BeckyBoo Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 ....I have to say I've been a bit sceptical about all the people at work going sick with "swine flu" - for a start off how did most of the know, they weren't hospitalised and secondly the symptoms list is so like a list for every childhood bug mine seem to go down with. But. I've been ill for a week now, I'm better now in that the thumping headache went after 4 days, my whole body doesn't hurt to touch any more and my throats not sore. I have no idea if I had a temperature as we have no thermometer (too obsessive with it ) although I might have done to start with. So on the list that's swine flu right? It could also have been a virus or anything, the only lasting symptom is exhaustion which makes me feel like a fraud . So, now small boy is on his third night of high temperature, has the most appalling dry, almost croupy cough which came on today and hasn't responded to being "steamed" in the bathroom, is sneezing like a good 'un and I don't seem to be able to cool him down. So all you medics out there, could he have swine flu? Is it just a "bug"? Does it even matter if it IS swine flu bearing in mind that I wouldn't be giving him Tamiflu as it only shortens things by a day, makes a lot of kids vomit to start with and isn't (IMO) particularly well tested yet. I wouldn't normally ask, but I'm worried about him (I'm terrible when they're ill ) and I'm tired and still running at only about 75% myself so I'm feeling more wobbly than usual. BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Oh becky, you poor thing! I'd say if you are not going to use the tammi flu carry on as you are with lots of fluid and alternate paracetamol and nurofen to help with the temperature.... If he does begin to get dehydrated, is coughing till he is sick or is affected by his temperature you should go and see someone or call NHS direct for advice... Hope you have an OK night. K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Sorry to hear that you have been ill and still not 100%. No view really on swine flu treatment other than try to keep your little one's temperature down and encourage him to drink. If you are worried contact your GP. I hope you have a reasonable night and he feels a bit better in the morning. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Him Indoors and I have been really ill for four weeks,starting off with the headache and a hacking cough, which we both still have, and I subsequently developed tonsillitis and have had to take time off work, something I haven't done for years. Two courses of antibiotics apiece, and we are still coughing until we are purple, and I still have a really sore throat. We have just been told that we have 'probably' had Swine flu. A couple of friends have had exactly the same symptoms and are really poorly too. Whatever it is....it is taking some getting over. I hope you and your little 'un soon recover Becky. I'd certainly get a doc to have a look at him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 Thanks chaps, hadn't expected any replies at this time of night! He's still really cheerful in himself, and during the day he's been more or less fine, it's evenings and first thing he seems to struggle with his temperature and then that makes him feel grotty. His sleep patterns are all to cock due to calpol and nurofen etc so he's currently lying down watching 64 Zoo Lane very quietly having woken up about an hour ago This is what happened last night, he fell asleep so early he was then wide awake at 10, it was 2am before he went back to bed then the others had us up at 6!! They never mentioned this at ante natal classes either! If the cough persists or he's still up and down with his temperature I'll try and get him to the GP on Monday - that's if I can get through the Monday phone traffic to speak to them! BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Oh Becks, hugs to you all Make sure he gets plenty of fluids and keep up with the calpol and nurofen. Doesn't really matter if it's swine flu or not, if he's still poorly on Monday, see the docs (Wouldn't do any harm to ring NHS direct tomorrow if he's that bad) Take care Hon xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I personally have no idea - seems if your symptoms fit they just dole out the tamiflu. There has been a LOT of it about - at least thats what so many of the kids say they had when they were off (not that the school informs us!) But I sometimes worry about diagnosis - last week we hand an email on Monday saying a girl had been sent home and was confirmed with shingles - Friday morning she walked back into my class saying she was better and hadn't been very bad. My pregnant colleague was NOT impressed as she was due to be teaching her that afternoon (a quiet word with the girl and she happily went to a different class). Bug wise we've suffered but none of us has had a temp so NOT swine flu apparently. Mum was really ill for about a week, dreadful cough. I then started to feel off and had a chest infection, a week later I was flu like for 24 hours and that brought the chest infection back in spades -when I went to the doctors I was wheezing. Two weeks later and I'm bunged up, I've had headaches, earache, very scratchy throat and my voice has been weak too. I maybe keep getting this stuff because I'm down - or maybe just so many germy kids breathing all over me. James has had a couple of colds but he doesn't really do being ill and just says he feels fine (isn't that odd for a bloke?) Sounds pretty rough in your house though - I'm sure your little one will bounce back quicker than you - annoying how they do that isn't it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 The problem in distinguishing flu from other viral illnesses is that many of the symptoms are the same, just