Killer cold going around??

[TheLittleRoo]

My family doctor said there is a nasty, killer cold going around here in northern VA. My entire family (5 of us) has fallen prey to this cold, like bowling pins one after another. My neighbors on either side have all caught it.. it's strong!

It's awful, like a hemorrhagic runny nose, stuffy nose, fever, cough, and sore throat. The kicker is it lasts for over a week. My 3 y/o wound up with pneumonia at day 4, I got a sinus infection at day 6, and my 6 y/o still has it at day 10. I could not sleep for more than 15 mins at a stretch from the throat pain coming from mouth breathing. It was hell.... doctor finally prescribed a vicodin cough syrup last night - - I never slept so well in my life!

Anyone else dealing with this? Where are you located if so?

 

[PrincessCLM]

Another NOVA person with this. I don't like hearing that it lasts over a week though! I'm only on day 4.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

My family is fighting a killer cold. However, we are using sinus rinse and over the counter meds and it has helped so much. I know sinus rinse is gross, but when you are feeling miserable and the rinse lets you breath and helps with the draining .... I don't care how gross it is. Plus, it can save you from a sinus infection and shorten the duration of the cold.

 

[Lynn CC]

I went to my doctors office last Thursday for a WELL VISIT and by Saturday evening I have the exact symptoms you are talking about. Now my DH has it and I'm hoping to be at the end of it. It does knock you down. I think doctors offices should disinfect after a sick patient has been in a room! I'm never going back for a well visit during the winter months. DH and I haven't had a cold like this in years, Airborne didn't even work this time and it usually does.

Feel Better!

 

[agnes!]

Take Zicam, that usually helps us feel better and shortens the duration.

Sorry for everyone with this nasty cold, I hope none of us get it. That "mono"-type virus my DD caught back in October still hasn't let go of her .

agnes!

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

We're fighing it here in Ohio too. Our version includes a STRONG cough. It seems to never end...

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[TheLittleRoo]

My family is fighting a killer cold. However, we are using sinus rinse and over the counter meds and it has helped so much. I know sinus rinse is gross, but when you are feeling miserable and the rinse lets you breath and helps with the draining .... I don't care how gross it is. Plus, it can save you from a sinus infection and shorten the duration of the cold.

My doctor did say that helps and gave me a saline device that either sprays or rinses depending on how you're standing. I couldn't use it anyway for a lavage- I'm so stopped up it wouldn't cycle through my nose. It's hard to use for me, it always feels like I'm drowning, literally.

Sorry to hear about everyone else with it. I don't know if there's any way to shorten it, other than Tamiflu or some virus shortening drug (if those even apply to colds). To give you an idea what I'm talking about - - I'm very frugal, and my nose was so raw I "sprung for" Puffs with Vicks lotion rotfl: cracks me up to tell people this!!) and I personally used 3 boxes of tissues by myself in less than 4 days. That's insanely busy blowing my nose!!!

I will say it definitely makes you appreciate simple things like being able to breathe through your nose, to taste and smell, and just being grateful for good health when you have it!!

 

[Christine]

Well, I'm from NoVA but haven't heard of this either at work, home, or school.

However, my husband did get a terrible head cold (no fever or sore throat) that, after 3 weeks, wasn't resolving. He has started Zithromax and it is improving finally.

 

[bebelle]

Southwest PA--My DS brought it home. He recovered the quickest--5 days. My DH, who has not missed a day of work in 5 years, was off for two days even though he should have stayed home longer as he is still feeling miserable. I have been sick for 7 days and counting. I think mine is hanging on so long because I am the caretaker of the family. Why is it that when men get sick their butt is velcroed to the sofa but we women still continue to cook, walk the dogs, clean the house, take out the trash, do laundy AND care for the infirmed?

For us the fever, sore throat and lingering cough were the worst of it! My DH and DS still have the stuffiness. Now I am down to feeling exhausted and constantly coughing up a lung! But Saturday is coming--maybe I can rest!!!!!

 

[hoosll]

I had it last Nov/Dec - it lasted 3 weeks with Zicam and I used saline constantly to keep my sinuses flushed .... it was awful.

My best friend has it now, week 5, sinus infection, slow to respond to anti-biotics.

DGS had it last weekend and is responding to prednisone and his inhaler. He ran a temperature for 6 days.

I was afraid I would catch it again from him so I started Zicam right away and decongestants and saline to keep my sinuses clear, so far so good.

 

[bebelle]

Note to self...pick up some Zicam!

 

[SpecialK]

Three of the four of us here have had it, but no fever. I couldn't breath at all until I got the Zicam nasal spray. That is a miracle potion!

 

[texasthumper]

It's sweeping through our university in Huntsville, Texas as well. My boss is coughing up a lung, my student worker had it for over a week, and now one of the Profs called in sick today, missing a scheduled exam. Her students were happy to hear of it although many were coughing as well! I am drowning myself in anti-bacterial hand gel!!!

My boss just told me that his daughter in Austin has it along with many others from that area. Epidemic!

 

[OhhBother]

My entire extended family of eight people (from Tenn.) got sick while at DIsney World last week. We tested positive for the flu, even though most of us had flu shots. I got sick last Wednesday and am still sick.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Missouri here...have had it for 11 days and counting. I just want warm weather and spring to come...maybe I'll be well by then ?

Note to self....buy stock in Kleenex. I'm on box #3...maybe I need to try the kind with vicks!

K

 

[Laz]

It is alive and kicking in NE Indiana. It has reaked havoc at the High school where I teach. I have become an obsessed user of GermX

 

[Aneille]

Been sick here too. I've had a cough for the first week of January and then it got better for about a week and then it got worse. Much worse. I thought I had bronchititis again. I had it a few years ago. I started to get better and then worse again!

On Sunday I came down with a low grade fever (only lasted that night) and a killer cough. My throat started to kill and then it switched and moved to my sinus's. I can finally breath today and I can kind of taste my food. My cough is so much better too.

My DH has a cough, and 2 of my kids are somewhat sick. One is stuffy and just run down but no other symptoms as of yet. I am so glad my cold seems to be on the way out!

Oh and my MIL has it as well.

 

[ORMom2Four]

We've got it here in Oregon. Some of my kids teachers have been out sick with it. My sister and her son are just getting over it, and my 14yo DS came down with it and is home sick today. It's a nasty illness. He feels awful, and has slept most of the day today.

Late this morning, I started to feel that familiar tickle at the back of my throat. I think I'm next in our familly

 

[OK!]

I don't have it (knock wood!) but everyone else on my team at work does. One is located in CT somewhere and the other is in Chicago. Today has NOT been pretty.