Swine Flu/Type 1 in Texas

[thetexan]

I am a parent of a Type 1 diabetic (he is 15), and as I am sure you all know, Swine Flu has the potential to turn into more than a small problem here in Texas. Although there are no confirmed cases in his school or school district, there are confirmed and probable cases in all the counties that surround us. So my question is this....do I need to take extra precations with my son since he is Type 1? I know that being Type 1 gets him bumped to the front of the line for flu shots, so I assume there is at least a little added risk for him. I dont want to over react, but I dont want to under react either.

Please share your thoughts.

[viranth]

I've been hearing a great deal about the swflu lately, and "experts" say it's being exaggerated in the media. No one outside Mexico have died from it, and it would seem that it's more or less like the common flu.

That means most people will handle it, BUT diabetics will have a harder time controlling their BG if they get it.

I would make sure I have enough insulin and test strips (and other diabetic supplies), but other than that there isn't much you can do, unless you want to use mouth filters(?) or things like that.

Just to add a personal story, I have never taken the flu shot (diagnosed little over a year ago) I got the flu this year and was unable to work out for 12 weeks, and my numbers were pretty crazy when I was sick, which lasted for about two weeks.

I'm getting the darn flu shot this year!

[jshuffle]

From what I have read, the swine flu is treatable with Tamiflu. If cases spread to his school, then extra precautions should be made. Other than making sure hands are washed and avoiding potential contaminated areas (such as schools which have been quarantined), and if you have Tamiflu around, there isn't much to be done.

This is a quote of which in full I posted in the Swine Flu thread in the Chit Chat forum:

Basic flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, chills and body aches. Seek emergency care immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

* Sudden dizziness

* Confusion

* Severe or persistent vomiting

As with most viruses, flu is spread in several ways: orally, by ingestion, by inhalation, or by splashing contamination on abraded skin or into puncture wounds. To prevent spread:

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

* Cough into your sleeve or a tissue to avoid spreading germs. Do not cough into your hands. Dispose of tissues in a wastebasket.

* Wash your hands with soap under warm running water for 20 seconds and rinse your hands well. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

* Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and turn the knob on the door handle.

* Avoid contact with people who are ill.

Flu symptoms usually appear 24-48 hours after being exposed to the virus, and people remain contagious for seven days after the onset of symptoms.

If you watch out for those symptoms and take precautions, you and your son should be fine.

[A_Darling]

Right now, Swine Flu does does not present any difference from the regular flu. The only concern right now, and the reason the WHO is reacting with the pandemic stuff, is that the virus has transferred from infecting pigs, to infecting, and is now easily spread among humans. The pandemic reaction is on the conservative side because it is unknown how the virus will mutate next.

The key point to all this is that the virus is NOT causing any different or exaggerated symptoms when compared to normal human only flu strains. Swine Flu is noting to worry about....... yet.

[UpNorth]

I just have to add... I read yesterday that some expert here said you should avoid using those mouth filter things at all costs! Those can actually make you catch the flu more easily due to them getting humid so the viruses get stuck on it better, along with making you touch face more than without the filter. Wash hands and avoid contact with ill people is the only way you can avoid catching the swine flu really! Get yourself some alcogel for handdesinfection, or alcoholwipes for hand desinfection. I've never had the flu with diabetes, but i have been sick with diabetes, and it's no fun at all!

[MomFirst]

My 10 year old has type 1 diabetes. His school is closed this Thursday and Friday due to a potential case of swine. My daughter's school was not closed, but I chose to keep her home as well. They both had the regular flu in March and after seeing how much harder it was on his body vs hers', I've just chosen to be ultra-conservative and just watch and see what happens over the next few days. I'm just not willing to risk the chance of bringing the virus into our home right now. It's just 2 days of school and they are both in elementary so to me it was just a no brainer to sit back and see how this thing plays out. I think by Monday morning we should know a lot more about how serious it is and can then decide how to proceed. I've tried to instill good hygiene practices in both of my kids, but that doesn't mean the kid sitting beside them does the same.

[inkvisitor]

^In your situation it's best to err on the side of safety than anything else - you know what's best for your family.

A coworker is at home with a feverish child - you can guess what the immediate pre-diagnosis was..

[xMenace]

dLife Today: Swine Flu and Diabetes (http://www.dlife.com/blog/archives/2009/04/swine_flu_and_d.html)

Swine Flu and Diabetes
Posted by dlife on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, 08:54 AM | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
People with diabetes need to take special precautions when they are sick, and the recent swine flu outbreak is no exception. The Center for Disease Control has special recommendations that people with chronic health condition such as diabetes who have had known exposure to someone with a confirmed or suspected case of swine flu go on a course of antiviral medication.

From the CDC:

"Antiviral Medications: Persons traveling within the US that are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill."

It can be difficult to plan for cases of rare strains of influenza, such as the swine flu, you can still fight back with good habits that work in sickness and in health.