Swine flu has hit my house!

[dizneydiva2005]

One more NC mom here!

OP - I completely understand about unexpected expenses! Try not to worry, things will work themselves out!

Just wanted to add that I work at a middle school (in the office) and we had so many sick kids wanting to call home it was scary. I think I took about 20 kids temps - all around 99 -before lunch. But you can tell by their eyes they really felt bad. I know parents have responsibilities at work - so do I. But at 8:00 am, we already had a line to call home. I know most of these kids felt bad before they came to school. I would just ask that parents talk to your kids before they leave for school, make sure they are up to it if they have been sick over the weekend. Just because they are not running a fever does not mean they are well.

With our school nurses spread so thin, it is hard on the office staff who are not nurses to care for these kids that came to school sick. I know sometimes things come on you quickly, but most of the kids said they had been sick all weekend. Our teachers have been instructed to provide make up work and to be prepared that kids may be out for up to 10 days with the flu.

One last vent....parents please make sure your child's school has updated contact information. We had several kids that had contacts with no working phone numbers and the child did not know any new numbers. Had to sit at school all day sick/vomiting. Very sad. This happens all the time, not just during times of illness.

Thanks for letting me vent!!!! Feels good to get it off my chest

thank you for your kind words.

Sometimes I just don't understand why people bother to post if they don't have something nice to say- or helpful. Just to annoy- why bother. Whhhoooo felt good to vent myself!!

I feel for the kids- you can see it in their little eyes. My son was like that. I'm sure all those kids wanted was to go home, get in bed and have mom take care of them

Hang in there- I'm afraid this may only be the beginning of a long flu season!!

 

[Tracy041500]

ITA Unhappy people SUCK.

Hope you all get better quick.

 

[JessicaR]

OMG, ya know what, I'm not here to explain my checking account... I already answered this - if you had read through my responses.

I have a 'work' trip planned through Disney. It's a conference at disney because I'm a travel agent for disney. Not sure it's really anyones business that I have a trip planned and no money at the moment to pay for it. Why is it some people can be supportive- and others are here to be a smart ...
I'm really stressed over having a very sick kid - and forking over an extra $335 this week on meds really sucked... on top of the $700 I paid this week in heath ins. Plus, $50 in drs bills.

I really wish people would 'think' before posting....

It always amazes me when I see people question posters finances and intentions and even give unsolicited advice. It is RUDE! I'm sorry you felt the need to explain, I wouldn't have.

I'm sorry your child is so sick and I know full well the stress it brings. I am in hopes that he wakes up this morning feeling better than yesterday and on the mend! One of my sons is asthmatic and this flu has me stressed out also. I know basically its out of my control but the worry over it is upsetting.

This too shall pass and things will be looking up for you and your family sooner than you know. You're a great Mom and I'm sure your kids are so appreciative to have you. Hang in there.

 

[TLHB70]

We have an appointment in just over an hour for DD to see the doctor. She started running fever Friday morning and was achy. I gave her Tylenol and Oscillococcinum. (I bought several boxes when swine flu news really ramped up.) She started feeling better within hours. The fever never returned and she just felt tired with congestion. Yesterday the sore throat hit. She said that she could feel the congestion draining so I thought that was it. She moaned with the throat all night and woke up with it hurting. She is on the couch now crying because it hurts so bad. The fever has never returned. I have not given her Oscillococcinum since Sunday morning. She is just tired and congested with a sore throat. We will see what the doctor says. DH started the congestion, coughing, and achy feeling yesterday. Other DD is congested, and I am too. Neither of us are achy or coughing. I will update when we get home.
BTW, I am in Union County, just outside of Charlotte.

 

[PinkRhombus]

My kids and I have had it...husband has not. He was out of town for the week that we had it the worst, so that may have helped him avoid it so far.

But, really, it was not unbearable. Felt like a moderate cold. I was very tired about two days and felt very off, but I've had worse.

The best stuff that got us through it was Tylenol and Advil.

 

[itchin2go]

My kids and I have had it...husband has not. He was out of town for the week that we had it the worst, so that may have helped him avoid it so far.

But, really, it was not unbearable. Felt like a moderate cold. I was very tired about two days and felt very off, but I've had worse.

