Question About the Flu UPDATE

[Christine]

I confess that, at age 52, I don't *think* I've ever had the flu. If I did, I could not tell it apart from any other type of illness that I've ever gotten that has a fever and the usual symptoms.

So, today, I got up and was feeling absolutely normal. Went to work. Around 9AM, I noticed I felt like I needed to clear my throat here and there and I had a small cough. Very small. My coworker actually had one too and I even remarked to him about it. Pollen counts are very high so I attributed it to the full bloom of cherry blossoms.

Then I noticed later that I was feeling chilly. Now, I haven't been cold in at least a year as I'm in the throes of menopause. I was achy also, but I've actually *been* achy for two weeks because I've strained my hip and back so it's just really hard to tell. But as the day wore on, it got more noticeable. On the ride home I was freezing and feeling so achy.

I get home and my little cough is there but it actually seems not as bad. When I do any talking for a length of time, my voice my break up a bit. No runny nose. Fever is 100.8.

Now after reading tons of magazines, watching Tamiflu commercials, etc. I thought "Maybe I have the flu." I should run in and get the swab and catch it early. So I went to an urgent care and sat there for 2 hours. Swab is negative. Doctor said maybe I was too early but I know nothing about if there is such a thing as the literature says you shed about a day prior to symptoms. He loaded me up with Zithromax and Tamiflu and said I didn't *have* to take the Tamiflu but I probably had the flu.

So, for you flu experts: does this sound typical for early flu symptoms? I don't think it does. My temp is up to 101.5 but I have yet to take anything and have been sitting in a freezing exam room for a LONG time.

I hoping for just some simple virus.

 

[lsyorke]

Really doesn't matter if it is or isn't in the grand scheme of things(at least for me because I wouldn't take Tamiflu). If it's viral, which it probably is, then rest, fluids, tylenol and let it run it's course. No need for antibiotics for a virus. (makes me nuts that doctors still hand these out while telling a patient it's viral). This to shall pass!

 

[RC Fan]

How bad are your allergies?

I guess this isn't common, but I feel like I have a fever, and I get the chills when I am exposed to an allergen.

 

[Christine]

How bad are your allergies?

I guess this isn't common, but I feel like I have a fever, and I get the chills when I am exposed to an allergen.

My allergies are not bad at all. Do you feel like you have a fever with them or do you actually have one. I'm up to about 101.7 now.

I won't be taking the antibiotics either. I'm shocked he gave them to me. I thought they were on some crusade to stop doing that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When my daughter tested positive--she has a fever spike they was really high (like over 103). I also felt very bad. Went in to test for Strep as that is what I assumed it was and I had that twice before.

She had the flu but they didn't test me because I didn't have the fever spike. She got the tamiflu and I used Robitussen cold and flu.

I felt like a Mac truck hit me and any movement hurt. I ached all over. I was in the fetal position in a chair at the urgent clinic. My daughter was in the fetal position on the bed/table.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Oh--and we are passing around colds here. Colds can be accompanied by fever and some aches.

 

[Christine]

When my daughter tested positive--she has a fever spike they was really high (like over 103). I also felt very bad. Went in to test for Strep as that is what I assumed it was and I had that twice before.

She had the flu but they didn't test me because I didn't have the fever spike. She got the tamiflu and I used Robitussen cold and flu.

I felt like a Mac truck hit me and any movement hurt. I ached all over. I was in the fetal position in a chair at the urgent clinic. My daughter was in the fetal position on the bed/table.

OK not in the fetal position, thank goodness.

 

[book_junkie]

I guess the fever spike depends on where you are- we've been told that there's a nasty version of the flu running around here (Orlando area) that doesn't have the fever but has all the other symptoms. My husband's GI has been telling all his immune deficient patients to report any symptoms ASAP, and the nursing staff will sort out whether they need to go to a primary or urgent care for a flu test or if it's something else.

