Best Practices After Flu Exposure

[IvyInFlorida]

Just found out that a Saturday dinner guest has flu type A.  He was in close contact with all of us and we haven't had the flu shot.  One of my sons has a dr appointment in the morning and we have martial arts practices and visits with grandparents this week.  What is the protocol with exposure but no symptoms?  Will the pediatrician still want my son to come in for a well check?  Should we still go to practices?  We barely ever get sick so I'm out of the loop with this stuff.  BAH.

Edited January 27, 2020 by IvyInFlorida

[mlktwins]

I just got over the flu (strain b).  From my research, a person is contagious from the day before symptoms appear to 3-5 days after.  Symptoms usually start within 1-4 fays after exposure and 7 days with no symptoms is supposed to be safe.

If it were me, I would make a quick call to the doctor in the morning and ask what they want you to do.  As for being with the grandparents, if they are local, I would cancel to be safe.  I was with my elderly father (taking him to an appt) when I started symptoms.  I am so thankful he didn’t get it, especially from me.  It is more dangerous for medically fragile and older people.  For me, better safe than sorry with this one.

I would ask the doctor about the martial arts classes.  Other than that, I would probably just lie low this week if you can and rest. I hope ya’ll don’t get it - no fun!  I had a fever for 6 days + cough and congestion.  Once my fever broke, I felt a lot better pretty quickly.  I still tire easily though.

 

[Katy]

Call the pediatrician nurse line and ask.  There's only a few vaccines they'll want to reschedule, and probably only if there is an active fever.

Call the grandparents and ask if they've had flu shots and ask if they want you to visit.  I know in some areas the shot wasn't a great match this year.

Otherwise just watch for symptoms and stay home if anyone in your house gets a fever. 

You might want to try elderberry supplements and make meals with lots of fresh garlic, both have pretty strong antiviral effects.

[mlktwins]

3 minutes ago, Katy said:

Call the pediatrician nurse line and ask.  There's only a few vaccines they'll want to reschedule, and probably only if there is an active fever.

Call the grandparents and ask if they've had flu shots and ask if they want you to visit.  I know in some areas the shot wasn't a great match this year.

Otherwise just watch for symptoms and stay home if anyone in your house gets a fever. 

You might want to try elderberry supplements and make meals with lots of fresh garlic, both have pretty strong antiviral effects.

I had the flu shot 😔.  May have made it less severe, but still not fun.

Yes, to the elderberry!  

And...was this person in your house?  It last for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces so I would wipe down door handles, light switches, faucets, etc. where they might have been and wash any hand towels, etc. in hot water.  

[Mbelle]

I and younger ds had flu, but the other two people in the house started taking elderberry immediatly and kept it up for about a week, and they only got mild congestion.  They also stayed as far away from us as possible, but dh did still sleep in our bed.   We did wipe down everything with clorox wipes, especially door knobs and handles etc...