getting something, but it could just be the barium in my system from yesterdays test making me feel extra crappy.
Posted 2/17/2011 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I take 50,000 1X week, and an additional 10,000 a day.

People should to be tested for vitamin D because most are deficient. But if you are taking 50,000 a week AND 10,000 a day then it may be possible to overdose. But I am not a doctor, just recommending that you consult with one. One instance of vitamin D toxicity was just in the newspapers:

scienceblogs.com/insolence/2010/04/too_deliciously_ironic_for_words_gary_nu.php

Post Edited (BabeintheWoods) : 2/17/2011 7:04:32 AM (GMT-7)

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