Have YOU had Swine Flu?

[Calgary DISHeads]

How are you all feeling today?

Just wondering about the chest xray - I see you say it was clear, yet hospital said she more than likely had H1N1. I'm confused? My DD6 was very ill for about 9 days, and her chest xray came back negative too. Docs didn't even consider H1N1 as she was only minimally coughing, but her chest xray was good - it doesn't make sense to me how they think your DD has H1N1 with a clear chest xray? H1N1 is influenza, which is respiratory, which would mean the chest xray would not be clear? What am I missing?

Tiger

They did a chest xray on me to check for bacterial pneumonia. The doctor came back saying "Your xray is clear, so good news is no bacterial pneumonia, it is most likely H1N1" and gave me tamiflu. Still waiting for the call to confirm.

 

[tigger2on]

My daughter's school has an outbreak of an upper respitory infection as well... but are NOT calling it H1N1. Maybe they are trying not to panic everyone...

 

[Tiger926]

They did a chest xray on me to check for bacterial pneumonia. The doctor came back saying "Your xray is clear, so good news is no bacterial pneumonia, it is most likely H1N1" and gave me tamiflu. Still waiting for the call to confirm.

Thanks for that explanation...I totally misunderstood as I thought it would show something in the lungs.

Hmmm....I wonder if my DD did have H1N1 then? Our doc really didn't even bring it up as she wasn't coughing at all and she ended up with a very red rash a few days after fever. He was thinking it was Roseola, which is rare at age 6, but anything could be possible, he said. She was sick on, and off for weeks, so it didn't come on suddenly either.

I am so confused as she fit all of the symptoms, as did the baby. Our DD had bloodwork done and a throat swab, plus an extensive physical, and the baby had throat swab, physical and extensive blood cultures at the hospital. They would have called if anything was found. Baby wasn't coughing too much either; hospital didn't even mention H1N1 as they said it was the same "superbug" virus that had caught our DD, and everyone else.

Just today though there are 2 confirmed cases of H1N1 at their school - lab confirmed cases. One is a baby and one is a preschooler as it's Montessori school that goes to grade 2.

Better health to all, Tiger

 

[LSmith]

When I read this thread I get so frustrated because it goes to show how little accurate information is out there about H1N1.

All three of my kids have it. One child is far worse than the others (so far). If your child has a fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, headache, vomiting, running nose or a combination thereof there is an excellent chance that they have H1N1. They will not test your child or you for this unless you are an infant, have a compromised immune system or are admitted to a hospital. By admitted I mean staying overnight.

After suffering through this virus for 5 days I thought my daughter was finally getting better -no fever for a whole 24 hours, throat feeling better, etc. That night she started complaining of serious leg pain. I thought she was having muscle cramps. In the morning she said her legs hurt too much and she wanted to stay in bed. I went downstairs and heard moving around upstairs and ran up and she was lying on the bathroom floor. She had slid using her arms to get to the bathroom and then found she couldn’t get up or move. I tried to stand her up but she couldn’t.

We took her to Sick Kids and they took blood and urine samples and told us that she had myositis which is a complication of H1N1. It is an inflammation of the muscles. They put her on an iv drip for about 3 hours to get extra fluid in her. They still wouldn’t test her because they said H1N1 is the only viral illness going around right now and testing everyone would break the system down completely. They said because they aren't allowed to test for it some doctors are not calling it H1N1 but just viral illness, respiratory infection, bronchitis, etc.

Once her iv drip was done they discharged us. They told us to bring her back if she has tea coloured urine, unable to pee, lethargic or difficulty breathing. She still couldn’t walk and we had to use a wheelchair to bring her to the car.

Today she is much better although they told me it could take another week or so for her to be able to walk properly again.

My other two kids are still very sick.

There are almost half of the kids out of class in her school this week. I cannot understand why they won’t close the schools at least until the kids are able to get the vaccine. This is not “just the flu”. It can be extremely nasty. If you think that your child needs to be seen by a doctor don’t hesitate to take them to emergency. Especially if your child is lethargic or having difficulty breathing.

