Have your kids had swine flu? What were their symptoms?

[preschoolmom]

I've got a sick kiddo, and I'm trying to see if her symptoms match up with H1N1, or just a regular virus.

She threw up once this morning. She has a fever and a cough. She slept all day, and is drinking water, but not really eating. She says nothing hurts (her throat, head, tummy).

Anyone have experience?

Thanks!

 

[Mermaid02]

I've got a sick kiddo, and I'm trying to see if her symptoms match up with H1N1, or just a regular virus.

She threw up once this morning. She has a fever and a cough. She slept all day, and is drinking water, but not really eating. She says nothing hurts (her throat, head, tummy).

Anyone have experience?

Thanks!

I work in a pediatric office and the symptoms vary- we bring any child with a cough and fever in the back door and they don't sit in the waiting room. If you are really worried you should take her to the doc.

 

[Alex&Evan'sMom]

My son's started with a bad headache, followed shortly with a 102 degree fever. He was recovering from a sinus infection so he already had the cough and sore throat. He never lost his appetite and he wasn't very tired. Luckily, he had the Flu Mist a little over a week prior and was already on an antibiotic for the sinus infection. I took him to the doctor immediately after he started the fever.

 

[taximomfor4]

we had 2 kids down with SOMETHING in the past 2 weeks. We kept a close eye, but avoided the pediatricians office like the plague -- Last thing I needed was for them to catch ANOTHER virus to follow the one they already had, lol.

DS had sore throat, headache, tired, fever. Then a cough started, and is lingering still (over a week later), but slowly improving.

DD went from fine 1 minute to weepy, hot (fever), sneezy, with watery eyes, fatigue, and a sore throat the next. It was shocking how quick she was ill. Had the fever, etc for 2 days, now 5 days later just has a lingering "annoying" cough, that is mild and improving.

H1N1? NO idea. DH and I both came down with something early this week...natural, I suppose, since I stuck dd in my bed for 2 days to watch over her, lol. I had fever, headache, achy legs, chest tightness. Slight sore throat the day before I got ill. Then after 5 days took a turn for the worst, started a bad, productive cough and had trouble breathing well. Am now being treated for secondary infection, but we have no idea what the virus that started all this was.

But wait...today in the middle of dance class, OTHER dd came out into the waiting area. Told me her head and throat are hurting. She FELT hot, but had been dancing so who knows. I gave her tylenol, and home we went. Didn't take her temp, the tylenol probably kicked any fever she MIGHT have had.

DH went to dr today, had a nose/throat kind of virus early this week, too. But today his chest got tight, and he was wheezing a bit. He went to Urgent Care, and is being treated for secondary infection too.

Honestly, almost everyone I know has been sick and NOBODY I know has gotten a dr to test them for flu. Just told "a virus." So we may NEVER know if we had swiney hiney.

 

[monkeybug]

I've got a sick kiddo, and I'm trying to see if her symptoms match up with H1N1, or just a regular virus.

She threw up once this morning. She has a fever and a cough. She slept all day, and is drinking water, but not really eating. She says nothing hurts (her throat, head, tummy).

Anyone have experience?

Thanks!

I would take your daughter in to the Dr. just as a precaution. The symptoms for flu and for cold are very similar, but usually flu comes out of no where with symptoms appearing suddenly, while a cold virus is more gradual.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Day 1: Chills
Day 2: Fever, headache, body aches
Day 3: No symptomss


He had a very mild confirmed case of H1N1.

 

[marciemi]

Just curious for those of you saying to take the kids in - will your doctors even see them? They have all over the news here, in the papers, etc., that if you think you have Swine Flu - you probably do. There's nothing they can do for you and do NOT come in unless you have any underlying conditions. School districts have been closing here with nearly 50 percent of the kids out sick. But they're telling everyone not to come in with just that - so that they can treat those people who are seriously ill. The papers are saying there's no reason for them to "confirm" it or not - treat it like you would a bad virus or any other kind of flu - bed rest, fluids, OTC drugs, etc.

I'm just wondering if that's the case and many people are being overprotective and taking their kids in (mine have been sick too, but like taximom, I was doing my best to avoid the doctor's office and picking up something else!), or if our area is being a bit irresponsible in telling everyone to just stay home!

 

[kilee]

I had a positive flu test, oh about a month ago now. Considering seasonal flu isn't around most likely H1N1.

Day 1: Sneezing like crazy and a really sore throat, but didn't feel bad otherwise.
Day 2: Felt achy, clamy w/ chills, really run down, sore throat, stuffy nose-- Started tamiflu after being seen first thing that morning.
Day3-5: Really bad cough achy, run down.

