**BEFORE YOU READ THIS ARCHIVED POST**
Please read this more recent one on why Asthma Mom supports the H1N1 vaccine.
Since the girls have attended their school only since last February when we moved to Colorado, I suppose the nurse there doesn’t know me well enough to recognize what kind of parent I am. Which would explain why, when I walked my kid into the office this morning to discuss her inhaler use for the rest of the week, that nurse acted like we’d brought bubonic plague into the room with us.
Yes, AG is back at school today.
She’s still coughing frequently while the actual H1N1 has passed, (because that is her thing) so she has to forgo recess and P.E. for the rest of this week. The cough explains the nurse’s cold shoulder to me this morning, I’m guessing, but A) AG hasn’t had a fever since Sunday night, nor any other flu symptoms since Monday morning, B) to know her is to know her asthma cough, and C) if I kept that kid home every time she coughed, she’d never go to school.
Frankly, the nurse surprised me even as the rest of the office staff was perfectly pleasant and welcomed my kid back. I mean, hello? The second AG came down with symptoms last Thursday, I immediately put her on the couch with albuterol because I’d been sick and I knew – I knew – it was going to get bad. Plus, I took her to the pediatrician for testing and Tamiflu the very next day. All of which I’ve told the nurse in my daily updates.
And if the coughing all over the school this morning is any indication, most of the parents there aren’t being half as vigilant as I’ve been.
Anyway.
Rant over, and here’s my real reason for posting this morning:
I’ve gotten lots of comments and emails questioning the safety of the H1N1 vaccine and asking for my take it, but I’m afraid my recent bout with swine flu and then AG’s have taken their toll. Right now, I’m just not up-to-speed on enough of the vaccination news to have an informed opinion yet, though I need one since the Steadfast Sidekick has remained flu-free through it all.
Oct. 28 ETA: Except Mr. Asthma Mom, we’ve all had it now. The girls, however, would totally be getting the vaccination if they hadn’t. Mr. Asthma Mom will get the vaccine when he can, and I’ll have a writeup with my science-based links on the site soon.
So I open it up to you guys. What are your thoughts on the swine flu vaccine? Getting it? Not getting it? Have any reputable, science-based links to share? Throw ‘em all in the comments.
More
Previous H1N1 posting here
The whole school vs. no school thing is always such a tough call, especially when you’ve got kids who you think have just got colds.
Unless I’m really bad, I pretty much always go to school when I’ve got a cold. Before I had asthma, I didn’t get very many colds, but ALWAYS persisted through school when I was sick.
I’m bad in the way I think of it as “Well, I probably got sick AT school, so, I’m not missing it”. Not a good thought process to have, but the only one that’s constructive to learning . . .
Sorry she gave you a rough time! It seems like you followed protocol, though, and like you said, she’d fall so far behind if you waited until the coughing was gone.
As for vaccines: I’ve been anxiously waiting for them since spring, SURE that — barring infection first — we’d all get them. I’m still 99.9 percent sure we will. According to what I’m reading, the shot is made exactly like the seasonal flu shot — no extra additives, etc. The only thing different is the virus.
BUT, I’ve been talking to any medical personnel I can about it and there’s a lot of hesitation. The nurse at the allergist today said she won’t get it because she’s pregnant. That seems like a really good reason to get it to me.
I keep hearing “It’s too new,” but has anyone ever paid attention to what viruses are in the seasonal flu shot? Those could be new too.
Short answer: I’m 99.9 percent sure that I want to get all four people in my family vaccinated.
As far as your survival guide, we just started using the neti pot regularly (we all have colds right now) and I can’t say enough about it. I’m still sick, but my nasal congestion has really been kept in check. I’m going to start using on my older daughter, who is prone to sinus infections, every time she gets sick. My younger daughter too, if she’ll let me
And I took three showers between 8 pm and 4 am last night, too, for my bronchitis, have always depended on them for cough. Seriously good tips there!
