<p>The flu can be quite serious even for a healthy person, so I vote for trying to avoid it. There can be fairly long lasting side effects - even though it’s rare. I had it in college once and had severe headaches for several months that the doctor thought were an after effect of that year’s flu.</p>
<p>Elka - so sorry on the roommate problems. I don’t want to raise concerns that are needless, but violence and threats of any kind of violence would really scare me. It would also make me wonder about the mental health of the roommate and whether he belongs in school at all. However - I just read that book by Gavin deBecker - The Gift of Fear. He addresses workplace conflicts and domestic conflicts that sometimes lead to escalated violence. It’s a given that we’re talking about unbalanced people. He says that sometimes getting restraining orders, calling the police, etc. just escalates things and actually has the opposite result of what you’d want. I only raise this to make sure you’re considering any potentially serious problems. Getting away from that roommate seems essential. I hope they wouldn’t put someone else in the room with him… and that they would make sure he’s not threat to anyone. On the other hand you don’t want him to fixate on blaming your son for him getting into trouble or whatever. What a mess! I really hope this sorts out OK.</p>
<p>We had a great weekend for Parent & Family Weekend! Perfect weather, great options of things to do, and got to spend the whole day with my S on his birthday. If it hadn’t of been for this event, we probably would have only been together for a few hours.</p>
<p>He has adjusted very well to college life although some of it is a little concerning. He seems to be getting more comfortable and trusting of those around him so he is not locking things up (laptop, etc…) as much as he did. The good thing is they are developing a sense of trust between them (RM who was out of town had things of value on his desk) the bad thing is you just never know. A RM may have someone new in the room when S is out and things can happen. He lives in a small dorm and the kids on the floor are becoming friends and going to each others rooms-he is fine with all of them, but eventually different people may be coming and going. I think I will need to remind him of what can happen-don’t let it happen to you!</p>
<p>Neither one of us has ever had a flu shot. I work in a HS and have not had a problem. He didn’t have a problem in school but now that he has 3 RMs maybe the time has come to do it. He has always had his own room. Now the bunk beds are so close together, they could hold hands across the way (not that they would do that). I will leave that up to him-he needs to make the decision.</p>
<p>Now that this weekend is over, it may be a while before I see him. Makes me kind of sad all over again but not as bad as it was when he first left. I am just prone to worrying and was always glad when we had a reason to see each other. I am so independent and need to remember there will come times in spurts where he will start taking over his life and won’t need me as much-hence: his independence. I like it when he needs me. :-)</p>
<p>A couple of years ago a boy in our church (around 13, I think; perfectly healthy, I believe) caught a flu and died within a week. He had been absent the day they got flu shots at his school. Obviously a rare occurrence and shocking to all that knew the family, but it happened. The flu doesn’t just strike down elderly people.</p>
<p>Elka, your S sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders; hope the meeting goes his way.</p>
<p>NervousNellie, I agree about the Parent’s Weekend … it’s an excuse to be with our kids longer than just a dinner out, so you can really get a sense of how they’re doing.</p>
<p>I’m in the camp of getting the flu shot … we had flu ripple through our house while the kids were in high school and it was SOOO much worse than a bad cold. All of us has to miss work or school and it was very difficult to catch back up when you’re still recovering.</p>
<p>I went to bed early last night to read a book, and ended up falling asleep early, so poof … woke up early. Part of the reason I went to bed early was because my S called to check in earlier in the evening, so I was no longer waiting for a call. I have to give him credit for calling at least once a week so far … it really makes it easier not to worry and wonder about him. He also responds to random texts, but we try not to interrupt his week (too much).</p>
<p>He had a great weekend hiking and his legs were super sore, but in a good way. His whole school was invited to scale different peaks in way upstate NY, and his group hit 5 mountain peaks over their 17-mile trek. He only camped one evening so was back by Saturday evening and could use Sunday to catch up on homework (and calling the 'rents). When the phone rings and we see my S’s number, my H and I are both so excited. If my S knew he might not call as much! The phone rings, we see the number, quickly put the phone between us and go on speaker phone so we can both hear everything he says. </p>
<p>On the empty nest side, it’s getting better … H and I are doing fun things and neither of us are moping around, which is better than I expected. I thought it would be twice as hard as when my D went to college 3 years earlier, and I would estimate it’s only half as sad because you know more what to expect and plan for it, plus both kids seem to be thriving, so that does help.</p>
<p>Thank you Jaylynn for such a detailed and useful explanation. Learning a lot now.</p>
<p>1)What are the 3 strains that would be given protection in this year’s vaccine?
