Doc Says I have the Swine Flu!!

[monkey68]

It is very sad to me to read that someone as educated as yourself (I make that assumption because it sounds like you are in medical school based on this post) would purposely drag yourself to school when you admit that you felt terrible and were a mess. We can't prevent this virus from spreading unless people start taking responsibility and make it a point to stop spreading their germs.

Stay home if you are sick. None of us want your germs.

Believe me, I wanted to stay home. I tried calling the school before I left, but nobody was there at that time. This was a mandatory lab, and missing it would have resulted in automatic failure of the course. When there is such a strict policy, there's nothing you can do, doesn't matter if you're sick. One of my classmates had an appendectomy in the middle of one of our systems, and she missed about a week of classes, including 2 mandatory labs. She was told too bad, she needed to retake the course because she couldn't make up the labs, even though she had surgery! The person running the lab let me sign in and then sent me away, so the school thinks I was there. So it's not like I actually stayed in the lab, I got there early, and wasn't there for very long.

I agree with you it's terrible to go in when you're sick, but with such strict policies, there's really no other option. People come in all the time with all sorts of nasty diseases, just because if you don't, you risk failing.

 

[PatsGirl]

Doctors seems to be labeling H1N1 much quicker than a few months ago. I took DD to the emergency room in late June because she had a fever for three days, sore throat, body aches, hacking cough... we had a vacation planned for the upcoming days with other friends her age and I wanted to know whether it was H1N1 or not. Although my GP had referred us to the ER (their office had actually put a no-see policy in effect for anyone with flu-like symptoms) they refused to swab DD and told me to treat it like she was sick and contagious. Yeah, duh....

Well, 4 days later when she finally started feeling better, I figure she's had the flu. Unfortunately, although I called all three mothers and told them she was sick and contagious they decided to send their kids with us anyways. DD started feeling better day 2 of the vacation (fever became controllable with motrin), her best friend started getting feverish on day 4 and we headed home. I still think she had H1N1 but because she wasn't swabbed I guess she'll still need a vaccination. Although this child has NEVER had a fever for more than few hours since she was born except this one illness, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[golfgal]

I had the same thing last week and it never occurred to me that it might be the swine flu. I have had influenza and this was nowhere near the same. I still have a bit of a cough now. I doubt what I had was anything more then a bad upper respiratory cold.

 

[disney1990]

Believe me, I wanted to stay home. I tried calling the school before I left, but nobody was there at that time. This was a mandatory lab, and missing it would have resulted in automatic failure of the course. When there is such a strict policy, there's nothing you can do, doesn't matter if you're sick. One of my classmates had an appendectomy in the middle of one of our systems, and she missed about a week of classes, including 2 mandatory labs. She was told too bad, she needed to retake the course because she couldn't make up the labs, even though she had surgery! The person running the lab let me sign in and then sent me away, so the school thinks I was there. So it's not like I actually stayed in the lab, I got there early, and wasn't there for very long.

I agree with you it's terrible to go in when you're sick, but with such strict policies, there's really no other option. People come in all the time with all sorts of nasty diseases, just because if you don't, you risk failing.

I would go to the administration of the school. The college where my daughter attends has told students to NOT come to class if they are sick. Even with labs, the school is willing to work with these students.

 

[SandiH]

I have all your same symptoms but probably more weak. I've been to the doctor twice (last time today) and I have an upper respiratory infection. Neither doctor even mentioned the flu (yet I do feel flu like at times). They should have done a flu swab (regular, not swine even) to determine flu. Also, for goodness sakes, if it was the flu, don't shop at Target and spread it around.

 

[skuttle]

My DS tested positive today for Type A, which the Dr said is likely swine flu. She said they aren't sending anything off to confirm. I think they only do that for really bad cases. DS has mainly had fever...highest was yesterday afternoon at 104. Last night, at 3am, he woke up asking for more meds and it was 103. He says nothing hurts and the Dr said his ears/throat look fine. He's a bit more tired than normal and his appetite is off, but that's about it. He has minor cough/congestion. He was told to rest, drink fluids, and take Tylenol for the fever. She actually specifically told me to not give him Motrin, which is what I was giving him, so I'm glad I brought him in!

DH had the what we think was the flu over labor day weekend. Dr says DS likely caught it from DH. She says I'm probably next. Great.

 

[cruisnfamily]

My DS tested positive today for Type A, which the Dr said is likely swine flu. She said they aren't sending anything off to confirm. I think they only do that for really bad cases. DS has mainly had fever...highest was yesterday afternoon at 104. Last night, at 3am, he woke up asking for more meds and it was 103. He says nothing hurts and the Dr said his ears/throat look fine. He's a bit more tired than normal and his appetite is off, but that's about it. He has minor cough/congestion. He was told to rest, drink fluids, and take Tylenol for the fever. She actually specifically told me to not give him Motrin, which is what I was giving him, so I'm glad I brought him in!