You know you, so do what you think is best. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[RC Fan]

Do you feel like you have a fever with them or do you actually have one. I'm up to about 101.7 now.

To be honest, I have never checked.

I hope you feel better very soon!

 

[LilyWDW]

Sounds like what I had not long ago. Negative strep and flu. It was just something viral that had to run its course. Took about 3 days of full blown symptoms including fever. Felt pretty much normal after a week.

Of course, now I am dealing with allergies that are kicking my behind.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess the fever spike depends on where you are- we've been told that there's a nasty version of the flu running around here (Orlando area) that doesn't have the fever but has all the other symptoms. My husband's GI has been telling all his immune deficient patients to report any symptoms ASAP, and the nursing staff will sort out whether they need to go to a primary or urgent care for a flu test or if it's something else.

You know you, so do what you think is best. Hope you feel better soon!

I should clarify that the flu I was talking about was 2, no, 3 seasons ago and it seems everyone was talking about fever spikes at the time. (Just realized I had the flu shot 2 years ago.)

 

[book_junkie]

I should clarify that the flu I was talking about was 2, no, 3 seasons ago and it seems everyone was talking about fever spikes at the time. (Just realized I had the flu shot 2 years ago.)

No worries! I know I wouldn't have thought of a feverless flu unless the doctor had said something- I always thought one of the hallmarks was the high temp.

 

[Govols1997]

Sorry you aren't feeling well. I've had the flu twice as an adult. I felt fine, then felt like I wanted to die. I KNEW it was the flu within an hour of first symptoms. Like a PP said, it's like being hit by a truck.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Really doesn't matter if it is or isn't in the grand scheme of things(at least for me because I wouldn't take Tamiflu). If it's viral, which it probably is, then rest, fluids, tylenol and let it run it's course. No need for antibiotics for a virus. (makes me nuts that doctors still hand these out while telling a patient it's viral). This to shall pass!

I recently learned that Tamiflu only shortens the flu an average of 1.5 days. Really, for one day, I wouldn't take it. And that comes from someone who's had the flu.

 

[mnrose]

The one time I had the flu, I felt TERRIBLE....like I'd been hit by a mack truck and run over a few times. Every joint hurt. Painfully. Could not move off the couch/bed. If you feel only a little bad, I'd say a simple virus. I missed work for 7 consecutive days, and I'm a person who never missed work. I felt that bad.

 

[mom2rtk]

One thing our fancy new high deductible plan does for me is it makes it easy to decide not to visit the doctor to see if I have the flu. Because I'm not springing for the Tamiflu (fully subject to deductible, no copay option). So I'll suffer in silence when the time comes.

OP, one thing I've heard about the flu is that it hits like a ton of bricks. I imagine you have a virus or are having complications from your allergies. It's been a terrible year for them here in the Midwest already too (even sans cherry blossoms).

I hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[BigAlsGal]

This is just me but the only time I have fever/chills/aches is when I have the flu. I haven't had the flu in probably 10 years.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

No advice, but just hope you feel better asap.

Let your dh and your kids take care of you!! Rest!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I am just now on the end of the first round of Tami-flu. My symptoms started pretty much the same as yours but I came home & crawled in bed for 2 straight days. At the end of the 3rd day I called out of work & took myself off to the dr. Swab was positive for flu & im home & out of work for a total of 7 days. I work customer service at a grocery store & there's been some really wicked strains of flu going around down here & with it being spring break too we are seeing tons of sick visitors. I got the annual flu shot, and as a cancer survivor I have never missed getting one. I will say that this strain for flu has kicked my butt harder than some of my chemo treatments. Hope you feel better soon. Most folks I have talked to have told me it has taken them several weeks to get back to normal after having this flu.

 

[Gracie09]

Dd had the flu. She had a high fever spike then was just tired. The next day woke up with no fever until 3 then a low fever. Same the next three days. She was out of school a week and still is pretty tired a week later. She is all coughing, a lot