Influenza Type A in my house AGAIN - update, my DS is now sick too

[LuvOrlando]

So I've been sick a few days. I had congestion ect last week and the Dr put me on a Z-Pac because I was supposed to get Thyroid surgery Monday. Then Saturday weekend new symptoms started. Started with DH Sat AM and me Sat afternoon, pretty much every symptom for the Flu so I called our family Dr who tells me "There is no Flu any more so it must be something else". So I let it slide. Trouble breathing worried me a bit so I went to the Dr yesterday and tested positive for Influenza Type A Dr is a little freaked out and so am I because not only have I been inoculated for both H1N1 and Seasonal, but I managed to fight off the H1N1 when my DD had it in November and I was her primary care giver. So he takes samples and sends one to the local hospitals microbiology lab and takes one for the State in case it's a new variant, he's not sure the State of Pa will take it but it seems dumb of them not to do so I think.. SO I'm on Tami Flu again....

At the moment I am waiting for the kids Dr to give me a call back on an ok for Tamiflu for them. I hope, hope, hope they are safer this time around because after DD recovered from her H1N1, Pneumonia, Blood infection I insisted they both get the PPV23 so I am praying they'll be ok if they get it again.

Oh and get this, I had a serious trouble breathing last night and Dr sends me to ER, the dopey Triage Nurse kept insisting it's seasonal Flu and they couldn't help me. So she left me out there for 3 hours breathing on everyone (well I tried to stay in a corner and held the mask on as best as I could) because I had distressed breathing and couldn't wear the mask fully affixed without starting to black out. (BTW, this happened with my DD too but they had oxygen on her under the mask so she could breathe. So we wait and after 3 hours and them taking everyone in before me I realize they are just flat out NOT going to help me so I send DH in to ask about withdrawing me and when he saw the list I was way on the bottom, as in designated last behind everyone else who arrived. So I pulled my name out and left because I felt my presence was endangering too many people to stay any longer. The triage nurse was just so convinced it was no big deal, she even told me as I left, we couldn't help you anyway, good luck at home. Holy Crow, I thought Lehigh Valley was better than that. My Dr is really ticked. I just don't get it, how is it they don't have a different protocol for the Flu or a separate waiting area or even let me wait in my darn car away from everyone else and call me in with a buzzer when they are ready for me like at a restaurant?

 

[laurie31]

Oh wow, I'm so sorry to hear you are sick again!!

And I'm appalled at the treatment you got...or rather, didn't get. Difficulty breathing is difficulty breathing, regardless of the cause.

As for Influenza A, there are close to 30 subtypes, and you are immunized against 4 of them (3 in the seasonal vaccine + the H1N1 vaccine) so sadly, there are plenty of others "out there" to be had, although they are not as common right now.

I hope no one else in your family gets sick and that the Tamiflu helps you feel better soon.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks Laurie, that's good to know about the subtypes. What you are saying makes sense, what are the chances I could get the H1N1 again when I was so thoroughly exposed in November. DD coughed flat in my face numerous times and I even had a mild fever for 2 days when DD was in the hospital so I'm pretty certain I had it and fought it off successfully. Still, I've never had the full blown Flu before and since my daughter got so sick in November I have been racked with guilt over the idea of exposing other people to it all day. I was out shopping Sunday because on Saturday the Dr said "There is no Flu right now" so heaven knows how many people DH and I might have exposed. Not that we were careless we clean our hands, cough into tissues ect. I mean if I knew I COULD have had the flu I never would have been around other people at all, I would have locked myself and DH in our room. But hearing our Dr insist there is no chance of Flu meant we were relaxed about it and assumed it was a cold so we were around our kids, out in the world and DH went to work. I feel much better thinking/hoping they just made a mistake with the plain old kind.

 

[laurie31]

Don't feel guilty about going out while sick. It's not like you purposely infected anyone. LOTS of people with worse things are "out there" all the time. That's why the "don't touch your face unless you've just washed your hands" rule is so important. Also, people are contagious BEFORE they show symptoms for many many things, so it's just not possible to totally isolate yourself to protect others.

You might enjoy this article, although it's old (from May 2009) it has a graph of how several subtypes of influenza A can circulate simultaneously.

http://www.virology.ws/2009/05/18/co-circulation-three-human-influenza-a-subtypes/

And here's the latest CDC Flu report, which...um...perhaps you might want to share with your "there's no flu anymore" physician... since 17 regions across the nation are still reporting regional or widespread activity. Only Nebraska reported "no activity."

