Watch out if your nose starts running... Better get to the doc and get something almost immediately cause it's gonna get worse.

I got pneumonia about a month ago and have been DOWN totally (got to visit the nice hospital for a little while - don't remember much of the visit - was that sick, but I didn't die - guess that's a good thing). Was on the road to recovery - had about gotten to the point where I could walk around the house without falling down and THEN.... and THEN...

My little darling Caleb came home from school with a runny nose and sneezing and (my fault for teaching him to SHARE) the next morning Granny's nose was running and she was sneezing.

Couple of days later, the Brother was crooping, sneezing, nose running... then Daddy and then Mommy. Caleb, for some reason, got over his, but the rest of us....

Made a trip to the doc yesterday -(family plan) and all got meds (the doc was sneezing as much as we were and the clinic was FULL).

So ya'll take care and don't let this stuff get hold of you - trust me - it makes you SICK as a dog.

Either that or invest in Kleenex!

:-*

Or get the flu jab and avoid all the problems in the first place.

Mike NZ wrote on Nov 16^th, 2010 at 5:06am:

Or get the flu jab and avoid all the problems in the first place.

Jab=get the flu for me... No Thanks!   ;D

It hit you hard there, Barb.  Warm fuzzy hugs to you.   




I dat a runny nose today, sneezun too.  Stocked on tissues.

We both went and got shots this year, sorry it bit you Barb, that bites. :'(

Joe

So what is it that a doc can give you (that you can't get over the counter) after you've contracted an influenza virus that will make it better?

What a coincidence this is on the board..home sick today.  I haven't had a cold or the flu in I can't remember when.  I get my flu shot every year...  Hit me last night, achey, sore throat, feverish, throbbing head (well I know everybody here can relate to that)..anyway feeling ucky and not very pretty today  :( ...ugh...oh well this too shall pass.  Hope you're feeling better Barb

If it is actually the flu, and not a cold, there is a med called Tamiflu, that if given within the first 48 hours, will substantially lessen the hit you take.

TAMIFLU is prescribed for treating adults and children 1 year and older with influenza (flu) whose symptoms started within the last day or two. TAMIFLU can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in patients 1 year and older. TAMIFLU is not a substitute for the annual flu vaccinations (you should still get the flu shot every year

Joe

I don't know, Joe. I've never taken Tamiflu, but the people I've talked to who have say it's not very effective.

Also, getting a flu shot every year is one of those extremely controversial pieces of advice. I've never gotten a flu shot, and I've suffered maybe two bouts of flu in the past 20 years. In your post, these parts were italicized. Does that mean you got it from somewhere else? If so, where? In other words, whose advice is this?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Questions & Answers
Vaccine Effectiveness
How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work?

How effective is the flu vaccine?
How well the flu vaccine works depends on how well the match is between the influenza (flu) vaccine and the types of flu viruses that are circulating that year. Scientists try to predict what strains (types) of flu viruses are most likely to spread and cause illness each year to put into the vaccine. Past studies have shown in years when the vaccine viruses and circulating viruses are well-matched, the vaccine can reduce the chances of getting the flu by 70% to 90% in healthy adults. The vaccine may be somewhat less effective in elderly persons and very young children, but vaccination can still prevent serious complications from the flu.

Is the flu vaccine effective against all types of flu and cold viruses?
The flu vaccine is your best protection against flu viruses. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last flu season. The flu vaccine does not provide protection against non-flu viruses that can cause colds and other respiratory illnesses. It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a cold and the flu based on symptoms alone.

Does the flu vaccine work the same for everyone?
The flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu, and vaccination is the main tool used to protect people from influenza. A number of studies have shown that the flu vaccine works, but how well the vaccine works can change from year to year and vary among different groups of people. The ability of the flu vaccine to protect a person depends on at least two things: 1) the age and health of the person getting the vaccine and, 2) the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those being spread in the community.

Vaccine effectiveness is not 100%, and some people can still get the flu. For instance, some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses might develop less immunity than healthy young adults after vaccination. However, even for these high-risk individuals, the flu vaccine still can provide protection against getting severe complications from the flu.

Besides vaccination, how can people protect themselves against seasonal flu?
Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to prevent the flu. Antiviral drugs [ START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE ] are an important second line of defense against the flu; these drugs must be prescribed by a doctor. In addition, good health habits, such as covering your cough and washing your hands, can help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs

What are antiviral drugs?
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu in your body. While CDC recommends flu vaccine as the first and most important step in preventing flu, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense against the flu. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider.

What antiviral drugs are recommended this flu season?
There are two antiviral drugs recommended by CDC this season. The brand names for these are Tamiflu® and Relenza® (The generic names for these drugs are oseltamivir and zanamivir). Tamiflu® is available as a pill or liquid and Relenza® is a powder that is inhaled.

Who should take antiviral drugs?
It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people who are very sick with flu (for example people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications (see box) [ START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE ]. Other people may also be treated with antiviral drugs by their doctor this season. Most healthy people with flu, however, do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs.

What are the benefits of antiviral drugs?
When used for treatment, these drugs can make you feel better and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They can also prevent serious flu complications.

When should antiviral drugs be taken for treatment?
Studies have shown that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment if they are started within 2 days of getting sick. There may still be benefit in treating people with antiviral drugs even after two days have gone by, especially if the sick person has a greater chance of serious flu complications (see box) [ START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE ] or if the person has certain symptoms (such as shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, dizziness, or confusion) or is in the hospital because of the flu.

