DH is home sick....what does it sound like to you?

[always quiet]

He has body aches, the chills, congestion, coughing, is exhausted and has an upset stomach. What does this sound like to you?

Sounds like the flu to me....kick in the pants is that he HAD the flu shot earlier this week! I would think that with his weakened immune system, the shot would make you vulnerable to getting it. Maybe I'm wrong, but seems kind of fishy!

 

[justjulie]

You may want to check for pneumonia. Our doctor up here is calling it the "four day cough". My son was checked (and declared "clear") on a Monday and had full blown pneumonia by Wednesday. Don't fool around, this new pneumonia is not typical, it "hides" because it is not detected in the lungs as they are usually "clear".

My son slept for 12 straight hours which is extremely unusual for him (and should have been my first hint). He coughed so much he gave himself a headache. I might be wrong but bronchitis and pneumonia is all over up here so better safe than sorry ...

 

[helenabear]

I'd also check for a high fever as well as that seems to be a big indication of a flu or not. Also there are other flu-like viruses going around that seem to be just as bad feeling (a few friends have those, but the docs say no flu, just virus)

I could be wrong, but I thought it took several weeks for the vaccine to become effective and since it is done with a dead virus, it can't cause the flu. You can find out more here http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

I'd call the doc and see what they think.

 

[Christine]

It could be ANYTHING. Best to go to the doctor. A co-worker of mine had a sick child. He had a fever of up to 105 for 5 days. She took him to the doctor thinking he had *that* flu. The doctor tested him, as he has been testing all his patients, and lo and behold, he did not have the flu. Some sort of other viral illness. The doctor said that the funny thing was that out of all his sick patients, he has only had 2 of them test positive for influenza!!! Seems kind of odd considering there is some sort of epidemic.

 

[DawnCt]

It takes a minimum of two weeks to begin to build immunity to the flu. Immunity doesn't peak for 6 weeks but should remain in place for a year. If he were recently exposed to the flu within that two week window, it is highly communicable and he could easily get the flu. There are drugs on the market that mitigate many of the flu symptoms as well as duration. Tamaflu, is one. The physician can swab the throat and get confirmation rather quickly for a flu diagnosis. I would proceed in that direction.

 

[Kimnicki]

From what I understand, it takes at least 2 weeks for the flu shot to really work. And that it won't prevent the flu, but maybe you won't get as sick. In any case, there is so much going around now, he may have a few things. Lots of fluids, be careful of the the upset stomach, no water, makes it worse. Keep an eye out for pneumonia.

Hope he's feeling better soon,

Kim

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

If he got the shot in a Dr.'s office, he probably picked up the sickness there. Another reason we get ours in early Oct. SO many sick people in there this time of year. And he cannot get the flu from the shot. I would get him in to Dr.'s ASAP and let them test him. Good luck!

 

[Blondie]

My son's pediatrician told us that there is a virus going around that isn't the flu, but is flu like in symptoms.

The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

 

[goofygirl]

I have no advice for you, sorry!

But I do hope he feels better.