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

During week 51, the following influenza activity was reported:
Widespread influenza activity was reported by four states (Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, and Virginia).

Regional influenza activity was reported by 13 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Tennessee).
Local influenza activity was reported by the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 19 states (Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington).

Sporadic influenza activity was reported by Guam, and 13 states (Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming).

One state (Nebraska) reported no influenza activity.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Holy cow, your doctor is an idiot. We are in the middle of flu season. It goes for a few more months yet.

The Pandemic Type A H1N1 is not the only player still out there. Yes it is the primary one. And it is still going on. Like the PP above posted, the CDC still acknowledges the flu is still running amok.

And I really hate to say this, but it is completely possible that yes you do have the Pandemic one again. It's been clinically and lab test confirmed that you can have it more than once. Although the lab testing now is harder to get.

You are so not the only one going out and about while under the weather. I don't think I would be beating myself up over that. You didn't know it was the flu.

How is your breathing now? Fever? Chest pains?

Again, as always, keep an eye out for the warning signs, get plenty of fluids and as much rest as you can.

It doesn't matter which strain of flu you have right now, they should all be treated with caution.

Best of luck for a speedy recovery.

 

[Christine]

I wonder why on earth your doctor would tell you there is no flu out there. We are ramping up on regular flu season and my kids' pediatrician says it's out there. Maybe your doctor just hasn't seen many cases of it?

Seasonal flu usually *explodes* after the holiday break due to so many people traveling and "gathering." I'm not shocked at all that you would have the flu.

 

[JessicaR]

My two sons and myself spent the better part of Sunday at our Medical Health-care center. The place was packed and all three of us have the flu. There is plenty of flu out there right now.

If we went to the ER for serious trouble breathing and they couldn't help me I would absolutely get to the bottom of why not. Did the triage nurse do a pulse ox? If so and it was fine that could likely be why you were not taken in immediately. But trouble breathing isn't something to take lightly.

Saturday evening my son had an asthma attack and we gave him prednisone and back to back treatments. He cleared a bit and I felt we could wait till the morning but there have been many times that we found ourselves in the ER and he thankfully is seen immediately.

I hope you are feeling better, its been a great new year hasnt it?

 

[bumbershoot]

Holy cow, your doctor is an idiot.

Seriously.

 

[LuvOrlando]

No, no, no... my Asthmatic DS, nearly 12, felt crummy with a temp that was bouncing around 99 since yesterday so I started him on his Asthma meds (Duoneb nebulizer every 8 hrs). I sent him to school today thinking it was sympathy pains. At dinner tonight, 6:30 he got his Tamiflu and was about to go out the door to a Lehigh University BB game with DH when mother's intuition told me to check his temp. It was 100.2. I gave him Motrin because he said his head hurt... then the chills started. He threw up, probably from the Tamiflu and was coughing a whole lot. His fever was climbing since then and seemed to stop around 102.8 I tried to give him the juv Tylenol but the grape flavor took it all right back up again . I just gave him another dose of Duoneb and a dose of Tylenol regular tabs (1 & 1/4) and am waiting to give him his cross over dose of Motrin. I am praying that the only reason the fever didn't respond well was because I wasn't dosing correctly. My boy is nearly 5 ' and 120 lbs so full doses seem needed.

I know everyone in the world is sleeping but me, but this is killing me. I know its not the same as when DD had the Flu in November then got Pneumonia and a blood infection in under 72 hrs. I KNOW he's a different kid. This time around the kids were vaccinated for the PPV23 2 weeks ago, and this time around the Flu might not be H1N1. Still I am completely beside myself, there are more similarities than differences. DH & I both got this Flu plus DS so whichever strain it is, it isn't covered by any vaccines out there. That stupid )(*^&&% Dr endangered my kids by telling DH & I it couldn't possibly be the Flu. BECAUSE of his words DH & I relaxed and now I am positively sick over it.

I need some serious talking down.... such a panic.... oh, no my heart simply can't take another child in the hospital... God wouldn't do that to me would He????

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I cannot tell what or not God would do or let happen to anyone.

I can give you a or two .

Different children, different immune responses.

The Tamiflu does seem to cause upset stomachs at first. But keep giving him his dosages at the right times. It will help. Doesn't matter what strain right now. His body needs all the extra help it can get.