No fever or headache ever. Which makes me wonder if I had a false positive. It was a rapid flu test in the office. I wonder though if starting the Tamiflu within 24 hrs of any symptoms and within 3 hrs of bad symptoms contributed to the no fever.

My son actually had exactly what I had earlier that week. He started on a Sunday--- really warm and said he had a sore throat. He then slept for almost 2.5 days straight. He was so lethargic said it felt miserable. I never did take his temp. He went back to school Thursday that week w/ only a lingering cough that held on almost 3 weeks. He's only been cough free for about a week now. I started my symptoms the last day he was really sick.

 

[Sorsha]

Around here, the doctor's offices aren't testing for H1N1. If you want yourself or your child tested, they are advising you to go to the ER. Doctor's advice: if you have flu-like symptoms, you probably have H1N1, because there is no confirmed "regular" flu in our area yet. If you think you have it, behave as if you do.

That said, all three of my kiddos were sick last week and the week before. It started with the 6 year old, then spread rapidly to the 9 year old. 15 year old was a little slower to come down with it, but started feeling ill Sunday evening last week, and missed school the first three days of this week with whatever-it-is. Luckily we are on October break now, so she could take the rest of the week to rest and recouperate without missing any more school.

Symptoms were the same with all 3 kids, although the 9 year old was sicker than the 6 year old, and the 15 year old was sickest of all. They all had sore throats, terrible coughs, mild headaches, mild nausea (oldest child's nausea was more severe), slight stuffy noses, a little bit of drippy nose/red drippy eyes, and slight fevers. Most apparent symptom was extreme fatigue. Oldest child slept 18+ hours of the day when she was the sickest. DD9 also still has an awful cough; the kind where you get started coughing and just can't stop until you nearly barf. She is well now, but the cough lingers on.

Did they have H1N1? I don't know. I will assume they did, because it certainly didn't present like a typical cold; not with the nausea and extreme fatigue. That said, none of them were THAT sick; nothing I couldn't deal with at home, and certainly not sick enough to warrant a trip to the doc or the ER.

 

[PaddingtonBear]

We were in WDW and came home on Monday. On the plane my DD (4) came down with a fever, and DH got one the same day. DS (2) came down with the fever on Wed. DS seems to be pretty much on the mend now, but DD is STILL struggling with the extreme fatigue, cough, runny nose, etc. We did finally see a doctor on Fri just because she'd had 5 days of on again-off again fevers. They are not testing for H1N1, just said to treat the symptoms unless anything more serious like a secondary infection crops up. I'm hoping that DD really turns the corner tomorrow, finally. She has not had a fever in almost 24 hrs so I'm hoping its really gone.

The one reason I would have liked to have the kids tested- I definately would not consider getting the H1N1 vaccine if they have already had H1N1. Right now I'm on the fence about the vaccine, if its ever freaking offered, and having that info would have helped.

 

[taximomfor4]

The one reason I would have liked to have the kids tested- I definately would not consider getting the H1N1 vaccine if they have already had H1N1. Right now I'm on the fence about the vaccine, if its ever freaking offered, and having that info would have helped.

I agree 100%. So now I will wonder if we should get the vax or not!! We didn't seem FLU sick, for me only the leg aches and the tight chest/terrible cough seem flu-like. So I almost will assume (but you know what they say about assuming!!) Only oldest dd (16) has remained symptom-free, knock on wood...although she is the one that hands-down REFUSES getting vaccinated.

 

[preschoolmom]

The one reason I would have liked to have the kids tested- I definately would not consider getting the H1N1 vaccine if they have already had H1N1. Right now I'm on the fence about the vaccine, if its ever freaking offered, and having that info would have helped.

Yes! This! I guess this is why I was asking. My daughter has been VERY TIRED. Which appears to be a common symptom you all listed. She started with chills and wanting layers (very rare for her) yesterday morning - but it came on quickly after she ate a normal breakfast. Then she threw up one time. Then she slept. When she woke up, she had a fever, a cough, and she slept some more. She basically slept all day. She got up once last night, and now she is sneezing, has a runny/stuffy nose, and still a fever. She seems to be no sicker than any other virus, for that I'm thankful.

The only thing that seems weird to me is that my husband and daughter have been sick, but not my other two kids and me. I would think all five of us would get the swine flu? http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif

Thanks, everyone! I agree with the previous poster that it is better not to take them in and expose them to everyone else.

 

[taximomfor4]

Yes! This! I guess this is why I was asking. My daughter has been VERY TIRED. Which appears to be a common symptom you all listed. She started with chills and wanting layers (very rare for her) yesterday morning - but it came on quickly after she ate a normal breakfast. Then she threw up one time. Then she slept. When she woke up, she had a fever, a cough, and she slept some more. She basically slept all day. She got up once last night, and now she is sneezing, has a runny/stuffy nose, and still a fever. She seems to be no sicker than any other virus, for that I'm thankful.

