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Non-vaccinated Step kids
- Thread starter Tessalonikki
- Start date
Refusal to treat a child for strep is very, very serious.
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i>
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i>
Refusal to treat a child for strep is very, very serious.
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i>
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i>
Tanja,
There is now a chickenpox vaccine available. Both of my children have been vaccinated. I do not think the vaccine offers life-time immunity for children but I opted to get my children vaccinated. Something you could ask your pediatrician and Cf doc their opinion about.
As far as not treating strep, that's sad. Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppet Show died because of a strep infection that was not treated.
Your step-daughter' mother does not understand that CF is a disease that requires medical intervention on a daily basis. She needs to be educated.
Rebecca(mom to SAmmy no CF and MAggie 3 with CF)
There is now a chickenpox vaccine available. Both of my children have been vaccinated. I do not think the vaccine offers life-time immunity for children but I opted to get my children vaccinated. Something you could ask your pediatrician and Cf doc their opinion about.
As far as not treating strep, that's sad. Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppet Show died because of a strep infection that was not treated.
Your step-daughter' mother does not understand that CF is a disease that requires medical intervention on a daily basis. She needs to be educated.
Rebecca(mom to SAmmy no CF and MAggie 3 with CF)
Tanja,
There is now a chickenpox vaccine available. Both of my children have been vaccinated. I do not think the vaccine offers life-time immunity for children but I opted to get my children vaccinated. Something you could ask your pediatrician and Cf doc their opinion about.
As far as not treating strep, that's sad. Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppet Show died because of a strep infection that was not treated.
Your step-daughter' mother does not understand that CF is a disease that requires medical intervention on a daily basis. She needs to be educated.
Rebecca(mom to SAmmy no CF and MAggie 3 with CF)
There is now a chickenpox vaccine available. Both of my children have been vaccinated. I do not think the vaccine offers life-time immunity for children but I opted to get my children vaccinated. Something you could ask your pediatrician and Cf doc their opinion about.
As far as not treating strep, that's sad. Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppet Show died because of a strep infection that was not treated.
Your step-daughter' mother does not understand that CF is a disease that requires medical intervention on a daily basis. She needs to be educated.
Rebecca(mom to SAmmy no CF and MAggie 3 with CF)
littledebbie
New member
Okay, so on the non-vaccinated issue, I can see that would be annoying but if your kids are vaccinated that's about as good as you can do isn't it? Also, I did agree with you if a temp was involved and I think with strep there is usuallly a fever and a very particular sore throat that should give indicate it's strep, so that Mom is a dope if she sent her to you with Strep and I might be tempted to box her ears.
I didn't mean to sound too non chalant (sp?) about the entire thing, but I've seen parents go way over board protecting their CFer and it does not make for a very emotionally healthy/functioning person. My Mom was careful with me and worried all the time I know at night she used to sneak into my room just to listen to me breath up until I was about 3 or 4 and if was coughing I could still catch her at even when i was older. I know at this stage it's harder to be the Mom than the kid, I wasn't trying to be overly flip about your childs health, I just don't think worrying over colds is where I would put my energy.
I hope it works out, maybe you can talk to the stepdaughter. 10 is old enough to understand (I think), maybe she could learn to communicate to you when she is not feeling well? Since she's the one spending time with your kids she probably cares more about them and would possibley feel like a good big sister looking out for them. Just a thought. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
I didn't mean to sound too non chalant (sp?) about the entire thing, but I've seen parents go way over board protecting their CFer and it does not make for a very emotionally healthy/functioning person. My Mom was careful with me and worried all the time I know at night she used to sneak into my room just to listen to me breath up until I was about 3 or 4 and if was coughing I could still catch her at even when i was older. I know at this stage it's harder to be the Mom than the kid, I wasn't trying to be overly flip about your childs health, I just don't think worrying over colds is where I would put my energy.
