Wednesday, October 14

How many Clorox wipes do I need to clean my house of this flu virus?

I spent the better part if yesterday cleaning every surface of my house, sanitizing any location in my house that my children may have touched. I washed all the sheets (again), towels(again) and clothes and changed all the bedding (again). I scrubbed the walls, the floors, the doorways, and the baseboards . . . anywhere a sneeze may have landed. I put every dish in my house (again), throwing all the toothbrushes in as well, in the dishwasher, twice for good measure.

My kids are sick, still sick, yes, still sick. I'm amazed I am not.

I received a phone call from my children's school last night informing me that there were two confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus. My first thought was, I knew it! Frankly I don't even want to send my children to school the rest of this week. I'd like the school to open up all their windows and freeze these germs out. Which I have been doing all day today in my house. Yes, it is 40 degrees outside and my windows are wide open.

My children do get sick, as much as the next child. But, they are not sick for one full week with symptoms every single day. Just Monday evening/early Tuesday morning I was up with my son on vomit duty. He refused to leave the bathroom and ended up sleeping on the floor the rest of the night. My children, all my children, are keeping me up all night long with their fevers, coughs and upset tummies. I have been through countless bottles of medicine already, boxes and boxes of tissues and many packages of Kandoo wipes.

My son was the first to come down with this flu bug, he ran a high temperature and had a vicious cough/cold and he was constantly freezing(which is sort of odd for him because he runs pretty hot). Baby girl was just coming off her possible asthma/bad infection and was still not feeling quite up to herself. My middle daughter was coughing all over the place and ended up getting a high temperature two days later. Baby girl had an even higher temperature the same day. I spent all day Saturday and Sunday running from one sick child to the next with medicine and wipes and tissues and clean clothes and blankets. I was actually very worried and had my first thoughts that perhaps this was a version of H1N1. I don't think I slept very many moments those nights.

We have had two trips to the pediatrician and one phone consultation(See, I am neurotic), who assures me this is just a version of what is going around, but not actually the H1N1 virus. She warned me to be vigilant in cleaning and washing. Our favorite doctor also told the children to wash their hands all day long and to not touch any of their friends while at school (which I am so sure they are going to remember to do). No medications were prescribed except the OTC I was already shoveling in their mouths. (I don't believe in flu shots for my children or myself)

Hopefully our due diligence will pay off for the rest of this cold season. Because it is not even the end of October yet and and my children have missed 4 days of school already. Although since this strain of flu can live on a surface for up to 8 hours, I imagine I will have monthly cleaning sessions of my house for the next 5 months!

I wonder, can I scrub my children with Clorox wipes?

hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom
hosted by SevEn cLoWn CirCuS
hosted by Ordinary and Awesome

Share/Bookmark

52 other tantrums:

April October 13, 2009 2:24 PM  

I have often wondered the same about scrubbing my son with the Clorox wipes....=)

Mom24 October 13, 2009 2:39 PM  

So sorry. You have my complete empathy. My kids are presumed to have H1N1. Not fun to have sick kidlets, that's for sure.

Hope everyone's better soon. We're seeing that light in the tunnel here.

girlytwins October 13, 2009 2:48 PM  

I am so sorry to hear your kids are all sick. That is never fun but a full week of sickness is seriously no fun. I hope you are on the mend and you stay clear of the sickness.

The Blonde Duck October 13, 2009 3:13 PM  

Just bathe them in Purell!

kris... October 13, 2009 4:35 PM  

Well, the only good news is that if they will only get each particular strain once. Right? We have 10% of our school students sick with some kind of virus (some H1N1, but not all). It's crazy!

shortmama October 13, 2009 5:03 PM  

I have been feeling yucky the last couple of days and so hoping that it is not the flu and is just allergies! I am doing the same thing with Clorox around my house

♥ Spoiled Mommy ♥ October 13, 2009 5:30 PM  

Aww honey Im so sorry!
Im scrubbing things down around here too...my cold have had NO fevers but this nasty runny/stuffy nose, cough and headache thing.
And, like you I do NOT do the flu shot and there is no way in heck Id do the H1N1 shot.
Sending good vibes our way.

kyslp October 13, 2009 6:03 PM  

Yuck! I'm sorry you guys are going through this.

btw, I had a babysitter who used Clorox wipes on my child instead of baby wipes. Untill I found out and fired her.

