11.3.10 ~ Quarantine

As we head into cold and flu season we are preparing for our second, and hopefully last, quarantine period. Here's some information to hopefully help answer some questions you may have.

What does 'quarantine' mean? Quarantine basically means that we will be trying to keep the girls healthy this cold and flu season. We will do this by avoiding anyone that is sick, has been recently sick, or has even been in close contact with someone who is sick. Even if you think you 'just have allergies' we ask that you stay away until you are feeling better. We need to keep the girls away from other kids, especially kids that are in school or daycare, since they are little germ factories even without knowing it. We will also be avoiding large gatherings, possibly even family holidays depending on the above factors. If we are around people or having visitors, we ask that you wash your hands either with soap and water or use a gel based sanitizer like Purell (which we will have in abundance) as soon as you enter the house. Even if you don't touch the girls, you touch their environment and then we touch the girls. The few colds that we had last year came after visits with people who "weren't sick."

Why do we have to do this? Since the girls were born eight weeks premature, their lungs haven't fully developed. Even now at 16 months old their lungs are still immature. Even a seemingly mild illness could have serious consequences for the girls. The main concern is a respiratory virus called RSV. For premature babies, RSV can often lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, the need for a ventilator, and in extreme cases death. I don't mean to scare anyone, I just want you to understand why we take this so seriously. The other issue we do this is because I don't want to deal with one sick child, let alone three at the same time. And I'd end up with it, too, so I'd be sick and taking care of three sick kids. To learn more about RSV, visit http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm. 

When does quarantine start? This is a tricky question. I watch information provided by Seattle Children's Hospital about the number of cases of RSV and different flus each week. As the numbers start climbing, we will get more serious about isolating the girls. As the numbers drop down in the spring, we'll become more adventurous. We have already started avoiding most children and asking if people are sick before they visit.

Thanks to everyone for understanding how important this is for us and our girls. As long as they stay healthy and out of the hospital this year we shouldn't have to do this again. At least nothing as strict as this. I still don't want to deal with three sick kids :)