The only thing that seems weird to me is that my husband and daughter have been sick, but not my other two kids and me. I would think all five of us would get the swine flu? http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif

Thanks, everyone! I agree with the previous poster that it is better not to take them in and expose them to everyone else.

I was reading articles most of this morning, and found that really, the rate of passing this to others in the family is not great. 22%, I think I read somewhere? But I wonder if you have to take into consider, also, that you can take up to a week after exposure to develop symptoms. For instance, ds9 was the first one sick...about 2 weeks ago. Then DD7 and I, 8 days afterward. 5 days after that, dd11 reported her first possible symptom. Here's the bad part -- it was in the middle of DANCE CLASS, TEAM practice -- 8 kids all holding hands.

 

[HonnyDipp]

This week, I've had 3 sick kids with the flu.

My DS11 started early Wednesday morning. At around midnight, he woke up crying saying his chest hurt when I got to him he was burning up. He was fine the night before, he wasnt complaining of any cold symptoms. This just came out of no where. The next day, he was admitted to the hospital for being tested positive for Flu A. They put him on Tamiflu and treated him for his asthma flare ups.

We came home a day later, the next morning, my DD14 woke up burning up. We took her to the doctor, and they prescribed Tamiflu. She's been in bed ever since.

Friday, my DS7 came home from school throwing up. He was unable to keep anything down and he was burning up. We took him to the doctor yesterday morning, the doctor said he also had the flu, gave him Tamiflu and sent him home. My youngest got the doctor's last flu shot last week, but I guess it wasnt in his system yet.

 

[Tinijocaro]

The only thing that seems weird to me is that my husband and daughter have been sick, but not my other two kids and me. I would think all five of us would get the swine flu? http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif

Thanks, everyone! I agree with the previous poster that it is better not to take them in and expose them to everyone else.

Out of 6 of us in a tiny house, only ds13 got it.

 

[preschoolmom]

Out of 6 of us in a tiny house, only ds13 got it.

That is our situation, too. Five in a tiny house So far, two have gotten it. She definitely has a flu or a nasty virus. Still a high fever today.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Wonderlandmom]

We took him to the doctor yesterday morning, the doctor said he also had the flu, gave him Tamiflu and sent him home. My youngest got the doctor's last flu shot last week, but I guess it wasnt in his system yet.

I am guessing your son had the seasonal flu shot last week (since the H1N1 mist just came out around that time, not shot), but has the H1N1 now. The seasonal flu shot does not work for H1N1.

 

[klj27]

Swine flu (some presumed and some confirmed) hit our school last week. I am unsure what to do about my son's current symptoms. He is ten years old and suffers from mild to moderate asthma. His peak flows are typically about 315, but today they have been anywhere from 260-300. He has a cough (somewhat wet sounding), and a slight headache. His temp is 99.1. He was 98.3 yesterday. He just finished a 10 day course of omnicef yesterday. He had a lingering sore throat, hoarse voice for a week. (This was why they put him on omnicef.) His appetite and energy are fine. I would not be concerned for another day or two if I didn't have the swine flu thought in the back of my head, but I don't want to lose our tamiflu window if it could be that. Any thoughts?

ETA I just took his temp again and it is 99.8. He doesn't feel warm to the touch.

 

[marciemi]

I agree 100%. So now I will wonder if we should get the vax or not!! We didn't seem FLU sick, for me only the leg aches and the tight chest/terrible cough seem flu-like. So I almost will assume (but you know what they say about assuming!!) Only oldest dd (16) has remained symptom-free, knock on wood...although she is the one that hands-down REFUSES getting vaccinated.

According to the permission slip that came home from my kids from school for the H1N1 vaccine, it says that even if you are sure you have had the infection, that you SHOULD (emphasized) still get the vaccine. Not an expert here - just sharing what their slip says!

 

[preschoolmom]

According to the permission slip that came home from my kids from school for the H1N1 vaccine, it says that even if you are sure you have had the infection, that you SHOULD (emphasized) still get the vaccine. Not an expert here - just sharing what their slip says!

I know you're just saying what the slip says, but can anyone here explain why that would make sense?

Everything I understand about vaccines and immunity makes me think that can't possibly be correct? If I'm sure I've had Chicken Pox (for example), why would I get a vaccine for it? My natural immunity is better than vaccine immunity, and lasts a lifetime. Even as Chicken Pox has mutated, I'm still protected.