The best stuff that got us through it was Tylenol and Advil.

My daughter has the flu, and what you describe has been our experience. She ran a fever for 2-3 days, with congestion and coughing, and achiness and weepiness. The fever is gone now and she's much better. We're holding off a day or 2 before sending her back to school just to make sure she's not contagious and passing the virus on.

Don't know if this was H1N1, though.....

 

[sunnyday123]

Wow. Really hope everyone feels better soon and you get some sleep.

 

[TLHB70]

I'm in union county as well! Small World!! In a little town that starts with a W. LOL

I'll be waiting to hear what your dr says. My child's dr is at Southside Peds and they are swamped. Although, durning my few hour stay yesterday I saw several healthy kids coming in for a well check up. OMG, that's insane to bring a healthy kid into the office now! All I can imagine is this time next week they'll be sick ekkkkk!!!

We, too, are in a town that starts with that letter. LOL
The doctor did a strep test. That was negative. She said that she really does not believe it is the flu because there is no fever, or low grade fever if any. She said that she thinks it is a really nasty virus. She did say that she is not better by Friday that I can bring her back in.

 

[momx2]

I didn't see this thread until after I posted mine. I hope all that are affected by this flu begin to feel better soon. My kids are getting some better, the oldest is already becoming bossy again. I imagine I'll catch it about the time the kids have recovered.

ETA: Just read the rest of the thread....WOW! OP don't worry about it. Some people just like to try and point out what they precieve as flaws. I hope your family gets well soon!

 

[Crystal0608]

NC mom here too. My kids usually spend the night at my moms- well Friday night about 9pm my mama calls and says dd has a sore throat and wants to come home, she felt fine at 5pm. I pick her up and at 9:45am Sat I had her at the peds with a work in appt. I would usually wait a couple days with a sore throat, but didn't want to chance it with the stuff going around. It *usually* is a 10-20 min wait max with an appt- we got out of their at 12:48pm and the lobby was completely full with sick kids, poor babies. DD said she was hot, but her temp was like 98.7 and her tonsils were swollen. Dr said he had seen a LOT of strep cases in the past 48 hrs and he was testing her for it. He gave me 2 days of chewable antibiotics and I called Sun & Mon both with negative strep results. Well, last night and this am dd has been coughing up plegm and ds has a tummy ache. I don't know what is just a bug and what they need to be seen for. Hope everyone and their kids get to feeling better.

 

[jodifla]

OP, please ignore the nasty comments about vacationing and funds. I can't believe the nerve of some people!

Please take care of yourself and your family, and I hope everyone feels better soon!

 

[JessicaR]

We, too, are in a town that starts with that letter. LOL
The doctor did a strep test. That was negative. She said that she really does not believe it is the flu because there is no fever, or low grade fever if any. She said that she thinks it is a really nasty virus. She did say that she is not better by Friday that I can bring her back in.

Your Doctor needs educating. The fact is that not all confirmed H1N1 cases present with fever. I believe its been estimated that as many as 30% of all cases have no fever.
I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Many Swine Flu Cases Have No Fever
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html

 

[dizneydiva2005]

Your Doctor needs educating. The fact is that not all confirmed H1N1 cases present with fever. I believe its been estimated that as many as 30% of all cases have no fever.
I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Many Swine Flu Cases Have No Fever
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html

I think one huge problem with this is the unknown. It's a learning process. New virus = unknown. I guess it's going to take time to not only educate the drs but the public. So many variables.

My son has the classic signs- except the dirrehea (sp?) so his was easier to say, yes, it's the swine flu. The drs offices down here don't even have the test for it. Only the hospitals. That's not making it easy on the drs to come to a conclusion. IMO for what it's worth.

 

[JessicaR]

I think one huge problem with this is the unknown. It's a learning process. New virus = unknown. I guess it's going to take time to not only educate the drs but the public. So many variables.

My son has the classic signs- except the dirrehea (sp?) so his was easier to say, yes, it's the swine flu. The drs offices down here don't even have the test for it. Only the hospitals. That's not making it easy on the drs to come to a conclusion. IMO for what it's worth.

