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lemonbar
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« on: October 11, 2009, 07:31:25 PM » |
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As you all know (or can see: see thread "you can get pregnant at 45"), I am pregnant. I am concerned about the flu this season, since, pregnant women are in a high risk category when it comes, especially, to the H1N1 virus. I think I have figured out ways to cope with my classes should lots of students get sick (or I get sick), but I'm wondering about travel. I am to go to a conference across country in a couple of weeks. This part of the country has widespread H1N1 virus, and of course traveling on planes always puts one at risk for catching viruses.
I'm nervous about going due to this virus. Any suggestions on how to best protect myself, especially while traveling? Short of drenching myself in hand sanitizer and/or traveling like the boy in the bubble, is there anything I can do to protect myself?
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"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Frederick Douglass
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carebearstare
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« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2009, 07:41:36 PM » |
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First, I think some of the concern about H1N1 has been overblown. I recently read an article noting that Australia, a country just now coming out of the winter season where there has been no vaccine against H1N1, has had an incredibly low number of cases. Also, an article in the NYTimes recently noted that places that had rampant outbreaks of the virus in the spring are now showing way below average flu seasons. It's still early to say, but the hysteria around this particular flu might very well be unfounded--and, as one article I read recently noted, a boon for pharma.
That said, the flu is general is always a concern, especially if you are pregnant. I would just recommend being careful: sleeping enough, eating right, drinking plenty of water, washing your hands regularly, and avoiding people who seem visibly ill. I assume you're taking a multivitamin, and if you are make sure it's got vitamin D, which has been linked to increased immune function.
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antiphon1
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« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2009, 07:44:13 PM » |
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Contact your doctor. Sounds like you need to get the H1N1 vaccine.
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molli_sols
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« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2009, 11:11:00 AM » |
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One reason people seem to get colds and flu after air travel are because their mucus membranes dry out and they wear themselves out. So, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and be a little compulsive about hand washing. There's not much else you can do.
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gennimom
Somewhat Southern (Have I really posted that much?)
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 11,295
Okay, summer is gone. Bring on the snow!
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« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2009, 11:26:44 AM » |
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*stentorian voice*
And keep your hands away from your face!
:)
Here's hoping all goes well for you while you travel, Lemonbar!
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...only after reading gm's post, my new mantra is "always listen to gennimom".
Monday reeks! - Garfield The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person (or something like that). |
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oseph
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« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2009, 11:36:23 AM » |
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Lemonbar, in my first two months of pregnancy, I flew, let's see...one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, THIRTEEN times, all during flu season. This included going through customs twice, where there were germs from around the world in line with me. I was exhausted, but I did not get sick once throughout all of this. I rested when I could and ate well and washed my hands a lot (there was much shaking of hands involved during all of this travel), and when people near me coughed or sneezed, I turned my head as politely as I could and waited a minute before breathing (sort of weird, and probably it had no effect). I had a one-on-one lunch meeting with a guy who admittedly had just come down with a horrible case of the flu, and I just ate very little at that lunch, positioned my chair so the guy couldn't cough on me, and didn't bring my hands near my face until I'd had a chance to wash them. I was taking a multi-vitamin, as I'm sure you are, and that's really about it, other than having had my flu vaccination four months prior. Obviously your mileage may vary, but I hope this reassures you somewhat.
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Oseph....you are right and you make sense.
For your future comments, I insult very directly.
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kedves
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« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2009, 01:43:27 PM » |
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Pregnant women are one of the CDC's target groups for the vaccine, so you should be able to get it when it is available. (Here's a recent article discussing risk factors for having an ICU-level case of H1N1 as opposed to an ordinary-level case of it: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/10/09/swine-flu-who-is-most-vulnerable/ .) |
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« Last Edit: October 12, 2009, 01:45:59 PM by kedves »
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why are you up like that? jealousy won't do no good.
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lettuceleaf
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« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2009, 02:05:50 PM » |
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I am expecting in 6 weeks. In the past six months, I have been on multiple flights for research workshops/conferences in Asia, Africa and Europe. On one of those flights, a fellow passenger was later found to have a confirmed case of H1N1 - border officials in that country called to let me know. I didn't get sick from travelling on airplanes, and I have also happily avoided a cold that my daughter has been dragging around for about 2 weeks. I am faithful about washing my hands before eating or touching my face, take vitamins (B vitamin complex plus cod liver oil tablets), eat well, rest, and don't worry. In other words, ditto all the good advice given by other forumites.
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lemonbar
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« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2009, 03:59:11 PM » |
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Thanks for all the advice here. I intend to follow it -- except for getting the vaccine. It doesn't look like there will be any available in my area before I go on the trip (and even if there was, I wouldn't develop an immunity from it for several weeks -- long after my trip will have been completed).
Thanks again. I'll keep my hands away from my face, and keep the hand cleanser close by at all times!!
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"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Frederick Douglass
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lemonbar
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« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2009, 07:59:08 AM » |
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Update: I went and came back, and I managed to stay healthy -- despite not sleeping at all, and always feeling like I never had enough to eat (due to my being 5 months pregnant and always hungry). And, I've gotten the vaccination (after the trip, but better late than never)! So, hopefully I will stay healthy.
Hope the rest of you are healthy as well.
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"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Frederick Douglass
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zuzu_
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« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2009, 08:12:39 AM » |
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Glad you got the vaccine. That must be a relief.
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ucprof
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« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2009, 06:16:12 PM » |
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Good for you for getting the vaccine. I read the pregnant women are reluctant to get the vaccine but I worry about the ones I know who are pregnant.
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llanfair
Easily baffled
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 9,004
Whither Canada?
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« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2009, 07:27:32 PM » |
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Chime, Lemonbar - glad to hear you've been vaccinated. It's good all round, according to the public-health mavens.
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Post no bills.
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lemonbar
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« Reply #13 on: November 03, 2009, 01:26:07 PM » |
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Well, I definitely went back and forth on the issue and I'm still nervous about it even after the fact.
I wish I could get my son vaccinated.
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"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Frederick Douglass
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ucprof
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« Reply #14 on: November 03, 2009, 10:30:13 PM » |
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One of my colleagues at work is pregnant and is scared to get it and says she will not get it.
So here's the question - since I work with her a lot can I justify getting one myself (even though I'm not high risk) to avoid her contracting the virus though me? I mean we're all at a large university with tons of infectious students
and I would just be a vector for her if I'm not innoculated.
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