Question About the Flu UPDATE

[Christine]

What did he think about the possibility of strep? What kind of infection did he think you might have?

I don't blame you on the z pack. I'm pretty tolerant of most meds, but that one did a number on my intestines.

Amoxicillin is still pretty effective against strep, but not so much against other types of infections (sinus, ear, etc).

My throat looks great and, while it was sore, is all better now so wasn't even a thought for him.

He didn't really say what he thought I had just that with the increasing cough and persistent fever, it *could* be something bacterial in the upper bronchial area. Or it may not be.

 

[ahutton]

I'm pretty sensitive to antibiotics and don't take them often. Amoxicillin was not too bad last time, and I bought a 12 pack of Activia and ate 2 or 3 a day. That kept me from having female or stomach issues. Yakult probiotic drink was good for that too.

 

[Christine]

I'm pretty sensitive to antibiotics and don't take them often. Amoxicillin was not too bad last time, and I bought a 12 pack of Activia and ate 2 or 3 a day. That kept me from having female or stomach issues. Yakult probiotic drink was good for that too.

Good thinking, going to ask my husband to pick up some Kefir while at Target. I usually can't do Activia on a good day (has a laxative effect on me).

 

[Monykalyn]

Hope you are feeling better soon Christine!
Kefir, yogurt or lactobacillus pills are a must with antibiotics. Not sure why doctors don't just prescribe them at same time handing out the antibiotic.

Flu A is hitting late this year...and lots are getting secondary infections (pneumonia, bronchitis etc).

 

[monorailsilver]

Two of my 3 kids had it last April while on vacation and they had flu shots.

Both had high fevers and my oldest was tired in the airport and slept on the beach the next day (we didn't know she had the flu).

They were both achy all over and just didn't want to do anything.

 

[KBoopaloo]

There seem to be a lot of very nasty, lingering non-flu viruses floating around right now. I was sick with what seemed like just a terrible head cold with cough for about two weeks in March. It finally cleared up and then I woke up with a fever this past Monday morning. The fever has been on and off and has mostly broken now but the cough is out of control and the congestion is awful. I am also incredibly exhausted. I managed to make it to work two days last week (I had no choice due to scheduling issues) but have spent the past four days stuck in the house feeling miserable and violently coughing my brains out. I've been checked for everything - no flu, no pneumonia, no strep. Doctor says just a really terrible virus that has to run its course. She gave me a cough medicine with codeine but that's it. It helps but knocks me out.

Whatever you have, I hope you feel better soon. Being sick is no fun.

 

[Christine]

Well, I'm not even sure what to say anymore about this "illness." As I said upthread, on Day 6 of what I assume was the flu, I went to see my regular primary care because, while I no longer had a temp of 102, the temperature was also not going away totally and my cough had picked up in intensity. I really just wanted to make sure I didn't have pneumonia settling in. My lungs were very clear so no worries there, but the doctor did think that by Day 6/7, my temp should at least be normal versus this low-grade surging I was getting so he put me on Amoxicillan. I've been on this since Thursday evening. The very first night after I took it, my temp went down to below normal (it's usual level) and I slept well. The cough also calmed down but that's as far as it went. I am now back to have this weird 99.5-99.8 temperature most of the day (it's lower at night) and these awful coughing jags that last a few hours. I have these tough mucous plugs that it's like getting up a hairball. Oddly enough, I barely cough at night (thank goodness for small favors). Needless to say, I am *not* going to make it to work tomorrow. I don't think I could make it more than an hour or two. Even though I am better, I am not better. Lots of exhaustion.

 

[Sabeking]

Well, I'm not even sure what to say anymore about this "illness." As I said upthread, on Day 6 of what I assume was the flu, I went to see my regular primary care because, while I no longer had a temp of 102, the temperature was also not going away totally and my cough had picked up in intensity. I really just wanted to make sure I didn't have pneumonia settling in. My lungs were very clear so no worries there, but the doctor did think that by Day 6/7, my temp should at least be normal versus this low-grade surging I was getting so he put me on Amoxicillan. I've been on this since Thursday evening. The very first night after I took it, my temp went down to below normal (it's usual level) and I slept well. The cough also calmed down but that's as far as it went. I am now back to have this weird 99.5-99.8 temperature most of the day (it's lower at night) and these awful coughing jags that last a few hours. I have this tough mucous plugs that it's like getting up a hairball. Oddly enough, I barely cough at night (thank goodness for small favors). Needless to say, I am *not* going to make it to work tomorrow. I don't think I could make it more than an hour or two. Even though I am better, I am not better. Lots of exhaustion.

My oldest DD was in the middle of the flu when you started the thread. Now my younger DD has it and is on day 6 of fever. I took her to the doctor yesterday and he said she has pneumonia . She has a fever right now of 99.8. She has been going between that and 99.4 . Unfortunately, the antibiotic is tearing her stomach up. Looks like she will not be at school tomorrow . Feeling your pain, you are not alone! Hope you get on the mend soon.

 

[Christine]

My oldest DD was in the middle of the flu when you started the thread. Now my younger DD has it and is on day 6 of fever. I took her to the doctor yesterday and he said she has pneumonia . She has a fever right now of 99.8. She has been going between that and 99.4 . Unfortunately, the antibiotic is tearing her stomach up. Looks like she will not be at school tomorrow . Feeling your pain, you are not alone! Hope you get on the mend soon.