I hope it works out, maybe you can talk to the stepdaughter. 10 is old enough to understand (I think), maybe she could learn to communicate to you when she is not feeling well? Since she's the one spending time with your kids she probably cares more about them and would possibley feel like a good big sister looking out for them. Just a thought. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
littledebbie
New member
Okay, so on the non-vaccinated issue, I can see that would be annoying but if your kids are vaccinated that's about as good as you can do isn't it? Also, I did agree with you if a temp was involved and I think with strep there is usuallly a fever and a very particular sore throat that should give indicate it's strep, so that Mom is a dope if she sent her to you with Strep and I might be tempted to box her ears.
I didn't mean to sound too non chalant (sp?) about the entire thing, but I've seen parents go way over board protecting their CFer and it does not make for a very emotionally healthy/functioning person. My Mom was careful with me and worried all the time I know at night she used to sneak into my room just to listen to me breath up until I was about 3 or 4 and if was coughing I could still catch her at even when i was older. I know at this stage it's harder to be the Mom than the kid, I wasn't trying to be overly flip about your childs health, I just don't think worrying over colds is where I would put my energy.
I hope it works out, maybe you can talk to the stepdaughter. 10 is old enough to understand (I think), maybe she could learn to communicate to you when she is not feeling well? Since she's the one spending time with your kids she probably cares more about them and would possibley feel like a good big sister looking out for them. Just a thought. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
I didn't mean to sound too non chalant (sp?) about the entire thing, but I've seen parents go way over board protecting their CFer and it does not make for a very emotionally healthy/functioning person. My Mom was careful with me and worried all the time I know at night she used to sneak into my room just to listen to me breath up until I was about 3 or 4 and if was coughing I could still catch her at even when i was older. I know at this stage it's harder to be the Mom than the kid, I wasn't trying to be overly flip about your childs health, I just don't think worrying over colds is where I would put my energy.
I hope it works out, maybe you can talk to the stepdaughter. 10 is old enough to understand (I think), maybe she could learn to communicate to you when she is not feeling well? Since she's the one spending time with your kids she probably cares more about them and would possibley feel like a good big sister looking out for them. Just a thought. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Tessalonikki
New member
<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>miesl</b></i><br>Refusal to treat a child for strep is very, very serious.
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i><hr></blockquote>
Tell me about it......I have talked to the mom for hours trying to convince her, but it did no good. It is extremely frustrating to try and deal with someone that does not want to understand the importance of taking certain medication, when it could potentially be hazardous to the person having the problem. However she does not want to even consider it as long as there would be something to give that is 100 % natural. After three years of trying to educate her on CF - I have finally given up, but I also drew the consequences for my kids...at least for now..
Tanja <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i><hr></blockquote>
Tell me about it......I have talked to the mom for hours trying to convince her, but it did no good. It is extremely frustrating to try and deal with someone that does not want to understand the importance of taking certain medication, when it could potentially be hazardous to the person having the problem. However she does not want to even consider it as long as there would be something to give that is 100 % natural. After three years of trying to educate her on CF - I have finally given up, but I also drew the consequences for my kids...at least for now..
Tanja <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Tessalonikki
New member
<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>miesl</b></i><br>Refusal to treat a child for strep is very, very serious.
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i><hr></blockquote>
Tell me about it......I have talked to the mom for hours trying to convince her, but it did no good. It is extremely frustrating to try and deal with someone that does not want to understand the importance of taking certain medication, when it could potentially be hazardous to the person having the problem. However she does not want to even consider it as long as there would be something to give that is 100 % natural. After three years of trying to educate her on CF - I have finally given up, but I also drew the consequences for my kids...at least for now..
Tanja <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Taken from kidshealth.org...
<i>Lack of treatment - or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics - also could put your child at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.</i><hr></blockquote>
Tell me about it......I have talked to the mom for hours trying to convince her, but it did no good. It is extremely frustrating to try and deal with someone that does not want to understand the importance of taking certain medication, when it could potentially be hazardous to the person having the problem. However she does not want to even consider it as long as there would be something to give that is 100 % natural. After three years of trying to educate her on CF - I have finally given up, but I also drew the consequences for my kids...at least for now..
