Have YOU had Swine Flu?

[mcvixen]

I wish there was an over-the-counter kit test that could tell you if you've had H1N1. Because if you have, you can skip the shot - and with the crazy shortages we're having right now, that's a dose that can go to someone who hasn't had it and might really need it.

I'm pretty sure that my daughter's flu is H1N1, simply because she was in close regular contact with a classmate who had a lab-confirmed case, and whose entire family now has it (father was even hospitalized). But again, it would be nice to know for sure!

 

[disneyfan2]

I wish there was an over-the-counter kit test that could tell you if you've had H1N1. Because if you have, you can skip the shot - and with the crazy shortages we're having right now, that's a dose that can go to someone who hasn't had it and might really need it.

I agree, would be nice if we could confirm and like you said, then someone who needs it can get is sooner, especially with the current shortages.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I think, if somebody has the flu right now, it's best to assume it's H1N1 since I think it's pretty much the only flu around at the moment. And if you're feeling poorly and you're not sure if it's a cold or the flu, stay home for at least one day to see how the sickness progresses. If it's the flu, you should know by the next day.

Well, that's my opinion. I'm flying to Chicago for a convention on American Thanksgiving (on Porter so at least it's a very small plane ... the crush of people at the convention is another story) and then less than 2 weeks later, we're on the Disney cruise....so I'm a little worried about H1N1 coming to us at a very inopportune time. I'm pretty sure we're all healthy enough to withstand H1N1 but timing is everything.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I've kept my almost 10yo ds' home today b/c he's complaining of a brutal headache - hoping it's *just* a headache and doesn't turn into something else - everyone at our school that has had it seems to have started with a headache and has turned into a fever, sore throat, aches, chills within 6 hrs or so.
I know something is up with him when he hasn't asked for any halloween candy yet today!!

 

[DisneyFairytale]

We leave in 18 days and I am stressing over this H1N1 flu!

Have you had it?
I am looking for first hand experiences, not oh my sisters hairdressers brothers roomate had it!

How did it start? What was the first symptom?

What did you do? Go to Hospital? Did they give you anything?
How long did it last?
Did others in your house get it?

No need to panic. I work in health care, currently in the Emergency department as we speak. The H1N1 does not present any other way than the regular flu symptoms you will normally see.

There is not much to worry about. If you think you are sick, stay home and rest, drink lots of fluid and catch up on some Disney movies.

Once you start heading out on your trip, there isn't much you can do to help prevent getting the flu except to stick to your regular hand washing throughout your day. A good way to do so is to keep some hand sanitizer with you at all times.

 

[deanie]

The H1N1 is also going through our house but luckily, I have been spared so far. My son's girlfriend came down with it first and since she is asthmatic, they gave her the tamiflu and 2 inhalers. My son(25), being in close contact, got it next and my DD (21) is in bed with it now. They are both missing university and some exams. Tomorrow I plan to line up with the zillions of others hoping to get the vaccine. I am high risk - I am on an immunosuppressent drug for my arthritis. I just hope I can stand in that lineup for hours - my knees are terrible!!

 

[pxlbarrel]

ugh, despite my obsessional washing of hands, to the point where there's almost no skin on my hands, I think I have the flu. <sigh> Hopefully, I have the mild version of H1N1... we'll see. Better now than during the trip, I guess.

 

[disneyfan2]

Better now than during the trip, I guess.

My kids had it (or flu) last week so i agree. Hopefully we are ok

 

[tjbaggott]

My daughter had H1N1 one week before we left for our Disney vacation. She had moderate syptoms at only a day and a half into it, so the doctor put her on Tamiflu and she was all better by the time we were ready to leave for Florida. Our Vacation was 2 weeks long, and was Amazing! No one became ill. Till our drive home! My DS16 started with a sore throat (we drove to FL and back) and a headache. The next day came the Fever aches and chills. Lots of fluids and rest and tylenol and today he is finally better. His fever lasted for 5 days! Tylenol would bring it down to low grade, but it never completely went away till last night. Two weeks of school missed for Family vacation, and an additional week missed now because of this flu. Our doctor said it was 97% H1N1 because thats THE flu that is out there.
I think it's UNCANNY how our holiday was clear of it, but it was here both before and AFTER!

 

[DisneyFairytale]

No and I work around people that have it every day!

I did have both the flu and the H1N1 vaccine so I hope it's going to decrease my chance of getting either one.

 

[pxlbarrel]

deleted....forget it.

 

[riu girl]

Ok, need some advice here.... and no, it's not really medical advice but advice of popular opinion. LOL

I'm on Tamiflu. Sometime overnight, my fever disappeared (yay!). I'm still stuffed up and my cough would give any smoker a run for their money....and more. I sound like fozzie bear having a bad day. And I've still got some waves of aches and pains. Still can't taste anything. (waaah, i so crave a big mac right now...don't ask).

There's a family funeral on Tuesday. Visitation is tomorrow night. I was going to pass on the visitation since I want to make sure it's been 24 hours since the fever disappeared. However, should I still go to the funeral on Tuesday morning? Am I still contagious? And if I'm not, would it freak people out that I'm even there? ie....if you were there, would you be concerned.

I've got a relative who wants to stay over at my house tomorrow night so he doesn't have to drive home. I warned him but he doesn't care. Frankly, I think some people take this too lightly and some take it too seriously...he's definitely on the too lightly side.

DS9 was hospitalized for about a week with serious H1N1 complcations in Oct. This is what I was told by the staff at hospital as well as CDC consultant for our local health unit (she actually called me twice for in depth phone interviews regarding DS9 since he had such a serious case and she was collecting data). An adult is still contagious until 7 days after the first symptom appears, children are for 10 days.

 

[LSmith]

Ok, need some advice here.... and no, it's not really medical advice but advice of popular opinion. LOL

I'm on Tamiflu. Sometime overnight, my fever disappeared (yay!). I'm still stuffed up and my cough would give any smoker a run for their money....and more. I sound like fozzie bear having a bad day. And I've still got some waves of aches and pains. Still can't taste anything. (waaah, i so crave a big mac right now...don't ask).

There's a family funeral on Tuesday. Visitation is tomorrow night. I was going to pass on the visitation since I want to make sure it's been 24 hours since the fever disappeared. However, should I still go to the funeral on Tuesday morning? Am I still contagious? And if I'm not, would it freak people out that I'm even there? ie....if you were there, would you be concerned.

I've got a relative who wants to stay over at my house tomorrow night so he doesn't have to drive home. I warned him but he doesn't care. Frankly, I think some people take this too lightly and some take it too seriously...he's definitely on the too lightly side.

Seriously. Call your doctor and ask him/her. Don't listen to any of us. WE DON'T KNOW.

 

[pxlbarrel]

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