10 Month Old Tested Positive for Influenza B-i'm Worried!!!

Updated on December 25, 2012
L.T. asks from Blue Springs, MO
4 answers

I've had the flu before and it was miserable. We normally all get flu shots, but we held off this year because all of us felt sick after our shots last year and I thought we would be fine. I did have my 10 month old get a shot and he was due for the 2nd part, the booster this week...but he started running a fever so I held off. The next day the fever was still low grade, but he was acting really miserable. I went ahead and took him in to the dr. She tested him for influenza and sure enough, he tested positive for influenza B. I am so scared for him! He is ok when he has motrin or Tylenol, but the fever always comes back when it wears off and he becomes almost inconsolable. He is so fussy and I just feel awful for him. I hear of older kids getting the flu, but not of babies. Everything I read just scares me! He has a cough and fever and I would assume body aches because he is obviously uncomfortable because he is so fussy. I am doing all I can for him, pushing fluids, humidifier in his room, etc. he doesn't have any nasal drainage right now, so I haven't suctioned.

Anyone have experience with a baby having the flu? I have 3 other kids, but all of them were more like 4 or older when they got really bad colds with fevers (never had them tested for flu, but easily could have been flu). I just don't have experience with flu in one so little, and everything I read makes it sound really dangerous. Any experience anyone has would be great! I need some reassurance and advice on getting through this. Not sure how long he will be sick, but his first Christmas looks pretty crummy right now

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the responses! It just out my mind at ease to know that if he wasn't feeling better in a few days then he was still probably fine, just following the general timeline for the flu this year. He was very fussy from Friday (day 2 of fever and day he tested positive), and didn't sleep or eat well. His fever spiked I 103 on day 3 of his fever, but broke just a few hours later. By Day 4, fever was gone, but congestion was in full force, keeping him uncomfortable, cranky, not sleeping well, not eating well. But, by day 5, Christmas Eve, he woke up much happier! He's still pretty congested and sleeping is not great yet, but we're slowly improving! My 6 yr old son now has the same junk! He's easier to handle, but its just a nasty flu virus this year. Ick!

Thanks again for the responses. I wanted to come and give an update because it always is nice to read the final results of these questions when someone comes searching for answers!

More Answers

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

My daughter had it, and it took 8 days before she started feeling a bit better. We all had Type B flu, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia all at the same time. It was the most horrible 2 1/2 weeks of our lives! Once the exhaustion wore off, the coughing fits and the runny noses were a bit more tolerable...at least during the day. At night, it was horrible.

My youngest (now 9) was 9 months when she first got the flu. The best thing to do, is everything you are doing. Keep the Tylenol and Motrin staggered so he always has something in him. Give him cool baths regularly to help as well. I would also give my little one popsicles. This was a great treat for her, got fluids in her, and kept her cool!

Good luck hon!

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

The CDC website has good information. While infants are more likely to have serious complications than healthy adults, serious complications are still very uncommon. My son had the H1N1 flu the first season it circulated. We just did tylenol and fluids. It just takes time.

This is NOT a reason to avoid a flu shot. It is a reason to get your flu shots as soon as they are available in the season - before you are exposed to the virus. The flu vaccination does NOT cause the flu and it takes about 2 weeks for your immune system to develop solid protection after the vaccine.

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T.A.

answers from Seattle on

If he's nursing that should help, and I wouldn't get anybody the flu shot next year! We never get it for any of us.

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J.T.

answers from St. Louis on

My two yr old went in for croup and ended up testing positive for influenza b this week. They ended up admitting her and we stayed overnight in hospital. She had high fever and they just did iv. She was off iv by morning and by the time we were home that night she was running around with siblings. (Our ped didn't think she needed to be admitted I found out next morning.) She has had flu shot every year. She didn't eat much for over a day . I just made sure she drank water and Gatorade or popsicles ( that's what they gave her in hospital). Hang in there. It's so hard to watch them be sick. She started with croupy stuff Saturday (was sent home after treatment for that in er) got croupy again Sunday night, took her to doc Monday and was back to school for Thursday, if that helps.

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