How to manage if I get this flu?

[Redonionsalad]

I’m a single parent, no support nearby.
I keep reading with this new flu strain people can’t get out of bed for a week or more.

I’m in panic mode as how on earth will I look after my DC (5 and 7) if I do catch it?!

Have you had the flu jab?

Is your 7 year old able to prepare anything for himself? Even simple things like cereal or sandwiches, and juice/water etc.

Also, your DC's school(s) may be able to provide a pick up and drop off service if you do get so unwell that you're unable to get out of the house to do the school run. Obviously this depends on the area and their school(s) though. My son's school provides this service, obviously only in extreme circumstances.

Otherwise, I would keep them off of school and just request for the school work/homework to be emailed across so you can help them with it while you're recovering.

It's awful being a single parent with no support, especially when you're ill. I've been there many times (I have a good, strong, albeit small, support system now though).

I had a similar reaction to COVID first time we had it but luckily just for a few days. We got by with a lot of screen time, easy meals and take out that lasted us 2 days. I made a bed on the sofa and we vegged together. They were about 3 and 5 at the time. It wasn't ideal and it wasn't great parenting but we survived. My sister video called and chatted to them for ages at a time too, they took my phone about with them as they played.

Make sure you've got plenty of simple food in the freezer and cupboards
Have a shopping delivery website set up.
Get to know your children's friends parents. I happily would help someone I didn't even know that well.

It's not fun being ill and caring for children but they will survive a week or so of benign neglect

Yes this too. Last time the children and I were all ill we just camped out in the sitting room so I didn't have to move around the house to look after them

I'd recommend making sure the medicine cabinet is stocked.

Broncho Stop cough medicine, packets of paracetamol, anaesthetic throat spray so you can sleep at night, some nasal rinse for your sinuses, strepsils.

Tesco Whoosh was also a god send when I had flu as could order every couple of days and have an order arrive in 45 minutes.

@Redonionsalad be scrupulous cleaning your hands, and the children, and have the flu jab. Me and my 7yr old had the jab, well she had the flu sniff and we didn't get it when everyone else did

Go and get yourself a flu jab. Make sure you are stocked up on paracetamol, ibuprofen, tissues, ready meals and any other illness essentials - I used to always end up having to drive to get things when I was feeling my worst.

Other than that, expect a week of incredibly low standards and high screen time and junk food.

You will not be able to parent children with this flu. It's deadly. My sister her hubby and 3 year old couldn't get out of bed

It doesn't sound like OP has much of a choice though. So I'm trying to give practical advice

This is why I have the flu jab every year.

Get vaxxed if you're not and you can get it. Uncrustables. Lunchables if you have them there. Ramen. Cereal. String cheese and crackers. Fill up some gallon jugs with water. Paper plates and plastic cutlery. Takeout. Pizza.

You're going to have to get to know some of the people around you because as a single parent, you need a support system in case.

Book yourself a flu jab, I had to pay for mine but its worth it. Be scrupulous about antibac spraying touch points like door handles, toilet flush etc. Get yourself some Vicks First defence nasal spray, not the unblocker. Its a game changer for me. Spray it at first sign of a tickle or even just when you've had contact with people.

Try not to worry. Flu is not as transmissible as Covid. Most people will get the flu once every ten years and we do maintain some immunity.

The best things to do to protect yourself - make sure you’ve had the flu jab and your children have. Practice good hygiene and avoid touching your face/eyes.

Get hold of some First Defence - and use before any after going on public transport and busy places,

Eat healthily and get plenty of sleep,

Worst case - you’d have to keep kids off school and all camp out together.

Oh yes and I never touch any door handles in public!

It's horrendous. If you all get it that's simpler because you'll all be in bed. If one or both kids don't (but I expect they will, 17/25 kids in my son's class were off) then you'll need to drive them to school or all get a taxi because you absolutely will not be able to walk them in. Have big stocks of ibuprofen and paracetamol (adult and kids versions) and multiple sets of PJ's because you'll sweat through them multiple times a night and won't have the energy to wash anything.

Stock up on medicine.
Have easy food in the house ready
Subscribe to a new tv channel eg Disney

Get the flu jab, I guess. You'll still get flu, but it won't knock you for six. Vaccinations are watered down versions of the virus that encourage an immune response to take the edge off, you will still feel like crap, but you won't lose the will to live.

I got the flu jab for the first time this year because I'm pregnant, my immune system is under a load as it's protecting my baby, which then leaves me vulnerable to things like colds and flu. I'm just getting over a cold now, so what I was told checks out.

Get the flu jab if it's offered by the NHS (you can actually buy it for £21.95 at Boots even if you're not considered vulnerable) and keep your medicine cabinet stocked up (you should be doing that anyway with all kinds as you never know what you might get struck down with).

You'll be fine.

Have their school not had the vaccine? Or is it not working much this year?

People i work with had jabs but still caught it and were quite poorly with it.
Same with my kids.
Jabs do not guarantee no infection

Vaccines do not work every time. Also keep in mind that the vaccine is developed months in advance - in that time flu evolves into different strains (or several strains later). Im a vaccine proponents but you cannot solely rely on vaccines when it comes to flu

If you haven't got the jab, then get one. And make a note in your calendar for next August AND Sept to make next year's appointment.
If you can afford a food order get soup, frozen ready meals etc. Yes to disposable plates and cutlery, I did that many times when mine were young.
Check your thermometer has batteries and you know where it is. Paracetamol and ibuprofen, cough syrup and throat pastilles etc.
If you can afford a milk delivery once a week it will probably give you the option to add extra items and extra days at the last minute. This got me through some really grotty winters.

If you are stuck email school and give them the heads up you really are proper poorly, there may be a member of staff that can help. I had a single parent friend who had to get the local female vicar to get her kids to school when she was very ill.

I'm the same, no support. I've stocked up on paracetamol and lemsip. That's all I can do. There's food in the freezer and a stock of vitamin pills. Not much else I need.

Make sure you have a medical thermometer, a charged phone, tissues, and enough stores to keep your little ones happy. Then take things slowly. It's all you can do.

I know, that's why i was asking

Weve all had the flu jab in early Oct and all got it .

Im not a single parent but we all ended up with it
We had far too much screen time. My son and I lay in bed quite literally for 4 days I took toys up into his room although he didn't use them, just watched TV . My DH had the baby . None of us wanted to eat but I ordered a load of easy/ snack things for my son. The kids throats where sore (as was mine ) so cold drinks , ice lollie or hot drinks.

Stock up on every flu medicine you can find , for you and the kids . I found boiling hot baths with magnesium salts helped for the aches . We also had to do an a&e run at one point , hopefully you wouldn't. But make sure fuel is in the car ! Fingers crossed you avoid x