 

[snickerboo]

I'm sorry your dd got so sick LSmith. A girl in dd's ballet class had a similar thing with her legs but it only lasted one day. Some kids seem to be getting it mild but other kids quite seriously. I'd prefer they close schools, too. At our school it's all "hush hush and privacy" so they're not telling us if it's in their classes or not. 8 kids were away in dd's class yesterday. My ds' teacher has been home sick for 2 days. I'm sure the classes aren't being properly sanitized, either. I wish they'd just say, "we have suspected cases of H1N1 in the school" . My dd has asthma and we leave for DL on Tuesday, if I knew for sure there were H1N1 kids in her class, I'd keep her home. Dh and I have decided that, if they don't come down with it by Monday, they're not going to school Monday (we leave Tuesday). They were both vaccinated Wednesday but that offers them very little protection yet.

 

[mcvixen]

Thank you LSmith, I found your post very helpful.

I *think* DD has it. A classmate of hers has a lab-confirmed case of H1N1. My girl came home Thursday at lunch from school, complaining of a headache. Had a fever (not blisteringly high, but definitely a fever), and was completely flat. She started vomiting Thursday, it lasted off and on until Friday.

She still has a fever, the vomiting has stopped, and now she has developed nasal congestion. But I'm not sure if it's H1N1 because she's not coughing. Isn't coughing a "required" symptom? There is so much information and misinformation out there.

I just wish I could find out one way or another. Because if she already has H1N1, then getting the vaccine would be a bit redundant now, no?

Sigh.

 

[LSmith]

Thank you LSmith, I found your post very helpful.

I *think* DD has it. A classmate of hers has a lab-confirmed case of H1N1. My girl came home Thursday at lunch from school, complaining of a headache. Had a fever (not blisteringly high, but definitely a fever), and was completely flat. She started vomiting Thursday, it lasted off and on until Friday.

She still has a fever, the vomiting has stopped, and now she has developed nasal congestion. But I'm not sure if it's H1N1 because she's not coughing. Isn't coughing a "required" symptom? There is so much information and misinformation out there.

I just wish I could find out one way or another. Because if she already has H1N1, then getting the vaccine would be a bit redundant now, no?

Sigh.

I understand your frustration. I've spoken to other parents in my daughter's and son's classes and they are all wondering the same thing. Many of the cases have been mild and even their own doctors seem reluctant to call it H1N1. Everyone seems to have one or two of the symptoms but not all.

None of my children have had a terrible cough. My son has a cough but if he hadn't been sick, I would barely have noticed it.

All of my kids have different variants of the symptoms. My youngest seems to have had it the mildest.

I still can't understand why my husband and I have been spared thus far.

There are at least 3 cases of confirmed H1N1 in my kids school. One of the confirmed cases is a child in my daughter's class. As far as I know he is still hospitalized.

Ironically, a mother at the school, who is an infectious disease nurse at a hospital downtown, came in a couple of weeks ago to show the kids how to wash their hands properly, etc. Unfortunately, I have heard that her son has now tested positive for H1N1.

I just think that it is wrong not to be able to test a person unless they are hospitalized or unless they fit into a certain category. There are so many people left wondering if they or their children had it. These people, if they knew, would not need to get the vaccine. Therefore, we would cut the number of people needing this vaccine down tremendously.

Anyway, my thoughts are very disjointed but again I reiterate what I was told by Sick Kids doctors: It is the only virus going around right now. Some have it mildly, others have it severely.

Just when I thought my daughter was getting better, she's running a fever again. Aghh.

Take care and good luck.

 

[angela1044]

My DD has H1N1 apparently. Our doctor didn't test for it but he said she had it. Then I spoke to Telehealth last night and she said that that is the only thing going around right now. So, if you or your family is sick, that's probably what they have.

DD has had a brutal fever up to 103.8 and it's been a struggle but it's finally broke this morning. She also has a cough sometimes. Apparently the fever lasts about three days, you feel yucky for a week and the cough can last for up to two weeks according to the nurse I spoke to.

 

[mcvixen]

Wow, it's so helpful to hear from other mom's who are actually dealing with this flu going around. I was starting to get concerned by the fact that my daughter's fever seems to be lasting so long (we're now on day 4, and it hasn't broken yet), but the vomiting and exhaustion/aches seem to finally be gone, so I'm hoping we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I didn't realize that H1N1 is the dominant flu strain going around right now. So I guess my family won't need to worry about the vaccine - because, apparently, we're getting our immunity the hard way!