The PPV 23 will help with bacterial pneumonia. Flu can also cause viral pneumonia, so please do not let your guard down. Keep an eye out of the symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

You know you children best. If you think they need help, don't take no for answer.

Lots of people get the flu. Most people just deal with it and get better. Pixie Dust that you and your family are in that group.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I am so sorry.

Since your Dr. is not up on things, I might mention that seasonal A is resistant to Tamiflu! This occured last season I think. 98% resistant. I assume the same could be true for this year. Hard to find info since everything out there is on pandemic H1N1.

This article is talking about Seasonal H1N1, not pandemic version, which still often responds to Tamiflu(though some have had resistance).

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2008630221_flu15m.html

Tu said he was startled at how quickly the virus became resistant to Tamiflu. During the 2007-08 flu season, 11 percent of the H1N1virus, one of the two subtypes of influenza A, was found to be Tamiflu-resistant. So far this season, a small sampling tested by the CDC found the resistance has grown to 98 percent.

Since January 2006, Tamiflu has been the only antiviral option for millions of Americans — including all children under 7 — after another influenza A strain, H3N2, became resistant to an older class of antivirals called adamantanes sold as amantadine or rimantadine. Adamantanes do not work against a third virus strain, influenza B, but Tamiflu does. Another antiviral, Relenza, is effective against all three strains. But Relenza is not widely available and comes in a powder form that is difficult for some patients to inhale.

Another, they are talking seasonal H1N1 here too, and strain A resistance. Article is from 1 year ago.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/health/09flu.html

CDC statement from a year ago: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/s090109.htm

Hope everyone feels better and it spreads no further!

 

[minniebeth]

LuvOrlando, I am so sorry you are sick again with it all, you have had a rough patch this year with it. I'm sorry you did not get the medical care and attention that you should have gotten. I hope that you feel better soon. Hopefully after it all, everyone will have a great immunity against all that's out there! Take one day at a time. You got through it all up to now, you will get through this all too.
Rest up and take care of yourself!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks for that about the seasonal resistance to TamiFlu, i suppose it makes it less imperative that my DS be able to tolerate it.... that is as long as this isn't h1n1. I am having a very hard time shifting between thinking I am utterly inadequate (because of what happened to DD) and thinking he's going to be fine because DH and I recovered ok. What a nightmare.

I let my son's fever meds lapse a bit, Tylenol at 3:30am but nothing until just now, so I could get a feel for the fever and it's sitting at 101.9, which is tolerable. Dh and my own fevers hovered in the 101.6 range for 2-3 days before breaking.

This is how it's been for all 3 of us, although DH and I might not be typical because DH was on antibiotics due to sinus infection and I was on antibiotics due to early ear infection. DS sees the Dr today, I would lke him to get on antibiotics too but I have no idea what they will do.

Day 1, fever hovering in the 99+ range, I started to have trouble breathing (Asthma i think)

Day 2, feel a bit ill then chills hot as fever races past 100's and moves into 101 range, achey back and legs, headache, mild cough begins, chills and hot flashes

Day 3, exhausted with fever and chills and hot flashes, congestion gets worse, sore throat, sinus stuffed (Afrin worked best at night with Robitussin Cough & Cold D behind counter during the day so I could switch between Motrin or Tylenol independently without poisoning us)

Day 4, DH's fever was gone.. mine too, but I missed the last day of my antibiotics and an infection seems to have sprung up because everything is no longer clear (if you know what I mean), I tok my final dose yesterday but have no confidence it'll do the trick.

Day 5 DH is fine. Me no fever but something is brewing in my chest and ears I just do not like... I feel like something is lurking and waiting until the Z-Pack drops back a touch more and then whammo

More important than my comfort, for me to have an upper respiratory infection and to care for a Flu infected Asthmatic means all gloves and masks. I need to let my Dr know so I can get on a stronger antibiotic and clear this up before my fever comes back... i probably do not have a great deal of time.

Also, I can only assume that the vaccinations have worked in my house because with all of us who have been sick, DS its too early to say yet, the fevers only lasted a few days. I'm not sure what the progression of disease is like for people who have not been vaccinated but this is a bit of hope that is making me more comfortable.. does that make sense?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

DS sees the Dr today

That's good. You may want to ask him about the tamiflu and relenza combo, though it may be too late to start another. Maybe it is H1N1 and the tamiflu can help. Could just be a strain not in the vaccine. My DD had a B strain Dec 08 that was not in the vaccine. It was fairly mild though, probably due to some cross protection.

