Swine Flu in Children & Adults

MUST WATCH & READ!!! http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/1...

My son came down with aches, fever and headache on Sunday afternoon. He had a high fever Sunday night. Fever was totally gone Tuesday morning. Now he just has a lingering cough.

Kaiser diagnosed it as H1N1 and now I've got it, too. My fever lasted one day, and now I'm in the coughing stage.

I'd say that in our case it was no big deal.

Hello,

My family has been hit HARD by swine flu. All 3 children have had it (tag-team fashion, not all at once). According to our pediatrician, lots of young people are getting it, some between the ages of 25 and 55, and few over the age of 55.

At the bottom of this email is a list of symptoms comparing cold, seasonal flu, and H1N1. I don't know what the source of this list is (it was distributed by a local school), but the symptoms seem pretty right on from my experience.

Here's how it started: My kids' school was hit with a virus
in a very dramatic way. My daughter's class went from 26 students in attendance to 7 students in one day (a Wednesday). By Friday there were only 5 kids in her
class, and the teacher was sick as well. The first grade in her school was also hit hard and was down to only 4 students last week.

To diagnose what they have, some kids (including my son) have had rapid tests done in the doctor's office. I was told that if the test comes back positive (as my son's did) it means that they have either H1N1 or Influenza A. My son's pediatrician said it was almost certainly H1N1, because they aren't currently seeing any Influenza A come through their office. Other families at our school
have heard the same thing from their pediatricians. The ER doctors and nurses we saw two nights ago weren't as willing to jump to that conclusion. As far as they were concerned, my son had influenza, but not necessarily H1N1.

Whatever my kids have had, I can tell you it feels very different from anything they (or I) have ever had. It comes on like a freight train, hits hard, and then leaves after about 5 days (though many parents have heard worrisome
stories about the potential for relapse). As for the symptom list below, with so many kids getting sick at once, it was possible for parents to compare notes. Each kid seemed to have a slightly different variation, with the common thread being fast onset of symptoms and fever (probably a third of my daughter's class had fevers of 104-105!). Many kids (but not all) had severe headaches, many kids (but not all) experienced nausea and vomiting), and a very high number of kids have experienced pain and pressure in their chests with a nasty cough (which has continued even after the kids feel better otherwise). Kids with pre-existing conditions like asthma are being hit particularly hard in the chest. Almost all kids have had a complete lack of appetite as well.

My first sick child returned to school after 5 days, but her appetite still hasn't returned to normal, and 7 days after she first became sick, she's still exhausted most of the time.

Because of my son's asthma he was given a prescription for Tamiflu, and I'm assuming that's why he is dramatically better after 2 days. Two days ago, he had a fever and could barely breathe. Today, though he still feels tired and has a bad cough, he is well on his way back to normal. If you feel a sudden fever come on (with any of the other symptoms below), I recommend you try to get a prescription for Tamiflu from your doctor. FYI, many pharmacies are running out of Tamiflu, so you might have to shop around.

There was also lots of discussion among parents as to when and if to treat fever with advil or tylenol. Most parents whose kids had fevers over 103 chose to treat it, most parents whose kids had fevers below that chose not to. Folk wisdom in my experience (born out by Google searches on the subject) told me that in general, it's better to let the fever run its course unless it's high enough to be dangerous. My son's fever was 102 for one day, which I hardly thought was dangerous. He has a history of asthma triggered by illness, so when he could barely breathe, even after giving him prednisone, I rushed him to the ER. The admitting nurse, upon hearing that I'd done nothing to treat his fever, acted like I was the stupidest parent alive. And I did feel stupid when, after they gave him a single dose of tylenol, he began to breathe better. Live and learn!

So far, I'm flu-free (knock wood) and keeping my fingers crossed!

------------------------------------------------------

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD & SWINE FLU & SEASONAL FLU SYMPTOMS

FEVER
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 101°
Fever is common with the seasonal flu.

COUGHING
A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu.

ACHES
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.
Moderate body aches are common with the seasonal flu.

STUFFY NOSE
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1.
A runny nose is commonly present with the seasonal flu.

CHILLS
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills.
Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu.

TIREDNESS
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with H1N1.
Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu.

SNEEZING
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold
Sneezing is not common with H1N1.
Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu.

