Chloe and the FLU with funtional asplenia

As most of you all know Chloe was hospitalized on Thursday and released Sunday from Children’s Hospital in Boston. Chloe woke up Thursday morning with a high fever and low blood pressure. The flu just spiraled out of control in Chloe’s case. Because of the history of Heterotaxy Polysplenia she has precautions for functional asplenia (3 spleens may not be working at a 100%). Chloe was given antibiotics through IV for 3 days and on the 4th day we were released.

I learned that there are 2 types of flu A and B. In Chloe’s case she had B. This means that it wasn’t covered in the flu vaccine that she received in October.

The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by influenza virus. The flu can spread from person to person. Most people with the flu are sick for about a week, but then feel better. However some people (especial young children, pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic health problems) can get very sick and some can die.

Symptoms: Most people with the flu feel tired and have fever, headache, and dry cough, and sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and soar muscles. Some people, especially children, may also have stomach problems and diarrhea. Cough can last two or more weeks.

How is it spread: People that have the flu usually cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose. This makes droplets with the virus in them. Other people can get the flu by breathing in these droplets or getting them in their nose or mouth.

Most healthy adults may be able to spread the flu from 1 day before getting sick to up to 5 days after getting sick. This can be longer in children & people who don’t fight disease as well (people who have a weakened immune system like Chloe).

A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. This means you and your family should be vaccine for it. Also hand washing is very important and stay home if you don’t feel good and this way you won’t spread to others. WASH your hands as much as possible. Always remember to cover your cough and sneezes. Tell your child to stay away from people who are sick, clean your hands, keep hands and away from your face.

Washing your hands with soap and water (for as long as it takes to sing HAPPY B-DAY twice) will protect your child from germs. When soap or water are not available, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used (gels should be rubbed into your hands till they are dry).

Get plenty of rest and drinks lots of fluids.

If your child is not getting better, high fever, skin is blue, not drinking enough, seems confused, will not wake up and does not want to be held take them to the ER or to the doctors office.

Visit the www.cdc.gov/flu for more information. Information noted above is from the CDC pamphlet.

A mother's job never ends as soon as I got home it was Brady's turn to start feeling yucky and he has vomited twice today. And of course I am feeling yucky too.