Are your other kids on Tamiflu? I don't know if Tamiflu or Relenza help resistant strains prophylactically, good question to ask.

Good luck, hope you both feel better.

 

[momof5boys]

Wow I can't believe "the mecca" treated you that way! Come on over to Warren, we'll treat you right! Especially since you were diagnosed with the flu and were having trouble breathing! That should have triaged you higher! (or lower actually since level 1 is worst, level 5 is non urgent) I am printing out your post and taking it to work with me tonight. (guess you know where I work, huh?) We haven't seen any flu for several weeks now (just other similar viruses, but no positive flu) We are waiting for the "3rd wave" of H1N1 to start as well as the seasonal flu. We get reports from NJ but since we see alot of patients from PA we have a good idea of when stuff is starting in the Lehigh Valley. Watched the last wave of flu go through each school district, by grade! For a few days we would see all the Nazareth kids,(seems like that's where it started) then all the 5-6 yr olds from P'burg, then the 7-8 yr olds etc. Made it easy to predict who had the flu, all I had to ask was "what school and grade"! As for your son, yup you're underdosing. He is adult weight, 2 regular Tylenol, or 2 Motrin. (dose is motrin 10mg/kg or tylenol 15mg/kg, in case anyone wants to know) I don't blame you for being worried since your daughter had complications. All of the kids we saw did well, no complications really but you have to watch for pneumonia(if they get better for a day then get really sick again, that is a huge red flag) Hope you feel better soon!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks for the support... I'm on a slippery slope here and need all the calming I can get.

Funny you mention NJ Momof5boys. I think we caught this either from the lady who prepared our cold cuts at Shoprite on 22, she looked ill but had no symptoms... maybe she was just medicated to not show them though... or from a New Years Day party down in Reiningsville (spelling?). At that party I shook hands with a woman DH later overheard say was sick and I probably ate or touched my face without washing my hands first. Or it could even have come from someone who prepared one of those platters of food that came catered.

Why oh why did they stop talking about the Flu. I changed my behaviors and now look... I'm just sick over it. I'd rather be mildly upset and vigilant that utterly ignorant and spread disease. There really are no words for how awful I feel about going all over town Saturday & Sunday, sending DH into work and DS into school and even worse knowing we gave this to my poor son, you have no idea All that stupid stupid Dr had to say was "Could be, stay in until we can see you"..... or even an open ended "I'm not sure" would have kept me in our room and made me more careful. What a mess one man made.

 

[minniebeth]

LuvOrlando, don't be so hard on yourself . We all know that it is a *possiblility* to get the Influenza A virus again, (or different strain, etc..) but after all you've been through, you just don't think it would really happen again. I must admit, we've lightened up on the intensity of our virus-avoiding routine a little, even though I'm reminded of how sick my DD was with H1N1 and wouldn't want to repeat it. She has similar asthma problems to your children.
I can't imagine how exhausted, not only physically but emotionally this all has been for you, I know it really takes it's toll. Hang in there and I will hope for the best for you all, espcially DS for his speedy healing and no further complications. Rest. Take care of yourselves. Follow your instincts.

 

[themarquis]

LuvOrlando, I read recently that flu viruses are spread mostly through the air -- not the hands. So that means that if you are in a room with anyone who is sick or getting sick (they can be contagious days before having symptoms!) then you can catch it because there are billions of viruses floating around.

So it is not your fault or anything to do with your behaviors that you got sick! There is no way you could have prevented it (unless you became a hermit and never left the house). So please don't be hard on yourself or blame yourself. Getting the flu is just one of those crappy things in life that there is not much you can do to prevent.

Get better soon and focus on taking care of yourself -- not blaming yourself!

 

[krcit]

I hope everyone gets better really quickly. My DH and I were just talking yesterday about how everyone seems to be sick after the holidays. People are all together in a closed space-usually going from house to house. Very easy for sickness to spread. Don't be hard on yourself!! It's not like you purposely tried to infect people

 

[LuvOrlando]

Good news is my lung x-ray was clear.

I'm still coughing up stuff, but have no fever so I'm not sure if I'm getting better and coughing up old stuff or something new is finding a home in me.

I'm off to the Dr for DS now, I hope he has something to say worth hearing. Wish me luck.