Sick Kids - Lewisville, TX

Call the hospital as suggested....and change docs as it is ridiculous that they cannot test......don't clog up the ER for a test unless the hospital tells you to bring them.....I have been thinking about what I would do as my kids are medically complex and we have never found a decent pedi that will take Medicaid so I would probably use a minor emergency clinic...........good luck!

Y.,

My hubby is a nurse and has passionate (as you can imagine) views on this whole outbreak. First off, in reality, you'd be just fine pushing fluids and watching them. If your pedi wants them to take Tamiflu, go for it...it won't stop it, but could shorten the length of time they have it and make the symptoms less severe. However, because the CDC is tracking this outbreak, regardless of the real danger of it, I would take them to the ER or to a specialist that can test them (could call the hospital and ask who could do this instead of an ER payment/co-payment, etc). The only real reason to have them tested for this is to help the CDC track it and help them out. Otherwise, it's just like any other flu. The people in Mexico that have died (and the toddler in Texas that came from Mexico) didn't have great access to care. The toddler just got help too late. The people that have been sickened here have all been just fine with IV fluids, etc (my hubby has helped treat one of the kids). In reality, the WHO is trying to be cautious and proactive to prevent a bigger issue and save their jobs if it becomes a bigger issue if they didn't try to do something about it. However, if everyone thinks about it, there are over 18 million people just in Mexico City itself, and the cases reported have been around 2500. Now, there are likely many more unreported, but even if that number totaled 10-20K....that is a very small number. And the 180 that have dies there again, a very small number considering the access to healthcare. (this is all stuff my hubby has brought up). So, just for your comfort, the kiddos are likely to be just fine doing what you know how to do. That being said, to be a "good citizen" and help them track it, especially if they'd do it for free, it would be helpful to have them tested. Hope that helps!!!

Definitely go to the doctor. The swine flu has been popping up all over and is most responsive to the treatment if it begins soon (one source said within 48 hours - but there is all kinds of info so who knows) after the symptoms appear. Good luck!

I'm not a huge Tamiflu fan. This drug has some pretty severe consequences of its own, like nausea that often requires an additional prescription (at least in the one time that we used it), and has been known to cause really weird side effects like psychosis and suicide. Just do a google search on it before defaulting to it. Yes, the argument is that it's better than nothing, but is it really? Question your doctor before allowing the hysteria of the moment to overrule your mommy sense. It's not the panacea that it's hyped to be.

Please take them to the doctor ASAP...it is worth it to be safe instead of sorry.

Yes it's "just another flu" and yes, the people in Mexico that passed didn't have the medical facilities we have. That being said, they're reporting that "the normal flu" could cause deaths in the very young and old. This particular flu has caused deaths in what we normally consider strong. And if you don't take them to the doctor, what good are our medical facilities???
Your children are probably fine and just not feeling well, but I think that with what they are ASKING of us in the current climate, it would be socially irresponsible to not take your children to the doctor, just because it MAY be nothing. Why take the chance? I would much rather be inconvenienced for a day for "nothing" but peace of mind than take a chance on harming my children, myself, my neighbors. The right thing would be to make the phone calls needed to find out where to take your kids.

I would call the health department and ask where they can be tested.

S.

Don't do the ER. Try Acute Kids. They are the Emergency Room for kids!!! They are still open until Midnight tonight. Good luck.

i have two kids and if it were mine i would take them in. ask your pediatrician where to take them and go.
i know the medical community wants to keep tabs on how many people have it and so forth. if your kids do have it, it would be of greathelp to the medical community to have that number more accurate for their data

I agree, my husband is also a nurse (RN) and I say take them to the urgent care place, there are several around. We take our kids to Acute kids Urgent Care.
Tamiflu can help the symtoms but won't be affective unless you catch it withing the first day or so.
I say at least take them and get tested and make sure they are ok. Better safe than sorry.

Take them in! Even if only for your own piece of mind. If it is this, the sooner they get treated the better. Don't take a risk, especially since you are at least somewhat close to an area affected.

While it may not be swine flu at all, I would absolutely chose to be safe and get them in! It is something that is spreading so quickly, and while they can be treated and should be just fine, like was previously stated..it will help track where it is, and help schools decide if they need to close etc. If any of the children attend school, please allert their school immediately. LISD has already had a school closing, and would likely chose to do the same if this case turns out to be true. Good luck..I am sure all will be well:) ~A.~

Take them to be tested. Those are the symptoms. I'm not big into all the hype and fear the media is instilling in us, but I do think you should be tested and treated if you think you (or your kids) might have it, even if it's just the regualr flu. Seems like and easy choice to me.