Swine Flu .. Grocery Shopping .. Pregnant

[Peach]

My mother in laws doctor has told her that I should definatly be wearing a mask to do the grocery shopping because of swine flu and my pregnancy.

I am freaking out a little, and I think I will feel like a bit of a dill walking around the shops with a mask on.

Does anyone else wear a mask shopping?

[Nai]

I wore one to our local shops when DD1 had swine flu - we had to go to the GP there so we needed to wear the masks to get there. We looked a bit silly and people gave us a wide berth but it wasn't too bad. I just hate the smell of them.

[mrsmac]

Why not do online grocery shopping? That way its easier and safer.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

sorry to hijack, Nai how did your DD handle swine flu? i am really nervous about my kids getting it. is it really terrible?

serenity- i would feel like an idiot too but i would probably just wear it. if people give you a wide berth then thats a plus, noone getting in your way at the shops! :-)

there was a lady wearing a mask the other day when i dropped my DD off at her dance class and it freaked me out! i presume she had a kid there which potentially means it could spread through the school and to my DD....... but i am trying not to think about it!

[Nai]

Hollo, DD1 was fine! She was sick for 2 days but the Tamiflu seemed to work well. None of the rest of us got it thankfully as DD2 was only 3months old

[~clover~]

My sister has swine flu & is wearing masks constantly. At home & out. They are trying to avoid mum getting it as she runs her own cafe & serves alot of older people.
I've seen alot of people wear them just as a precaution. I haven't been assuming people wearing them have swine flu, just that they are being careful.
It might be a good idea being pg though.

[Fleur]

Eeek, I have been stressing about this a bit the last couple of days too.
I tried to do my shopping online this morning but can't get it delivered until tomorrow... not soon enough I'm afraid

Serenity I'm exactly the same re feeling like a dill. The other day at the hosp for antenatal there was one woman wearing a mask, no-one else and I wondered then whether I could do it without feeling.... a bit weird?

DD has a dance comp on Saturday... I have decided not to do the all-day thing...I'll just go & watch her section bugger

ETA - I am even more worried about AFTER bub gets here... people wanting cuddles etc... I'm stressing about it already...anyone else worried or any ideas for dealing with it?

[2CheekyMonkeys]

jasp i am worried and my DD is nearly 4 months old! no ideas apart from just asking them not to. i felt like a hypocondriach (sp?) when i practically forced my parents and DH and his mum to get the whooping cough vaccine and now they are giving them out for free cause it is really bad at the moment.

[boobaloo]

if i were pregnant, i;d either wear the mask or get someone else to go shopping, not only for your unborn bubba, but for you - i'm at home with suspected swine flu, dp has taken time off work so i;m not near the kids, and i feel like arse!! swine flu sucks.. sorry i don't make much sense at the moment, not feeling my finest..

[squidipa]

Why not do online grocery shopping? That way its easier and safer.

i agreee

[JellyBean]

The swine flu drug 'Tamiflu' is formulated using the ancient anti-viral herb 'Star Anise' - it has been used for centuries by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, but now that it has been modified slightly and had some additives blended with it, it can be patented by pharmacuetical companies to make a very large profit.
Don't buy into the hype - just start adding a touch of star anise to your cooking - you can buy it at the supermarket! Taking a probiotic ('friendly bacteria') supplement and eating optimum nutrition are always great ways to strengthen your defences naturally. Probiotics are available for infants too in powder form (from the fridge at health food stores & selected pharmacies)- you can just add a half a teaspoon to expressed breastmilk or formula.

X

[MummaSue]

Swine flu (due to media hype) has been made out to be much worse than it is (I'm not saying it's not bad, it is but for people with other serious health concerns - but so is any other flu). I work in health care and they are actually recommending that healthy adults be exposed to it so that when the second strain hits, we have all built up immunity.
I hate how the media does that and doesn't give the actual facts.

Getting any flu is bad.

S X

[2CheekyMonkeys]

yeah thats what i had been thinking too sue, but now there are heaps of ppl dying from it, i think the figure is in the 30's. i'm not so worried about myself getting it (though it would be crappy) i worry about my young girls.

[alioops]

if it gives you peace of mind then wear one. The 19 year old woman who's baby died because of swine flu was a Palm Islander. Aboriginal people are more prone to respiratory illnesses causing problems (hence ATSI having free TB vaccinations). Do be careful and make sure you do what gives you the peace of mind you need. You don't need to be stressing more than necessary

[melbel]

I am on immunosuppressant drugs and also pregnant...do what I do...send hubby with a list!!!

he has been doing all the grocery shopping the past few weeks as I have to be so careful not to be around crowds till I get off these damn drugs...i just do a big list and he goes one night a week after work.

[JellyBean]

The number of people who have died from swine flu is minimal compared to the amount of people who die from regular flu strains every year. You are most vulnerable from any type of flu strain if your immune system is already compromised - ie with HIV, Cancer etc. For most healthy people the swine flu just needs to run its course.
The media are simply hyping it up to make a story and the scaremongering will continue until the vaccination is officially released so big pharma can make a big buck. After then it will disappear from headlines no doubt....

[Spring Angel]

My DS has had swine flu and as you can see from my ticker I"m UTD. I was covered in his snot and spew for over a week and co-slept with him for that entire time. I've been tested and I'm clear. The thing I'm saying is that if you are out at the shops I'd just be exercising general precautions. Wash your hands after touching things in public places, avoid close contact with people who are sneezing/coughing and if you feel sick at all, seek medical attention rather than trying to ride it out.

The normal seasonal Influenza A can be just as serious and it's been around forever.

I agree that this seems to be a bit of a media hype.

ETA: I was offerred Tamiflu but declined. The Doctor told me there have been no long term studies on it's effect during pregnancy so I just left my immune system do the work. Saying that, if I was diagnosed with Swine, I think I'd be taking it.

Spring. xx

[Peach]

II might wear a mask if I feel there is too many people about. It's scary! ..I already have a sore throat and a bad cough that I got from my darling DD