H1N1 - did we have it?

[amy_225]

Hi guys,
My kids weren't officially tested (their symptoms were not severe and I was afraid to take them in and expose them if it wasn't swine flu), but I think they MAY have had it. I say this because it was going around our small town, in the school and other places my kids were exposed to. DH & I didn't get it (huh??), but this is what the kids did:
They were each sick five/six days
It came on very suddenly as a sore throat and runny/stuffy nose
Achy muscles (they complained of headaches and leg aches)
No high fever, though. In fact, not much fever at all.
It left as suddenly as it came on.
So...what do you guys think? Could it have been H1N1? I really hope so, since our trip is in December and I'm "guessing" you can't get it twice (though not too sure about that). Just looking for opinions from anyone else out there with similar symptoms who was diagnosed.
Thanks!!
Amy

 

[lastminutemom]

Actually, no one knows if you can get it twice. Some research is showing that H1N1 is more likley to change than other flus. However, I think the latest research has shown little change so far. There is much debate about whether you need the immunization if you have had it. Unless you were tested, you really have no way of knowing.

My pediatrician says that they are expecting a terrible "regular" flu season this winter and are very concerned that H1N1 will get worse at the same time. They are concerned that people might even get both versions of the flu simultaneously. If you are the type to get immunized, this is probably the year to not miss either Flu shot.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

Sounds like it would be possible, especially since it came on suddenly. That, from what I have read, is the difference between the cold and the flu.

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

My kids had it this past week. They both had high temps that were HARD to regulate even with Tylenol/Motrin and cool bathes. They both complained ALOT with their eyes hurting them and were VERY pink around their eye lids and under their eyes.

They still ate pretty normal
They did cough, but not like a cold. Maybe a few times a day.
They did sneeze/runny nose, but again not like a cold. Only a little.
Both kids after finishing Tamiflu, have a congested cough.

These are just things that I noticed. I swear after seeing this for a week, I could tell the difference between the flu and a cold.

Hope this helps.

 

[turkeymama]

My kids had it this past week. They both had high temps that were HARD to regulate even with Tylenol/Motrin and cool bathes. They both complained ALOT with their eyes hurting them and were VERY pink around their eye lids and under their eyes.

They still ate pretty normal
They did cough, but not like a cold. Maybe a few times a day.
They did sneeze/runny nose, but again not like a cold. Only a little.
Both kids after finishing Tamiflu, have a congested cough.

These are just things that I noticed. I swear after seeing this for a week, I could tell the difference between the flu and a cold.

Hope this helps.

Most of this sounds very similar to my son's symptoms when he had H1N1. The only thing that he didn't have was an appetite. And in our case, the symptoms started pretty suddenly.

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

I agree it was very sudden. My friend called to tell me her daughter had it and we are around her all the time. She said watch the kids. That was earlier Sunday afternoon. We fed the goats, ate dinner and then IT happened. It was really weird.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

My oldest DD had it in June and it came on FAST!!! She also ran a high fever the whole time that went down just a little using Tylenol and Motrin both.
Our pedetrician said it is not clear if you can or can't get it more then once, so still be careful, especially on your trip.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Actually we had those same symptoms last week and it was not h1n1. No high fever was the one difference. Mild fever, bad sore throat, yucky cough, fatigue, headaches, kids got tested for flu and it was not flu.

We will get the vaccine ASAP, my dd7 missed a whole week of school last week.

 

[taximomfor4]

Actually we had those same symptoms last week and it was not h1n1. No high fever was the one difference. Mild fever, bad sore throat, yucky cough, fatigue, headaches, kids got tested for flu and it was not flu.

We will get the vaccine ASAP, my dd7 missed a whole week of school last week.

Unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 is often coming withOUT fever. And it seems that the flu tests are giving false negatives 10%-70% of the time. TErrible, TERRIBLE odds IMO.

Many "online" symptom checkers, btw, automatically EXCLUDE novel H1N1 flu once you put in no fever, even if you have EVERY other flu symptom. How's that for behind the times, lol. Geez, I was in the hospital in MAY (I think it was) after a flu-like illness left me with breathing difficulties. I hadn't had a fever, so H1N1 was ruled out. The very next week, I think it was, the fever-free factor hit the news.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 is often coming withOUT fever. And it seems that the flu tests are giving false negatives 10%-70% of the time. TErrible, TERRIBLE odds IMO.