SUDDEN SYMPTOMS
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
H1N1 has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.
Seasonal fly: Symptoms tend to develop over a few days and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.

HEADACHE
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.
A headache is fairly common with the seasonal flu.

SORE THROAT
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with H1N1.
Sore throat is commonly present with the seasonal flu.

CHEST DISCOMFORT
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with H1N1..
Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe seek medical attention immediately!

PREVENTION TIPS:
Cough & sneeze into your elbow
Wash hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 15 -20 seconds. Sing your abc's or happy birthday to you
Use hand sanitizer when soap & water are not available
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth without washing or using hand sanitizer first
Stay home if you are sick to avoid contaminating others.

In light of the concerns over H1N1 Flu, I thought this chart I received from a friend whose hospital put it out to their employees was beneficial.

Know the Difference between
A Cold & Swine Flu Symptoms
Symptom Cold Swine Flu
Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu..
Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

I have not gotten the H1N1 flu. My niece did however. The poor thing was so sick! She didn't have any energy!

Her first symptoms were a sore throat with a high fever. Then the other symptoms started. She was throwing up so much that she couldn't keep any fever meds down. My sister-in-law had to give her rectal fever meds. Once the fever was down she was more comfortable. My sister-in-law did have to give her Tami Flu (sp?) as per Kaiser’s advice. This seemed to really help. My sister-in-law did a lot of research about the meds and decided that the meds would help my niece. And they did.

My niece’s whole ordeal lasted about 5 days from start to finish.

I have a friend who is an ER nurse and she put the H1N1 worried into perspective. Sure 1000 Americans have died from this strand of flu this year but, 5000 Americans die every year from texting while driving!

I am sure the signs are easily Googled.
If you suspect it, consult your doctor or ask to be tested.
You may not be concerned about the risk for yourself, but if you are infected, you could pass it on to someone who would be more vulnerable to it. If you have it, you want to know---so that you can inform others who may have been exposed through you!

(a friend's kid was diagnosed)

Glad you asked this, since 2 people in our local area died of H1N1 in the last week I'm a bit paranoid myself. My daughter came down with fever & cough so I'm watching her like a hawk. My next door neighbors had it as well as another family we know. They were all put on Tamiflu after the first son tested positive and she said the rest of the family did not get it that bad. I also saw that people with a BMI of 40 or more (morbidly obese) were more likely to have severe complications of the H1N1. Be careful out there, wash and carry hand sanitizer everywhere! Use it everywhere (grocery carts, restaurants etc) and if someone seems like they have symptoms, do not shake their hands or let your children play with them. I'm sure there are more precautions I've missed so any health professionals - jump in here!

Yes, we think we might have had it. Of course there's no way to confirm because they won't let you, unless you have some urgent reason to do so, like you are hospitalized. But, ours was pretty mild and only lasted a couple of days. Some vomiting for one child, but the rest of us just had upset stomach and a little cough, a fever and some body aches. We were better in a few days.

Check out Mercola.com for some interesting alternative news on some of the possible hype about the flu. He has a different take on things than you will hear in the mainstream media. Hope that helps! Hope you stay well.

Doctors are not longer testing to confirm the swine flu, but based on symptoms it is believed that my whole family has had it (all 7 of us). We were all otherwise healthy individuals. It started in my 4yo with a sudden fever and loss of apetite. He complained of feeling dizzy and just not feeling right. This lasted for 24 hours. My 6yo and 2yo followed the next day with exactly the same symptoms. I experienced the same thing the following day after that. Fortunately, my 8yo and 6mo skipped the day of chills, aches and fever. All of us had a lingering cough and and some congestion for about a week.

At the onset of symptoms, I gave each person homeopathic tablets specifically for cold and flu. While sick, I encouraged drinking broth and eating only toast or crackers and absolutely no dairy.

Research has shown elderberries to prevent the flu virus from penetrating the cell wall of healthy cells so it cannot replicate. While flu season is still here, I recommend adding elderberry syrup to your diet. Of course, I'm not a doctor, just a mother of 5 who researches a lot and takes responsibility for the health of her family :) Please do not take this information in place of a doctor's recommendation.

