A warning, RE: Swine Flu Vaccine....

[hmn]

We just spent almost 6 hours in emergency with our toddler because of this vaccine. She had a severe reaction with a fever (40 degrees), vomiting, shaking and rapid breathing, this happened 8 hours after the vaccine. I feel that parents should be made aware of what this vaccine can do. The scarey part is my DD was not the only one this happened to last night. The emergency ward was full of babies and toddlers with the same reaction! When we first arrive the nurse said, "oh yeah, we're gettting alot of children in with this." We talked to other parents there as well.

I'm not trying to tell anyone not to vaccinate, but maybe think about holding off on this one if you are considering it. With so many reactions at one time, maybe it was a faulty batch.

[Cupcake]

How awful! I hope your little one is feeling better!

[2CheekyMonkeys]

oh no, i just got both my kids done today! i hope your little one is ok, did they do anything at the hospital?

[kirsty_lee]

OH that happend to my sister in law the other day. She was ok in the afternoon but then by night she had a temp of 41 degree and was not well. Scary

[hmn]

oh no, i just got both my kids done today! i hope your little one is ok, did they do anything at the hospital?

I hope my post doesn't worry you. I'd just keep a close eye on them. The first signs my DD showed (8 hours after the vaccine) was rapid breathing and she felt slighly warmer than normal.

They didn't do much at the hospital. We had to get a uine sample to rule out a UTI, which was a mission. We just had to try and give her water while they kept an eye on her.

She is feeling better, thanks. She's still quite pale and tired, she had started to eat and drink a little though, so that's good.

[Mother Goose]

I'm sorry you experienced this - it must have been quiet scary for you.

When I read your post, my first thought was a faulty batch. Or it could be these people reacting to the virus... and it this is how they react to the virus, it concerns me how they would react to the virus proper. It will be interesting to see if the batch is recalled.

[CrazyLady]

I am sort of split on the whole swine flu or no swine flu vaccine.......... I think I might take my time deciding. Thanks for the info hun and hope your little princess feels better!

[willow5]

Thank you for posting!
I thought that the flu vax was not a live virus vax so you really shouldn't react like that? I'll be interested to see if we hear anything further about it, I've been told repeatedly by the docs that the flu shot can't make you sick with flu like symptoms, but have seen it over the years at work with the elderly. Big coincidence if they say it was just a coincidence that the hospital had lots of children with the same.

[kawazuki]

I'm sorry you experienced this - it must have been quiet scary for you.

When I read your post, my first thought was a faulty batch. Or it could be these people reacting to the virus... and it this is how they react to the virus, it concerns me how they would react to the virus proper. It will be interesting to see if the batch is recalled.

there is no word of a faulty batch.
my concern would be a break in COLD CHAIN, if they were all from the same practice.

i just had an update on this.
but will ensure i tell all my parents to watch their children for 24 hours now. even though i usually tell them and give then a hand out of signs and symptoms.

please let the person who vaccinated your child know of the reaction as it needs to be logged in the immunisation reaction programme. and monitored.

there has been alot of cunfusion about doasge as well
as
under 3 gets .25 mls x 2 doses
3-10 get .5ml x 2 doses and
over 10 get .5ml x 1 dose

the 2 doses is because their system is not primed at all the receive the vaccine so one dose will not be effective.

the issue is the dosage mainly and confusion. so he may of received a larger dose than needed and thats why he became lethargic and sick

[CinderToriella]

Oh im so sorry this happened

[Doing my best]

Thanks for the info on possible reactions..

I haven't had it yet for my children, but we are considering it still.

[*Ali*]

hmn- I realise that you were only sharing your experience, and my post wasnt in any way having a go at you, I hope you didn't read it that way, and if you did I apologise. I am sure it was a very scary time for you and your DD, and if that is the possible reaction the GP's should be making people aware of this- at least now we are all prepared for the possible side effects from you sharing your experience.

What I was trying to get across, maybe not so eloquently, is that for some us it isnt as simple as saying we simply refuse to get the vaccine- I just was pointing out that most parents wouldnt make the decision lightly and would carefully weigh up the pro's and con's before taking there children to get it.

[Mother Goose]

Swineflu can be treated with Tamiflu which is very effective. However, the true danger of the influenza is for those who have comorbidities (so numerous medical conditions), are pregnant and at the far spectrum of the age continum (ie the very young and the very old).

[2CheekyMonkeys]

oh yeah MG i forgot about tamiflu. thanks for adding that.

[Vixstar]

Swineflu can be treated with Tamiflu which is very effective. However, the true danger of the influenza is for those who have comorbidities (so numerous medical conditions), are pregnant and at the far spectrum of the age continum (ie the very young and the very old).

Exactly my thoughts.

We are all getting it as I will have 2 at preschool this season, DH is a tafe teacher and I am preggas but I have a cold atm, DH is just getting over one and the kids are borderline with sniffles. I have been informed you need to be 100% healthy to get the needle, just like other immunisations! Waiting...waiting....achoooooo! lol


xxxx

[Just Me]

Swineflu can be treated with Tamiflu which is very effective. However, the true danger of the influenza is for those who have comorbidities (so numerous medical conditions), are pregnant and at the far spectrum of the age continum (ie the very young and the very old).

I got tamiflu when I had swine flu last year while I was pregnant. Tamiflu is no longer available for those who aren't at risk (health care workers, pregnant women, indigenous Australians are all high risk categories). My DH and my toddlers (DD was 2 years and DS was 13 months) had to fight it without Tamiflu. Their temperatures were around the 39.5* mark for about 5-6 days. The symptoms were terrible. Tamiflu was really effective and I was no where near as bad as the rest of my family but there are no scripts being given for those who don't fall into the high risk category.

My advice is that if you suspect you have swine flu (a temperature over 38*C with any other flu like symptoms is the most defining factor) see the doctor immediately. If you do qualify for Tamiflu, they can't give it to you if you have had symptoms for longer than 48 hours.

HMN, that is horrible that your DD got so sick from the vaccine. I'm glad she is feeling better now. I think it is good to raise awareness and let other parents know what to expect.

I guess I feel that the whole issue is such a predicament because really it comes down to a case of what is the better of two evils. There were a lot of pregnant women in Townsville that lost their babies or died themselves from contracting swine flu while pregnant. There were further cases of other people who died and unborn babies who suffered brain damage. It was pretty full on here for a while and very scary. There is also so much unknown about the vax. Personally, after having the virus and watching my family go through it without drugs, I would strongly recommend the vax as the side effects are only a small taste of the actual virus, but that is my opinion and everyone needs to make their own decision. It is not an easy one.

I will say this though - some of the deaths caused by swine flu were caused by untreated secondary infections. No matter what you do, I cannot stress strongly enough - see your doctor the moment symptoms appear and monitor yourself carefully. If you seem to get worse, see your doctor or go to emergency. It is a serious virus and it is better to harrass your doctor about your symptoms than to have serious complications.

That's my 2 cents worth anyway

[Schmickers]

To have such a cluster of reactions in one area, I'd say it's a faulty batch as well. I would definitely report this to your GP and make sure they report it as an adverse reaction, so it can be tracked and investigated further.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

what state r u in hmn?