H1N1 - did we have it?

[WL Fan]

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.

Another Michigander here, this is the same bug we've been fighting. My DD and I feel crappy, but not bad enough to go to see the dr. Lots of people around us have the same thing, the dr's say it's a viral illness, drink lots and get lots of rest, along with tylenol/motrin. I will say it's been good for business though, the ER that I work in has been running full tilt for over a week.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Me again. Update, my dd is still coughing and this is day 12 of being sick. Rapid test said no flu but now that I know those are frequently wrong I am still thinking that we had it already. Dr gave her a z-pack which did very little. We are supposed to get vaccinated on saturday but I'm thinking it may be a waste of time but there's no way to know for sure!

 

[taximomfor4]

Me again. Update, my dd is still coughing and this is day 12 of being sick. Rapid test said no flu but now that I know those are frequently wrong I am still thinking that we had it already. Dr gave her a z-pack which did very little. We are supposed to get vaccinated on saturday but I'm thinking it may be a waste of time but there's no way to know for sure!

The cough can last 3 WEEKS. I am 2 weeks into the coughing, and yesterday was the first day I didn't need to use my albuterol inhaler at all (although I did have to use it this morning). SO I seem to be on the upswing, it's just SLOW. And you should SEE the glares I get, when out and about, if I cough. EEK. I announce that my illness was over 2 weeks ago, and this is a lingering chest thing that I developed. I doubt anyone believes me, though.

 

[MommyMcQueen]

The cough can last 3 WEEKS. I am 2 weeks into the coughing, and yesterday was the first day I didn't need to use my albuterol inhaler at all (although I did have to use it this morning). SO I seem to be on the upswing, it's just SLOW. And you should SEE the glares I get, when out and about, if I cough. EEK. I announce that my illness was over 2 weeks ago, and this is a lingering chest thing that I developed. I doubt anyone believes me, though.

I completely understand - my DS6 is the same way. He's had asthma since 1 year old and his coughs linger for WEEKS. He was out sick with H1N1 last week, I sent him back to school yesterday, no fever since Monday, but he still has a cough due to his asthma. We saw the specialist on Tuesday and they put him on 7 days of predisone which made a huge difference.

I can't take him anywhere all winter long without stares and glares from everyone, not to mention commentary on what a terrible cough he has and how he should really get home and get some rest. I know most people don't associate coughing with asthma, but he can be over a cold for weeks and still be coughing, and yeah, it's sounds like a bad cough. So, we've just adjusted our lives to know that we can't go anywhere or do anything without criticism or comment, and only take him out places when absolutely necessary. If it has a drive though, we're there!

He's 6, he knows when people are staring at him and commenting.

And I just want to say that I BELIEVE YOU!

 

[Tiger926]

Another Michigander here, this is the same bug we've been fighting. My DD and I feel crappy, but not bad enough to go to see the dr. Lots of people around us have the same thing, the dr's say it's a viral illness, drink lots and get lots of rest, along with tylenol/motrin. I will say it's been good for business though, the ER that I work in has been running full tilt for over a week.

Exactly - I live in Ontario, a few minutes from Michigan, and we are experiencing a "superbug" virus as per the hospital team we saw this week in emergency. It's definitely not H1N1 as kids chests are totally clear and minimal coughing due to postnasal drip. It's serious swollen glands, severe tiredness, very high fevers (baby was 105.2 for 4.5 hours as fever would not go down in hospital despite meds), red throats, some coughing due to postnasal drip, runny noses, itchy eyes and headaches. No gastrointestinal issues either - my kids were also tested for mono, strep, etc., and negative to all of them.

It is a very bad virus - my DD6 is the strongest kid I know, and she missed over 8 days of school! DS2 is just getting over it as well. It's been a very rough 7 weeks around here as it's been one virus after another...

Happy health to all, Tiger

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

even though I think we had it, the kids got the vaccine today. After being sick for so long you just want a little reassurance even though it is not going to be 100% effective for 2 weeks.

 

[FunkyDuck]

My DD(2) and I both were diagnosed with H1N1 this past week. Came on very suddenly...DD was vomiting, high fever 104.7.....hers was having difficulty coming down with Motrin and luke warm baths...kind of just sat up in the 104. range, listless, achy, chills, etc. My fever was 102.8...we will be taking our last doses of Tamiflu tomorrow and both of us have been fever free for a little over 36 hours. We too now are left with a cough...me more so than her, thank goodness. I have to say the worst part of it for me was the vice grip on my head...the headache was BAD...I could deal with the chills and hot flashes...but the head pounding was horrible.

