Need Advice H1N1 in Ashburn

My toddler (2 and half yo) has flu/H1N1 symptoms with very high fever.

I called Capital Area pediatrics where we always go and we were very satisfied until I called this time. The nurse asked me to stay home and not come in to the doc's office. She said there is basically nothing you can do except Fever management, Fluids and Rest.

A friend of mine, who is with kaiser, had the same condition with her toddler and was called in to the doc's office, (swab)tested +ve for H1N1 and was given antiviral medication.

Shouldn't they atleast call in the patient and check if he/she got the swine flu?

 

The test that is being done right now is only for flu A but if you have H1N1 it will also test positive. Since this is so early in the flu season many Dr's are making the assumption that if you test positive for flu A you have H1N1 as it is too expensive to actually send a real swab to the CDC. My understanding is they are only running the H1N1 test if the child is hospitalized.
The only thing that can really be done for a child with minor symptoms and high fever is what your Dr suggests. Some Dr are prescribing the tamiflu but others are holding onto their stock for only high risk patients. Also right now there are several nasty viruses going around with similar symptoms plus strep has jsut started in the local schools as well as several cases of pnemonia. Your Dr may be trying not to expose your already sick child to even more illness by bringing him/her in to the office. Maybe call the office back and find out at what time and what symptom change they would like to see your child. At least then you will know what to watch for.

Staci

 

How do I do the clapping emoticon? Awesome, Staci! Glad to hear I'm not the only one who would have responded like that.

 

That was well said, Staci. It is also possible that some doctors don't want to prescribe tamiflu to kids who aren't high risk because there are potential side effects of it. So far I've only heard of the kids with asthma taking tamiflu, or if there is an infant in the household. The good news is that it has worked for them. But it is hard to find now, the pharmacies around here don't have the liquid form. Some of the pharmacies are compounding it to make the oral suspension.
This is a scary thing, and I'm on edge because my son has asthma/respiratory problems with every little virus he gets. From everything I've read, it sounds like the danger is in dehydration or in secondary infections. So watch closely for when your child starts to get better and if a fever or cough return.
And on the positive side, there seems to be many mild cases, not even as bad as the regular flu for some people.

Here is a good article that tells the danger signs to look out for, please see page 2 of the article:
http://www.centurylink.net/news/rea...=968&lang=en&from=clickability&page=1

 

My 7 yr old had flu-like symptoms earlier this week. We were told by our doctor to stay home unless the fever reached 104 while on meds (motrin/ tylenol). They basically just wanted us to treat the symptoms at home. The fever lasted 2 days, never got over 101 and was accompanied by a sore throat and cough.

I agree with the treatment. I wouldn't have wanted to go in unless absolutely necessary because a) if it IS H1N1 I wouldn't want to unnecessarily expose anyone else and b) I don't want to expose my already-sick kid to other germs in the doctors office.

 

Here is the link from CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

What are the emergency warning signs?

In children

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

In adults

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting



Here is a youtube video from CDC about H1N1 symptoms:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wK1127fHQ4&feature=channel_page

 

I know that for adults a lot of practitioners are not testing for H1N1 b/c of the cost of the test, however, they usually test small children. If you’re looking for a second opinion, we use Broadlands Family Practice, and I have seen children/pre-teens with masks on waiting to be seen by a doctor. One parent even made a comment about suspected Swine Flu and her child needing to wear a mask while in the lobby b/c of it.

 

I’ve heard the point Staci made as well – they test children that have been hospitalized. The other time to test that I’ve heard from a co-worker who had a child that was tested: if the child has had a high fever for several days and is not breaking with medication.

 

The only other thing I could add to the already really good advice on this board, is watch for severe coughing and congestion....especially once the fever disappears. I have a son that had what the doc is calling h1n1 earlier this month, and he developed a secondary pneumonia, which was worse than the flu.

