Swine Flu - How Far Would You Go to Keep Your Kids Healthy?

by Rachel Campos-Duffy (Subscribe to Rachel Campos-Duffy's posts) Apr 28th 2009 4:00PM

This coming weekend, my 2- and 5-year-old are traveling by airplane to visit their grandparents in Arizona for three weeks. Grandpa will be flying in from Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix and picking them up in Minneapolis to fly with them back to the Valley of the Sun. However, the recent outbreak of swine flu and, the number of yet unanswered questions about it's actual scope, has given us additional reasons to fret about putting our little treasures on an airplane without us.

The EU has urged Europeans to cancel travel plans to the US and Mexico and judging by comments on the web, plenty of Americans are also rethinking their air travel plans, especially those bound for Mexico. And honestly, we're rethinking our plans to send our kids to Arizona.

Truthfully, if my kids were flying to Billings, Montana, I'd be a lot less afraid of them contracting swine flu. But my kids are flying to Arizona, a state who's residents are more likely to travel to Mexico or come in contact with people coming from Mexico. In fact, much of the web chatter surrounds Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's decision not to test airplane travelers from Mexico for the virus, thought the State Department is issuing a warning urging Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. "Right now we don't think the facts warrant more active testing or screening of passengers coming in from Mexico," she said.

Save for breaking news that this flu has erupted into a full-blown pandemic, I'm still tentatively planning on sending my winter weary kids to grandma and grandpa's for some much needed bonding this coming weekend. In the meantime, I've been scouring the web to find the best advice on how to minimize their chance of contraction during travel. Here's what I've learned:

Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing with good old soap and water is the number one preventative measure you can take. Hand sanitizers are OK when soap isn't available, but they are not fully effective against viruses. Remember to always wash after touching handrails, pens, phones, remotes, or shaking hands.

Cover your mouth. Wearing a mask on your flight is a good idea, but only if it is industrial respirator strength and snugly fit. You can purchase them online with speedy delivery. Run of the mill masks sold at your local DIY store will not prevent transmission. However, they will prevent you from touching your nose and mouth, which will help cut down on transmission.

I've just purchased a box of 3M masks for the kid's flight. They will arrive by Wednesday. I'm also planning on stuffing grandpa's pockets with mini hand sanatizers. The hard part, will be trying to convince our toddler to keep his mask on during the flight. Good luck, Grandpa!

What are you doing to keep your kids healthy? And are you worried about swine flu, or do you think the response is greater than the actual illness?

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Comments (37)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Emmie 4-28-2009 @ 4:54PM

I'm supposed to be flying from the UK to Texas with my 7-month old next week. I've not been home since Christmas and we won't be able to come back until Thanksgiving.

As of now, I'm not cancelling my flight. I'm going to wait until the day before to make the decision, and will call my daughter's doctor for advice as well as checking the Foreign Office website.

I don't want to put my daughter's health at risk, but considering there are outbreaks in London, I feel as if we'd be just as safe in Texas as here.

It's going to be tough if I have to cancel the trip - it's my mother's first Mother's Day as a grandmother and this is our gift to her.

EskimoPie 4-28-2009 @ 7:13PM

Give me a break... you're buying into the media induced hysteria on the subject. Did you know that every year in the USA alone 32,000 people DIE from flu related symptoms? There have been a small handful of reported cases of swine flu in the USA (and NONE in Arizona), and NO confirmed deaths (although I see two are suspected in CA). Give me a break... the media knows this will get viewers so they are hyping it like crazy. your kids will be fine, let them go play with the grandparents!

Kim 4-29-2009 @ 1:21PM

You must be concerned. I understand what your saying, because I'm an ICU nurse and see people die every year from what started off as the flu. But this is different on a number of different levels, because it is a strain that humans have not ever experienced. Just like with vaccinating children, first time, they get 2 doses to build up an immunity. Just an FYI. Good luck!

Anne 4-28-2009 @ 9:13PM

The virus appears to be the same. But the disease has caused at least 20 deaths in Mexico, while it has appeared more mild in the 20 confirmed U.S. cases, with no deaths and most patients recovering without needing to be hospitalized. It's unclear why confirmed cases have been more severe in Mexico than in the U.S. A CDC official warned on Sunday that as cases continue to emerge in the U.S., some may prove fatal.

http://www.000health.com/healthnews/11713-questions-and-answers-about-the-swine-flu.html

Jack 4-29-2009 @ 1:06PM

"It's unclear why confirmed cases have been more severe in Mexico than in the U.S."
Sure it's clear: overcrowding, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare are the cause for the severity of the cases in Mexico. Don't buy into the hype.

Sifrina 4-28-2009 @ 9:25PM

Wow, that's quite a dilemna and I completely understand your heartburn about this! Well, at least you are taking smart precautions and you know your children will be so well protected by your parents while they are away.

Swine flu has me pretty stressed out, I have to admit. No cases in my state of Maryland...yet. A friend of mine has a cough and was feeling pretty sick after a recent cruise so I just called her at work and interrupted her busy day to make sure her cruise didn't have any ports of call in Mexico (it didn't, pure Central America). She's feeling much better now but appreciated my genuine (if neurotic) concern.

When I was in my 20s I was set to go to Venezuela for a second stint of study abroad. At about that time there was a horrible outbreak of Dengue (Hemorrahgic) fever (which is transmitted by mosquito; good luck avoiding those!) . The State Dept even issued a travel advisory against traveling to Venezuela, which I hid from my father after it appeared in the NY Times right before my trip. Of course he found out about the travel advisory and called me in Venezuela - SHOUTING!!! Probably not a smart thing to do - to go to Venezuela at the time of a State Dept travel advisory, but I was young and excited to get back to my "adoptive" country and simply had to go! Dengue Fever is a horrible illness, but fortunately, I never got sick, nor did any of my friends, and I had a wonderful and safe time abroad.

ninainindia 4-29-2009 @ 4:40AM

The hysteria is caused by the media, somehow they love to make everyone panic. It must make them a lot of money. In Europe it's also a good time to make people afraid because the European elections are coming up that no one cares about. They hope by creating fear in people they will be more likely to vote....

Let's just stay calm. Many more people die form malaria every day, and from car accidents etc etc.

My vacation is planned for the US next month and have no intention of cancelling.

CQ 4-29-2009 @ 7:08AM

There is the consequences of the media focus. I understand that focusing on the story will create awareness and the side effect is hysteria.

But I have found when they said that wildfires are coming your way. They probably are and the evidence (fire) is apparent. I do not see any increase in the advertisements of cold and flu medicines in the media. I have also watch Sanje Gupta on CNN for a long time, and if he says be concerned; I listen.

The media is saying that this is a flu that we should take seriously and protect ourselves in the appropriate way.Many people experience sniffles or full blown colds from the standard day of travel. (Good proactive step is to drink some orange juice on each leg of the trip).

I would not let my children travel at this time until we see if something really comes out of this "hysteria" that that the media is creating. If the terrorist color changes, I would pay attention to that too but not to the point of being paralyzed.

Some people say that when our time comes there is nothing about it. So why bother. I disagree, I enjoy living and if the media is harping. I will take note, be prepared; turn off the TV, wash my hands often and get on with my life.

ReadyMom 4-29-2009 @ 11:11AM

Nina. The world health organization has already convened in an unprecidented TWO emergency meeting in less than 3 days, declaring Mexico and the US to be “public health emergency of international concern”. They have also issued travel advisories for both countries.

The World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert level to a four. The next level will be 'Pandemic' and that level is phases 5 AND 6 with is 'Pandemic'.

If you still decide to travel, it would be prudent to make sure you pack N95 masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer to monitor your temperature, should you not feel well, and inquire about getting Tamiflu to take that with you, should you be out of the country and need to take it, if you present symptoms.

ninainindia 4-29-2009 @ 11:18AM

But there is no negative travel advice to any country, also not to Mexico or the USA. You can rebook if you want to but if you cancel you will not get your money back from the insurance for disasters. If this was truly a pandemic at the levels people are saying there would be a negative travel advice.

Also some time ago, the same thing was reported about the bird flu, pandemic etc. The old pandemics were all mentioned and people were scared. And suddenly we didn't hear anything about it anymore.

