Talk to me about the "flu"

[Amy in Orlando]

It seems rampant on the board lately, but I've not yet met a "live" person who has had it.

I have two kids down with fevers and coughs and general ugginess. Is this the beginning of the end? Is there anything I can do?

[RoughCollie]

Here you go:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Our doc told us that the flu usually starts suddenly -- you feel well and then an hour later you are sick.

[Amy in Orlando]

Thank you!

[theodwyn]

I had it two weeks ago. I started with a runny nose and aching. Then the fever started and lasted for 3 days. I actually went to the pediatrician's office where I work and did the flu test on myself and I had type A. I did start taking the Tamiflu but it made me sick to my stomach and light headed, so I stopped. I talked to an infectious disease doctor who is a friend and he doesn't put much stock in the Tamiflu. It is not all that useful for healthy people. It has to be started within the first 24 hours of symptoms in order to do any good and even then only reduces the length of the flu by about a day.
Fortunately the rest of my family did not get it. I think I caught it at the office when I ran a flu test on a patient. Hope your family is better quickly. Lots of fluids and rest!
Wendy

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Ugh! I hope you all don't have it. That would be miserable! Just hugs and and UGH!

[Tammyla]

Here you go:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Our doc told us that the flu usually starts suddenly -- you feel well and then an hour later you are sick.

Exactly. It just hits you like a speeding truck. That is not the case with the flu. Lots of people mistake a bad virus for the flu, but if you have the flu...you know it. I had a real case 5 years ago. It put me to bed at 10:00 am, and I was fine when I woke up that morning.

And, I hope your guys are better soon

[angela in ohio]

Agreeing with the others - there was no time for me to wonder if I had the flu, I just was fine one minute and desperate to get to the doctor the next. The thing that really made it stand out from other colds and viruses was the full body ache and the complete lack of thirst or appetite.

I did the Tamiflu for one dose too. It was worse than the flu, LOL! They did give it to the rest of my family as soon as my test came back positive for Influenza A, though, and I think it might have helped them, as no one ele got it. But I usually get sick and the kids don't, so maybe it didn't do anything, either.

[Whisperlily]

Lots of people mistake a bad virus for the flu, but if you have the flu...you know it.

There is definitely no doubt if it's really the flu. We had it run through here a couple weeks ago. They almost admitted DH to the hospital with it, but didn't have enough beds.

It's running rampant here, too. 3 of the kids and I had all had the flu shot this year. DH and DS can't get the shot due to an egg allergy, but evidently it didn't matter since we all got it.

[Jill, OK]

...it's been years since I've had the honest-to-goodness flu...but you'll know when you have it.

I don't get flu shots, but I do have a box of oscillococcinum (sp?) on hand; if you start taking it within, like, 24 hours of symptoms, I think, it can help ease symptoms.

*Prostration* is one of the symptoms. Knocked flat. And yes, one of the hallmarks is that it's sudden; other viruses can come on a symptom at a time.

[Mrs. H.]

lying on the bathroom rug, moaning and shivering with a 104 fever, which then develops into a horrible coughing/hacking/congestion within the next day, it is highly likely they have the flu. Want to know how I know? Because FOUR of my five children tested positive for the flu yesterday, and I've already had so much exposure I will probably get it too.

It's a nasty bug, and you'll know it if you get it.

[Sugarfoot]

good thoughts and sympathy to all who are sick. It's so hard. We live in a college town, and apparently there are about 2000 students out with influenza right now. So far, we've been lucky.

[Jenny in Atl]

It's hit our house, youngest dd last Weds, then me Monday night. I can still barely keep my head up for more than 15 mins. I think my Wordless Weds, just might be a pix of my miserable face laying in this sweaty bed; I feel like a Niquil commercial. :p

[JFS in IL]

DS1 came down with it at school Friday. He also has strep. DS 2 came down with it Sat.pm. Nice pediatrician, assuming it was also strep, called in a prescription Sunday morning. Neither boy is well yet - add in the aches/fever/coughing - flu. I got it yesterday morning and the girls last night. hubby stayed home from work today to take all his wimmin to the pediatrician. One girl has strep, both have bronchitis and flu. Doc. sent me to E.R. for an x-ray - I have flu and pheumonia. Now that the rest of us have our various meds and a ton of Advil and popcycles in the house, hubby is allowed to get sick tomorrow :cool:

PS - a woman KNOWS she is SICK when even the BBC Mr. Darcy isn't tempting!

[HiddenJewel]

Boiron Oscillococcinum has worked wonders for us.