Firstly, I am glad that AG has made such a speedy recovery. My 19 year old niece has this right now, and is very sick, throwing up, more congested than she’s ever been. It really seems to effect people differently. I am glad that you are all on the mend and it was relatively mild, given how worried we have all been. I am counting the days to the vaccination. My kids have had seasonal flu shots for the past 4 years and I really feel this is just another strain of flu and the vaccination will be no more risky than those they have already received. My twins are healthy right now, but my daughter came home from school today and said 3 kids in their class are really coughing and one is complaining of a sore throat. One child was next to my daughter, the other next to my asthma son. My daughter asked the teacher to move her brother because he gets asthma when he gets a cold. (this is not news to her, I went over everything at the beginning of the year.) Teacher told my daughter she can’t move him every time someone has a cold. SO, my kids are staying home tomorrow and Friday, I choose for them not to get sick. The school will think I am crazy when I tell them tomorrow, but perhaps if they had ever woken up in the night with a child who couldn’t catch his breath due to a runny nose, they might understand. Okay, I am the one ranting now..
I guess I think of it in different terms… not how safe is the shot but how safe is it to go without when my both of my sons (3&7) have asthma histories… the older ones pretty rough during seasonal bouts. Yes, we are getting the shot (even with egg allergies for the older).. I agree with the other comment… same level of comfort as seasonal flu shot. We are getting it to protect ourselves, but friends that may be pregnant, others with asthma… this is a decision for the greater good of all to me.
My son’s school will actually send a kid home for coughing. Too disruptive to the rest of the class.
I remember reading that H1N1 is contagious 5-7 days after contracting it and it’s the lingering cough that can spread it, thus, the staying home for an entire week recommendation after the onset of symptoms.
I agree with Karen on the vaccine safety. I know when my asthma son gets sick, it’s serious, that’s a fact. That the vaccine is unsafe, not a fact.
We’ll all be getting the vaccine to protect our son.
It’s so great to read all of the comments here. In some crowds where I live, I feel like a bad parent for injecting my kids with “dangerous” vaccines. But, they don’t really seem to understand how dangerous it is for my kid to get a nasty cold, not to mention the flu.
HI Marcia–I’ve read the same thing about coughing & actually linked to an article about it, too. My main issue w/the school nurse is that my daughter did stay home for that long after the onset of symptoms–and the nurse knew it– & her cough right now is very much an asthma one, not an illness-related one. She always does this when she’s been sick, even with just a cold, and actually went back to the pediatrician (before I sent her back to school) to verify this. I know the nurse was just looking out for the spread of contagion–I just don’t think the dirty looks were necessary. (Although to be honest, this lady is not the friendliest person around, even on a good day, lol)
To everyone–Thanks for all your input, well wishes for the kid, and opinions on the vaccine. I’m coming down on the same side as you guys–while I recognize WHY there’s some hesitation over the quick production of this particular shot, at the same time I’m reassured b/c of its similarities to the seasonal flu vaccine. Plus, as some of you have mentioned, it’s the best way to stop/slow the spread of contagion for everyone, and that’s especially important (to my mind) b/c of possible future virus mutation.
How did AG’s return to school go? Hopefully she isn’t too exhausted.
About the vaccine, I haven’t researched it which is not great on my part but I am inclined to feel pretty confident about anything put out that’s approved by the FDA. I trust the governments to do their job on public health. Is that blind of me? I’m not too sure…
Reiterating what others said, I think the biggest danger of all is me, an asthmatic, walking around unprotected against such a serious threat to my health.
I’m fairly certain I already came down with this virus back in June, but I’ll certainly get my seasonal flu shot and I’ll be talking to my doctor about the H1N1 vaccine.
The pediatrician was thinking since my daughter had tested positive the other day for Type A (which 99% is H1N1) that she won’t need the H1N1 vaccine. I think she should still have it since it seems there are so many strains of Type A right now,what do you think?
