Swine flu and strep and viruses -- oh my!

[Guest]

[kbmum]

There are 465 students at my kids' elementary school.  Today, 142 of them were out sick!  I took my son to the doctor yesterday because he had a fever of 103, runny nose, cough, and a stomach ache that would come and go.  The doctor said it was either swine flu or strep.  I don't think I was ever so happy to get a diagnosis of strep!   At least the antibiotic worked quickly and he's feeling much better today.   It looks like H1N1, strep, and a virus are all going through the school at the same time.  I'm nervous about sending my daughter in this week, but the school will remain open unless many of the faculty and staff get sick and there aren't enough substitute teachers to come in.

[blackcat20]

Ergh, not nice. Have you got the swine flu vacc over there?

[kbmum]

Not yet.  There isn't much vaccine available, and when it does turn up, there's no rhyme or reason why one town gets it but another doesn't.  It's very frustrating to have this illness going around and no vaccine to prevent everyone from getting sick.

[Mike]

Working in a hospital, I had to get it. They set some to the side for me since I am in the high risk age group. I didn't think it was necessary and I work in Category 3 conditions which means I am at no risk of contracting anything that a patient might have. It also made me feel nauseous for about 3 days

I personally think this is being blown out of proportion ,if you read around its not really as bad as the news makes it out to be. It is something that should be taken lightly but I don't think people should freak out.

[terryweasley]

I am debating whether to get the H1N1 vacine or not.  I've never had a flu shot in my life, and at the same time I've never had the flu.
My sister and her two son were exposed to the virius, and I got upset when I started having symptons that resembled the flu.  I went to the doctor and he told me I had a respitory infection.  If I'd had the flu, I'd be running a 103 fever.  I didn't have any fever.  I agree that the news scares me to death.  I had ecoli about four years ago. It and another bacteria went into my bloodstreem.  I ended up spending a week in the hospital.  First time I ever took a bottle of antibiotic at a time.  I don't every want to be that sick again.

[blackcat20]

From what we've seen here in Aus, most people that get it are affected only mildly. Its people with existing illnesses who seem to suffer the most. I got the vacc; it was free, and as Im about to head to the US for a holiday I figured well worth it. The only side affect I had was a tender arm.

[kbmum]

I am debating whether to get the H1N1 vacine or not.  I've never had a flu shot in my life, and at the same time I've never had the flu.
My sister and her two son were exposed to the virius, and I got upset when I started having symptons that resembled the flu.  I went to the doctor and he told me I had a respitory infection.  If I'd had the flu, I'd be running a 103 fever.  I didn't have any fever.  I agree that the news scares me to death.  I had ecoli about four years ago. It and another bacteria went into my bloodstreem.  I ended up spending a week in the hospital.  First time I ever took a bottle of antibiotic at a time.  I don't every want to be that sick again.

Wow, I've never known anyone who didn't get the flu at least once!   You're very lucky.  I started getting flu shots after a very scary period around Christmas 2003.  We were visiting with family when my son developed the flu.  It spread to nine of us within a matter of a few days.  My daughter came close to being hospitalized, and my niece ended up in the ICU of a children's hospital and very nearly died.  We haven't missed getting the seasonal flu shot since.

From what we've seen here in Aus, most people that get it are affected only mildly. Its people with existing illnesses who seem to suffer the most. I got the vacc; it was free, and as Im about to head to the US for a holiday I figured well worth it. The only side affect I had was a tender arm.

It was definitely a good idea to get the shot before coming here.  It would really stink to get sick during a vacation.  Being away from home and having to find a doctor isn't much fun.

[Roz]

Yes, if you are travelling out and about it does seem like a good idea, but I'm trying to avoid it otherwise as they do seem to have rushed the vaccine out...

I'd think twice about it anyway!

[blackcat20]

Theyve said here that the vaccine hasnt been any more rushed than the annual flu vacc, so it seems like its pretty safe.

[Bitsy]

I get the regular flu shot every year...and usually have some side effects. I'm a little wary about the H1N1 shot, but I don't think I'd be able to get it anyway due to shortage and priority to high risk groups, which is totally and completely understandable.

My dad heard a doctor on the national news saying there are some indications that the regular flu shot is showing signs of fighting off H1N1.    Who knows, really...I'm just washing my hands constantly and using hand sanitizer (I've always been compulsive about it and always got teased...now I don't look so silly lol).

[kbmum]

I heard the same thing, Bitsy.  Even though H1N1 swept through our school system, neither of my kids came down with it and both of them had the seasonal flu shot.  Maybe it's coincidence, maybe not.