What even are the risks?

[Jrobhatch29]

I suddenly feel terrified. I turned 32 yesterday and have gone from feeling like my risks were low to feeling really scared again. I have 2 little boys (7 and 4) and a newborn baby who is 11 days old. I am completely terrified for them especially the baby after news of the new syndrome.
Im so worried they get left without theit Mam or even worse something happens to them. Does anyone else feel like this?

I feel the total same. I'm 27 and have two children and I'm petrified. Not helped by the fact that I'm I'll at the moment

Why are you petrified? What makes you feel like that?

Because of what you are reading or seeing on television?

Or because of real life experience or knowledge of the current situation?

Does this help OP?

I dont know. I think it seeing how tiny and vunerable my baby girl is. I dont know how to keep her safe if this is going to go on a long time. I felt quite calm until now after seeing statistics about risks to age groups but thats gone out the window. I am a primary school teacher, obviously on maternity now but a huge proportion of my facebook are teachers and many any terrified about going back to work and post constant links about the new syndrome in children so maybe that has something to do with it.
I feel like the risks to the individual arent shared with us and feel so worried again

That’s pretty unprofessional of your co-workers, and not helpful to anyone. I can see why their scaremongering would make you feel like you do.

@jrobhatch29 without wanting to scare you further as that is not my intention, are you not concerned about “life” being a risk to you child, before there was coronavirus there were still thousands of serious risks to your health and your children’s, did you worry so acutely then?

I would stop reading or watching the news for a start. These are businesses that make money from your consumption of them. They know that scaring people is a great way to keep them reading the news.

I would follow the government advice on minimising your risk of catching this particular virus - handwashing being the key one for you and for children.

And then I would try to relax and enjoy every day with your kids because apart from missing out on special moments because your mind is elsewhere, your kids will pick up on your anxiety and this will impact them negatively.

Despite what the news/government/other scared people want you to think, the risk to you and your children is very small.

My little boy got RSV at 9 weeks old and was in hospital for a week on oxygen and feeding tube. It was terryfing so yes of course i was worried before this. It also helped me rationalise the situation though because thousands of babies are hospitalised for RSV which didnt seem to be the case with coronavirus... Until this new kawasaki like illness emerged. We also live in the north east which has the highest infection rates. My partner is back to work in a huge factory at the end of the month and just feel like we wont be safe anymore.

I advise stepping right away form the constant news bombardment (can you mute the teachers chat?). You sound like you’re spiralling in anxiety and losing perspective.

@Drivingdownthe101 that’s really helpful, what’s the source?

Societi Foundation, the UK Foundation for Kawasaki Disease -

"We’ve been contacted by a huge number of families regarding the severe worry caused by social media and other media coverage on Covid-19 and Kawasaki Disease."

"A lot of these media articles were confused and contained little factual information."

"Whilst we acknowledge the important role of the medical community observing these cases and support efforts to monitor the situation closely, a lot of worry has been caused. We understand that and want to provide some clarity.

"APR 2020 Fewer cases of Kawasaki Disease than would normally be expected at this time of year are currently being seen–not more."

"Kawasaki Disease is a seasonal inflammatory disorder peaking in the winter and spring, and whilst no infection has ever been proven to be the sole trigger, the scientific community believe that any one of many infections may trigger Kawasaki Disease in susceptible children. For the majority of cases, Kawasaki Disease occurs without ever identifying any infectious cause."

www.societi.org.uk/societi-scientific-advisory-board-response-to-press-coverage-on-kawasaki-disease-and-covid-19/

Op I developed an overwhelming fear that DS2 would contract herpes and die immediately after he was born. I thought about it constantly, was obsessed by it. I researched the symptoms endlessly and monitored him all the time for signs of it. I keep telling myself it was very rare (which it is of course, vanishingly rare) but I still worried about it.

My eldest had been born with sepsis which I think played a part (he was poorly but recovered well with antibiotics).

For me it was post natal anxiety and my health visitor was really helpful and so was my gp. I think in the current environment it would be very easy for PNA to take hold. It calmed down for me as the hormones settled and I got some support.

Please get in touch with you health visitor for a chat.

Kawasaki is not a new syndrome it nearly killed me as an infant and I’m in my early 40s - media outlets should be held responsible as this is pure scaremongering.

I thought it wasnt actually kawasaki though, just like it. Havent they given it its own name?

PIMS-TS is the name and it still isn't established its caused by CV but it seems likely. And it is very, very rare.

Post natal anxiety is really common, and hardly helped by this current situation. I'd suggest that's what it sounds like you are suffering from. Hv, gp and even midwife if you are still on their books, should be able to offer strategies to help

I also have an 11 day old baby girl - birthday twins I hope you're ok. I'm constantly terrified, overwhelming anxiety at the moment much much worse than with my older daughter and I'm sure it's because we are living in such horrid uncertain times combined with the standard pregnancy hormones and post natal anxiety. People labelling it that makes me feel defensive and like it's being trivialised, but your concerns are real and your feelings are valid. I'm constantly in tears that I can't keep my family safe. I have no advice but a big hug x

It’s not trivialising it, sorry if you feel that it is. The point is that if it is PNA there is help available for it. It is no different to post natal depression and there is support out there.

The post natal period is incredibly challenging from a mental health perspective at the best of times, that is especially the case now. You don’t have to just push through without support.