Our experience with H1N1 ~ anyone else have fun with this flu?

[mzmolly]

I'm going to write a bit about our experience as a family with H1N1. The flu seemed to effect us each in a unique manner.

We visited a local apple orchard a while back (taking every precaution to avoid illness in the crowd) yet the following evening my child complained of a sore throat and headache. The next day I took the complaints more seriously given additional symptoms of fever and vomiting.

The fever piqued at 102.7. My child vomited once that am (after taking Ibuprofen) and never did so again. We visited the pediatrician that very day and received a diagnosis of H1N1 (in spite of negative flu cultures). I was convinced it was strep, but strep Throat was ruled out. The Dr. said that the rapid test was highly inaccurate but the symptoms were indicative of H1N1. So H1N1, it is!

The following day, the chills came, but the fever continued to decline, lasting for about three days total. My child was greatly congested, with very little cough. VERY plugged up though and had disgusting "stuff" come out of the nose each am.

BTW, my state has a local flu hotline and they recommended the following:

* Humidity - humidify the environment or take steam baths (be sure to have a clean shower head though)
* Hydration, we have Gatorade and Mrs. Grass soup on hand this time of year
* NO cold medicine (I never give decongestants to my child anyway)
* Do not treat fever < 102. (Probably varies with age?) I treat nighttime fevers, personally.
* Use honey to treat cough
* Salt water gargle or Lysterine and nasal cleansing with salt water or saline spray
* Soup or tea to ease sore throat

* Runny nose can last two weeks/Cough three weeks
* Familiarize yourself with the warning signs that require immediate attention.

We're on day ten and my child appears to be nearly well. Thankfully!

My husband (who is a type 1 diabetic) got a headache and sore throat on Sunday evening. He's also had the classic cough, but no fever. He appears to be improving dramatically/quickly. His Dr. did not prescribe antivirals because he is fever free. This puzzled me but we're on our way out of the woods it seems, so I'm not going to press for Tamiflu.

As for me, I've had such mild symptoms that I wouldn't know for certain I had anything at all. I've had a mild burning sensation in the nose/throat but no full blown symptoms to speak of. I haven't bothered to try avoiding the flu given I'm the primary caretaker round these parts, and it's not possible for me to avoid anything.

I do know people who are effected differently by this virus. For example, I have a friend who has five sick children right now. The family is much sicker than we are and at least one child is dealing with pneumonia, after being prescribed antivirals to prevent such an occurrence

I know we've had people here experience the worst the flu has to offer. And we've had those who've had mild symptoms (much like my family.) Anyone else care to share your personal story with H1N1?