Tanja <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Tanja, I really do agree with your concerns. While we shouldn't overprotect our kids to the point where they can't go out and play like healthy children etc I am all for that...However I make it my responsibility to keep them as healthy as possible in my home. Yes they should be exposed to bugs to create their own immunities, I think it is also fair to say that a healthy child would expect one or two colds a year. When your child is falling sick more often and you know that it originates from one person it does become a worry.
The problem here is that your step daughter has every right to see her siblings. I would suggest to perhaps make it your husbands responsibility to pick her up each time she comes to stay so that he can see if she has any cold/flu symptoms before coming over. And if she does then make it an outside playdate instead.
If she is already in your home and clearly has cold/flu symptoms then look to burning aromatherapy oils in your home. They give a great fragrance and I find when using the right ones when one person has a cold in my house the others don't usually contract it. I like to use oils such as tea tree, cypress and lemon. I actually use all different oils but those three kill germs in the air. Other than that all you can do is encourage as much hand washing as possible!
The problem here is that your step daughter has every right to see her siblings. I would suggest to perhaps make it your husbands responsibility to pick her up each time she comes to stay so that he can see if she has any cold/flu symptoms before coming over. And if she does then make it an outside playdate instead.
If she is already in your home and clearly has cold/flu symptoms then look to burning aromatherapy oils in your home. They give a great fragrance and I find when using the right ones when one person has a cold in my house the others don't usually contract it. I like to use oils such as tea tree, cypress and lemon. I actually use all different oils but those three kill germs in the air. Other than that all you can do is encourage as much hand washing as possible!
Tanja, I really do agree with your concerns. While we shouldn't overprotect our kids to the point where they can't go out and play like healthy children etc I am all for that...However I make it my responsibility to keep them as healthy as possible in my home. Yes they should be exposed to bugs to create their own immunities, I think it is also fair to say that a healthy child would expect one or two colds a year. When your child is falling sick more often and you know that it originates from one person it does become a worry.
The problem here is that your step daughter has every right to see her siblings. I would suggest to perhaps make it your husbands responsibility to pick her up each time she comes to stay so that he can see if she has any cold/flu symptoms before coming over. And if she does then make it an outside playdate instead.
If she is already in your home and clearly has cold/flu symptoms then look to burning aromatherapy oils in your home. They give a great fragrance and I find when using the right ones when one person has a cold in my house the others don't usually contract it. I like to use oils such as tea tree, cypress and lemon. I actually use all different oils but those three kill germs in the air. Other than that all you can do is encourage as much hand washing as possible!
The problem here is that your step daughter has every right to see her siblings. I would suggest to perhaps make it your husbands responsibility to pick her up each time she comes to stay so that he can see if she has any cold/flu symptoms before coming over. And if she does then make it an outside playdate instead.
If she is already in your home and clearly has cold/flu symptoms then look to burning aromatherapy oils in your home. They give a great fragrance and I find when using the right ones when one person has a cold in my house the others don't usually contract it. I like to use oils such as tea tree, cypress and lemon. I actually use all different oils but those three kill germs in the air. Other than that all you can do is encourage as much hand washing as possible!
Oh yeah and on the chickenpox issue......my eldest daughter caugt the chickenpox when she was nearly 4. I was worried at first because a couple of days before the spots showed she had a fever and then the cold symptoms started. It was the quickest I had jumped to call the CF nurse and ask if we should start antibiotics. She told me to wait for a few more days and if the coughing and runny nose persisted we could consider it. Well within 2 more days all symptoms other than the spots had gone. They went away in about 2 weeks.
Oh yeah and on the chickenpox issue......my eldest daughter caugt the chickenpox when she was nearly 4. I was worried at first because a couple of days before the spots showed she had a fever and then the cold symptoms started. It was the quickest I had jumped to call the CF nurse and ask if we should start antibiotics. She told me to wait for a few more days and if the coughing and runny nose persisted we could consider it. Well within 2 more days all symptoms other than the spots had gone. They went away in about 2 weeks.
