My son lives in England, where the flu is spreading quite rapidly. His boss almost died from it, that is how serious it is. My son does not have the flu, but he is concerned about coming for his visit this month and getting my elderly parents ill. Should he stay away from them the first few days?
I appreciate answers, but PLEASE, I am requesting answers from health professionals ONLY. Someone who actually knows the answer, and not guessing.
Thanks so much!!
2007-12-07 06:11:00 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Yes, he needs to stay away from them for the first couple of days just to be certain that he is not a carrier.
"Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick."
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
have your parents had their flu vaccines? That might be a prudent thing to do as well (as long as their health permits that). Have your son get his asap. Even if he dodges it at work, a plane ride is the perfect place for this germ to be distributed throughout a captive population. If he is taking a plane, it would be best if he makes sure not to touch his face and to take that antibacterial gel with him on the plane (if that is allowed, please check that) and use it liberally. He also needs to shower, change and wash the clothing he wore upon arrival at your home.
Hope you all have a wonderful visit and safe travels!
oh, final note. The incubation time for influenza is usually 2 days, but can range from one to five days.
Go here for more key facts:
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/flu/qandadis.asp
2007-12-07 07:35:16 · answer #1 · answered by dedum 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to carry the flu without having any signs or symptoms. How do you think it gets passed around in the first place? And the flu is always serious. Thousands of people die every year from the flu.
As long as he takes a good shower and washes all his clothes when he arrives before greeting the elderly, then he should be fine. Just keep the physical affection to a minimum.
Being on an airplane exposes him to more germs than anything else. He is more likely to have germs from contact with all those people on the plane than he is from his boss.
Tell your son to load up on vitamin C before getting on the plane. Then when he arrives, stick him in a hot shower and do his laundry (what are parents for but to do their kids laundry, right?).
2007-12-07 06:20:41 · answer #2 · answered by Yup Yup Yuppers 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People do not bring the flu, if he used to be certainly a provider which could be totally not going then blood exams could come again optimistic as vendors are inflamed however show no signs-Don't fear!
2016-09-05 10:53:48 · answer #3 · answered by ilsa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as your son showers and cleans up well before seeing them, he will not transmit the virus if he doesn't have it.
2007-12-07 06:14:48 · answer #4 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