As a parent of a chronically ill and medically
fragile child, I am always making sure that Mighty Z’s health is top priority.
When it comes to vaccines, I am almost always pro -vaccine simply because with
Mighty Z’s syndrome, CCHS (Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome),
anything can pop up randomly resulting in an unplanned ICU stay or an emergency
surgery. Also, I know I need to do my
best to prevent the other issues that may occur if I don’t vaccinate, so I
always make sure we are always up to date with vaccines.
Last year according to the Center for Disease
Control, only 50% of children who are medically fragile had the flu vaccine,
and although that might be shocking to some, it was not at all shocking to me.
One has to remember that even though in a controlled environment the flu
vaccine has been proven safe and effective, life is not a controlled
environment. Even as a mom who is pro-vaccination, I have chosen for Mighty Z
not to have the flu vaccine, and many other moms who also have children who are
medically fragile have chosen the same. It’s not because we feel there is
something wrong with the vaccine; it is mostly because through trial and error
we have found that a flu vaccine for our kids has sent us to the PICU more than
once.
Whether or not to give your chronically ill,
medically fragile child the flu vaccine is just as hot a topic as the 2012
election was. When you deal with a child that has a rare disease or really any
disease, being pro vaccine for all vaccines can be tricky. As a mom with a
child like Mighty Z, it is up to me to make sure that it is safe for my child
to have all vaccines, through research and trial and error. What might be good
for some can be deadly for others, and sometimes you have to weigh the “is the
risk of having a vaccination worth a trip to the ER” question. You have to know
your own child and with the help of your doctor make the right choice when it
comes to giving or not giving the flu vaccine.
If you choose not to give your medically fragile
child the flu vaccine, it is imperative that you help protect your child from
being exposed to the flu as much as possible, and also look for signs that your
medically fragile child might have the flu.
Some great ways to limit exposure according to Flu.Gov are to wash your hands often with soap and water or an
alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread
this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Practice good health
habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of
fluids, and eat healthy food. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you
cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
The signs that your child might have the flu are:
A 100oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
A cough and/or sore throat
A runny or stuffy nose
Headaches and/or body aches, chills, Fatigue
Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
So weather or not you vaccinate for the Flu make sure you take preventions against it and watch for signs for it.
edited by Emily Joy Minich
01 02 12