I agree that this is uncharted territory and the rules change constantly. A doctor that is seeing patients and treating H1N1 has to know by now that some people don't have a fever with this flu. It is their responsibility to stay current and they have been saying some cases lack fever since May. It would matter if that patient needed (or could have benefited from) Tamiflu but didn't get it because they lacked a fever.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Your Doctor needs educating. The fact is that not all confirmed H1N1 cases present with fever. I believe its been estimated that as many as 30% of all cases have no fever.
I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Many Swine Flu Cases Have No Fever
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html

I have read similar things as well.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20090921/ts_usnews/seasonalcoldorswineflumomsfacetoughcalls

 

[TLHB70]

NC mom here too. My kids usually spend the night at my moms- well Friday night about 9pm my mama calls and says dd has a sore throat and wants to come home, she felt fine at 5pm. I pick her up and at 9:45am Sat I had her at the peds with a work in appt. I would usually wait a couple days with a sore throat, but didn't want to chance it with the stuff going around. It *usually* is a 10-20 min wait max with an appt- we got out of their at 12:48pm and the lobby was completely full with sick kids, poor babies. DD said she was hot, but her temp was like 98.7 and her tonsils were swollen. Dr said he had seen a LOT of strep cases in the past 48 hrs and he was testing her for it. He gave me 2 days of chewable antibiotics and I called Sun & Mon both with negative strep results. Well, last night and this am dd has been coughing up plegm and ds has a tummy ache. I don't know what is just a bug and what they need to be seen for. Hope everyone and their kids get to feeling better.

This sounds just like my DD. She describes her throat like someone is running a razor or glass down it every time she swallows. There is a lot of congestion back there the doctor said, but the strep test is negative. She is only eating ice cream, popsicles, etc. She is on the couch and feels weak, but the fever is only runnying between 98.7 and 99.4. On Friday morning it was 100.8, but then it went down and has stayed down. That is why the doctor did not do the flu test; she thinks that no fever or low fever means no flu.

 

[TLHB70]

Your Doctor needs educating. The fact is that not all confirmed H1N1 cases present with fever. I believe its been estimated that as many as 30% of all cases have no fever.
I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Many Swine Flu Cases Have No Fever
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13fever.html

Oh my!!!!!!!!!!
Should I call the doctor's office back and tell them that I read this? Do you think they would do anything differently? She started the fever on Friday and then it dropped down to nothing or extremely low. So are we past the early start for Tamiflu? I do not know what to do.

 

[saucymb]

We, too, are in a town that starts with that letter. LOL
The doctor did a strep test. That was negative. She said that she really does not believe it is the flu because there is no fever, or low grade fever if any. She said that she thinks it is a really nasty virus. She did say that she is not better by Friday that I can bring her back in.

We are also in the Charlotte area and both of my boys (as well as myself) have those same symptoms. Pediatrician yesterday said it's a virus, not the flu, and not much to do but medicate with Tylenol/Motrin and rest. Hope those sweet girls are better soon!

 

[chell]

Goodness, I didn't expect to see so many new posts here. Well, I was hoping I wouldn't. I hope everyone gets better very quickly.

Someone I know sent their child back to school today with a fever. I was worried for everyone else at that school. We've had a few people out of work sick. I sure hope I don't catch anything. I've got some other health issues going on that this wouldn't be pretty.

 

[TLHB70]

We are also in the Charlotte area and both of my boys (as well as myself) have those same symptoms. Pediatrician yesterday said it's a virus, not the flu, and not much to do but medicate with Tylenol/Motrin and rest. Hope those sweet girls are better soon!

Thank you! DD is still in bed this morning so we will see what happens when she wakes up. I have an upset stomach this morning. It is churning and I do not feel like eating anything. Ugh! I hope you and your boys feel better soon! You might want to check out Oscillococcinum.
http://www.oscillo.com/ A friend of my cousin (and an acquaintance of mine) is a nurse and she highly recommended it. I was only able to find it at Viatmin Shoppe at first. However, our CVS just recently started carrying it. The web site says that KMart also carries it. DD says that it makes her feel better. She can tell when it wears off.
ETA: There is a coupon on the website too!