 

[wvdislover]

My whole family is just getting over H1N1. I tested postitive for it, but didn't bother getting the rest of my family tested, since they all had the same symptoms I had. We did all get Tamiflu, though (DD8 and I have asthma). I, too, had the SPLITTING headache (took 800mg of Motrin/4 hours, and still had a headache and fever!) None of us ran super high temps...maybe 102? The worst part...this stupid cough that takes FOREVER to get rid of! I've been coughing for almost 2 weeks now--it's wearing me out! The flu itself wore me out (didn't help that I had to take care of myself, as well as my DD's 12 and 8, and DH, along with taking care of my DD12's broken wrist that happened 2 days before I came down with the flu. Guess where I probably contracted the flu ) I've been going to bed all week at 10, rather than the 12 or 1 I'm usually up to. I give us 1 more week to completely get over this (total of 3 weeks). And from what I understand, we had relatively mild cases, too! Hope everyone feels better!

 

[StephMK]

Ugh, some of the descriptions of that virus sound like DD9 who tested negative for strep today. The fever started last night & has been pretty consistently around 101, sore throat, headache & achy. She's been laying on the couch all day. I worry about her asthma but not much of a cough at this point. She's eating ok but I'm already planning to be home at least Monday & I guess longer by the sounds of it from reading here.

 

[kellyg403]

I have been watching this thread since I have had an unusual week at my house as well. DD17 came home on Mon, the worst headache of her life, threw up..slept until 10 am Tues and woke up totally fine. DD15 came home tues, cough, sore throat, bad headache and stomachache. Still not feeling 100% and low grade fever of 101. DS's both had the version of stomach ache, bad bad headache, no fever and after throwing up and sleeping for about 12 hours woke up like they hadn't been ill. They were a little on the weaker side from lack of food since they normally consume copius amounts since they are teenagers but really acting totally normal. DH has had nothing. I have had 7 days of a headache on and off, a slight cough..nothing major and yesterday so tired I went to bed at 2 pm and woke up this morning with nothing and feeling better than I have ALLL week.

Its bizarre, is it two different flus or the same one!

Kelly

 

[Tiger926]

I am still confused as I'm reading this thread - both of my kids just got over a "superbug" virus as described by the hospital. Here were symptoms:

DD6 - horrible headache, fever of 103.5, eyes hurt, serious sore throat, stuffy and sore nose and extremely lethargic.

She had a chest xray and it came back perfect, negative for mono, strep and a bunch other stuff. At no time did the docs say it was H1N1 as she had only minimal coughing from a postnasal drip. She has been struggling with this since Sept., so it didn't come on suddenly at all, and in fact, it's been lingering for 6 weeks now.

DS2 - sore/red eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, minimal coughing, very high fever 105.2 for hours (wouldn't come down with meds, so hospital flushed him and double dosed him), lethargic and a bit of spitting up as no food

He was in emerg for 6.5 hours and they did bunch of bloodwork and swabs: negative for strep, mono and other cultures came back negative as well. Again, it's been going on since end of August and didn't come on suddenly at all.

Both kids are finally feeling better, still a bit stuffy, but so much better than the past few weeks. When I read the above descriptions, it sounds like H1N1, but docs didn't even consider this as they really didn't have any coughing, and chest xrays were clear (DS has asthma, and so we were so happy that this virus was throat, head and nose).

Good luck to all - H1N1 sounds like so many other viruses (our kids also looked like they had mono as well), so I hope you all get some answers.

Tiger

 

[mickeygaga]

Just FYI. 4 of my kids had H1N1. Yes, some complained of burning chest. All complained of eye pain. Fever was high for 2 of the kids and not the others. Everyone, including myself had body aches. Some had nausea too. Also, MANY flu swabs will test negative-it does not mean you do not have the flu. From my experience-as an inner city ER nurse, if you have a cough ALONG with a sore throat you can be pretty positive you have H1N1. Everybody's symptoms will be different as you can see how my kids and my own symptoms were very different. Treat the fever and DRINK-DRINK-DRINK fluids. If you have an underlying respiratory condition, Tamiflu may be the best solution for you. I nor my kids accepted the Tamiflu. Quoting the CDC studies that were released on the news last week, 99% of all flu symptoms right now are swine. Remember, you have a short window to get Tamiflu, so call your doctor right away at he onset of symptoms if you are high risk. Rest and fluids and fever control are the best bet for at home recovery. Good luck and I hope everyone has a quick recovery. We did. Remember,

 

[disneymarie]

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.

That was what we went through too, no diareha and throwing up. It is a week now and still have the cough and body aches, weakness.

The younger had the worse fever and cough, my asthma killed me. She had eye sensitivity, I had the chest ache. still have yucky cough...
It started with the soar throught, then sinus issues, fever,headaches, body ache not as bad, just sore but the fatigue was wowzy.
wish I knew for sure if it was or not.

 

[nmmom95]

Friday My DS11 & DS6 were home with a cough and DS6 had a headache. DS11 seemed okay, but DS6 got a fever. It stayed low grade most of Friday, but then suddenly shot up to 103. We had to use Motrin & Tylenol to control it. He still has a fever, but it's only 100.8 now. DS11's fever started tonight. It's going to be a long week.