Hi, SJMom–I’ve been assuming my asthmatic daughter and I won’t need the vaccine, either, b/c she tested positive for Type A and got it from me. According to my pediatrician, H1N1 is the only Type A circulating right now, so it’s basically a de facto swine flu test. Now that you mention it, though, I think I’ll put in a call and verify this–I’d hate to assume we don’t need the vaccine and be wrong. As it stands now, though, I’m not planning on getting it for either one of us, unless I found out otherwise.
Hello. My daughter is two and they told me last year that she has asthma after multiple hospital stays with
pneumonia. She had pneumonia last week and has been treated at home. I am terrified. Some of you sound so calm, i guess i just havent made it to that point yet. I know that her daycare thinks i am crazy because i fret over her having the sniffles..probably her doctor too! He knows how I am though! lol! I am terrified because she went back to daycare today and if she gets the flu, it could be devestating. I had to go back to work today! (can you all hear the guilt?) But, like some of you have said, a running nose can cause some big problems. I am thinking that I will get her the shot, but I am worried about that too. All I can do is do is what i think is best and pray, pray pray!!!
Hi Jessica Lynn, thanks for stopping by.
I’m the owner/author of this blog and I can’t speak for anyone else, but if I sound calm it’s only because I’ve been doing this for 8 years now. My daughter was diagnosed at age 2, but she’s 10 now.
Anyway, stick around! The commenters here are great & full of advice and information.
Hi Amy,
I cam across this site as I was looking for information about the cough and H1N1… My son was diagnosed with it on Monday and since then his fever has left but this cough is just horrible… he does not have asthma, however my daughter does and her cough is getting bad too, although she hasn’t had any other signs… My question is how long did the cough stay around with your daughter? My baby, 17 month old, has a fever and is just starting the cough today… this has been rough. I am 30+ weeks pregnant so they put me on Tamiflu for 10 days in hopes I don’t get it or get it badly, but they would not give it to me children? agh! Thank you so much for any information you can give me! I truly appreciate it!
My 9 year old also has severe asthma. I was on the fence about the vaccine, but I have been watching different news outlets and listening to the “experts” about the vaccine. They say the H1N1 is made in the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. For those who might not know this the seasonal flu is made with different strains of the flu every year (so you could say each year it is a new vaccine). Then on the flip side I’m hearing of children who have died from the swine flu who have had underlying conditions (most with asthma) and this made up my mind. I have to outweigh the risks – she’s getting the H1N1 vaccine tomorrow. Just my two cents.
I have a 5 yr old daughter who is a severe asthmatic and a 1yr old boy. She got sick about 2 wks ago. High fever for only two days, and a very sore throat and nasty cough… Some people are telling me that she could have had H1N1.. but does that mean she can’t catch it again? What if it was just a bad cold? Totally confused on what to do… I am a freak about vaccinations- don’t like, don’t trust them… But people r telling me to get her vaccinated and my son. I really only want to do what is best for them.. just not sure what that is…
Hi Jen–Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your family recovers soon (and that you stay healthy). As it stands, my 10 yo daughter w/asthma and I (no asthma) both had H1N1, and my non-asthmatic younger daughter is just now recovering from what I suspect to be H1N1. My asthmatic coughed for around 7-9 days after recovering from the other symptoms, I coughed for around 4-5 days afterward, and my younger daughter is congested right now but hardly coughing at all.
Hope that helps….
Hi Cheryl and Jill–My asthmatic daughter’s H1N1 was tested and confirmed, but if she hadn’t gotten it or hadn’t been tested, I would absolutely vaccinate her. I’ll be posting more about vaccinations next week.
My daughter had a fever, stomach ache and slight cough for 2 days. Highest the fever got was 102. Pretty much stayed in the 101’s and then 99’s. Now on day 4 the cough is dry and non stop. She has not seen the Dr. because I don’t think she is that bad. Just wondering how long this cough will last. The school said kids can return after being fever free for 24 hours. Her older brother came down with it 2 days after she did.