Tessalonikki
New member
Hi Dee,
Thanks for your words and the advice about the candles. I will try that next time somebody walks in with anything. I did not know that these oils killed airborne bacteria. Yeah! Everyday I learn something new and useful. I so wish I could have my husband share a bit in the responsibility with the kids, but he owns a wine retail business/bar and is there 7 days a week from morning till night, literally. By the time he comes home we are all asleep. So it is mostly up to me and I am just trying to do the right thing.
I am glad to hear, that what I was told about the chickenpocks is kind of bogus. Nikki is vaccinated, but Tessa is still too young and so we have a few more months to go before she will have that vaccination too. Growing up in Europe we are also vaccinated for all kinds of things. There most vaccinations are still mandatory as far as I know, but times do change and maybe it is not as strict anymore. And now if the kids get them I will not panic. I am so glad I found this website. (It has taken me three years<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> However I have to admit I haven't fully figured out yet how to reply to the individual so this might still get to the wrong place. However I thank you and everybody else for the input and advise I needed to feel a bit more comfortable in this situation.
Have a great night,
Tanja (Mom to Nicky3w/cf and Tessa 14 month w/cf)
Thanks for your words and the advice about the candles. I will try that next time somebody walks in with anything. I did not know that these oils killed airborne bacteria. Yeah! Everyday I learn something new and useful. I so wish I could have my husband share a bit in the responsibility with the kids, but he owns a wine retail business/bar and is there 7 days a week from morning till night, literally. By the time he comes home we are all asleep. So it is mostly up to me and I am just trying to do the right thing.
I am glad to hear, that what I was told about the chickenpocks is kind of bogus. Nikki is vaccinated, but Tessa is still too young and so we have a few more months to go before she will have that vaccination too. Growing up in Europe we are also vaccinated for all kinds of things. There most vaccinations are still mandatory as far as I know, but times do change and maybe it is not as strict anymore. And now if the kids get them I will not panic. I am so glad I found this website. (It has taken me three years<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> However I have to admit I haven't fully figured out yet how to reply to the individual so this might still get to the wrong place. However I thank you and everybody else for the input and advise I needed to feel a bit more comfortable in this situation.
Have a great night,
Tanja (Mom to Nicky3w/cf and Tessa 14 month w/cf)
Tessalonikki
New member
Hi Dee,
Thanks for your words and the advice about the candles. I will try that next time somebody walks in with anything. I did not know that these oils killed airborne bacteria. Yeah! Everyday I learn something new and useful. I so wish I could have my husband share a bit in the responsibility with the kids, but he owns a wine retail business/bar and is there 7 days a week from morning till night, literally. By the time he comes home we are all asleep. So it is mostly up to me and I am just trying to do the right thing.
I am glad to hear, that what I was told about the chickenpocks is kind of bogus. Nikki is vaccinated, but Tessa is still too young and so we have a few more months to go before she will have that vaccination too. Growing up in Europe we are also vaccinated for all kinds of things. There most vaccinations are still mandatory as far as I know, but times do change and maybe it is not as strict anymore. And now if the kids get them I will not panic. I am so glad I found this website. (It has taken me three years<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> However I have to admit I haven't fully figured out yet how to reply to the individual so this might still get to the wrong place. However I thank you and everybody else for the input and advise I needed to feel a bit more comfortable in this situation.
Have a great night,
Tanja (Mom to Nicky3w/cf and Tessa 14 month w/cf)
Thanks for your words and the advice about the candles. I will try that next time somebody walks in with anything. I did not know that these oils killed airborne bacteria. Yeah! Everyday I learn something new and useful. I so wish I could have my husband share a bit in the responsibility with the kids, but he owns a wine retail business/bar and is there 7 days a week from morning till night, literally. By the time he comes home we are all asleep. So it is mostly up to me and I am just trying to do the right thing.