 

[wvdislover]

DD8 hasn't had a fever from her H1N1 since last Saturday. Tonight, she had a fever of around 102 when I put her to bed I feel like such a bad mommy...she complained earlier that she'd had a "split headache" but said she didn't need any medicine that it was kind of feeling better (she hates taking meds), and was really tired this afternoon. This evening, when we were watching tv, she was complaining that the lights were hurting her eyes. She was cold, too. I finally put 2 and 2 together tonight, especially after finding out that my neighbor across the street put her 3 year old in the hospital last night b/c of cough, fever, not drinking/getting dehydrated (she tested negative to H1N1, but positive to parainfluenza. DD has had the wet congested cough for a while now...wondering if we've developed pneumonia, now

 

[taximomfor4]

DD8 hasn't had a fever from her H1N1 since last Saturday. Tonight, she had a fever of around 102 when I put her to bed I feel like such a bad mommy...she complained earlier that she'd had a "split headache" but said she didn't need any medicine that it was kind of feeling better (she hates taking meds), and was really tired this afternoon. This evening, when we were watching tv, she was complaining that the lights were hurting her eyes. She was cold, too. I finally put 2 and 2 together tonight, especially after finding out that my neighbor across the street put her 3 year old in the hospital last night b/c of cough, fever, not drinking/getting dehydrated (she tested negative to H1N1, but positive to parainfluenza. DD has had the wet congested cough for a while now...wondering if we've developed pneumonia, now

Aww, hope she feels better soon. If it helps., I had what I was SURE was H1N1. Still think so. Anyway, I recovered, and then a week later, suddenly felt hot and sweaty again. Took my temp. Not as high as when I was really sick, but back a little. With leg aches again. Next day, felt better again...but the day after that, warm with achy legs again. Might be the virus just lingering before leaving????

DD16 was the only 1 in the house to NOT get ill when this came around a few weeks ago. The rest of us fell sick 1 or 2 at a time, dd11 being sick last week. Well, suddenly dd16 comes down with it too. I will say, as uncomcortable and achy as I was, she seems waaaaaay more laid flat than anyone else in the house. She is the first of the 6 of us that I am actually feeling concerned about.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

The Headache ooohhh the headache! I thought my sinuses were going to explode! And my dd had head pain all week as well. She kept one of those Be Cool strips on her head all the time. It's crazy how long this cough is lasting. DD sounds a little croupish but she says her cough doesn't feel tight. I'm hoping it just goes away soon! There have been schools closed near us but not in our district last week. I am really hoping we are past it with all the sickness that has been in our home!

 

[wvdislover]

Took DD8 to the doctor this morning. He said it's NOT pneumonia...her lungs are clear, for now. Said to just keep an eye on her. Says it's viral, and to just treat it like flu. No fever today, and she feels a lot better, so hopefully, it's nothing major this time.

 

[2Tiggers]

even though I think we had it, the kids got the vaccine today. After being sick for so long you just want a little reassurance even though it is not going to be 100% effective for 2 weeks.

If you don't mind me asking....How are the kids feeling since they got the vaccine?

I want to get our kids vaccinated, but was wondering if there is any side effects?

 

[ms_missy66]

I didn't read everyone's posts, but I want to share our experience.

On a Wednesday I came down with a wicked sinus headache that hung around in various forms (neck, ear ache, etc). On Saturday, my daughter said her belly hurt and she had a 101.5 fever. By Sunday night her temp went up to 103.8. Monday we went to the doc, even though her temp was way down. She immediately tested positive for the flu. I tested negative and got a Zpack for a sinus infection. We started giving my daughter Tamiflu and her symptoms decreased immediately, leaving her only sleepy for a few days. My symptoms, on the other hand, just got worse and worse. By Thursday I called the doc again with a temp of 102.5, serious sleepiness, bad chest congestion, cough and wheezing. (I do not have asthma or any other lung issues). My doc immediately (and without seeing me) prescribed Tamiflu. The next day, my chest/lung symptoms were dramatically better.

On Friday, my older daughter began feeling a little cruddy. We startedTamiflu immediately as per our doc's orders and without a flu test. She ran a high fever for one day on Saturday and was fine by Sunday. Her run of it was really short and mild. I definitely attribute that to quick use of Tamiflu.

Here are a few things I've learned about swine flu.

1. LOADS of folks are testing negative for the flu, yet still have it. I just read something about a mom with a newborn who had treatment delayed due to the negative test and died. It's sensational, I know. And it's not the norm. But I also tested negative. Who knows if I would have tested positive four hours after my doc's appointment and gotten treatment sooner.
2. Most docs offices are not sending flu tests out for culture to determine if it's the seasonal flu or swine since the treatment is the same.
3. Even though I had been sick for a week before getting Tamiflu, it really helped me.

My husband never took Tamiflu or had a flu test, but he had a quick bout with something during this same time period. Since three of the four of us did have it, I'm assuming he did too.