2)Is the H1N1 strain the same as the swine flu one? If one has had the swine flu already, would it still be needed to get the vaccine this year?
3) Read the flumist is live and the needle shots (single and multi dose) are not the live ones. So, for those who want to avoid mercury and taking the shot for the first time, would you advise the single dose vial (not live virus) as against the flumist (live virus)?</p>
<p>Snowflake, there is a flu thread but it’s full of misinformation… Just sayin’!</p>
<p>Trial1—
you can get specifics about this year’s flu shot from sources including the manufacturers and the CDC, I’d guess. I never seek that info out, myself.
the H1N1 strain is in this year’s shot (as it was in last year’s and the one two years ago). You should still get the shot even if you had H1N1 because of the other strains included.
the flumist is indeed a live virus vaccine. It’s interesting because theoretically one could shed live virus after having the flumist, however, in multiple studies where they tested the shedding of virus in nasal secretions in people who got flumist, the people did shed virus, however, there have been NO instances of anyone in contact with anyone who got flumist who has gotten the flu, which is pretty astounding (and great). It seems to imply that though shedding of the virus is possible, there is no person-to-person transmission of viable flu virus via that route. I get the flumist, and I give it to my kids, who hate needles. The data show it might be a bit more efficacious than the injected vaccine.</p>
<p>Here you go, from the CDC site:</p>
<p>What does the 2012-2013 flu vaccine protect against?</p>
<p>Flu vaccines are designed to protect against three flu viruses that experts predict will be the most common during the upcoming season. Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce the seasonal flu vaccine.</p>
<p>The 2012-2013 flu vaccine is made from the following three viruses:</p>
<p>A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus
B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus
The 2012-2013 flu vaccine will not protect against the H3N2v flu, associated with exposure to swine, which resulted in more than 300 flu cases in 2011 and 2012.</p>
<p>jaylynn, not to contradict you but there is no way that they could really measure this.
</p>
<p>They would have to track every person in contact with someone with flumist in every store, bus, school etc that someone with flumist had come in contact with.</p>
<h2>*** A new quadrivalent formulation of FluMist was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2012. It is anticipated that this formulation will replace the currently available seasonal trivalent LAIV formulation for the 2013–14 season. FluMist is shipped refrigerated and stored in the refrigerator at 35°F–46°F (2°C–8°C) after arrival in the vaccination clinic. The dose is 0.2 mL divided equally between each nostril. Health-care providers should consult the medical record, when available, to identify children aged 2 through 4 years with asthma or recurrent wheezing that might indicate asthma. In addition, to identify children who might be at greater risk for asthma and possibly at increased risk for wheezing after receiving LAIV, parents or caregivers of children aged 2 through 4 years should be asked, “In the past 12 months, has a health-care provider ever told you that your child had wheezing or asthma?” Children whose parents or caregivers answer “yes” to this question and children who have asthma or who had a wheezing episode noted in the medical record within the past 12 months should not receive FluMist.</h2>
<p>Does that mean kids with asthma should not take Flumist? What about teens with asthma? Can they (asthmatic teens) go ahead and take Flumist or should they only take injected vaccines?
Not able to understand clearly the above and hence would appreciate if you could explain.</p>
<p>You’re right, Trial1. I meant to say that in the data they’ve tracked with flumist they have not seen any transmission of flumist-specific strains to other people. And no outbreaks that have been traceable to someone having recieved Flumist. </p>
<p>When Flumist first came out the data looked like it was more efficacious for people with asthma than the injectable. We rejoiced, since kids and adults with asthma can suffer more with influenza. But the data post trials showed that little kids with wheezing had more exacerbations of wheezing with Flumist. We still think that it might have just been because those people were more prone in the first place to asthma symptoms, and because little kids can have colds that cause wheeze but not really be considered asthmatics, but the statistical data led the FDA to make asthma a contraindication to Flumist. I will tell you, though, that some of us have still quietly used Flumist for our patients with asthma (after ample discussion with families) and many docs with asthma use Flumist on themselves, because it seems, at least with some data, to be more efficacious. Shhh.</p>
<p>Snowflake. I love seeing your posts as I want to soak up any info on how your DS is adjusting. My DS is home now as he finished the PCT… but is off next month to take a month long Wilderness EMT class in Wyoming… he is hoping to be a trip leader at SLU and this will help. How is your S liking his classes and how does he feel the work load is? I am so happy to hear that he is liking it so much. I heard about that peak weekend tradition… Jace will LOVE it. I am glad you had a great time at parent weekend and you got to spend time with your son.</p>
