I got swine flu. Ask me any relevant questions.

[The Backlash Cometh]

[WCGreen]

1. Is it cannibalistic to desire pork rinds...

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Odd as it may seem, pork was too rich to consider.

Bland chicken soup worked best.

[bluedeminredstate]

2. What are your symptoms?

Were you dignosed by a doctor?
Hope you feel better soon!

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Oh goody. I get to relive the experience.

Sunday I flew back home, got off the plane and felt so good I went and jogged a mile. Monday morning I woke up and I knew something was wrong. No sore throat, but one of my glands, which had been swollen off and on for the last three days seemed to be larger than usual. In no specific order, and for no particular length of time, I felt congested, achy and had a mild cough. I had a splitting pain on the side of my face like it was sinus trouble. Then I began monitoring my temperature. It rose steadily up to 99 in a matter of three hours. At two o'clock, I was in the doctor's office with a room full of patients. Had to wear a mask. At three thirty they admitted me. They stuck a cuetip up my nose as far as it could go and took a swab. My temperature by then was 101.9. They said it would take ten minutes for the culture to determine anything. They came back in two. Swine Flu.

I was sent home with tamiflu. For the first three days I took ativan to knock me out and sleep, and drank chicken soup whenever I was awake. By Wednesday night I was feeling better. I feel okay today,but will take it easy for the next couple of days.

[Delphinus]

55. Well,

at least it was diagnosed.

Glad to hear you are feeling better.

[Orrex]

3. What sin(s) did you commit to incur this dread malady?

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. I think I washed my hands too much.

My daughter said I killed all the good germs when I washed my hands that often.

[Dogmudgeon]

4. Have you befriended a sentient spider yet?

How about a cynical rat who sounds just like the late, lamented Paul Lynde?

Has your local commissar from the New World Order demanded that you take the brain-killing vaccine?

Remember: Get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and if you have an erection lasting more than four hours, talk to your Doctor.

And Get Well Soon!

--d!

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. Other than losing my sense of taste, I think I made it through unscathed.

[wuvuj]

67. Good one...

...

[xultar]

5. Do you know where you caught it? Did you suspect swine flu from the get go?

had you been taking any special precautions so you wouldn't get it, if so what were they?
How long was it really bad?
Is this your first time getting any kind of flu?

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. All intelligent questions. Though my answers will probably not agree with you.

My first exposure to someone with the flu was about two fridays ago. My hairdresser had just gotten over it. She was about ten days out from when she had it, but everyone tells me that the incubation time frame doesn't work. I'm not so sure. She had a particularly bad bought.

We left on vacation on Thursday. Long trip by plane. I remember I had the air jet spraying on my face for a long while before I thought to turn it off. I think the next day one of my glands in my neck felt swollen, but not painful. Everything went extremely well on the trip. Felt perfectly healthy. On the flight back, I was sitting next to a pregnant woman :cry: Getting off the plane, I felt good enough to jog a mile. Went to bed, and boom, there it was.

I am a paranoid, neurotic so I took every precaution, though my daughter insisted on going to one of those ethnic tapa restaurants where you share foods. Maybe not such a good idea.

It was uncomfortable for the first twenty-four hours because of the fever. Once I got on the medication, things leveled off. I'm now watching for secondary symptoms. I've been very careful about keeping my sinuses clean (sinus rinse) and lungs clear.

I have had two mayor flus in my lifetime. One may have been the big flu virus of the sixties, and the other was another virus that hit the States about seventeen years ago.

[xultar]

35. Wow, thanks. I'm trying to keep an eye on all of this for my own health

I appreciate the fact that you've taken the time to answer my questions.

[harun]

51. How do you know it was Swine flu? How did you get tested for that strain?

[The Backlash Cometh]

52. Stick with a swab was shoved up my nostril

as far as it could go. Then they really took a sample. Stung a little. They said it would take ten minutes to "cook" in some machine they had on premise, but they came back to report before that. They said my sample had turned in two minutes. I didn't quite understand exactly what he said at the beginning. Something about Influenza A, and then he said it in layman's terms. Yes, you have swine flu.

[Duer 157099]

61. Just to clarify something

I had a long conversation with Kaiser the other day because my son had the flu (post down below). I was told that in the cases where they do testing, all they do is a generic test for Influenza A, and if it's positive, they just "assume" it's H1N1, although there's no guarantee that it's that specific strain.

So, just in case you're thinking that you're now immune to swine flu, I just want you to be aware that it may not be the case, fwiw. In other words, don't let your guard down...

[The Backlash Cometh]

64. Thanks for the info.

[lefty369]

74. This should be a warning to people who were not going

to get the vaccine.

[meegbear]

6. Is the goat's blood working?

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. Not for the goat.

[Barack_America]

7. Did you die?

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. I'll let you know as things develop.

[Barack_America]

18. Oh, I hope not!

I read your post above. In August both my husband and I came back with a horrible cold or flu after flying. We never get sick at the same time, so it seems airplanes must really be effective at spreading viruses around.

Hope you're fully recovered soon!

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. Did it feel any different from the regular flu we are used to?

How serious was it for you? Did any family members also come down with it? What medicine was prescribed if any? Was the onset slow or fast?