Oh, sorry to hear that. Well, at least you have an explanation for the fever. I was pretty worried about pneumonia but my oxgyen level was 98 and lungs were apparently very clear sounding but he did tell me that if I didn't improve over next week, he might do a chest x-ray even though he hears nothing.

What antibiotic is your daughter on? The amoxicillan has been amazingly gentle on me. The Zithromax, though, is awful for me.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Christine, your cough description sounds a lot like mine. It is awful. When it starts, I can't get it to stop.

 

[Sabeking]

Oh, sorry to hear that. Well, at least you have an explanation for the fever. I was pretty worried about pneumonia but my oxgyen level was 98 and lungs were apparently very clear sounding but he did tell me that if I didn't improve over next week, he might do a chest x-ray even though he hears nothing.

What antibiotic is your daughter on? The amoxicillan has been amazingly gentle on me. The Zithromax, though, is awful for me.

So she is on Clindamycin 4 times a day. The doctor said if it did not get better by tomorrow and they could do an antibiotic shot. That will go over like a ton of bricks, she freaks out about shots. I took my other DD in at 5 days of fever to check for pneumonia as well, however she did not have it. The doctor did say the fever could last up to 7 days. Praying yours will break tomorrow !!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

So she is on Clindamycin 4 times a day. The doctor said if it did not get better by tomorrow and they could do an antibiotic shot. That will go over like a ton of bricks, she freaks out about shots. I took my other DD in at 5 days of fever to check for pneumonia as well, however she did not have it. The doctor did say the fever could last up to 7 days. Praying yours will break tomorrow !!!!

Just an FYI to you, one you'll probably want to keep to yourself. But if that's a rocephin shot they are talking about, it really is pretty painful. They resorted to those for my daughter's ear infections many times when her oral antibiotics failed.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Christine, it sounds to me like you need a nebulizer to help get those mucous plugs up. (Not an inhaler.) And maybe some chest PT. Maybe you can discuss it with your PCP tomorrow. I do this with my DS when he gets them and he feels a lot better afterward.

 

[Sabeking]

Just an FYI to you, one you'll probably want to keep to yourself. But if that's a rocephin shot they are talking about, it really is pretty painful. They resorted to those for my daughter's ear infections many times when her oral antibiotics failed.

I am afraid it may be!! I just read some scary side effects of the antibiotic she is on, like life threatening diarrhea?! I am wondering also, at what point does the fever go away after being on an antibiotic? I have to be honest, I am worn out mentally and physically. Oldest DD had fever for 5 days, then younger DD still has influenza plus pneumonia. My DH has been to three doctors in the past week for his now, double inner/outer ear infection. He is missing going to the Masters tomorrow and we are all paying the price! Lol! Sorry about the pity party!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

That sounds awful, Sabeking. I hope things start to look up for you all this week.

 

[Sabeking]

That sounds awful, Sabeking. I hope things start to look up for you all this week.

Thank you...I do need to count my blessings though. I was thinking today how awful it must be for people who are chronically ill!

 

[Monykalyn]

Just an FYI to you, one you'll probably want to keep to yourself. But if that's a rocephin shot they are talking about, it really is pretty painful. They resorted to those for my daughter's ear infections many times when her oral antibiotics failed.

Oh yes they HURT-and can feel lingering effects of the soreness for a few days. But they usually work to clear up infections quick

I am afraid it may be!! I just read some scary side effects of the antibiotic she is on, like life threatening diarrhea?! I am wondering also, at what point does the fever go away after being on an antibiotic? I have to be honest, I am worn out mentally and physically. Oldest DD had fever for 5 days, then younger DD still has influenza plus pneumonia. My DH has been to three doctors in the past week for his now, double inner/outer ear infection. He is missing going to the Masters tomorrow and we are all paying the price! Lol! Sorry about the pity party!!

Always, Always always take a probiotic with antibiotics - especially Clindamyacin - the diarrhea they are talking can lead to c.diff (infection of intestines)-but a probiotic like those found in yogurt can keep the good gut bacteria going and help keep the bad gut bacteria from taking over.

Wow-this gunk is really going around-hoping everyone starts feeling better soon!!!

 

[Christine]

Always, Always always take a probiotic with antibiotics - especially Clindamyacin - the diarrhea they are talking can lead to c.diff (infection of intestines)-but a probiotic like those found in yogurt can keep the good gut bacteria going and help keep the bad gut bacteria from taking over.

Wow-this gunk is really going around-hoping everyone starts feeling better soon!!!

This is the first time for me taking an antibiotic with a probiotic and I really think it helped. I usually eat greek yogurt everyday anyway. This time I add plain kefir and take a few swigs during the day.

 

[Sabeking]

Oh yes they HURT-and can feel lingering effects of the soreness for a few days. But they usually work to clear up infections quick



Always, Always always take a probiotic with antibiotics - especially Clindamyacin - the diarrhea they are talking can lead to c.diff (infection of intestines)-but a probiotic like those found in yogurt can keep the good gut bacteria going and help keep the bad gut bacteria from taking over.

Wow-this gunk is really going around-hoping everyone starts feeling better soon!!!

I started her on one today, thanks!

 

[Sabeking]

This is the first time for me taking an antibiotic with a probiotic and I really think it helped. I usually eat greek yogurt everyday anyway. This time I add plain kefir and take a few swigs during the day.

How are you feeling today Christine? Is the fever gone?