.

really??? I could have sworn we had it but I took the test for what it said. I even had the bad tummy stuff with mine. Hmmmmm.

 

[taximomfor4]

really??? I could have sworn we had it but I took the test for what it said. I even had the bad tummy stuff with mine. Hmmmmm.

Really. In one of the really good actual research studies I ran across yesterday, 1/3 of the people who DIED from Novel H1N1 never had a fever. That study, then, theorizes that the percentage of people who have it and no fever is most likely much greater. Think about it -- many of them are waiting in vain for a fever to prove their own suspicion!!

And actually, I ALMOST got into an argument with a medical professional last night about the same thing. Apparently, someone we both know got confirmed H1N1. This professional is telling everyone about it, and how the sick girl is just trying to add to the whole hype -- that because she never had a fever, basically she is lying for attention.

OMG. I gave up on the argument, and walked away. But she's a MEDICAL professional -- she has access to more studies than I do, probably (she's much more educated in the field than I am). She's publicly declaring an acquaintance a LIAR, and not bothering to fact check FIRST.

ACK. Sorry. I get frustrated when those we should be able to turn to don't open their minds to facts sometimes, lol.

Here's an article - not a peer-reviewed research one, but there are soooo many out there. It just reiterates what they are ALL finding. http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08210902/H1N1_Fever_NOT.html

 

[McKelly]

Did anyone of your kids/you who have had it, complain of burning chest. I have a cough/sore throat, mild fever, and my chest is just killing me......burns, especially right after I cough. I am wondering if it isn't pneumonia? But my fever isn't very high compared to when I had pneumonia a few years ago, I had a REALLY high fever then! My kids are home with much milder symptoms so I can't go to the doctor unless I drag them along!!! I suppose I should just suck it up!

 

[RMulieri]

Really. In one of the really good actual research studies I ran across yesterday, 1/3 of the people who DIED from Novel H1N1 never had a fever. That study, then, theorizes that the percentage of people who have it and no fever is most likely much greater. Think about it -- many of them are waiting in vain for a fever to prove their own suspicion!!

And actually, I ALMOST got into an argument with a medical professional last night about the same thing. Apparently, someone we both know got confirmed H1N1. This professional is telling everyone about it, and how the sick girl is just trying to add to the whole hype -- that because she never had a fever, basically she is lying for attention.

OMG. I gave up on the argument, and walked away. But she's a MEDICAL professional -- she has access to more studies than I do, probably (she's much more educated in the field than I am). She's publicly declaring an acquaintance a LIAR, and not bothering to fact check FIRST.

ACK. Sorry. I get frustrated when those we should be able to turn to don't open their minds to facts sometimes, lol.

Here's an article - not a peer-reviewed research one, but there are soooo many out there. It just reiterates what they are ALL finding. http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08210902/H1N1_Fever_NOT.html

True that fever may or may not be present.....And the problem is this...It is Fall.Schools in session. Traditional Seasonal Flu season is gearing up.So far we have had Coxsackie virus, 5th disease, hand foot and mouth ,common colds ,Gastrointestinal viruses and allergies come in thru the ED.We can't and don't test everyone, and most people we send home. My point is this.... It could be absolutely anything.It doesn't neccessarily mean H1N1 with or without a fever.If you are having breathing difficulties, Chest pain ,febrile seizures etc by all means, call 911 and go to the hospital .But most Drs are telling suspected flu cases to stay home.Do not go to the ED, Do not come into the office.Many are not even testing anymore, and unless you have underlying medical conditions, they are not giving out Revlimid or Tamiflu.People are panicking again and the ER's are filling again.gotta love the media

 

[mrsmom]

Did anyone of your kids/you who have had it, complain of burning chest. I have a cough/sore throat, mild fever, and my chest is just killing me......burns, especially right after I cough. I am wondering if it isn't pneumonia? But my fever isn't very high compared to when I had pneumonia a few years ago, I had a REALLY high fever then! My kids are home with much milder symptoms so I can't go to the doctor unless I drag them along!!! I suppose I should just suck it up!