Thanks!

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. I consider this mild, by comparision to any flu I've had...

...however, that's because I was prepared for it and got medicine right away and got plenty of rest. We're still waiting to see if hubby gets it. I will be very surprised if he doesn't get it. Tamiflu and a cough medicine were prescribed. You might get a little warning like a swollen gland, or a sore throat, but when it comes, it will be quick.

[Mrs. Overall]

30. Why did you decide to see the doctor?

I'm just asking because usually when I get the flu I just assume there's not much that can be done for it and I ride it out.

Is Tamiflu being prescribed for everyone who has H1N1 or do you have an underlying condition?

(Glad to hear you are feeling better! I HATE having the flu.)

[The Backlash Cometh]

36. I'm surprised that most people don't know this.

Not even my dad knew this. Tamiflu is working well against swine flu, for now. But, it's most effective if you can begin treatment within the first 24 to 36 hours. It will cut down on all the symptoms that will wear you down.

I hear that in some parts of South Florida, they were thinking of rationing it, and not give it to people who are DNR. I told my dad this because I think it's a bad policy, if true.

[Mrs. Overall]

42. I didn't know that. Thank you for that info--

It's all about catching it early.

It's nice of you to answer all these questions!

[John Q. Citizen]

13. Would you like some chicken soup?

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. God bless. you. I've had every kind in a ten mile radius.

[Sheepshank]

20. Did you have any trouble breathing?

Did you put Dr. Kervorkian on speed dial because even though death was not imminent you ached enough, you wanted it to be?

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. No trouble with breathing.

I was in the doctor's office for two hours waiting. In that time, my temperature went from 99 to 101.9 but my cough remained dry. On the third day the coughing began, and would have caused problems, but I was on a cough medication.

[slackmaster]

21. Have you tried sniffing out truffles in your local woodland?

I believe they are in season now.

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. Sticking my nose in dirt is not an option.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

24. Can I get swine flu from you over the Interwebs? (nt)

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. Not unless there's something about the interwebs that I don't know about.

[rucky]

25. Are you starving it or feeding it?

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. Eating small portions.

Knowing that throwing up is one of the symptoms, I eat small portions, but frequently. Only threw up once and that was probably a reaction to nerves and the combination of pills I was taking.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

28. Follow-up question: How are you posting this?

It is my understanding that the swine flu melts your face off within 36 hours, and we all know the media is never wrong. I call BS.

[The Backlash Cometh]

29. Anticipating the melt-down, I established a few quick responses that

I could trigger with the touch of a button. And then they fly at noon.

Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

[Shagbark Hickory]

31. Was there any vomiting or diarhea? How much did the doctors visit and tamiflu set you back?

[The Backlash Cometh]

37. One mild incident of vomiting, which could be attributed to nerves

and taking the pills on a nearly empty stomach. I seem to recall $129.00 for the doctor's visit, and I didn't pick up the medication so I don't know what it cost.

[Shagbark Hickory]

46. Thank you for answering.

That's encouraging that you felt better so soon without taking the tamiflu.
And a pretty good deal on the doctor's visit I might add. Was it a walk in type clinic or a family doctor or what?

[The Backlash Cometh]

48. Long term doctor.

I have a good relationship with him. Learned from the last medical mishap that it pays to establish a good relationship with your doc. At my last regular checkup he said to come in if I got the symptoms and that the TamiFlu was working pretty well. Still, he took the test just to be sure I had it, before prescribing the medicine. I consider that pretty responsible.

[Shagbark Hickory]

49. You're lucky they did a test. A lot of places refusing to test, saying it's probably h1n1 so get out

[The Backlash Cometh]

50. I was thinking the same thing.

For the additional expense, I now know that I have an immunity to swine flu and can help the next person who gets it. Whereas the other way, I would only be guessing.

[Shagbark Hickory]

32. Do you know where you caught it from?

Do you travel on airplanes a lot or spend time in crowded or institutional settings?

[The Backlash Cometh]

38. One of three places:

If the incubation period is longer than stated, I got an exposure to someone ten days prior, who had just gotten over it, ten days prior. Or, sharing food at tapa's bar over the weekend; or long airplane flight.

[Shagbark Hickory]

33. Do You smoke?

Are you male or female and what is your age?

[The Backlash Cometh]

40. non smoker

over fifty, female.

[AspenRose]

34. Any chest pains?

[The Backlash Cometh]

41. Just a twang or two, but nothing serious.

[The Straight Story]

39. Did you get it at the olive garden?

:)

[The Backlash Cometh]

43. gnucky, gnucky.

[TCJ70]

44. Why were you hanging out with pigs? n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

45. Swine flu is what comes from mistreating the animals.

Keep them in tight quarters, and miserable, and one way or another, we'll get wind of it.

[TCJ70]

47. Follow up: Why were you mistreating pigs? :)

[Kitty Herder]

53. What are your symptoms? I think I may have had it in the spring.

My brother brought this nasty bug with him when visiting last spring. It was about the time the first U.S. case showed up in Imperial, CA, which is where he lives. I caught whatever he had and was very sick for two weeks with a cough, congestion, aches and pains. It was like a common cold on steroids. But I didn't have a fever. I read, however, that not everyone gets a fever with H1N1.