 

[formill]

It's been a long week but I think we are now getting better. My 14 year old daughter has had the flu for about 7 days now- and she still slept most of today away and complains of just not feeling well (I think she got the tamiflu too late to be effective at all)- she no longer has a fever but the dry cough is non stop. My seven year old twins were up and around today. The one that got it first has not had a fever in about 3 days- so her fever did last about 5 -6 days- she still coughs. The other twin daughter still lacks energy and coughs way too much but her fever is gone -well is has been gone without medication since yesterday morning. I had it the shortest time-I had 3 really bad days with day one the worst for chills,fever, body aches-I now still have the lingering coughing fits but overall feel pretty good. I do wish we knew 100% if it was H1N1 so we could avoid shots and the line ups especially since the seven year olds are not good with needles and they have to have two of them!

 

[LSmith]

It's been a long week but I think we are now getting better. My 14 year old daughter has had the flu for about 7 days now- and she still slept most of today away and complains of just not feeling well (I think she got the tamiflu too late to be effective at all)- she no longer has a fever but the dry cough is non stop. My seven year old twins were up and around today. The one that got it first has not had a fever in about 3 days- so her fever did last about 5 -6 days- she still coughs. The other twin daughter still lacks energy and coughs way too much but her fever is gone -well is has been gone without medication since yesterday morning. I had it the shortest time-I had 3 really bad days with day one the worst for chills,fever, body aches-I now still have the lingering coughing fits but overall feel pretty good. I do wish we knew 100% if it was H1N1 so we could avoid shots and the line ups especially since the seven year olds are not good with needles and they have to have two of them!

It sounds a lot like some of the symptoms my kids had/have. One of my sons started a fever again tonight. He hasn't had one for a while. He has a dry(ish) cough and his throat is extremely sore, especially in the mornings. He also said his ear hurt. He hasn't had an ear infection since he was an infant. I was told by the doctors to watch for secondary infections as a fall out from the H1N1.

Tomorrow if he is still sick I am taking him to my doctor to get looked at. That is, if I can get him in.

Personally, I have been told by the hospital and my own clinic that they believe it's H1N1 and I will not be getting the vaccine for my kids now. I firmly believe they have it and don't want to inject whatever that vaccine has in it into them. I was torn before my kids got sick whether or not to get the vaccine but now there is no way I'm getting it for them.

As for me, I'm still torn. I have asthma and we are going on a far away trip in less than a month. My husband and I have somehow been spared thus far. I can't understand why. God knows the kids are healthier than us.

What a confusing illness.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

I am now on day 8 and still have bit of a stuffy nose and quite a productive cough. Back to work tomorrow, people on the bus aren't going to be happy when they hear my cough. I haven't been called by Calgary Health Services which means I don't have H1N1 and they were convinced at emerg that that was what I had, enough to give me a tamiflu. So please, do NOT not get the H1N1 vaccine because you were told you "had H1N1". Obviously, there IS something else going around ie: seasonal flu. I will be in line for my H1N1 shot as soon as they open for business again. Luckily the family had it earlier this week.

 

[LSmith]

I am now on day 8 and still have bit of a stuffy nose and quite a productive cough. Back to work tomorrow, people on the bus aren't going to be happy when they hear my cough. I haven't been called by Calgary Health Services which means I don't have H1N1 and they were convinced at emerg that that was what I had, enough to give me a tamiflu. So please, do NOT not get the H1N1 vaccine because you were told you "had H1N1". Obviously, there IS something else going around ie: seasonal flu. I will be in line for my H1N1 shot as soon as they open for business again. Luckily the family had it earlier this week.

Are you sure you were tested for the virus? I would call them and not decide that since they didn't call you that you don't have it. Not saying that you do have it but there could be a back log considering.

There have been times when I wasn't called back by doctors for positive results (not H1N1) because they didn't notice or it took them a much longer time to read the results. And I'm talking about cancer. Just saying.

 

[snickerboo]

I don't know why Telehealth is saying H1N1 is the only thing going around in Ontario because, where I live, there's a cold going around and it's even on our public health site that there's H1N1 and a rhinovirus going around. I do not trust Telehealth at all anymore. Last year my son ate a handful of his chewable vitamins (thinking if one was good, several would be great) and the Telehealth nurse, without connecting me to poison control or having me call poison control, told me I had to rush him immediately to the ER as he was going to have iron poisoning. Of course, I freaked. When I got there, the nurse called poison control and gave the specifics of the vitamin and how many he took. Poison control said he could have eaten the entire bottle at those levels and been perfectly fine. The doctor confirmed this. Both doctor and Poison Control were not happy with Telehealth, nevermind the choice words I had about that nurse.

