Hi Mama's,
Does anyone know that if once you have been exposed to the H1N1 flu, are you then contagious? Even if you have no symptoms? My sister works with a lady that got it & she is worried that she might be a carrier & doesn't want to expose anything to the rest of the family, especially her Grandkids.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
I was in this same situation recently. My sister came down with the virus and now my family is taking Theraflu. I guess it is to lesson the symptoms of the flu if you do end up getting it. I agree with Karen, the media has blown this H1N1 thing way overboard. Hope you are doing well. Stay healthy!
edit-Tamaflu----sorry!
S.:
We are all exposed to viruses every day and it is up to our body to fight it off or lose the battle and come down with the flu or a cold. The contagious part of the flu is usually 1-2 days prior to getting it and shortly thereafter. How long ago was your sister exposed? My son was exposed and we didn't know it that his friend was going to come down with it. About 4 days later he came down with some flu-like symptoms but with rest, a detox bath and fluids, he was fine. It really isn't that much more than a flu bug. The media has been sensationalizing it for us to be scared to death. Not to worry as if we are going to be sick then we must first do our due diligence and keep our bodies in good shape with some immune systems boosters.
Again, my son got it and none of the four of us got it so that's just an example of how each person is different. Best of health to you,
K.
Wellness Consultant
My kids brought home a paper about prevention and such for H1N1 virus. It can pretty much be applied to any kind of virus actually. It has info from the CDC website. It states you can still prevent the spreading of it by washing hands and covering your mouth and other things you can do to prevent germs. If just exposure to someone else that has it would infect everyone, hospital nurses would be quarantined. And I do agree the media has overexposed and maybe blown things out of proportion, but people have also blown it out. Washing hands, using antibacterial gel, covering your mouth when you cough, watching who is around you and if they happen to have any apparent symptoms are all things we can do. I found out today that a former neighbor took her son tothe emergency room because his temp was 101 and he was throwing up. She totally panicked. He has a slight case of the regular flu. People get paranoid of the unknown or uncontrollable.
I think it won't be long before we all know someone who knows someone who has had it, so personally I wouldn't worry about it. (that's not a medical opinion, just a practical one, since I have two kids in school and I know kids they know have it, so it's just a waiting game now.)
I think if she uses reasonable precautions (everyone washes hands, doesn't share food, the usual) it will be fine.
I believe you are most contagious for about 48 hours BEFORE you show any symptoms. In other words, you are most likely to pass it along to others BEFORE you even feel sick, which is one reason this spreads so fast.
My best friend works at a hospital and got H1N1 earlier this year. Her first symptoms were a really bad sore throat and stuffy head. She thought she had strep throat, but they tested her for H1N1 too and that was what she had! Although she must have been contagious for a couple of days before that, no one else at her office got sick. They sent her home for 7 full days until she was totally over it- if you get it or suspect you have it, do NOT go back to school or work early. Make sure you are totally over it and immune before you return!
She said it was just like a really bad case of stomach flu, only with a bad sore throat. They put her on Tamilflu and she felt much better in a couple of days, but was not allowed back to work for a full week.
I recently had a conversation about this with my doctor ... whose entire family, besides her (go figure) had the H1N1. She said it was the WORST flu she's ever seen. Anyway ... she told me that once you get it ... you have built the antibodies and chances are very slim to catch it again ... the same season. Of course due to mutations the next year is a different story. And ... once the fever is gone 24hours (w/o fever reducing agents) and all other symptoms have subsided they should no longer be contagious.
Unfortunately, yes. About 60-70 percent of the population will contract h1n1, but only about 25 percent will show symptoms. Not only that, you're contagious for a day or two prior to showing symptoms. Scary, I know! My husband works out of 4 different hospitals, we have a 19 month old, and I'm 8.5 months pregnant - I'm a little concerned myself! Just be reasonably cautious and wash your hands often. Good luck!
Yes, you can infect others. My daughter came home from school the other day with a letter saying they have a confirmed case in her class. We spoke with the health dept. and they said she has already been exposed to it if we just found out and she is a carrier. Even though she may not get it, she can give it to others. I have checked online with the CDC website and it says the incubation period can be up to 10 days and it is longer in children. They can also carry it for up to 10 days as well. We are supposed to go to my grandfather's 80th birthday this weekend with other little children and my cousin who is pregnant. Out of safety for them, we will not be going even though my daughter isn't sick.
Hi S. Tell your sister to call and ask her doctor. He can give her the best advice.