<p>Ok, as a late-launching parent, I need some advice from those of you whose kids launched earlier. My S has had one week of classes and is feeling overwhelmed and behind already. He seemed ok when we talked to him this weekend, but this morning I got a text telling me he’s “super-worried” because he’s behind on his reading and can’t focus and thinks he’s going to fail. Of course, I tried to reassure and encourage him that he can do it and to just hang in there and that, most of all, I believe in him. This is a kid who has always been a worrier so I’m not particularly surprised, but at a distance it’s hard to know what the right thing to do is. All I really want to do is give him a big hug and tell him it will be all right. Sigh. Any suggestions of how to cope with this?</p>
<p>Mom2jl, most schools have academic assistance and writing tutors, etc. A lot of kids just need some help with organization skills. There are probably resources available to him that he can take advantage of.</p>
<p>Another sick kid here. DS has had a cold for over a week. Virtually every cold this kid gets turns into a sinus infection. The question is how long he needs to wait to see a doctor. His pediatrician knows his history but I feel like a health center doctor is less likely to prescribe until he’s been sick for a long time. So he needs to time that visit to the health center well – sick long enough to prove he won’t get better. It’s kind of frustrating. One thing on my to-do list will be to take him to an ENT over winter break for an opinion. Of course, it doesn’t help it’s been raining a lot and he’s getting wet even with an umbrella and jacket. But, he isn’t so sick he can’t function and he’s really enjoying college so all is basically well.</p>
<p>Mom2jl, I might add to suggest your son contact his RA who is really just his age and there for support. The RA may haves some stories of his own he can share with your son about how his first year went.</p>
<p>There was a group of kids who reported the same “firehose” feeling the first weekend or two.</p>
<p>Here are some hints:
Try to do classwork between classes or other free time during the week. Trying to do it all at night or the weekend (when fun things are happening!) is much harder than it was in high school. Even having a plan for when to study what can help. </p>
<ul>
<li><p>I’m a huge fan of the pomodoro technique. A pomodoro is 25 minutes of dedicated work on something where you don’t allow yourself to be distracted. Then, you get a 5 minute break and repeat. The suggestion is to take a longer break after 4 pomodoros. I use a little computer app to time my pomodoros, but it’s actually named after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure he’s studying efficiently and effectively. Lots of schools have academic support centers (or writing labs or math labs or…) where he can go ask for help with study skills.</p></li>
<li><p>For some kids, college is really a step-up. Plus, they may be surrounded by more kids at the same level of academic ability. They may have to work harder and they may not be able to feel the same (know they’re at the top of the class) like they did in high school. For some kids the answer to this is a lot more work. For others, the answer is acceptance. I think this is a personality thing.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure he’s taking advantage of professor and TA office hours.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure that he’s correctly prioritizing the work that needs to be done. My daughter spent one weekend procrastinating on some classwork by working far ahead in her anthro class. Yes, anthro needed doing, but it wasn’t what needed doing NOW. Optional readings may need to wait if he’s drowning.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I think that suggesting he visit the academic support center is the best advice. They’ll be able to help him make a plan and will understand what’s up with the specific classes he’s taking.</p>
<p>Advice appreciated…S’s roommmate is having a serious medical issue.
The first time, my son was a witness and called medical personnel who responded quickly and took him to the hospital. Shockingly he was discharged without therapy and little follow up. Another episode occurred today and his roommate is back at the hospital. He is now being told that this may be stress related. As a medical professional, I know this cannot be the cause. I am heartsick for his parents who are out of the country and clearly must not be medically knowledgable, and terrified for the roommate and the potential for a tragedy here.
I have no contact information for the parents, nor is it really any of my business…just worried sick…as is my son:(</p>
<p>Also, reaching out to others in his class to form study groups is a great way to not only get support, but to realize that everyone else is a little overwhelmed.</p>
<p>mathinokc - I really appreciate all of your specific suggestions. He did mention that he’s having difficulty figuring out how to structure his free time, so I’m sure that’s a big part of the problem, as is being surrounded by the best and the brightest, so to speak. I’ll pass along these suggestions to him. I really like the pomodoro idea personally (I should use that myself!). The particular dorm community he’s in has a lot of their own academic support staff, so I’ll encourage him to seek them out. He may think it’s a sign of weakness to seek help, since he never had to do anything of the sort in high school (other than talk to me when he was stressed), so we’ll see what actually happens. It’s just really hard to be far away.</p>
<p>But seeking academic support is a good way for him to get help* on his own *, using the resources available to him where he is. Every college I’ve seen is very clear that academic support is useful for all kids, not only ones struggling, but those who want higher grades or more free time or whatever. Maybe if you frame it that way he’ll be more likely to go.</p>