I keep hoping that maybe I really did have it back then so that I don't get it again.

[The Backlash Cometh]

54. Symptoms sound about the same

Achy, intermitten cough, congestion, tired, foggy, a little disorientation -- but not all at once.

Because of the Tamiflu, I haven't felt the worst of it. I've got a process where I clean out the sinuses, then take a dose of cough medicine and sleep for a few hours.

The key is to remain alert on the third day because that's when the coughing and lung problems can develop.

I can't diagnose you by your symptoms, but I can say is, that if I make it through the weekend, then I would say that swine flu is very "doable" if you heed all the sensible advice that's already out there. Plan on staying at home for a week. Plan on having a buddy bring you chicken soup and or won ton soup with dumplings. (crackers are no good because that stuff will make you cough)

[mikeSchmuckabee]

56. Are you getting enough fluids?

GWS

[The Backlash Cometh]

57. I think dehydration only becomes an issue for those who are

chronically vomitting. It hasn't been a problem in my case.

[Duer 157099]

63. Dehydration is also an issue with fever and sore throat

Fever for obvious reason, sore throat because people drink less fluids then.

[The Backlash Cometh]

65. It hasn't been a problem with me.

Probably because I've been sipping on chicken soup during the waking hours the first three days.

[Duer 157099]

68. Very smart! Chicken soup was the first thing I gave my son, too

Lot's of electrolytes and vitamins.

[uppityperson]

58. Are you coughing, or did you?

I am finishing up a similar thing except didn't get tested. No cough, though yesterday and today it felt/feels like it wanted to do that.

[The Backlash Cometh]

66. It was a small cough the first few days

But it seems to want to grow, while everything else is winding down. The cough medicine works, though. It just makes me sleepy.

[Duer 157099]

59. I think my son just had it too, but now I'm not sure

He started feeling badly on Sunday morning, feverish and achy, chills, mild sore throat, mild cough. Temp in the 101 range. Symptoms remained about the same through Monday. He mainly stayed in bed, drinking fluids but hardly eating anything. Then Tuesday the fever ramped up dramatically to 103.8 and only subsided to 102.6 after Advil. Temp remained in the 102-103 range all of Tuesday, even with advil every 4 hours.

Then Wednesday he awoke with practically no fever (99). Still a mild cough and a sore throat and some lethargy.

I called the doc just to check about the fever (how high is too high? 106 is too high) and was told the time course for the H1N1 was about 10 days. But since it was so quickly over, I figured this was just a regular brand flu.

:shrug:

And of course, I know what's awaiting me now. I already have the cough starting, but still no fever.

I think I have a really good excuse to not hand out any candy this Halloween! heheh sorry kids...

[The Backlash Cometh]

69. It's hard to say.

You would think with all the precautions everyone is taking, that you would see a decrease in all the flus.

[cherokeeprogressive]

60. Can I get you some chicken soup?

Hope you get better soon!

[The Backlash Cometh]

70. Thank you!

Starting tomorrow, I think my worst symptom is going to be grumpiness.

[spanone]

62. does you tail now curl?

[Canuckistanian]

71. Did the symptoms come on faster than a regular flu?

And is that what prompted you to go to the doctor?

[The Backlash Cometh]

72. As quick as that.

I got off the plane Sunday night with an urge to go jogging. It was a slow jog, but I felt very energized. I went to bed, woke up the next morning, and knew as quickly as that that there was something wrong.

One caveat, old age and experience has taught me to recognize an illness that can't be worked through during the day. I've tried that before when I was younger with terrible results. Since I knew that TamiFlu needed to be prescribed within the first day, I just kept monitoring my symptoms so I could give the doctor the information he needed to reach a diagnosis. It wasn't easy since symptoms would come and go, and in my fogginess, I would forget what they were. I started writing a journal, especially keeping track of my temperature which would increase every twenty minutes. That was the tell-all sign.

[Canuckistanian]

75. Good to know. Thanks.

My autistic son is asking me all kinds of questions about H1N1. He thinks it's coming to get him.

I explained to him that he's healthy, he's always been healthy and that H1N1 is not a death sentence, but merely something to be careful about.

I'll explain your experience to him.

[arikara]

73. The Mr and I just got over a flu too

He came home with rapid onset of a cough, sniffles, fever, mild GI upset and extreme fatigue. I got it a week later. Basically we laid around for a few days, I took advantage of it and read 4 books which was a treat. It lasted about a week for each of us and we're both fine. The Mr has both a heart condition and diabetes. He was never any sicker than I was. Neither of us went to the doctor or took any type of pharmaceutical pills, either prescription or over the counter except I took one ibuprofin for a headache. We both took supplements and some herbal tinctures.

I checked hamthrax symptoms on the internet and ours fit the picture.

[Kadie]

76. How are you feeling?

Hope you are better real soon. My son has been home sick, don't think it is the flu, but poor guy is having a rough day.

Take Care.

[The Backlash Cometh]

77. Better. But it comes in waves.

I don't fight it off when I get sleepy.