much more severe with flu. However you would know if you had flu. One good test is the £20 test - You see a £20 on the floor just far enough away from your bed that you had to get up to pick it up. If you have a cold, you'd get up to grab the £20 note. If you have flu, you wouldn't. If you are able to get out of bed for anything other than essentials (eat, drink, loo), then you probably don't have flu, but have another viral illness instead. Believe me, flu is a very unpleasant illness. Most people who think they've had it, haven't, they've just had a bad cold. Most people with "swine flu" diagnosed by the helpline don't have it either. The only way to tell if you've had it is to have a blood test while you are ill and two weeks after you have got better to check whether you have developed antibodies to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 One good test is the £20 test - You see a £20 on the floor just far enough away from your bed that you had to get up to pick it up. If you have a cold, you'd get up to grab the £20 note. If you have flu, you wouldn't. If you are able to get out of bed for anything other than essentials (eat, drink, loo), then you probably don't have flu, but have another viral illness instead. Believe me, flu is a very unpleasant illness. Most people who think they've had it, haven't, they've just had a bad cold. Most people with "swine flu" diagnosed by the helpline don't have it either. Yes- this is my understanding also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Yes, I quite agree but I get sort of disapproving looks when I query the "Oh, I've had swine flu" thing at work. I mean proper flu, ANY proper flu is completely debillatating, my friends mother had it a couple of years ago and had to be virtually carried to and from the loo. Anyway, had another bad night with boy, he fell asleep at 6ish again then up at 10ish, then restless and hot til 2, then up at 5. Partly I blame the calpol and nurofen, always seem to disturb their natural sleep patterns. He's been fine all day apart from the cough, just have to see how he manages his temperature this evening. He'll probably get another day off school - he's only 4 so I can't see it affecting his GCSE's!! Can I just say, middle daughter had shingles about a month ago - she had a rash on her chest that I couldn't shift with the normal antiseptic cream, and after a couple of broken nights frmo it I took her to the doctors who instantly diagnosed shingles I was completely taken aback as had only ever associated it with adults before. She had no other symptoms at all (and had been at school for 3 days with it before I took her to the GP ) And she was back after the weekend as it had all dried up. It's so much less in children (or it was in her) than in adults, and apparently it can only give you chicken-pox if you haven't had it, it can't give you shingles according to my GP BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Hugs to you and yours, Becky. I do hope all the illnesses resolve quickly and you are all feeling better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 My YD has very similar symtoms, she started with a headache and aches and pains yesterday morning, she then spent most of the day in bed. She was sick in her sleep last night. I hate that whole bed changing and cleaning thing at 1am. She kept apologising, bless her. The same thing happened this morning after her waking up several times halucinating about fast music and things chasing her. She has a high sleeper, so I was worried about her falling. She has been asleep a lot today and hot and cold, I would say it was probably a flu like virus, but who cares what it is really, poorly is poorly with out without a name. I am just glad that it is this weekend not last when she had her 11+ and she got through her birthday on Friday ok too. Hope that your youngster feels better soon Becky ((hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Sorry to hear you're poorly, it's rotten being ill, when you have kids, and even worse if they get it too!! We've had something; Ds started it and has only just come right, since the week before half term, I got it at the start of half term, and hope to return to work Tuesday this week, but DD has started it, yesterday, temp over 100, headache , sweating, cold, pale as ghost, throat of broken glass, chest pains, so exhausted beyond silly, not even hungry, failing £20 test, lost voice, .... etc etc!!! So, it takes 3 weeks to go, I'm still beyond tired during the day, and my bed is a place of longing! DD's class had 7 left in it on Friday....., and the school nurse had 15 bedded down in two rooms in the school awaiting collection!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 DS is just starting something......... temp 101.4 before he went to bed, rotten headache, aching back, irritating cough, poor little chap looks like an extra from a horror film with pale skin & dark eyes..........had a sleep late morning and was in bed & asleep again by 7....most unlike him He's a boarder so I rang his housemaster & there are several who've got similar symptoms so they don't want him back too soon....can't think why Hope DD gets well soon Freddie, how did DS do? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Well, whatever flu it is, swine, chicken, I don't know, I only know it's horrible. I feel fairly fixed now, despite three bad nights with small boy but I'm still not quite as energetic as I normally am. Was about to type having a better night with small boy but can hear him pottering about upstairs! I'm off - suffice to say he's much better thanks, get well soon everyone! BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I hope he is on the mend. I think YD is, she was up rambling all sorts of rubbish at 9pm last night. I found her rushing up and down the landing and climbing in and out of the bath, saying she had to be there I think she may have been sleep walking. I put her back to bed and she then came down about 10 minutes later much more coherent, but very shaky. She watched Top Gear with us then went off to bed with a dose of Calpol and slept until nearly 9 this morning. She has an upset tummy now but hasn't been sick since last night, and has eaten some toast, which ahs stayed put. She is much more herself but still in bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I hope you are all feeling a little better today, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Oh Chickencam, sounds horrible for poor you and YD, hope she's better today. Small boy is better although has been left with a bad cough. Get well soon everyone BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 My baby boy took himself off to bed within minutes of his Dad arriving home having said he'd stay up to see him..Daddy arrived shortly after 6....poor little man is feeling very rough to go to bed so early Last temp reading was 103+ so the air con is running in his room to cool him from the outside and Calpol is hopefully doing it's stuff internally, I'll give him some Nurofen when he wakes up, I really don't see the point of interrupting sleep to administer painkillers......he's eaten a little homemade bread & honey twice & drunk a fair amount of water, doesn't even want lemonade or anything else.....most unlike him He's slept a good bit of the day so I expect a broken night tonight I hope your little one has improved over the day CC, glad to hear your littl'un is almost better BB It's amazing how they all become littl'uns & baby boys/girls when they are poorly isn't it Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 My YD is well on the road to recovery today. She had half an omelette for her lunch yesterday and a tiny dinner the same as we had last night. It looked like doll food She perked up no end by bedtime and didn't want to go which was much more like her She has had porridge for breakfast today and although pale and coughing, she looks a lot better and has got her knitting out again However I have a horrible cough and sore throat that I can't seem to shake, and I went back to sleep after my 2 older children went to school and had a weird dream where I couldn't talk or wake up, it was quite frightening I am really hot and woosey too, so a quiet day for me today. I just need to work out something easy for tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Poor you Liz, there's nothing worse than a child who takes sharing to an extreme ! I hope you manage to shake it quickly DS got up this morning & looked normal, sounded normal and had an almost normal temperature 97.?F .....it's starting to rise a little now though 99.1F, he's developed a nice "fruity" cough but is not eating very much...bowl of cereal earlier for breakfast, made himself a mocha but only drank half of it.....will try & get him to have some soup for lunch & hopefully a gentle curry & rice for tea. He's had some work emailed to him from school so he's doing a little of that and some reading in return for recorded Top Gear & Gadget Show ! I've got to work tomorrow and Thursday, so hopefully DH will take a turn as nursemaid! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 YD went a bit green at the sight of lunch, but has eaten a little. She may need another day of r & r. Thanks for the good wishes. My throat is less sore now, but I have a cracking cough I wouldn't mind but it is my OH who is the smoker and he doesn't smoke indoors, and his chest is as clear as bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Sorry to hear you've all been poorly. Rosie and i were both told that we'd had it mildly (can that happen?) a couple of months back. We're fine now, but it wasn't pleasant. Hope that you're all over it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Well ES had college today but only made it as far as Waterloo station. He thought he was going to pass out. He's in bed having taken a few cold & flu thingys but says he has stomach ache as well. We think he had swine flu a couple of months ago so not sure what this is. I hope we don't get it we've got a 'do' at the weekend, and I'm already trying to shake off a cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 How is your little one now Beckyboo? I thought mine was getting better, but she has slid into a decline since Tuesday, and today she has an ear infection. I rang the surgery because she had an infection in the same ear a few years ago which was really nasty and perforated her ear drum. I just wanted to get some antibiotics to nip it in the bud, which the nurse did straight away for me, but she insisted that I rang the flu line. I rang up this morning and she has been given some Tamiflu. I am not sure whether or not to give it to her at the moment. I have started the anitbiotics for her ear and will reserve judgement until tomorrow. I only really did as I was told because there is a weekend looming and the weather forecast is pretty bad for Saturday too. She is 5 day in and Tamiflu says that it effective upto 7 days after onset. A local private school has closed until Monday because a third of it's pupils and staff are ill. When I phones YD's school to let them know the secretary said that they have a lot off with cold and fever symptoms. The key symptom that the flu line seemed interested in was her confusion earlier in the week. She is such a vibrant and bossy little girl most of the time, well I say little she is nearly as tall as me despite being only 11, it is hard to see her this down I am just so glad this didn't happen on the run up to her 11+ a few weeks back, she had a cold then, but nothing like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