 

We took our son a few weeks ago to BFP and they didn't bother to check for H1N1 as they said most cases coming in were most likely that. The treatment is mostly the same as for the "rugular" flu.
As he did have a high fever, Tamiflu was prescribed but we took him off after a couple of days due to the side effects (very heightened emotions and iiritabilty).

 

I've heard several people say they also experienced side effects from the Tamiflu too.

 

It was not pretty. Minor issues were almost life-and-death to him.

We were cautioned about possible side effects.

 

Off subject, I know, but my child had Croup a few weeks ago and was put on prednisone b/c of it… same issues regarding the emotional episodes… the spouse and I were not amused. We were warned by the doctor, but still…

 

I was at Broadlands Family Practice today. They have a separate waiting room for people with fevers and recurring coughs. They also ask those people to wear a mask (provided by the office). It's nice that they're trying to keep the flu people separate from the rest of the sick (my diagnosis was strep - swell).

 

Our 7 yr old son had it 2 weeks ago, we think. He started out with a congested cough for several days, then the fever started on Monday after school. It wasn't high, 101 at the most. I took him to Loudoun Medical Group's Urgent Care in Sterling since it was after office hours. I was thinking maybe bronchitis or something since all he had was the cough and fever. They did the nose swab for Influenza A and I was shocked it was positive. The dr. said about 98% of the Flu cases going around were H1N1, so they assume that's what he had. He said it was up to me whether I wanted the Tamiflu, and since we also have a 4 year old at home, I said yes. Walgreens had it, but they only had half the dose in liquid form. It didn't taste very good (and I didn't think to ask them to flavor it). They still didn't get in any more liquid, so the next batch we got was compounded. It actually smelled and tasted batter to my son. Anyway, his fever was gone by Wed and he went back to school on Thurs. I think we were lucky, he never really felt bad and was going stir crazy being home those 2 days. He still had the congested cough a week later - so we did take him back for a follow-up to make sure it hadn't developed into pneumonia. His chest was clear, and his cough is getting better. So I don't know if the Tamiflu is what really shortened it, or if he just had a very mild case. My daughter didn't catch it, thankfully.

 

I am 8 months pregnant and have a two year old - I'm in the high priority category for receiving the vaccination, but for the life of me, can't figure out what my options are for getting it. I have heard that the Loudoun Health Dept has started giving it, but their website seems to be lacking in information. I am pondering heading to the FFx Co Gov't Center on Saturday where they are doing a big distribution of it for young children and pregnant women - but fear it will be total chaos. My OB was supposed to have it by now, but doesn't, and has no estimated arrival time for it.

Anyone know what's going on in Loudoun?

 

My family went to the Health Department in Leesburg to get the vaccination. We waited for approx. 2 1/2 hours. They gave my 7 year old the injection (he has asthma), and the rest of us had to have the nasal mist (they are saving the injections for high risk patients and pregnant women).

I suggest calling in the morning to see if they received a shipment. They are open from 9-11am and 1-3pm (M-F, I think, may be closed on Tuesdays, not sure). My mom got there at 8:30am the other day, and the line was wrapped all the way around the building. So, it looks like you have to get there very early.

You can call the Health Dept. influenza hotline to get more information (sorry, I don't know what it is off the top of my head). They will call you back right away.

Good luck!

 

My sister is working the one at Fairfax Gov't center in Fairfax. There is currently no wait for pregnant women and small children, and possible they would accept anyone at this point since they have about 5,000 left. That was as of 3:30 this afternoon...no wait!

 

how do i buy stock in these vaccines?

 

Rarely am I serious posting on this board. I'll break that rule now...as a health care provider with a license in Virginia, I emplore you NOT to take medical advice from this or ANY OTHER bulletin board. The only one who can give you advice is a licensed medical professional (Physician, Nurse Practitioner). Please, if you don't like the advice you were given or you feel your child is in danger in any way, take your child to the Emergency Room or another provider.