H1N1 Flu symptoms

[Lady D]

Is there really much difference between regular flu symptoms and H1N1 flu symptoms? The 15 year old daughter of a woman I work with has been diagnosed with H1N1 flu. She has symptoms that include fever, sore throat, nausea, I believe headache. They did a swab and will know the results sometime tomorrow but the doctor said they could tell by her symptoms it was that. You have some of those symptoms with regular flu also. The younger sister had to be picked up from school also because of not feeling well also. The mother came to work afterward, but is keeping her distance. Is there much risk for us, we have sprayed the office with Lysol, and we are using hand sanitizer, and she is staying at her desk. Thanks.

 

[Rudyjohn]

LadyD, I doubt you can do much more than you are already.

We have many, many cases around here: at schools, churches, work places, etc. I have also heard that it's not nearly as bad as the "regular" flu. Also, I have always been told by my docs, when we say we've had the flu, we probably really haven't had the real deal. A true case of influenza makes you feel as if you're about to die - maybe even wishing you could die. They say it's the worst you'll ever feel in your life. (I can honestly say I've never had a case of the flu.)

Just be vigilant in your hand washing. It's everywhere you go. You just can't worry about it.

Even my son says that 8 kids in his dorm have it; the college sent out emergency emails. It's everywhere.


Oh, one last thing, I clean my office phone because i know people use it when i'm not there.

 

[Lady D]

LadyD, I doubt you can do much more than you are already.

We have many, many cases around here: at schools, churches, work places, etc. I have also heard that it's not nearly as bad as the "regular" flu. Also, I have always been told by my docs, when we say we've had the flu, we probably really haven't had the real deal. A true case of influenza makes you feel as if you're about to die - maybe even wishing you could die. They say it's the worst you'll ever feel in your life. (I can honestly say I've never had a case of the flu.)

Just be vigilant in your hand washing. It's everywhere you go. You just can't worry about it.

Even my son says that 8 kids in his dorm have it; the college sent out emergency emails. It's everywhere.


Oh, one last thing, I clean my office phone because i know people use it when i'm not there.

The office manager and I are not that worried about it, the other two are, one of the two has had throat cancer and it might have come back again, and her immune system is weak, the other in the office has no problems health wise but kind of freaked out when she found out the lady was coming into work. She has brought the germs into the office, but when one has a cold they are bringing germs to the office also. I was just curious about the difference, I agree with you, the regular flu makes you feel horrible enough.

 

[Susan Horn]

from CDC website

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Swafia (my son) is being treated with Tammiflu (sp?) because he had symptoms of Swine Flu. I also took a few doses as a precaution. He had sore throat, aches, and fever. When his fever hit 102, he went to the emergency room.

The test for Swine Flu takes 2 days, so our local ER just gives Tammiflu without testing.

 

[Lady D]

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Exact same symptoms as the flu, so I'm curious how they know the difference!

 

[NotDeadYet]

Exact same symptoms as the flu, so I'm curious how they know the difference!

What I have heard on the news (if you believe the news, LOL) is that the seasonal flu virus is not circulating at the moment, so if it's flu, it's pig flu. Later on in the season when there is more than one flu virus circulating, I guess you won't know really without testing.

 

[nodilberthere]

What I have heard on the news (if you believe the news, LOL) is that the seasonal flu virus is not circulating at the moment, so if it's flu, it's pig flu. Later on in the season when there is more than one flu virus circulating, I guess you won't know really without testing.

I had the flu not once, but twice. And you are right that you feel like you're dying. I had always thought the flu was just a bad cold, but it is nothing even similar. It sucks the life out of you very quickly and renders you so weak you can barely get out of bed to use the bathroom. You get a fever that just won't go away.

I do know that both times it came on really fast, with no warning. I got it again about three years ago, while at work. I remember suddenly feeling really disoriented and out of it. I knew I had to get home fast, but on the way home, of course I got stuck in a big snowstorm. I remember crying and sobbing in the car because I was just so, so sick, I didn't think I'd make it home. I remember when I did get home, even in my delirium, I managed to put a jar of spaghetti sauce and frozen meatballs in the crockpot to feed the kids, and put it in the sink.....

I did make it home and I was sick for 2 solid weeks. I hope i NEVER NEVER get the flu again!!!! Now I can really see why it's so lethal for really young children, seriously ill people, and the elderly.

One thing I do remember is that I did not have a runny nose either time. Maybe that's the difference? If I were you, I'd stay far far away from the woman at work whose family member(s) have it. It's spread by tiny droplets in your saliva when you breathe, and direct contact. Good luck, stay flu-free!!!!!!

 

[seagrovegirl]

If you are concerned about getting the flu, or have been in contact with someon that has the flu, call your doctor and ask him/her to call in a prescription for Tammiflu. That is what I did as a precaution. No doctor visit, just call in and there you have it. If you spike a fever, go to the doctor or ER immediately. The sooner a dose of Tammiflu is in you, the better off you will be, and those around you.

 

[Susan Horn]

I don't know if what I've got is H1N1 or not, but for a few days this week I alternated between thinking I was dying and wishng I would die. My onset was slow--almost a week of weird dizziness, foggy thinking, disorientation, fatigue, minor respiratory symptoms, that could have been allergies and post nasal drip. It finally kicked in full force with digestive symptoms and severe chills but no fever, weak as a sick pup, bedridden 4 days, thank heavens Hub and sons and friends took such good care of me with ginger ale, saltines and chicken soup (from Renee at Twin Oaks Farm, THANK YOU Renee!).

I hope I didn't spread the germs in my ignorance that the dizziness may have beenpart of a flu onset. It was like no other flu onset I ever had (and I have had the flu a time or few) I thought it was some new symptom of age, as I'd heard of people suddenly getting vertigo. Apologies to any whom I may have shared this with unwittingly. For what it's worth, once I realized I was sick, I stayed home - not that I could have found the strength to go out in the world if I had wanted to.....