AIBU? Worried about this flu for Christmas

[MummaHud]

I’m so paranoid that my daughters going to get this ‘Mutant strain of flu’ that is all over the news adds on facebook. She’s 5 and she’s in school, she has had the flu vaccination.

I am more worried as I’ve got a little 18 month old that was born prematurely with respiratory distress, but was signed off lung issues at 6 weeks old.

im so worried they’re both going to get it.. 😢 I suffer with health anxiety.

they both had flu last year so I’m triggered by it. My son was blue lighted to a&e but he never got admitted.

I’m really worried too, it’s hard not to be as it’s all over the media. My children have both had the flu spray, but from what I’ve heard, the ‘mutant’ flu strain isn’t covered by the vaccine this year and that I assume, is why it’s so prevalent now. Both my children have started with cold symptoms today but seem fine in themselves, so I assume not flu. In this climate and run up to Christmas though, my threshold for keeping them home will be low!!

I totally get it , my 15 year old has started with symptoms today of a blocked nose and feeling unwell .. I’ve only recently finished cancer treatment so I’m terrified of getting it

Try not to worry, flu comes every year in different forms.

It does but this years flu is a new variant of Influenza A (A is usually more aggressive) and with hospitals saying they are declaring critical incidents ..it’s really worrying

All you can do is boost the immune systems of everyone in the house. Echinacea drops 3 x a days, vitamin C and D tablets, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drink lots of water, get outside for exercise at least once a day.

I think it’s right to be sensible and stay at home if you are ill, wash and sanitise hands, where masks if with someone vulnerable or you have symptoms yourself. Get your self immunised if possible too. However I think the media are guilty of scaremongering a bit like they did during Covid and they are making people panic more than is necessary. Do what you think is right for you and your family and don’t believe all you see and read.

At least you vaccinated your kids which is working against this strain. It's likely linked to the drop in parents vaccinating their kids.

Wash hands. Wear a mask. Get hepa filters air purifiers for the house. Get a flu vaccination pay for it .

Ah, my 5 year old is vaccinated, but my 18 month old is too young 🫠🫠🫠 next winter when he’s 2, he will certainly be having it!

I’m immunocompromised, worrying won’t stop me getting it so there’s no point worrying.

I think one of the biggest risks is kids picking it up at school and spreading it to the family. If the 5yo is protected your 18mo should be slightly safer at any rate!

You should get the free vaccination on NHS - call your GP perhaps?

OP- have you and your partner had a flu vaccine this year too? It doesn't always prevent flu, but can help lesson the symptoms.

I hope you are getting some support for your mental health?

Yanbu. After all the covid conspiracy theories coming true, I'm inclined to think there's a link between this and Starmer's operation Pegasus event in November. Something just doesn't sit right. Maybe that's just me being paranoid but after all the lies the government bodies spouted last time, I don't trust a word they say. There was a pre planned pandemic exercise just before before covid hit and now the Pegasus pre planned childhood pandemic exercise before this......

The medical advice is actually that the vaccine is a really good match to this super flu so should be very effective

I think this is absolutely right. I've just flicked onto the Mail Online to see the headlines (don't shoot me) and there's a whole section of articles, the tone of which is very reminiscent of those printed during Covid.

My daughter and husband were ill two weeks ago and I didn’t catch it so I’m 🤞 we are safe. I am a bit worried though.

Why would the 5yo being vaccinated prevent her from bringing the flu home and infecting others? 🙄
It DOESN’T prevent transmission, it’s not a magic bloody shield.
It should lessen the severity of symptoms in the vaccinated, but the problem this year is the vaccine isn’t for this particular strain, making it only 30% effective.
There is never just one Flu going around, there can be several varieties, the vaccine is basically a guess at which will be the most prevalent.

Good Hygiene and ventilation are the best preventative measures at home, open your windows

Every year there is flu . Why panic . Its not covid 2020

It’s the same story literally every year. The media report every winter that hospital beds are full, hospitals are overwhelmed by flu etc. Be sensible with hygiene etc but don’t panic

Absolutely nothing you can do about it other than what you have already done - vaccinate all those eligible.
Whatever you do, no shielding or ridiculous covid-esque measure please. Your daughter deserves normality, she was born amidst chaos.

So what are you doing to avoid it. I'm in the same situation and my GP has warned me that I would probably end up in hospital if I get it with pneumonia. Basically said a proper mask if I MUST go out, don'y want to be a prisoner all winter.

…what?

I appreciate what people are saying re: it’s the same every year/the media are scaremongering etc, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of schools closing (fully or partially) due to high numbers of staff with flu before like I have this year (not covid). My son was off yesterday due to a partial closure.

Please correct me if I’m wrong.

An 18 month old with lung issues is eligible for a flu vaccine injection btw.
Apparently this year’s vaccine is 70-75% effective in avoiding hospital treatment in children.
Only 30 ish% for adults though.

For adults 18-65, the risk is 4 in 100000, so 400 in ten million. There are 43 million in this age group in the UK.