I'm not good at diagnosing flu vs. cold vs. swine flu

[Luv2Scrap]

Ok, I'm really not good at this.

So if I got what I believe to be the flu, but I got my flu shot about 3 weeks ago, is it probably swine flu? I've been sick since last Wed afternoon, and I've missed a total of three days of work now (back today for my first full day),

My symptoms are fever/chills/headache/sore throat/body aches the first few days, diarrhea just one day a few days in, fatigue even through today (slept until 11:00 several days, and until 1:00 one day...) cough, and stuffy nose.

I've read the lists of cold vs. flu and there's so many occasionally/rarely/sometimes factors, I'm just not sure....

 

[pweyl36]

In order to really know, you have to have your DR. test you. We are doing nasel swabs in our office and then sending them to the lab for testing. Also, do you have a fever of 100.4 or higer?

 

[Luv2Scrap]

I haven't had a fever since the first 2-3 days. They won't test here, in fact they are telling people not to come to the Dr office or hospital at all unless we have severe symptoms.

I'm on the mend now, but I was mostly curious because DH has a history of getting sicker than everyone else, and DS has asthma, and they've both been exposed now.

 

[maroo]

The rapid flu test is not really working on H1N1 - so many offices have stopped testing.

They say the rapid test is 40% to 70% accurate - which doesn't really help anyone.

The new CDC guidelines state that doctors should treat based on symptoms. If a person has an underlying health condition, they are taking Tamiflu, but otherwise healthy people are not really given anything.

All told to drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration and let it run it's course.


They also say to go to the hospital if you have trouble breathing, etc.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

So I should probably send DS or DH to get the Tamiflu if they show symptoms? I can do that.

 

[MizTink]

In order to really know, you have to have your DR. test you. We are doing nasel swabs in our office and then sending them to the lab for testing. Also, do you have a fever of 100.4 or higer?

dr wouldn't even test my nephew who was VERY sick because he didn't have a fever. duh he didn't have a fever because he had been taking 600mg of motrin for the fever and body aches....... the dr just kept saying he had every other symptom (of swine flu) except the fever.....
my nephew was so so SO sick for weeks that we were scared for him. dumb doctor!

 

[4forMe]

Was your flu shot for seasonal flu? My understanding is that the seasonal flu shot is not going to give you full protection from H1N1.

According to the CDC, you live in a state that is showing widespread H1N1 activity. I am in the midwest as well and our doctor's office is not testing for H1N1 due to the large number of cases. The seasonal flu season has just started; thus, most of the flu cases per the CDC are H1N1. Here is the link to the CDC info:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/update.htm

I would be watching your child very carefully and get him to the pediatrician at the first sign of flu symptoms due to his asthma. I would be demanding Tamiflu as well. If the doctor does not want to give you Tamiflu for your child, tell your pediatrician you want it noted in the child's chart that the parent (you) requested Tamiflu and was refused. Explain you will want that in your son's chart in case he ends up being hospitalized. You will most likely get the Tamiflu prescription.

H1N1 is very frightening to me as 94% of the fatalities are in people under the age of 65 which is the exact opposite of the seasonal flu. Also, up to 1/3 of these patients have no underlying health conditions. It seems as if it's a roll of the dice regarding who will and will not die.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Who the heck knows. We were all sick and we are just assuming it is swine flu.

 

[tnkr_bell]

A friend of mine sent this to me...it's really helpful in telling the difference.

Symptom:
Fever...A fever is rare with a cold, but is present in 80% of flu cases usually lasting 3-4 days.

Coughing...A hacking mucous producing cough is present in a cold, but with a flu it is more of a non-productive dry cough.

Aches...Slight body aches can me normal with a cold. With a flu severe aches and pains are common.

Stuffy Nose...A stuffy nose is common with a cold and usually clears up within a week. Stuffy nose is not common with the flu.

Chills...Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flue experience chills.

Tiredness...Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing....Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms...Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache...A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat...Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort...Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

 

[aprilgail2]

A friend of mine sent this to me...it's really helpful in telling the difference.

Symptom:
Fever...A fever is rare with a cold, but is present in 80% of flu cases usually lasting 3-4 days.