I am quite concerned for those of you who are posting on a site concerning asthma, but seem to still be ready to procure a vaccination (of any sort, let alone a rushed H1N1 vaccine) for your children. Please, please look at the warnings for children with egg allergies, asthma, ADHD, autism, eczema, and any other allergies. The live vaccine will continue to artificially spread the disease due to it being a live attenuated and the injection contains the mercury. Some manufacturers even used squalene this year! You must educate yourselves for the sake of your children whom you all love so much. Please don’t take the approach that the manufacturers, CDC, etc. have your child’s best interest and health in the forefront of their minds…each child is an individual case and even the healthiest of children can be damaged by these vaccines. I believe that they can play a part in the asthma, so before you rush out, read the info. that is out there. I am a 36 year old mom of 4, and most, if not all, of my family has had the flu this year. I got it twice…not sure what was up with that, but I was very ill. I get the fact that this can be a very challenging sickness, but natural immunity is wonderful. Please boost the system naturally…I sure am after all this! I hear ya on the coughing bit…it can last for a long time! I had to use an inhaler for my son who has induced asthmatic conditions when sick, compromised, etc. Please do the research…you must be your child’s best advocate. Thanks for listening!
Hi, Lisa–Thanks for stopping by. I’m the owner/author of this site, and I have done the research:
http://www.theasthmamom.com/2009/11/04/the-vaccine-question-h1n1-and-otherwise/
I’m absolutely my child’s best advocate, and that’s why I support childhood vaccinations and the science behind them.
Thanks again.
I am the mother of two vaccine injured children – please, please, please listen to me and be as cautious as you can be. If you have allergies, asthma, autoimmune disease, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or any other neurological problem in your family history, please weigh the potential benefits vs. the possible life-long problems VERY seriously. Yes, H1N1 is very frightening, but I can tell you from very sad experience that there are worse things.
Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with H1N1 2 weeks ago after being told for over a month that I had sinus infections. I ended up in the emergency room because I was coughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. Would have been nice for the doctors to do a flu test before I ended up trying to fight it for over a month.
Anyway, I still have the residual cough and it’s been going on for 1.5 weeks now. My regular doctor told me that it could last up to 2 months so those of you that caught it early and no longer have it are lucky. I’m glad to know that I’m not alone and that I too have never been asthmatic in my life.
Lisa–Wow, that’s incredible–and horrible. I’m so sorry and yes, feeling lucky tonight after reading this. Dear God, two months? Wishing you a fast recovery (at least one that’s less than two months), and thanks for sharing. I’ve noticed at the girls’ school, most kids – and no idea how many of them have asthma or not – are out with it for a full week or more.
Hello All,
I too have H1N1 (38yrs with childhood asthma). I have NEVER been so sick nor have I coughed so hard and so much in my life. It’s horrible. Make sure to get antibiotics since it does go into respiratory infection that can be improved by antibiotics and steroids
I would never consider taking the vaccination or giving it to my innocent children. It is tooo new, not researched, nor proven effective. Out of your mind to inject your body with something that the long term affects have not been documented. If the strain mutates, then the vaccine will be of no use anyway.
Don’t base all your decisions on the CDC, they make big money on the pumping out of vaccinations.
Be careful.
I also agree LADNM…Yes, the flu can be serious BUT there are worse things. Also, my asthmatic son was infected y H1N1 and was mildly ill.
I prefer that over any vaccination.
Hi Carey–Thanks for your input. I’m blacklisting your IP address because of that “out of your mind” comment. You’re entitled to your stance, of course, but you don’t get to judge and insult other parents on this site for having a different one.
Related, but not part of my decision to block you from commenting again, it’s ridiculous to make assumptions about the sources my readers and I are basing our decision on.
In addition, I really would brush up on my science if I were you, particularly when it comes to virus mutation and vaccinations.
Finally, the CDC is a federal agency, not a pharmaceutical company. Your comment about their making “big money” doesn’t even make sense.
And To All–Comments for this post are now locked because of this newer post on the H!N1 vaccine and the actual science behind vaccinations in general. Comments are open on that one.