I am glad to hear, that what I was told about the chickenpocks is kind of bogus. Nikki is vaccinated, but Tessa is still too young and so we have a few more months to go before she will have that vaccination too. Growing up in Europe we are also vaccinated for all kinds of things. There most vaccinations are still mandatory as far as I know, but times do change and maybe it is not as strict anymore. And now if the kids get them I will not panic. I am so glad I found this website. (It has taken me three years<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> However I have to admit I haven't fully figured out yet how to reply to the individual so this might still get to the wrong place. However I thank you and everybody else for the input and advise I needed to feel a bit more comfortable in this situation.
Have a great night,
Tanja (Mom to Nicky3w/cf and Tessa 14 month w/cf)
debs2girls
New member
Tanja, what does your husband say about it? Has he talked to his daughters mother? I know you dont like to keep them apart, but if she is sick you really need to....Try telling her mom in a more forceful way, say a baseball bat...I am just kidding...Do you get along with her well enough to talk to her about how she would feel if her daughter were to one that has cf and you wouldnt immunize your kids? Maybe she would understand where you are coming from then...
Good luck with this,
Dee, my daughters pulmo told me not to burn candles or oils, or to use any kind of carpet deoderizer... do you think it hurts the cfer to smell it?
Debbie
Good luck with this,
Dee, my daughters pulmo told me not to burn candles or oils, or to use any kind of carpet deoderizer... do you think it hurts the cfer to smell it?
Debbie
debs2girls
New member
Tanja, what does your husband say about it? Has he talked to his daughters mother? I know you dont like to keep them apart, but if she is sick you really need to....Try telling her mom in a more forceful way, say a baseball bat...I am just kidding...Do you get along with her well enough to talk to her about how she would feel if her daughter were to one that has cf and you wouldnt immunize your kids? Maybe she would understand where you are coming from then...
Good luck with this,
Dee, my daughters pulmo told me not to burn candles or oils, or to use any kind of carpet deoderizer... do you think it hurts the cfer to smell it?
Debbie
Good luck with this,
Dee, my daughters pulmo told me not to burn candles or oils, or to use any kind of carpet deoderizer... do you think it hurts the cfer to smell it?
Debbie
What I have been told my doctors is that anything should be used with care. Even natural products. It pays to do a little reading on the subject on how to safely use such things, before actually using them.
I personally have always used aromatherapy oils (I only use 100% pure essential oils) and have never had a problem. There are definately some that if used in excfess amount (and I mean way over the recommended amounts) can have adverse effects.
My girls have never had any reaction to the oils and I use no more than a total of 10 drops in the oil burner at a time. I usually combine 3 oils together which will normally be 2 anti-bacterial ones such as cypress and lemon and then I add whatever I feel like smelling such as juniper berry or lavender. Evreyone loves the smell of my house when they come over - although I don't burn the oils 24/7. It also wouldn't stop your kids catching someones bugs if they coughed over them etc.
I am not sure why the doc would have said not to use the oils? I guess some might have adverse affects on the sinus's but then somew oils are great for the sinus's??? If you don't use pure essential oils you could be breathing in some chemicals so I would only recommend the best.
Also when Mikayla is stuffy from a cold I give her a bath and at the same time fill up the sink with boiling water and put 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in. That way it vapourises and she gets the benefit whilst in the bathtub (of course I keep an eye on her with the hot water).
And for all those parents out there who are just exhausted by the whole CF routine, get some carrier oil such as sweet almond oil - add a few drops of peppermint (or whatever you want) and get your partner to give you a nice massage. It really is the best thing.
If you do decide to purchase any oils then shop around because the prices vary a lot. In Australia I have found the company called New Directions to be a high quality product at really good prices and I think they are available in other countries as well but I am not sure.
I personally have always used aromatherapy oils (I only use 100% pure essential oils) and have never had a problem. There are definately some that if used in excfess amount (and I mean way over the recommended amounts) can have adverse effects.
My girls have never had any reaction to the oils and I use no more than a total of 10 drops in the oil burner at a time. I usually combine 3 oils together which will normally be 2 anti-bacterial ones such as cypress and lemon and then I add whatever I feel like smelling such as juniper berry or lavender. Evreyone loves the smell of my house when they come over - although I don't burn the oils 24/7. It also wouldn't stop your kids catching someones bugs if they coughed over them etc.