Foursons October 13, 2009 6:46 PM  

Have you tried Echinacea? We don't do the flu shot either but Echinacea has worked beautifully for the last 3 years.

shortmama October 13, 2009 8:17 PM  

You asked what the rubberband faucet thing was on my blog...it is for the sprayer that pulls out of the sink, not the actual faucet...you know the one that you turn the water on and then you push the thing in to spray out the sink or whatever with the sprayer. anyway if you put a rubberband tightly around the button that holds it in when you turn the faucet on the sprayer will drench you in water. Did that make any sense lol

Live.Love.Eat October 13, 2009 8:28 PM  

OH gosh, this all sounds terrible. 3 kids sick. Yikes. Hope they get better and stat!!!!!!!!

So, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you do flu shots? I know you're not the only person who doesn't but I don't know of anyone so figured I would ask you :)

Yelena R. October 13, 2009 9:09 PM  

Oh I am so afraid of catching a cold right now...or should I just get it over with and not be so miserable during the rest of the winter? But just in case, I'm using lots of Purell! Good luck staying healthy!

Muthering Heights October 13, 2009 10:33 PM  

Oh no...I hope they all get better soon!!!

Alicia October 13, 2009 10:42 PM  

Aww..your poor babies!!! I hope they feel better soon!

My youngest daughter has the same patern top as your daughters! I had a custom summer top made for her last year from someone on Ebay. I love that print!

melissa October 13, 2009 11:15 PM  

first of all...omg, could she be any more gorgeous?!
and i hope everyone feels better!!

-melissa
http://www.rockanddrool.com

Buckeroomama October 13, 2009 11:47 PM  

It's the absolute pits when any of the children are sick, but sick ALL at the same time? You poor thing... and your kiddies, too. It's a good thing you haven't caught whatever it is that they have. Take care. Hope everyone feels better soon.

ajpassey October 14, 2009 12:03 AM  

So sorry to hear you've all been so sick! My littlest one developed a cold yesterday and had a miserable night's sleep last night. She was red eyed and runny nosed all day. I hope tomorrow is better! Hope the next five months are better at your house too!

Life Ramblings October 14, 2009 12:29 AM  

i wish your kids the best speedy recovery.

Sukhmandir Kaur October 14, 2009 12:43 AM  

I remember doing this when my kids were babies, and we were house sharing for a few weeks. I didn't want the catching chicken pox. They were just too young then. I took a can of Lysol and sprayed every surface, door knobs phones, every thing I could think off. It worked! Hope you and babies are a feel better quickly. The hand sanitizer is a great idea and you can get it in packs and give one to each child. It eve comes in colors so they'll know which one is theirs. Happy WW

Bonggamom October 14, 2009 2:47 AM  

Ugh, having sick kids is no fun. Hope everyone gets better soon.

blueviolet October 14, 2009 5:03 AM  

It can survive 8 hours on a surface? What chance do we have if we leave our homes?

Seriously, I think it's almost going to be unavoidable.

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama October 14, 2009 5:28 AM  

Hope everyone stays as well as they can!

DysFUNctional Mom October 14, 2009 5:44 AM  

I want to send you healthy vibes, but I'm scared to send them away from us!!

judys424 October 14, 2009 6:18 AM  

I hope your children are better.. get well soon!

golden girl October 14, 2009 8:30 AM  

beautiful picture. yes, i have used Clorox wipes on my kiddo in a pinch. there is no bleach in them so i figured a few times won't hurt him. i haven't had a flu shot since '04, and my kiddo is due for one soon. none of us are getting the H1N1 vaccine. happy WW and take care.

Kel October 14, 2009 8:33 AM  

I'm so sorry your kiddos are still sick. You poor thing, hopefully they will get better and be back to their normal, happy, healthy selfs soon, then it will be one less thing for you to worry about!
Winter is SO not fun for this reason!! :(
~K

Casey's trio October 14, 2009 9:05 AM  

You poor tired mama! Hope the germies are on their way out and the kids are back to being healthy soon. Keeping them at home for the rest of the weeks sounds good to me!

Susie October 14, 2009 9:29 AM  

I know! This flu season is early and coming on with a vengance!

Melissa October 14, 2009 9:38 AM  

Oh I am SO TIRED of this flu season.... and the sad thing is that the real "season" hasn't even begun.... blah!!

Sara Elizabeth Bonds October 14, 2009 10:33 AM  

Yikes! Maybe it's because Scott and I have no kids, but we never really feel the flu season. I sure hope things get easier and better, I also hope that your little ones get well soon. H1N1 cases are scary! There are over 20 at the major University here. I am so glad I don't go there anymore. That would have freaked me out enough that I probably would have dropped courses until it was safe to go again.

Secret Mom Thoughts October 14, 2009 11:06 AM  

I've wanted to scrub the kids with Clorax too.

