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Flu anxiety

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Posted 1/14/2018 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
So my 7 year old has had the flu since Thursday and I have been a nervous wreck. He only had a high fever for one day and since then its only gotten to 100.3. He's acting fine and eating but I'm terrified by the news stories and think he will die. My husband and I didn't get a flu shot so I've been wearing a mask when I go in his room and sanitizing anything in the house he touched. I've also been washing my hands like crazy. But I just know that if I get it I will die. Please help me get some rationality on this.
Posted 1/14/2018 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
The news can scare anyone. Someone told me once that the news likes to dramatize certain things for their ratings. I believe it for sure these days. Here in Iowa I asked my doctor if the flu was worst than last year and he said there are different strains out there but the people who die from the flu are most likely, elderly or have some other health problems that lower their healing abilities. With that said, I'm positive your child will be fine, he is young healthy and fully able to fight off this infection. Our bodies are amazing.
Posted 1/14/2018 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply. He seems to be doing well. His temp has been normal all day. I keep a check on his temp, o2 level and heart rate every hour or so. Luckily I have all my nursing equipment here to check that stuff. I think he did so well because he had the shot. I normally never take it but if I can make it through this season I will be getting one next time before it hits. My husband has heart failure from a birth defect so I worry about him but he refuses the shot.
Posted 1/14/2018 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
R.,

I am sorry to hear that your son isn't well...but it does sound as if he getting better, so yay to that!

Keep only positive thoughts in your mind...and combat the worries with reassuances/mantras, so the fear doesn't gain power.

You are all going to be okay...you're practicing preventative measures, so feel good that you will stay healthy. 😊

S.C.
Posted 1/15/2018 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
I've been trying and I think I almost believe he is going to be ok. Now I can't stop waiting for it to hit me. I've done everything I know to protect everyone. Ive worn the mask when in there with him, washed my hands til they feel like sandpaper, made a sick room/bathroom for only him, disinfected. But my mind is stuck on this and I'm about to have a breakdown. I'm trying to hold it together so my husband doesn't get mad at me, but I'm losing it.
Posted 1/15/2018 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
R.,

Sometimes it helps to troubleshoot the worries if you just can't get them out of your mind.

So let's say you do start to feel symptomatic...

...you call your doctor right away and get an Rx for Tamiflu. This will decrease the severity and length of the virus...so you will not be anywhere near as sick as what you are imagining.

However...still work on staying positive so that you dont end up wearing yourself out with worry over something that probanly won't happen. ☺

Peace and progress,

S.C.
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