I swear I’m going to start posting about something other than H1N1 again, probably as soon as my kid’s always-idyllic, flare-free summer ends and we start the usual rounds of colds, viruses, and flares when school starts in a week.
On Friday, when I took AG to her pediatrician for an overall lung check-up and chat about the swine flu and school, I walked away with a prescription for a higher dose Flovent inhaler.
What We’re Going to Do With It
If AG appears headed for a rough winter – one illness/flare combo that lasts over a week in September and one in October, for example – then she’ll switch over to that higher dose.
Why We’re Doing It
To keep her lungs working well throughout the season, in case she does contract H1N1.
What the Doctor Had to Say About Swine Flu
Here’s the helpful bit. AG’s pediatrician stressed the importance of the regular, seasonal flu vaccine for my kid during this pandemic.
Here’s why:
If AG, for example, catches the regular flu this season and either A) ends up on oral steroids to combat complications and/or a severe, flu-induced flare, or B) doesn’t end up on prednisone but gives her lungs a heavy workout throughout the course of the illness, then if she also and subsequently catches H1N1, she’d end up trying to fight it off with either a compromised immune system in the case of A) or a tired respiratory system in the case of B).
Makes sense, right?
Especially considering the somewhat hazy information on the H1N1 vaccine so far.
There are a lot of if’s in the above scenario, I realize, but AG always gets the seasonal vaccine, anyway. This year, it’s comforting to know the regular flu shot could help her, at least indirectly, if she also contracts H1N1.
Hi Amy,
So did your daughter get the regular flu shot today or is it too early? My son normally gets his October. I am not sure if we have to wait a whole year or not. But thanks for the post I will speak with his asthma Dr. tomorrow. I have a meeting with the principal at our school Thursday, with a whole list of what I think should be done to help prevent spread of infection. Wiping computer keyboards down between each class is a big one, as they are used by all students of all ages. Let’s all hope that the vaccines come out before any rapid spread take hold. I am confident that it will.
No, her dr. said they usually get their flu shots in right after Labor Day. That actually seems earlier to me than when we got them in Florida–maybe they’re shipped earlier/later to different regions depending on how soon winter hits? (I’m in Colorado now.) Or maybe I’m just remembering wrong.
I like your list idea, and that keyboard tip is a great one–thanks for sharing!
Amy, Hey, thanks for mentioning me to Angela over at Medpedia ! I’m going to be one of the administrators for the respiratory portal once it up and running.
I think I’m going to get the seasonal flu vaccine this year. I always avoid it, but your post just put me on notice. It really does make sense.
I have heard the H1N1 vaccine will be 2 shots a couple of weeks apart. Some results from the clinical trial last month should be forthcoming soon.
Also, I do not think this years flu vaccines are out yet– October/ November usually
Just called my 4 year old daughter’s pediatrician to get an appointment at the flu clinic. Learned she is not a candidate for FluMist as it can’t be administered individuals with severe asthma or active wheezing. Just diagnosed at end of July after hospitalization. So much to learn. Thanks for the great resource here!
Heya are using Wordpress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!