Swine Flu Too Close to Home

I’d like to say I’m one of those completely rational people unaffected by the news reports about the Swine Flu. We are a “news family” — my husband is a journalist and I’m a former journalist. But the emphasis is on the word “former.” These days, I’m first and foremost a Mom. I’ve got three kids, one being an 18-month old, and I’m a little scared, especially now that the news is reporting a case of Swine Flu in Ellisville, MO, which borders Wildwood, MO, where I live.

I know the case in Ellisville is actually a college student from Chicago who was diagnosed there and came home to Ellisville to recover. He says he is putting himself in voluntary quarantine. It still makes me nervous. What if someone from his household becomes infected and then goes out in public before showing symptoms?

So, I’m doing a few things differently and taking a few precautions.

• First of all, I was almost done weaning my 18-month old and had actually nursed her for what I thought was the last time on Tuesday night. Then I reconsidered yesterday and even had a conversation with my pediatrician. He said that it is extremely unlikely/almost impossible that my breast milk would have any antibodies to protect my baby from Swine Flu. But he acknowledged that there is research that breast milk does contain some immunity strengthening properties for babies. His advice: “If it makes you feel better to continue nursing her until this Swine Flu thing plays out, then do it.” My decision: Keep nursing her. What difference does it make whether she is weaned at 18 months or 19 months.
• When I heard yesterday that all area Walgreens are out of face masks, I decided to visit a small private pharmacy to see if they had any. They did, so I bought some “just in case.”
• I’m planning to keep my baby home from Moms Day Out and away from the YMCA nursery for a little while. I’ll run with her in the jogging stroller, or run on my treadmill, or let my in-laws watch her while I’m at the YMCA.
• I plan to nag the kids more about hand-hygiene, particularly when we’re out in public and when they return from school.

So far, that’s it. I know worrying about this won’t do any good. So, I’ll do what I can, pray about it and then go about my life as normally as possible minus the above-mentioned changes.

PS — my former employer, Standing Partnership, has a great post about reliable sources of information on the Swine Flu on Twitter. Check it out.