Kara @ His, Hers and Ours October 14, 2009 11:21 AM  

Actually...my baby-sitter wipes the kids hands with the Clorox wipes. So, while I wouldn't wipe their bums with it, I think it would be good for hands. Or, you could stick with the good 'ol Purell.

I hope your sickly house feels better soon, and that you continue to stay healthy!

Laura October 14, 2009 11:53 AM  

aaawwww feel better soons to your household!

Laura October 14, 2009 11:53 AM  

aaawwww feel better soons to your household!

Momma@Live. Laugh. Pull your hair out October 14, 2009 11:57 AM  

Wouldnt that be awesome if we could cover their bodies with some sort of "cleaner" so everything they touched wouldnt have to be sanitized???????

Michelle October 14, 2009 11:59 AM  

Poor babies. I hope everyone gets better soon.

Love the picture by the way.

jesnicole October 14, 2009 12:21 PM  

Girl, lots of hugs to you. Hope this is all over with and everyone's nice and healthy fast!!!

Felicia October 14, 2009 12:48 PM  

I've been wondering if we should all just start ingesting clorox wipes?

Kat Robertson October 14, 2009 12:54 PM  

LOL You did an even more terrible job than ME on making your Wordless Wednesday, well... wordless. LOL

Adorable photo of her... oh I love it. I think it's all the rich color, but it is just precious!

Sorry about all the germies. 3 of my 5 kids have avoided getting sick thus far, but we're in Louisiana so we haven't quite made it into the heart of flu season just yet... :(

:)
Kat @ For the Love of Chaos | www.SenileMOMentia.com

!!The Obnoxious SAHM!! October 14, 2009 1:29 PM  

I have been sick all week. my daughter just started to show signs AGAIN of another bug.

I am so with u on this!

Amy October 14, 2009 1:31 PM  

Yuck, I hope that your house is germ-free soon. Maybe this will be it for your family!

As for my WW Crocs picture, if you have never worn Crocs you're really not missing anything. They certainly aren't the most attractive pair of shoes.

However, I think some of them look adorable on kids. Like my daughter's Mary Jane looking ones.

I have a pair of the fur-lined ones in brown and wear them in the winter for a quick-on, quick-off pair of shoes. But they aren't exactly stylish!

Killlashandra October 14, 2009 1:31 PM  

I'm with ya with the vigilant cleaning all the time every day! But I'm still not sure it's ever going to be enough.

jen@odbt October 14, 2009 1:35 PM  

I feel for you. I have one child home and pretty sure it was just a run of the mill virus (less than 24 hours of fever). He's well enough to be complaining about his little brother playing his DS. Absolutely wipe your kids with clorox wipes ;) or bath them in purell. That's what I feel like doing. PS: The picture says it all. PPS: To answer your question, my oldest got 2 teeth pulled.

jams o donnell October 14, 2009 2:30 PM  

Oh dear. I hope they feel better soon. Best wishes

Staci October 14, 2009 7:50 PM  

I think we need to buy stock in Clorox! We've had 1 day in 3 weeks without someone being sick.

Hope everyone's healthy again soon!

Brenda October 14, 2009 8:30 PM  

This is going to be a scary flu season for many of us!

Nap Warden October 14, 2009 8:39 PM  

Gah!!! I'm so scared over this flu season! Good luck to all of us:)

homeschoolceo October 14, 2009 10:05 PM  

Oh you poor thing! I mean I feel for your poor babies of course, but that is so tough on mom too! Hope all is well again soon!

FranticMommy October 15, 2009 5:24 AM  

This H1N1 is officially worred the crap outta me. My family does not look forward to the months ofn Nov-April just because of all the creeping crud sickness STUFF. Hope your family feels better soon.

Swoozie October 15, 2009 9:54 AM  

Sick kids are like the "one, two, knockout punch" for moms! Whew! Hope your little ones feel better soon.

Keeping my fingers crossed that you stay healthy!!

We're all doing good here so far and yet it's only Oct 15. I've stocked up on OTC meds, Kleenex, sanitizers, wipes, Clorox spray, bleach etc etc and I'm hoping for the best. Something tells me it's going to be loooong winter/cold.flu season.....

CC October 15, 2009 5:39 PM  

I'm pretty sure kids are Clorox-wipe-able. ;)

scrappysue October 16, 2009 3:17 PM  

are your kids feeling better now?

ALL PHOTOS AND TEXT ARE COPYRIGHT TIARAS & TANTRUMS unless otherwise noted 2005-2009

  © Blogger templates The Professional Template by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP