https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:42:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2793102 Thu, 21 Dec 2017 14:41:24 +0000 LemonJack 2793102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: Not on that side of the family, so our kids will be the only little ones there. I agree on the cousin time though!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2793090 Thu, 21 Dec 2017 14:22:55 +0000 Autumnmama79 2793090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: Does your older child have cousins who will be at the Christmas party? That would probably be my only motivation, I'd want to make sure my older got to have family time at the holidays :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2793076 Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:42:54 +0000 LemonJack 2793076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: She did take TamiFlu! I didn't know it cut down on how long someone is contagious. Good to know!</p> <p>And yes, I would like to go. I'm lucky my in laws are people I like to see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2793075 Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:41:13 +0000 LemonJack 2793075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: That's a great point! I didn't think about that.</p> <p>I really want to go, so that helps make me feel a little better. I know it would mean a lot to her if we came too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2793003 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 22:04:23 +0000 MsMini 2793003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After I posted before I was also thinking - chances are grandma was sick for a couple days BEFORE she was admitted to hospital, right? So you have even more of a buffer zone for contagiousness! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792986 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 19:04:51 +0000 LemonJack 2792986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey everyone! Thanks for the feedback! I do agree that our kids are exposed to things every day, especially because they go to daycare. In this case I was feeling more cautious because I do feel being potentially exposed while out in public is a lot different than taking my kids to an enclosed space and spending an extended period of time with someone who we know is ill.</p> <p>I do want to go and always enjoy Christmas Eve with my in laws, so if at all possible, we will be going. I'll play it by ear. It just helps to hear other perspectives! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792909 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:04:43 +0000 DesertDreams88 2792909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The flu's contagious period is 5-7 days, so Christmas Eve would be the 8th day, if I'm counting correctly...? Also, was/is she on Tamiflu? Our ped said DH was only contagious for 5 days if he had Tamiflu, and LO was 3m at the time so we were being very cautious. </p> <p>Another thing to consider is (1) do you get to see this grandma very often and (2) do you WANT to go? LOL ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792866 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 10:32:00 +0000 maddyz 2792866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go, wear the baby as much as possible and wash hands. I live in NYC so my kids spend all day touching things that other people have touched. It's unavoidable. I just try to wash hands often, feed them well and be rested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792840 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:46:11 +0000 trixi 2792840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If no one else was sick with it, I'd probably go and either babywear or be holding the baby as much as possible. Wash hands and take hand sanitizer.<br /> Like someone else said, you can get the virus at the grocery store or even pumping gas at the gas station!<br /> However, if someone else comes down with it before the day is here, we'd be sitting it out. As to me that means the virus is spreading and there are other folks that are carriers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792837 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:36:41 +0000 littlebug 2792837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. I'd skip it. It is not worth the risk to me, especially with an infant who hasn't received the full dose of the vaccine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792818 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:29:33 +0000 caterw 2792818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would make a decision closer to time. If anyone is still sick I would skip. If I went, I would baby wear and not feel bad about leaving early if people were coughing/ sneezing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792793 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 23:39:20 +0000 Purpledaisy 2792793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go. How I look at it is that every time we got to any public place we are at risk of being exposed to illnesses... I wouldn't miss a family event because someone might be contagious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792778 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 22:41:17 +0000 travellingbee 2792778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as no one else there comes down with it I’d go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792776 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 22:33:00 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2792776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if it's just her I don't think it's that big of a risk by Xmas.. but the thing that might keep me home is that whoever is helping take care of her might already be spreading it unknowingly. 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792772 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 21:59:00 +0000 Foodnerd81 2792772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: how mobile is your 6 month old? If she’s crawling or wouldn’t be happy just being help by a few safe people, and is putting everything in her mouth... I don’t know what I would do. But if you think she will mostly be happy with you or DH or someone else you trust is healthy and washes their hands holding her most of the time, I would probably lean towards going. </p> <p>Is there someone who will help his grandmother clean beforehand and could do an extra wipe down with Lysol? I can’t imagine an old lady recovering from the flu wants to do that right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792769 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 21:52:21 +0000 Canoli 2792769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh, probably wouldn’t go. I wouldn’t want to expose my kids to the flu if I didn’t have to. Maybe FaceTime with her or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792750 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 21:10:59 +0000 wrkbrk 2792750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! Very mixed responses! Personally I would go. Not a newborn so probably* ok and I’m sure she’s really looking forward to seeing you all. Just keep the baby from being passed around and limit the visit to two hours or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792745 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:52:58 +0000 summerfruit 2792745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't take the kiddos either. It might be ok, but there could still be germ exposure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792740 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:19:02 +0000 LemonJack 2792740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: She's six months, but still too young to be fully vaccinated. ☹️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792739 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:18:01 +0000 LemonJack 2792739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: I've heard the same thing about the shot this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792738 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:17:54 +0000 pinkcupcake 2792738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t think I would risk it. It takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to fully kick in. Not worth risk to a 6 week old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792737 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:17:28 +0000 LemonJack 2792737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: The germs around the house are one of my main concerns too.</p> <p>@MsMini: If that's the case I feel better, but I thought they could live on surfaces for days.</p> <p>@Pollywog: Yes to all of those - I'm nursing, and all of us got flu shots back in October.</p> <p>I feel terrible considering not going, but I'm glad to know I'm not being crazy or super paranoid! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792736 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:05:44 +0000 Jennibenni 2792736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would send my husband alone. It just wouldn’t be worth the risk to me with a baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792734 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:03:04 +0000 bees_knees 2792734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FYI the flu shot is rumored to not be very effective this year, AND it takes some time to kick in. So even if you get a flu shot now, it wouldn’t be protective by this weekend. I have no idea what I would do, so I’m no help there. Tough call! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792731 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 19:56:20 +0000 Pollywog 2792731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you, your husband, and your older kiddo get your flu shot? Are you breast feeding? If so, I'd go. If not, I'd get your flu shots today and haggle over going. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792728 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 19:26:40 +0000 Bibliolove 2792728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The virus is contagious up to 7 days according to CDC. Personally I wouldn't go either. That's great she is feeling better! But I still wouldn't go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792727 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 19:26:36 +0000 MsMini 2792727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Influenza is contagious for 5-7 days after becoming sick and the virus only lives on surfaces for 24 hours. I would think by Christmas you are running a very low risk situation of infection. I would still go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792724 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 18:56:29 +0000 youboots 2792724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Regardless of age I would not go personally. Not worth the risk. Who knows how many germs are all over the house? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/influenza-and-christmas-with-an-infant#post-2792720 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 18:47:33 +0000 LemonJack 2792720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wondering what people would do in this situation...</p> <p>DH's grandma went into the hospital with the flu on Sunday. She's feeling better today, and will hopefully be released either tonight or tomorrow. Every year his family has their Christmas celebration at her house on Christmas Eve. DH talked to her today and she wanted to know if we would be coming. She still wants people to come over.</p> <p>Everyone will be bringing all of the food and drinks needed for the celebration, so luckily it won't be a big deal for her to still host.</p> <p>My concern is that we have two little kids, one of whom is an infant. She's six months old, so she received her first dose of the flu vaccine, but hasn't received the second one. I'm very nervous about exposing her to the flu. DH is going to go to the celebration wither way, because he feels it's important to see his grandma. I'm okay with that and would just stay back.</p> <p>In our situation, what would you do? Am I being too paranoid? </p>