To go home, or stay at school (Kinda Long)

[belle_of_the_ball]

I'm a current Freshman at college, 5 hours from home. On Monday I was diagnosed with "probably" H1N1 flu. Essentially, I have the flu, but NY has stopped testing for it, they just declare everything as swine. I have asthma, so I got my Tamiflu and shut my self in my room until I feel better.

Since Monday my mom has been trying to convince me to go home, I've been resisting reminding her next Weds. is fall break and I'll be back then.

So Tuesday I feel even more lethargic than before, I didn't leave my bed all day. I ended up sleeping from 10:00 Tuesday night until 3:00 pm Wednesday afternoon.

My fever is gone, but my cough is much worse and I'm starting to have more and more trouble breathing. When I was in the shower Wednesday I ended up on the floor and I don't remember how or why I got there. I mean, I know why I was in the shower, just not why I was on the floor. So I headed back to the health center. They gave me a nebulizer treatment to open my lungs (helped for about 30 mins) and then told me my vitals were fine 45 mins after fainting so there was nothing they could do. I'm supposed to use my inhaler every time I cough, but thats way too much inhaler.

The dilemma is this: given the recent onset of increased nausea, chest pain, and fainting should I just stay in my dorm, and see how I feel and just try to make it to my 3 days of classes next week. The only this is if I'm not better when I come home for fall break, I'll miss out on all my plans. I know it seems trivial, but I haven't seen any of my home friends for 3 months. Or do I go home Friday, miss a total of 8 days of classes. My worst fear is I make my dad drive 5 hours and then I get better as soon as I'm home and he has to drive me back sunday and then pick me up again wednesday for fall break.

I realize it seems dumb and I should be able to figure this out on my own, but I don't want to create more problems for my family by having them drive back and forth but my mom is really freaking out over me getting swine flu and sounding how I do on the phone and being so far away from me.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

I say go home so your mom can keep an eye on you... But I'm a mom . Since you have asthma you are at a higher risk... I say don't risk your health. School will just have to understand.

 

[supercarrie]

Based on what you have described, I would go home. You are sick!

Even if you got better suddenly once home, I would probably take the hit and miss the 3 days of classes, unless something extremely important was going on (i.e. paper due, test you couldn't make up, etc). Better to rest and ensure you are really better than go back as soon as you start feeling better, and over do it.

 

[dakcp2001]

Go home and rest. ANd do not go to classes, the other students do not want to get sick!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I can say that "the cough" will last for at least 2ish weeks and it is horrible. We brought my freshman dd home when she was feverish. Of course her fever was gone the next day however it was a weekend.

That is a tough one.

You are probably going to be coughing for your fall break. It will have nothing to do with your location.

I can't really comment about the asthma. If you think it is going to make you sicker then come home. Example, tomorrow you are worse instead of better then perhaps you should go home.

Good Luck and get well.

 

[Jewel1310]

Belle,

I vote go home BUT if your symptoms persist - difficulty breathing, chest pain or fainting don't go to the health center go to the ER. Don't take chances if you have asthma. You want to ensure that you dont' develope pnuemonia Belle and it can come on fairly quickly.

Be cautious. Call home but if symptoms persist go th the ER.

Take care - it is not fun to be sick but even worse when away from home.

Jewel

 

[nephthys43]

My father had swine. He was feverish, and couldn't breathe. The VA hospital sent him home at first and when he went back a couple of days later, they realized it was swine. It developed into pneumonia. And from what I've heard a lot of swine cases are doing this. You don't want to risk pneumonia with asthma. Go on home and let your mom baby you for a bit. My school doesn't want anyone who's sick in classes. They sent out a notice at the beginning of the semester. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Frantasmic]

If you pass out/faint again, you should go home. Stay at the dorm otherwise.

Actually, if you do go home now, can a parent watch you at home (i.e., does she/he work outside the home?) If you are going home only to watch yourself during the day, is it really that different than being at the dorm?

This sounds bad, but to whom would you rather give the flu? Your parents or someone else in the dorm who is probably already exposed. Do your parents have health issues since they are older? What would happen to them if they get the flu (work-wise, schedule-wise, etc.?) Do you have other siblings still at home?

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Don't worry about missing your classes. My DH is a professor and he is dealing with a lot of students being sick right now. Everyone is being given extentions and help with the assignments and tests. You'll be able to make everything up. Just email all your professors and let them know what's going on. I think you should go home.

 

[amid chaos]

Go home...today....my son, also a freshman, wouldnt have a choice.

Email your professors, tell them you are ill with H1N1 that is complicated by asthma and will be away from campus until after fall break. Ask for your assignments.

Won't it be wonderful to be back in your own bed?

 

[paintnolish]

Really, you need to go home. I am a college student AND a mom. I am scared for you and your classmates. You need some one to take care of you and you need to be out of a dorm where you can spread it to others. My university has a new, more lax policy involving absences due to H1N1-yours probably does too. Good luck and feel better!

 

[padams]

Go home but first let your professors and your RA and friends know. Your parents want to help you and they really don't mind driving to get you and take you back. You are their precious baby.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Asthma + H1N1 = go home

There is no-one there to help you if you get into real trouble and no-one who will sit up with you and watch you breathe if you need supervision. The weekend is almost here and your friends will be too busy partying to pay attention to whether or not you are getting worse or need help. If you get better right away you'll be able to make your way back to school earlier but if you get worse getting home will not get easier.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would only go home if my parents came and got me. You will be miserable trying to make that drive.

Sounds like you are very sick.

 

[luvwinnie]

I also vote for going home. I have asthma too and worry about thei h1n1 risk. Hope you feel better soon. Please let us know how you are doing.

 

[Rafiki31]

I really hope you feel better but please do not pass on your illness, please try to be considerate of your classmates and do not go to class. They do not want to catch your flu.

 

[DMickey28]

As a mom and not too far removed from college, I would have had my father come and pick me up on Monday or Tuesday.

It may have resulted in missing two weeks of classes but heck ... I am a baby when I am sick, still.

 

[beattyfamily]

I really hope you feel better but please do not pass on your illness, please try to be considerate of your classmates and do not go to class. They do not want to catch your flu.

Huh? She's asking whether she should go home (5 hours away) or stay in her room till she's better. She can barely breath so I highly doubt she's going back to class any time soon.

I'm sure she's a very considerate person, doing all she can not to pass her illness to anyone and I'm also SURE she knows her classmates do not want to catch 'her' flu.

Go home, OP. I hope you are ok. You sound very sick. I'd be very careful having asthma with the flu. Please go to the ER if you still are having a hard time breathing.

 

[RitaZ.]

Go home...today....my son, also a freshman, wouldnt have a choice.

Email your professors, tell them you are ill with H1N1 that is complicated by asthma and will be away from campus until after fall break. Ask for your assignments.

Won't it be wonderful to be back in your own bed?

ITA. Go home to recuperate!

The professors will be flexible and understand your situation. Feel better soon!

 

[momof1princess]

OP, as someone with asthma, i know what you're feeling (i once had bronchitis so bad, i stopped breathing several times-when i did it in front of my doctor, i thought HE was going to pass out!) and i urge you to please call your family to come get you. i know they're worried about you and it sounds as if you could really use some TLC. i'm sure you're worried about missing classes as well, but an e-mail to your professors about your illness should take care of any absences or missed work-colleges all over the country are having to make allowances for students with H1N1 and i'm sure your professors will understand. please take care of yourself, and don't worry about inconveniencing your parents-i'm also a mom, so i can say for certain their first concern is for you. i hope you get well soon.