HTH,
Amy

Over half of my son's class has it or has had it. I am keeping my son out of school right now until I can get him vaccinated. We have some special issues that getting the swine flu would not be conducive to right now.
However, it seems like the vast majority of kids that are getting it, do get over it within about 5 days or so. Initial symptoms seem to be high fever, head and body aches. Some kids develop a cough and if the lungs get to gummed up, those are he kids that are going to the hospital but really not too many are.
Good luck.

My husband, daughter, and I had it after returning from Mexico in February. This was quite a bit before the swine flu hit the news, so no one knew about it. Knocked me on my tush for weeks, but only spent 3 days in bed. Our symptoms were mostly respiratory, and for those three days I had a fever - and then went to the doc after those three days. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia (know better now) and give antibiotics. They didn't work, so I got stronger ones and had to take the new ones for two rounds. Except for those 3 days, I was at work the whole time. I just felt crappy, as did hubby (he was laid off at the time). LOTS of coughing.

My daughter was the least effected, but was on antibiotics. I think she only missed a day of school due to fever.

I think our coughs lasted about 8 weeks total. Again, keep in mind no one knew about the swine flu at that time.

At some level, we had ALL the symptons listed for swine flu.

I think that if we didn't have a nightly news on every station, plus 4 or 5 stations devoted to the news we wouldn't be in the panic that we are now. It is insanely hyped up, and in all reality you are more likely to die of the traditional flu. I read that we had 2 deaths in our area of swine flu, but how many have we had so far of regular flu? The people who are dying are the ones with underlying health issues, I am healthy as are my children, and none of us are getting the vaccine.

Here is what bothers me, the doctors aren't testing for the swine flu anymore, just assuming that if you are sick right now you have swine flu. That doesn't make sense to me at all, how are they going to know if there is a shift from one flu to the next? Or, if the swine flu dies out? There are people out there who will exaggerate their symptoms when calling the doctor, just to hear that they have one epidemic or the next. It sounds crazy, but it happens.

I don't use antibacterial soap, it just breeds super germs that are more resistant then ever. Just be smart about things. Wash your hands frequently, don't touch people who are acting sick, avoid sample foods and make sure that you are getting enough food and sleep to maintain your immune system.

I had the swine flu the first week of Sept when I was 24 weeks pregnant (I am now 32 weeks pregnant). I felt irritable on Friday. Saturday I had a fever and cough. It was a little hard to breath (I had child hood asthma). I went to the doctor's office (not OBGYN since they do not want sick people spreading it to pregnant women) on Monday. It was too late for tamiflu since it needs to be taken within 48 hours of onset. I had a sore throat and cough for 2 weeks but was up and out of bed within one week. My son was sick with diarrhea and no fever and I am not sure if his was H1N1, but the doc assumed it was and gave him liquid tamiflu. I put the medicine in food, but he would not touch it. He recovered within a week.
Obviously this goes against the media, but I think it is important to know there are pregnant women who survive this flu too. My OBGYN said he prescribed 12 pregnant women tamiflu during Sept and none were hospitalized. He is very nervous about this flu and will give all of his pregnant patients the vaccine when it arrives in his office mid November at no charge.

My 15 yr old woke up last fri with sore throat and felt tired and 'yucky' all day. I never checked for a fever. He still has a slight cough.

My 10, 8, and 5 yr olds woke up on sat morn with sore throats. They sounded stuffy too. I thought they just had colds, but they all ended up with fevers of 101 - 103 by the end of the day. My 5 yr old took a nap in the afternoon and woke up with a bad croup cough and wheeze and was also throwing up. We called 911, and went in the ambulance to ER to have a breathing treatment and steroids (yuk!). We also got a prescription for the flew med from the ER dr - we did not use it. We were there for about 3 hours, then they sent us home.

They each had only one dose of Motrin. After that, they each had 2 days of a low grade fever and they all still have a cough.

I felt chest heavyness and a stuffy head for a couple days, but nothing more developed. And so far, the baby has only been slightly stuffy.

It seems to me that this was only a cold - but colds are not supposed to include fevers over 101. The ER dr tested my 5 yr old for strep, but did not test her for h1n1. Our release papers listed her as having croup and influenza. From what I understand, the seasonal flu has not yet started here, so I'm assuming it must have been h1n1.