 

[LSmith]

I don't know why Telehealth is saying H1N1 is the only thing going around in Ontario because, where I live, there's a cold going around and it's even on our public health site that there's H1N1 and a rhinovirus going around. I do not trust Telehealth at all anymore. Last year my son ate a handful of his chewable vitamins (thinking if one was good, several would be great) and the Telehealth nurse, without connecting me to poison control or having me call poison control, told me I had to rush him immediately to the ER as he was going to have iron poisoning. Of course, I freaked. When I got there, the nurse called poison control and gave the specifics of the vitamin and how many he took. Poison control said he could have eaten the entire bottle at those levels and been perfectly fine. The doctor confirmed this. Both doctor and Poison Control were not happy with Telehealth, nevermind the choice words I had about that nurse.

I certainly didn't say anything about Telehealth. I don't bother with them and never have. For me, it was the ER doctors at Sick Kids telling me that H1N1 was the only viral illness going around right now. Also, my own doctor's clinic telling me the same thing.

When you call Telehealth you are dealing with nurses, not doctors.

 

[Albertan mom]

I am the original thread starter, and I think my son had it last week! He had the fever for a few days, and a cough for a week. He had body aches, headache, fatigue, and very sore throat.

They were not testing people in our town.

So, we went and got the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots on Wednesday.
My doctor said that my son should get the shot either way, even if he did have it, just to be safe.

So we all got it. And it hurts the arm! My arms were sore for days! The seasonal flu shot arm hurt bad that day and night. The H1N1 arm hurt that night, and still for the next 3 days!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Are you sure you were tested for the virus? I would call them and not decide that since they didn't call you that you don't have it. Not saying that you do have it but there could be a back log considering.

There have been times when I wasn't called back by doctors for positive results (not H1N1) because they didn't notice or it took them a much longer time to read the results. And I'm talking about cancer. Just saying.

I am going to call them tomorrow with a vague "I think you may have left me a message last week as I had a garbled message on the answering machine saying something about Calgary Health Services???". The emerg doctor said they would call me by this weekend it if was positive, I would not hear if it wasn't.

I've been really hoping all week for the call. My family is now vaccinated and supposedly if you've had H1N1 you have lifetime immunity (at least that's what I read).

Especially with the closing of all the vaccination clinics in Calgary, I'm hoping they will give me a difinitive answer. I am high risk, and tamiflu only works well once, so I will be on the high risk list to get the shot once they reopen but if I don't need the shot there's lots behind me that do.

That is a terrible thing that happened to you - unexcusable. I'm hoping things are okay with you now.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

I certainly didn't say anything about Telehealth. I don't bother with them and never have. For me, it was the ER doctors at Sick Kids telling me that H1N1 was the only viral illness going around right now. Also, my own doctor's clinic telling me the same thing.

When you call Telehealth you are dealing with nurses, not doctors.

We are in Alberta, and a gal I work with who has quite severe health problems was given a tamiflu prescription (without actual symptoms, incase she gets them) and was told by her doc that they are not testing anyone because all that there is out there is H1N1. However, I was tested last Monday and since I haven't received a call, iI'm assumed not to have H1N1, but another form of the flu (I was also treated with tamiflu).

It's pretty scary out there - who do you believe

 

[dis_guy]

Our family's had/having it now. My symptoms began as a slight sore throat last Thursday morning. By the end of the day I was basically non-functioning. Stayed home and slept Friday and Saturday. Feel a little better today but still couldn't get through a day of work, so I'll rest again tomorrow. Symptoms were fever in the 102 range, runny nose, headache, everywhere hurt, lots, and the cough. My wife's cough was worse, her fever not as bad, and she lost her voice. I just hope we're coming to the end of this tunnel.

 

[disneyfan2]

I didn't realize that H1N1 is the dominant flu strain going around right now. So I guess my family won't need to worry about the vaccine - because, apparently, we're getting our immunity the hard way!

That's the hard part. My DD had all the symptoms but wouldn't be able to get tested unless hopitalized. So we don't know for sure. But if it is regular flu she has NEVER been ill this long or hard before. she missed 1 week of school, and now is better but the past few days had a wicked hacking cough. I am trying to refrain from taking her to get checked, as i know there is nothing they can do for her.

I do wish we knew 100% if it was H1N1 so we could avoid shots and the line ups especially since the seven year olds are not good with needles and they have to have two of them!

Agree , there is so much mis information out there, i don't know who to believe, because some say you should get the vaccine even if you had H1N1?