Fear of H1N1.

So last Saturday my wife woke up feeling terrible. She had terrible body aches, fever, cough, no appetite.

The day before my uncle got H1N1, and he's a doctor. But we have not seen him nor been around him in months. So we know we didntcatch anything from him, but I did know I could call his wife and ask what his symptoms were.

She said exactly what my wife was experiencing.

My wife is 2 months pregnant so I called the nurses hotline and the nurse said it sounds like h1n1 and she needed to come in.

Instead of taking her to the ER I had my dr paged. He said to just watch her and keep her fever down.

She has gotten better since then, that was 5 days ago, but she still feels kinda cruddy.

Now my daughter and I have it. My daughter is 2 years old. We've just been staying home... And resting. My little girl doesn't seem to have it that bad... And I've had a touch of it for two or three days... But tonight all of a sudden I got the chills so bad.. then a fever... Im still burning up. I took 2 ibuprophen about an hour ago. My back is really aching and so is the skin on my back....  I hate this feeling.

My question is, do I just ride it out? I mean obviously my wife is slowy recovering.
Or do we need to get tested for h1n1?

I mean what's the point of getting tested? I heard all they do is a nasal swab.. Then send you home, and by the time you get your test results back your over it.

This could very well be the regular influenza... But I've had a little diarhea (diarrhea) today now too.

[tia77]

Hi sorry you are feeling so crudy.  It is going around like wild fire where we live.  Excpecially at my kids schools.  I don't think at this point there is anyway to avoid this.  They say almost everyone will come in contact with it at some point.  If you did go to the hospital or doctors they would have swabed your nose and possible given you tamiflu.  After I think 48 hours it doesn't have much effect.  I know you are probable scared.  I am scared we are going to get it here.  Two of my daugters good frineds that come to my house came down with it.  They both got treatment and qualified for the tamiflu because one had a heart condition the other cancer when she was little.  My kids doctors said they aren't giving it out to everyone.  They don't have enough to go around.   Keep on top of it and get in the shower if you have a problem getting your fever down.  Also try and keep drinking to help you not become dehydrated.  I know it's to late for you but one way to help yourself from not getting it besides washing your hands is using a neti pot and gargling with warm salt water.  They said if the virus gets in your throat or nose you still have a chance at washing it out of your nose or throat using these methods.  I am currently doing it every night.  You can also drink warm liquids.  This is the same concept of the warm salt water.  If you wash the virus down to you stomach it can not live in the acid in your stomach.  Also keep you hands away from your face.  Now that you are sick you have to ride it out.  If you notice that you get better and then suddenly feel bad you might have a secondary infection and would need to see the doctor for an antibiotic.  I really hope you feel better soon.  Try a cool cloth on your head.  Let me know how you are doing tomorrow.  tia

[cnote]

Thanks for your response. I'm actually not feeling as bad at the moment. I think the ibuprofen and tylenol are helping. My fever went away. I'm just so clogged up and my head feels like it ways 20lbs.

I've been eating pretty good considering I have no taste. I've eaten an entire rotosary chicken throughout the day.

What is it about cold salted chicken that always goes down good? LOL

Also adding on... My wife, child and I have never had any major health problems, so I'm not too concerned. Also her fevers have stopped.

[cj29]

H1N1 is getting a lot of attention in the media, but remember the VAST majority of people that contract it, get over it just like the seasonal flu.  Once you have the flu, vaccines are ineffective because it is prophylaxis (preventing it), but doctors can prescribe antivirals like Tamiflu and Relenza for treatment to help with recovery with both the seasonal and swine flu.  My wife is also pregnant and half the doctors at her OB office want her to get the H1N1 vaccine and the other half have said not to, because she has never even had a flu shot before, so even doctors have differing opinions over this.  

[allmymarbles]

The media is getting everyone upset about a strain of flu that is no more deadly than any other strain of flu (which isn't particularly deadly anyway). Tens of thousands of people come down with the flu each year, most of whom never report it because their illness is mild. There is nothing to be upset about. It is not fun to be sick, but you will get over it.

[nursegirl6572]

marbles said it perfectly.

Here in PA...we also have many cases popping up everywhere...the ER'S are inudated with people rushing in at the first sign of a sniffle...which, in my opinion.....that kind of reactive behavior is exactly what it causing the h1n1 to spread so fast...

You see that your wife and dgtr are doing just fine...so will you.  Ride it out, and do as others instructed.  Lots of fluids, rest, tylenol/motrin for the fevers.  The antivirals are only a TREATMENT anyway, there is no cure.....so it will run it's course regardless.

Of course, if your symptoms worsen, your fever goes above 102-ish (I'd even venture 102.5), you are unable to keep food or fluids down (which you are doing JUST fine in that dept, lol), or if you develop difficulty breathing (NOT anxious breathing mind you)...then, yes, seek treatment.  Trust me, it won't be needed.

The people who are truly at risk for complications have underlying chronic medical conditions, which you do not.

Think of it as a forced vacation...mandatory family time.  Snuggle up with some good movies....each person gets a turn picking the soup of the day...and relax. :0)

You'll be just fine.  The media hype around this thing is ridiculious.  All it does it frighten people unnecessarily.

[cnote]

Thanks for the info.

That's exactly what I was told. It's not different than any other flu, except there is just no vaccine for it. Except the nasal injection. But regardless... I know that any flu can kill someone if they have underlying health issues. BUT WE DONT. We are young and healthy.

More people die from the regular flu than this H1N1/Swine flu ****.

What's funny, is that I'm not having ANY anxiety over it, I was just a little concerned about the effects of it.

Again, we may not have it...

I am feeling better today! Slept good, and I can actually breath out of my nose today some! lol. And I'm back at work, but wearing a mask and spraying lysol for the sake of my buddies here.

I work in the back of an IT room... so I'm not wearing this silly mask in public scaring people haha.

Thanks everyone.