Seven Kids: Illness in a Large Family

We've been sick this month. My oldest came home from Boy Scout camp with a cough. I figured it was a "camp cough" sort of thing. You know, sanitation isn't the best at camp.... and all those hours every night around the campfire aren't great for lungs either. A week later he was still coughing, hard. And he would do a "whoop" and seem like he was going to throw up. Uh-oh. Classic. I took him to the doctor first thing the next morning. Since it was a last minute urgent appointment, we didn't get the regular doctor- someone we hadn't met instead. She was wearing a mask, she wanted to test him for Whooping Cough. And she asked him to go ahead and take a Z-pack (antibiotic) just in case. It's a 5 day test, 5 day antibiotic- she called after he finished the meds to say the test was conclusive- he had Pertussis. "But he's vaccinated...." She laughed. "Pertussis is the least effective vaccine." She also insisted the other 6 children have prophylactic Z-packs. One was already coughing. So they all started antibiotics. Jeff and I too.

The day the rest of us finished our antibiotics, the oldest, youngest, next youngest were all laid out sick on the couches in the living room. Their symptoms- varying degrees of fever and extreme fatigue. They were all fine next day, but another day later the 7yo was down. Two days later it hit *me*. I felt that bone-numbing fatigue with varying low fever for a WEEK. As I started to come out of it, dh seems to be heading into it.

Coincidence? Two days ago I had Chloe's Virus Killing Soup and now I'm feeling better? Well Jeff had the soup too and he's just started feeling crummy. Need to put garlic on the grocery list and make another pot. (The first pot was blessedly made by and delivered by a lady from church. Thanks!)

As these things align in my own little universe, there was also a thread on the Sonlight forum concerning pandemic disaster preparedness, and a lady who finds it a fascinating hobby had posted useful information... I was trying to figure out how to save/store that info. So-- Here it is. On my blog.

BUT...I wanted to share with you a couple of lists and two good recipes that EVERY MOM needs to have at hand...just in case of family illness.

I recommend that everyone get a stash of these supplies and keep it in the linen closet (or in a box under the bed)

=Thermometer
-Soap
-Box of disposable gloves (They sell these at Wal-mart, but also at my grocer)
-Acetominophen (Tylenol)
-Ibuprofen (Advil)
-Bleach (REAL...chlorine bleach--UNSCENTED!)
-Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (those little pumps are great next to a sick one's bed
-Paper towels
-Tissues
-Surgical face masks (Wal-greens/ Wal-mart/ pharmacies)
-Sugar, baking soda, salt, sugar free Kool-Aid packages, and
SALT SUBSTITUTE (highlighted because most households do not have this on hand.) It is sold next to the salt.

MAKE YOUR OWN ELECTROLYTE DRINK:

1 qt water
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp table salt
3-4 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt substitute

Mix well. Can be flavored with lemon juice or sugar free Kool-Aid.

If a family member is having trouble keeping down any fluids, this can be spoon fed. Some will prefer it cold...others just room temperature. KEEP SPOONING. This is the mix that is used in crisis situations world-wide, when IVs are not available. It can save lives. NOTE: Check with your pediatrician or other MD re: their opinion on the situation. In normal circumstances...an MD will want to SEE a child who is dehydrated.
This mix is for when things go bad in society or when there is an epidemic...and a doctor visit may not be possible.

To make a good disinfectant...mix 1 gallon of water with 1/4 cup of bleach. Make a fresh batch every time it is used.