What's the actual influenza like this year? My kids had flu shots. My 10 y.o. daughter has been sick for over a week and a half. Each time she's feeling better & the fever goes down, we try sending her back to school. Thurs & Tues she threw up at school & had to come home. She doesn't throw up at school. She has a cough, originally had a sore throat, and feels tired, achy, and sometimes dizzy. At times her fever has been just over 100, although it's gone down for quite a while now. My 12 y.o. has it now, with a 100 degree fever, achiness, tiredness, and dizziness. We took the 10 y.o. to the doctor & they looked at her & said sinus infection & put her on antibiotics (that was Fri). My son is fine.
Take her to the doctor.... my 2 yr old tested positive for the flu last week and now my step son just tested positive. There is a test that the doctors do - both kids had the flu shots.... it's crazy!!!
My husband currently has the flu (tested + at the doctor's office). He's not as sick as what you're describing in your daughter. I'm inclined to agree - acute sinus infection.. probably with dehydration... although she could have a virus (including the flu) on top of it.
I work at the public health department. The flu shot was not a good match for the strain of flu that is circulating. That is always a possibility every year becasue they have to start making the flu shot at least 6 months before flu season, and have to determine in advance as to what flu strains will be circulating each year. Sometimes it is not a 100% match. This year it wasn't. M.
You can do a nose swab to see if it is ACTUALLY the flu. But my doc said as many as 8 of his patients had it who got the shot.
It's tough this year.
Both of my kids (3&11) had influenza B a couple of weeks ago and I didn't get them a flu shot. I asked the doc if flu shots would have kept them from getting it and he said no-not this year. Kids with flu shots are still getting flu A&B so there is really no way around it. It is EVERYWHERE it sounds like. Good Luck! Hope everyone gets better soon!
Hi Michle-
I agree w/ what the others are saying-take them to the Dr. to get tested. They can tell you for sure if they have influenza and which strain it is. Also, if you take them within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, they can give you medicine(Tamiflu for one) that will help your little one fight the flu and lessen the symptoms and duration. They will even prescribe it for others in the household as a preventative. It is probably too late for your oldest, but maybe still in time for the 12 y/o. Also, you could take it to help you stay well.
Anyhow, good luck and try to get some rest in too. It is so hard to be the mom when everyone is sick.
N.