I am not sure why the doc would have said not to use the oils? I guess some might have adverse affects on the sinus's but then somew oils are great for the sinus's??? If you don't use pure essential oils you could be breathing in some chemicals so I would only recommend the best.
Also when Mikayla is stuffy from a cold I give her a bath and at the same time fill up the sink with boiling water and put 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in. That way it vapourises and she gets the benefit whilst in the bathtub (of course I keep an eye on her with the hot water).
And for all those parents out there who are just exhausted by the whole CF routine, get some carrier oil such as sweet almond oil - add a few drops of peppermint (or whatever you want) and get your partner to give you a nice massage. It really is the best thing.
If you do decide to purchase any oils then shop around because the prices vary a lot. In Australia I have found the company called New Directions to be a high quality product at really good prices and I think they are available in other countries as well but I am not sure.
What I have been told my doctors is that anything should be used with care. Even natural products. It pays to do a little reading on the subject on how to safely use such things, before actually using them.
I personally have always used aromatherapy oils (I only use 100% pure essential oils) and have never had a problem. There are definately some that if used in excfess amount (and I mean way over the recommended amounts) can have adverse effects.
My girls have never had any reaction to the oils and I use no more than a total of 10 drops in the oil burner at a time. I usually combine 3 oils together which will normally be 2 anti-bacterial ones such as cypress and lemon and then I add whatever I feel like smelling such as juniper berry or lavender. Evreyone loves the smell of my house when they come over - although I don't burn the oils 24/7. It also wouldn't stop your kids catching someones bugs if they coughed over them etc.
I am not sure why the doc would have said not to use the oils? I guess some might have adverse affects on the sinus's but then somew oils are great for the sinus's??? If you don't use pure essential oils you could be breathing in some chemicals so I would only recommend the best.
Also when Mikayla is stuffy from a cold I give her a bath and at the same time fill up the sink with boiling water and put 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in. That way it vapourises and she gets the benefit whilst in the bathtub (of course I keep an eye on her with the hot water).
And for all those parents out there who are just exhausted by the whole CF routine, get some carrier oil such as sweet almond oil - add a few drops of peppermint (or whatever you want) and get your partner to give you a nice massage. It really is the best thing.
If you do decide to purchase any oils then shop around because the prices vary a lot. In Australia I have found the company called New Directions to be a high quality product at really good prices and I think they are available in other countries as well but I am not sure.
I personally have always used aromatherapy oils (I only use 100% pure essential oils) and have never had a problem. There are definately some that if used in excfess amount (and I mean way over the recommended amounts) can have adverse effects.
My girls have never had any reaction to the oils and I use no more than a total of 10 drops in the oil burner at a time. I usually combine 3 oils together which will normally be 2 anti-bacterial ones such as cypress and lemon and then I add whatever I feel like smelling such as juniper berry or lavender. Evreyone loves the smell of my house when they come over - although I don't burn the oils 24/7. It also wouldn't stop your kids catching someones bugs if they coughed over them etc.
I am not sure why the doc would have said not to use the oils? I guess some might have adverse affects on the sinus's but then somew oils are great for the sinus's??? If you don't use pure essential oils you could be breathing in some chemicals so I would only recommend the best.
Also when Mikayla is stuffy from a cold I give her a bath and at the same time fill up the sink with boiling water and put 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in. That way it vapourises and she gets the benefit whilst in the bathtub (of course I keep an eye on her with the hot water).
And for all those parents out there who are just exhausted by the whole CF routine, get some carrier oil such as sweet almond oil - add a few drops of peppermint (or whatever you want) and get your partner to give you a nice massage. It really is the best thing.
If you do decide to purchase any oils then shop around because the prices vary a lot. In Australia I have found the company called New Directions to be a high quality product at really good prices and I think they are available in other countries as well but I am not sure.