DH had the what we think was the flu over labor day weekend. Dr says DS likely caught it from DH. She says I'm probably next. Great.

Why no motrin?

 

[skuttle]

Why no motrin?

She told me that you are not supposed to treat the flu with aspirin because it has been linked to really bad side effects, including death. She said aspirin and motrin are cousins, so to be safe, she does not want me to use the motrin. Just Tylenol.

 

[pppiglet]

Why does everyone want to get the vaccine for Swine flu when it comes out? I heard that if you get the vaccine it's like committing suicide because of all the bad side effects with it? Just wondering....

I've never even had the regular flu vaccine as I never get sick. (only a cold here and there).

Does anyone here live in Oklahoma? DH said that they have a law coming into effect making it Mandatory to get the vaccine. That would really scare me!

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Man, I wish my H1N1 was like the OPs. Today is day 12 and I still don't feel good. I had a high fever (that wouldn't come down with Tylenol) for 4 days, along with body aches, chills, and a horrible barky, painful cough. I still have the cough. And I never get sick. Our whole house was sick for over 2 weeks.

But to defend the OP and all that said it doesn't sound like H1N1...

My DS, who is 2, got sick, only had a fever over 100 for 1 day, never lost his appetite, and was totally back to normal in 3 days. Just shows how different it can affect people. I was the sickest, DS2 was the mildest, and DH and DS8 were all somewhere in the middle.

 

[robinb]

Why does everyone want to get the vaccine for Swine flu when it comes out? I heard that if you get the vaccine it's like committing suicide because of all the bad side effects with it? Just wondering....

Suicide? Pul-eeeze.

 

[livie1205]

not all cases are the same..my ds 12 has swine flu (first flu swab then culture) he has low fever and vomiting (alot).They gave him tamiflu and are treating everyone in the house with tamiflu.

 

[robinb]

She told me that you are not supposed to treat the flu with aspirin because it has been linked to really bad side effects, including death. She said aspirin and motrin are cousins, so to be safe, she does not want me to use the motrin. Just Tylenol.

Hmmm ... Here is a PDF from the Reyes Syndrome Foundation and it doesn't say to avoid Ibuprofen. Tylenol *is* better at reducing a fever.

ETD: Opps here's the PDF: http://www.reyessyndrome.org/pdfs/H1N1FluBrochure1.pdf

 

[Trish Bessette]

My DH has been sick all week with the SAME EXACT symptoms as the OP. No fever so I didn't even think H1N1. He has been so quiet and I asked him what is wrong and he just said he doesn't feel good. I bet this is what he has. He works with a guy who had a confirmed swine flu a few weeks ago. Now I'm worrying about him. So glad it is Friday so he can rest this weekend!!

 

[Christine]

He works with a guy who had a confirmed swine flu a few weeks ago. Now I'm worrying about him. So glad it is Friday so he can rest this weekend!!

If the guy had the flu a few weeks ago, your DH would have caught it much sooner. The incubation period is pretty short--think days, not weeks. So, your husband probably caught it from someone else.

 

[pppiglet]

Suicide? Pul-eeeze.

Just repeating what I heard and hoping someone here may know what exactly are the side effects that everyone says are so bad for your body. I'm sure there must be some doctor or nurse on here that may be able to explain it. The regular vaccine for flu doesn't have the same complications.

 

[robinb]

Just repeating what I heard and hoping someone here may know what exactly are the side effects that everyone says are so bad for your body. I'm sure there must be some doctor or nurse on here that may be able to explain it. The regular vaccine for flu doesn't have the same complications.

That is not what I heard. I read that the H1N1 flu vaccine was expected to have the same complications as the regular flu vaccine. Here is a link to the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety_qa.htm

Do you have a link to what you have read?

 

[Trish Bessette]

If the guy had the flu a few weeks ago, your DH would have caught it much sooner. The incubation period is pretty short--think days, not weeks. So, your husband probably caught it from someone else.

That could be however the other guy he works with had these "cold symptom" all of last week. Never thinking it was the swine flu!

 

[jacos11]

I thought I was just coming down with cold a couple of weeks ago, with a sore throat and some stuffiness. Then during the night the body aches kicked in and a mild fever. I took dayquil or nyquil to relieve the body aches every 4 hours and I felt pretty good after 36 hours. But that darn sore throat lasted for about a week. I went to the doctor and she didn't think I had H1N1 because my symtoms were similar to hers and she tested positive.

I personally think I had it, but how can you ever tell for sure?

 

[monkey68]

That is not what I heard. I read that the H1N1 flu vaccine was expected to have the same complications as the regular flu vaccine. Here is a link to the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety_qa.htm

Do you have a link to what you have read?

It would make sense for it to have similar side effects, since I believe they are preparing the vaccines the same way they do the normal flu vaccine, but instead of making a hodge podge of different strains of flu, they're making it specifically for this H1N1.