Coughing...A hacking mucous producing cough is present in a cold, but with a flu it is more of a non-productive dry cough.

Aches...Slight body aches can me normal with a cold. With a flu severe aches and pains are common.

Stuffy Nose...A stuffy nose is common with a cold and usually clears up within a week. Stuffy nose is not common with the flu.

Chills...Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flue experience chills.

Tiredness...Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing....Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms...Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache...A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat...Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort...Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

uggg---I am sick right now and waiting to go to the Dr at 330--all my symptoms point to "flu" and since my daughters Dr told us yesterday that the seasonal flu doesn't get here until aroudn Dec so anyone with a "flu" it would be the H1N1.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I work at a school and what the Illinois Dept of Public Health is saying is that H1N1 symptoms come on rapidly like with 3 hours. You can be PERFECTLY fine and then you are really really sick

Whereas, with the seasonal flu - you will be achey and not "right" for a couple days prior.

 

[BelleWDW]

Dr Nancy Snyderman on Good Morning America (or Today show) said there is no difference in the symptoms of the 2 flus.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Well mine did come on suddenly, within just a few hours. It's hard to tell, even from the list that tinkr_bell posted, because I have uncommon things from both lists. I'm going to assume I have/had the flu.

I just came from the chiro office and the gals there said they're self-diagnosing people and they gave me a swift H1N1 diagnosis. I'm going with that.

 

[luvmy3]

Was your flu shot for seasonal flu? My understanding is that the seasonal flu shot is not going to give you full protection from H1N1.

According to the CDC, you live in a state that is showing widespread H1N1 activity. I am in the midwest as well and our doctor's office is not testing for H1N1 due to the large number of cases. The seasonal flu season has just started; thus, most of the flu cases per the CDC are H1N1. Here is the link to the CDC info:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/update.htm

I would be watching your child very carefully and get him to the pediatrician at the first sign of flu symptoms due to his asthma. I would be demanding Tamiflu as well. If the doctor does not want to give you Tamiflu for your child, tell your pediatrician you want it noted in the child's chart that the parent (you) requested Tamiflu and was refused. Explain you will want that in your son's chart in case he ends up being hospitalized. You will most likely get the Tamiflu prescription.

H1N1 is very frightening to me as 94% of the fatalities are in people under the age of 65 which is the exact opposite of the seasonal flu. Also, up to 1/3 of these patients have no underlying health conditions. It seems as if it's a roll of the dice regarding who will and will not die.

The seasonal flu vaccination will only give protection of the 3 strains contained in it. Anyone who gets the seasonal vaccine can still get H1N1 and and any other strain.

OP, Diarrhea is not a typical symptom of influenza, but has been reported with H1N1.
I also heard that it is assumed that if anyone gets the flu now it is H1N1 because it has dominated over the seasonal strains. I have no idea how accurate that is, just putting it out there.

Hope you feel better soon

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Don't forget those nasty sinuses which mimic the flu also.

 

[WL Fan]

Well, OP, I don't know if you've got the swine flu, but I do know I've got whatever you've got. It sucks. A week later and I can hardly get up out of the chair...

 

[MizTink]

so if you get the flu now (assuming it's h1n1), are you any less likely to get it again later? like a previous poster mentioned it showing up in january/february, and even worse than it is now......

 

[golfgal]

There have not been any confirmed cases of seasonal flu in MN, not that you couldn't be the first but chances are you are suffering from H1N1, not seasonal flu. Typically we don't see much for seasonal flu in MN until Jan-March and the first confirmed case shows up in Nov-usually someone that has traveled outside of the state (but not always).

 

[aprilgail2]

uggg---I am sick right now and waiting to go to the Dr at 330--all my symptoms point to "flu" and since my daughters Dr told us yesterday that the seasonal flu doesn't get here until aroudn Dec so anyone with a "flu" it would be the H1N1.

I have never felt this sick in my life- Dr says it H1N1 and it SUCKS!! I got tamiflu right away.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

so if you get the flu now (assuming it's h1n1), are you any less likely to get it again later? like a previous poster mentioned it showing up in january/february, and even worse than it is now......

OP here - I'd like to know this too! Anybody?