Yes, I went to urgent care last night and with a fever and very little cough but my chest was burning. they put me on antibotic for my chest because it was congested and a cough syrup.

 

[jennifer293]

my 5 yr old had it last week. she had itchy burning pink eyes, fever of 104 for 2 days, bad stomach cramps, vomiting, and horrible headaches.

for the past few days I have had horrible headaches, stomach cramps, and just feeling ran down, but I cannot decide if I am just ran down or if I actually have a mild case of it.

 

[taximomfor4]

our school district put out a statement today, absence rate is way up and it is "Apparent" Swine Flu for many of those out absent.

I am going to bet that's what we all had. Actually, dd 11 is home today for headache and cough. Monday, she'd stayed home for headache. I was watchful for illness, after dd7, myself, and dh in had been ill in the past 2 weeks. But she seemed better yesterday, and went to school. Today, home again. With the nose issues and cough, it's apparently not her typical headaches (frequent, unfortunately) -- seems to be illness.

Blech. WILL this ever end?

 

[PatMcDuck]

My DD (age 17) had the (probable H1N1) flu a month ago. She has other health problems, so I had blood work done. Both FLU, A & B were positive. The lab goofed up the H1N1 test, but her doctors all suspect swine, since they said it was the only flu around in mid September. (I wanted the test only because a virus could trigger a flar eof her disease, and knowing what was the trigger is a part of her medical history/ for my other kids I would just roll with it).

She had low fever, body aches, fatigue, no appetitie, congestion, runny nose, headache, and diarrhea. I read they are seeing diarrhea symptoms with swine flu....... missed a week of high school.

By the time the bloodwork comes back, it is too late for Tamiflu. Her local peds dr said not flu, fever not high enough. Her specialists are better informed, and agree there does not have to be high fever......... no one else in our family of 6 got sick. DD is slightly immune suppressed from medication she is on for other illness.

 

[amy_225]

That's interesting...I'm betting it is what we had now. Absence the high fevers, the kids had all the other symptoms except diarrhea. They said their stomachs hurt, and the headaches were really bad. I thought a couple of days I was getting sick - had some headaches and slight congestion, very slight sore throat - but then was fine a couple of days later, so I'm not sure. I've heard a lot of healthy adults are just seeing mild symptoms, though.

 

[mom2val]

School called Monday and told me DD was running a low temp. Her BFF tested postive for flu that am so I called our Dr. Got her in Tuesday to see Dr. Low fever- 100.8, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache & chills. Tested negative for flu & strep. Today Wed- temp went up to 104- cough bad, not hungry & completely stopped up nose. Dr still insists it is only a virus and I must push fluids- she needs to pee at least 4 times a day. I wanted to come back in to get flu test ran again but he refused and said Tamiflu would only reduce symptoms by 24 hours. I'm not sure what to make of that statement- dd BFF got the Tamiflu Monday and by Tuesday night he was fine. He drove his mom crazy all day today picking on his baby brother bc he was bored! I think I have caught something- feels like a bad head cold. Fun Times at our house!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My 5yo DS has been home sick since Saturday afternoon. It came on suddenly, too, we were at the pumpkin patch and we got in the van to leave and he coughed for the first time that day, said his head hurt when he coughed and fell asleep. We got home and his temp was 101.7 and it stuck around there until today. But besides the fever his other symptoms came on gradually, today his nose is really runny and he has a little bit of a cough, but his fever is gone. His appetite was lighter than usual, he wasn't asking for food, but when I put a meal in front of him he ate it and he's been drinking well, no stomach issues at all.

I didn't take him to the dr., he doesn't have any medical conditions that would warrant it and I didn't want him picking up something else there. If he had taken a turn for the worse (dehydrated, wheezing, trouble breathing, really high fever, etc) I would have taken him. I think alot of people are panicking and taking their children to the dr. when they normally wouldn't and it's making it difficult for people who have more pressing medical problems to get in, plus passing on their illnesses. Obviously there are some with underlying problems that should be seen, but some parents I've met here seem to be taking their children in just to find out for sure if it's swine flu or not , not because they need treated.

Just my 2 cents.