Mary Quezada 4-29-2009 @ 8:24AM

I live in Los Angeles, I live in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood!! My mother in law is in Mexico for a week visiting her daughter. I admit I wasn't nervous until I remembered that she is in Mexico. She is 88 years old and I hope she doesn't catch that flu and bring it back with her. Ewwww I also have a 10 year old kid to worry about as well. Let's pray that this flu dies out and goes away!

danny 4-30-2009 @ 8:26AM

well we had a out break at a school that is close to our school and they shut that school down and they are cleaning and testing all of the children

Leo 4-29-2009 @ 9:21AM

Want the truth? Go to this web site for all the links you will need to educate yourself... Then book mark it!

http://webmail.aol.com/42679/aol/en-us/Suite.aspx

Leo 4-29-2009 @ 9:58AM

Sorry I posted the wrong link above, try this one:

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=2581

Sww 4-29-2009 @ 11:56AM

I find it very unsettling that we go to great lengths to improve the health of young people but allow political correctness to influence how they feel or what they are willing to tolerate when it comes to their childrens safety in todays world....

ReadyMom 4-29-2009 @ 11:11AM

After holding an unprecedented second emergency meeting in less than three days. Today, WHO is calling for another emergency meeting. The Pandemic Alert level will be discussed, yet again, as Swine Flu cases increase. Should the WHO raise the pandemic alert, the next level will be ‘5’.

Last night, the Department of Health & Human Services issued the following Public Service Announcements:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Community Planning for Swine Flu
April 28, 2009 6:45 PM ET

Audio
Audio - Download MP3 file

Script
Health officials are concerned about a new influenza virus of swine origin that’s spreading from person to person. Officials are acting to combat this threat, but the outbreak might grow. So be prepared.

Store a two-week supply of food and water. Have two weeks of your regular prescription drugs at home. Keep health supplies on hand, including pain relievers and cold medicines.

For more details, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Swine Flu Preparedness
April 28, 2009 6:45 PM ET

Audio
Audio - Download MP3 file

Script
Health officials are concerned about a new influenza virus of swine origin that’s spreading from person to person. Officials are acting to combat this threat, but the outbreak could grow. Prepare now.

Check with local leaders, schools, employers, and other community groups about their plans regarding an outbreak in your community. It’s important for everyone to know what to do about swine flu.

For details, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

I also draw your attention to some further information regarding a pandemic ‘wave’. From www.GetPandemicReady.org:

When a pandemic outbreak occurs, the virus can spread in a community for about three months. This period is called a wave, and is modeled in the graph above.
After three months, the virus tends to go away as people either get well, die, or are naturally immune. Influenza viruses constantly mutate. This is why a new flu
shot is needed every year or two because each mutation is slightly different. Pandemic viruses also mutate, as the surviving population developed some immunity.
In past pandemics, mutation has resulted in two more waves of infection over the course of a year or two. Then the pandemic was generally over, as the surviving
population developed some immunity.

It is recommended that you keep the above reference in mind, when following the CDC guidance for starting a 2-week supply of preparation items.

Leo 4-29-2009 @ 12:37PM

If a wave lasts 3 months and mutates so fast, how does Big Pharma develop and distribute a vacine that targets the newly mutated virus so fast? Answer... ? Maybe they knew before hand... Maybe they developed the virus too... Also, Did you know, if you refuse a vacine during a Pandemic it is a criminal offense? But, if everyone else is vacinated they should be safe, right...? One more thought, are these manditory vacines during a Pandemic all free? After all should someone profit for "saving humanity"?

Kim 4-29-2009 @ 1:21PM

I am an ICU nurse and have seen many people die from what started as the flu. The only thing that makes this really different, is humans have had no previous immunity to this flu. Think of children who start their first flu vaccine with 2 doses, to build immunity for the flu, in general. So, yes, I am very concerned for my children. Hopefully, if everyone is very vigilant, we can control this. I do not feel our government is well prepared for this or has made many good decisions, so I feel it is up to us as adults and/or parents to do so. Good luck, be especially careful for the younger ones. Everyone be careful and safe.

cj` 4-29-2009 @ 11:54AM

There has been a confirmed death in the us. In Houston Texas a 2 year old died from it. I do have friends that work in several of the Hospitals that have told me that a couple of people getting off the planes have been put in quaratine in the local hospitals. But one good thing is houston has one of the testing sites so they will be able to get the test results back faster. I would be safe than sorry I have to watch my daughter because she has asthma and I have to be extra cautious with the regular flu. With this being a flu that affects the respiratory system I am considering pulling her from school and home schooling her for a little while. Right now with all of the pollen in the air she is having problems with her asthma because she is allergic to most trees and grasses.