Please I need reassurance preferably from someone in the medical field!

[CharCharxxx]

Hi ladies, right basically my Dad got admitted to hospital this week he's in for pneumonia and something else. Anyway I went up there today to see him , and after about 2 minutes he decided to drop it in that he's in isolation because he has flu :-0 I went outside to ask the nurses ( who are all so unfriendly & unhelpful at this hospital) and they just gave me this paper mask to put on. I was meant to have my flu jab last week but I had nasty chest infection so they wouldn't do it so was hoping to have it this week. I'm panicking like anything now as I haven't got any protection against it and was in there two mins before I knew. Am I at serious risk? I didn't kiss him or actually go near him at any time and used the gel stuff on my hands a few times once I left. Please help I'm so worried right now. Xx

 

[Lues]

I'm not a medical person, but I just thought I'd give my opinion.

I don't get flu shots and when I was in my early first trimester my father in law was in the hospital and I was there quite a bit, plus I was helping take care of a relative in a old-folks home, and they were VERY sick quite frequently.

I never got sick.

So just because you were around him doesn't mean you'll get the flu. (although don't get me wrong, I'd be FURIOUS if I were you that one one said anything to you and that the medical people there weren't helpful when you brought it up to them)

BUT, if you do, the only concern major is keeping your temperature from going too high, and you can take Tylenol for that. And really, that concern would be stronger if you were earlier... like 5, 6 weeks.

I completely understand and feel for your concern, but I think if you washed your hands with that gel stuff like you said, and you weren't too close to his face, I think you're probably fine.

Drink LOTS of water (always helps flush your system) and remind yourself that the flu shot is still fairly new (and there are lots of people who opt not to take it still). But it wasn't that long ago that pregnant women just got the flu and suffered through. No fun for sure and I hope you don't!!! Takes longer to get over it and you can't get as comfortable throughout (because can't take much more than Tylenol), but it's deal-able.

I know I'm not a medical professional, but I hope that helps put you even just slightly at ease.

 

[wannabemama24]

It sounds like those nurses were completely unprofessional. I don't know how it is where you live, but here in WA state at the hospital I work at, if a patient is on isolation for anything they will have a cart next to their door with all the protective equipment we need. There are gowns, masks, and gloves to keep workers and visitors safe.

I'm sorry you had that type of experience. I don't think you are at too much risk for being there without a mask for such a short period of time. I would let your doctor or midwife know just to be safe.

 

[CharCharxxx]

Thanks so much for your replies ladies, I'm not normally one to freak out about stuff like this it's just purely when I'm pregnant you know what it's like you just don't want to be at risk from anything for your baby's sake. The nurses were extremely unprofessional when I look back now they should of advised me not to go in especially if I'm not vaccinated! Imagine if it were something far more serious than flu?? That's the worrying bit. Well I'll be staying away for now that's for sure I hope my dad understands xxx

 

[jenmcn1]

Hi ladies, right basically my Dad got admitted to hospital this week he's in for pneumonia and something else. Anyway I went up there today to see him , and after about 2 minutes he decided to drop it in that he's in isolation because he has flu :-0 I went outside to ask the nurses ( who are all so unfriendly & unhelpful at this hospital) and they just gave me this paper mask to put on. I was meant to have my flu jab last week but I had nasty chest infection so they wouldn't do it so was hoping to have it this week. I'm panicking like anything now as I haven't got any protection against it and was in there two mins before I knew. Am I at serious risk? I didn't kiss him or actually go near him at any time and used the gel stuff on my hands a few times once I left. Please help I'm so worried right now. Xx

I used work in the medical field, and whenever I got the flu shot I got sick. When I stopped getting the flu shot, I was totally fine and without the flu. You're at risk regardless of the vaccine or not. Let me reassure you that the flu will not hurt you or the baby, staying hydrated is the most important.
Hang in there and know that you and baby will be fine. I personally have never gotten any vaccines in any of my pregnancies simply because there has been no research done on any pregnant women and the effects on the unborn child. While this is a very personal choice don't be worried and filled with fear over not getting the vaccine. Keep healthy, lower sugar intake, increase water intake and wash your hands...and you will be fine bless you

 

[MrsWhite]

I work at a hospital as a respiratory therapist. I obviously cannot guarantee that you won't get sick but I can't tell you how many times I have taken care of patients for an entire shift before it they decide to put them in isolation and I haven't gotten sick that way (and I do have to get pretty close to patients to listen to their breath sounds, they even breath on me). Granted, I usually have a flu shot on board, but even when I haven't, and been pregnant, I haven't gotten sick that way. Usually I get it from my kids, and I see nothing but sick people with pneumonia and flu all day at my job. I would say you are probably fine if you didn't get too up close and personal and you used the hand sanitizer. You probably pick up more germs on your shopping cart at the store and don't even think about it. Get the flu shot when you can, but don't stress it, I'm sure you're fine!
(And even if you DO get the flu, I had it when I was pregnant -got it from my kid- and I survived just fine, it just sucks because you can't take any of the good cold/flu medicine).

 

[MrsLux]

I am in the medical field.
It is a possibility. Flu is spread via droplets from coughing/sneezing. However if your contact was minimal and you used good hand hygiene then there is a good chance you will avoid it.
Make sure you get your jab!
Sorry to hear the nurses wernt helpful. I can assure you they are a minority within the profession