How long should antiviral drugs be taken?
To treat flu, Tamiflu® and Relenza® are usually taken for 5 days, although people hospitalized with flu may need the medicine for longer than 5 days.

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I have gotten a flu shot every year....and never get the flu. The italicized was the stuff I cut and pasted from the Tamiflu Website.

Joe

What the above posts say to me is that we know where the manufacturer of Tamiflu and the federal government stand.

I guess I stand a little downwind from them.

I've never heard that Tamiful was all that great either. Gotta get that shot kids.

Here's a good place to learn about the so called vaccine terrors: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Sorry it isn't as much fun as reading about those who liken vaccines to devil-inspired horrors.

Charlie

People who are so adamantly opposed to immunizations have too quickly forgotten a society ravaged by polio, smallpox, measles, whooping cough, everyone had lost a friend or relative to death, or permanently crippled from one of these diseases. I have family members who don't vaccinate their babies.....it's becoming the popular thing to do. It will be so sad to see the next wave of disease ravaging our society. It's already started here in Southern California. Over 1000 cases of whooping cough, half a dozen babies have already died. I fear it's just the tip of the iceberg. Praying I'm wrong. :'(

Joe

I believe in vaccines, but since influenza mutates, I don't believe in the flu shot.  Never got one and probably won't in the future.  I think the last time I had the flu I was 15.  I won't dissuade anyone else from getting it though, it's their choice! 



Anyway, Get well soon Barb!!

Me too, Mel. Pat and I have had all our vaccinations, and Junior has had all his. Pat even gets the pneumonia shot every 5 years and has been getting the flu shot. I just see no need for it for myself. On the off chance that I get the flu (and I did two years ago), I'll ride it out. Maybe I'll feel differently as I get older.

Joe, I still can't help but be reminded of the H1N1 debacle that the country went through not that long ago. Flu shots fall into a different category than other epidemic-type diseases. If you're in a high-risk group, by all means, get the shot if it gives you peace of mind. But as long as I belong to a demographic group that most likely won't die if I contract the disease, I'll pass. And the feds telling me that I should get the shot most certainly rubs me the wrong way. It falls into the "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" category.

I get my flu shot every year.  Several years ago, I didn't get a flu shot, got the flu and missed more work than I needed to (I actually went back to work, rebounded and ended up sicker than before).  I absolutely cannot afford to get sick with the flu and miss work (add to that the fact that I'm in wally world every damned day and that puts me at a higher risk for catching the flu).

carolyn

I just talked to the school nurse.  Jackie has been sick since early last week and is not feeling better at all.  I keep telling her she needs to slow down and sleep so she call heal and get better, but she is afraid she might miss something.

I've never had a flu shot, but had the flu twice in my teens.  I've never been so sick in my life.  Even lifting my head up off the pillow was impossible.  Hardly ever get sick (colds) as an adult.

Stay well, everyone!!

Quote:

...but she is afraid she might miss something.

She might.

Melissa wrote on Nov 17^th, 2010 at 6:48am:

I believe in vaccines, but since influenza mutates, I don't believe in the flu shot.  Never got one and probably won't in the future.  I think the last time I had the flu I was 15.  I won't dissuade anyone else from getting it though, it's their choice!

Exactly!   ;)

Hope you are feeling better soon Barb!

Quote:

Pat and I have had all our vaccinations, and Junior has had all his. Pat even gets the pneumonia shot every 5 years and has been getting the flu shot

I got my pneumonia shot for the first time in 2008. This is the miracle drug for geezers like me. Every five years is the recommendation.

I'm not sure if I was late with the flu shot. I pretty much wrote off two weeks of September as a wasted time. I never had a cold virus like what flattened me. Very different symptoms although my twerp doctor said there was an odd thing running around at the time. OK.

Charlie

While I was in the hospital they gave me a flu shot and a pneumonia shot, but I still got whatever Caleb brought home. Doc gave me pred and sulphur and after a week, I'm better - gave the baby some steriods and his croop went away and he's back to being "almost normal" again.

Now to get my "strength" back. I've been sick more in the last two months than I've been in the last 40 years. Headaches don't count as "sick".

Finished my last pred (taper) this morning and would you believe it (all this time I have NOT been visited - except a small shadow) THE DEMON hit! Got rid of him with some O2, but I was so ticked off -- Everyone around this house is asleep still, but I think I've cussed out every inanimate object in the whole house!!! :)

Don't know about the tamiflu... Caleb shared the H1N1 with us last year and we all took that. I never did get "down" bad (had to take care of the others) and they all got over it, so it seemed to work ok on us.

Hope everyone stays well... This weather ain't helping a whole lot.

I've had the flu shot twice, and the flu twice.  Two weeks later each time.

Had the pneumonia shot last year, and was down for two weeks with pneumonia two weeks later.  Used all my sick days and a week of vacation to it.  I'll pass on both of them thank you very much.

Jerry

I think when it comes to the flu shots, the decision should include one's own exposure possibilities to the flu. For us, with Joe always working close quarters with people that weren't always taking care of themselves, our daughter working in a foster group home, and me on airplanes every month - prevention was key.

For others who are not as directly exposed, and seem to get symptoms from the shots, makes sense not to.

It's been part of our routine for many years and we have managed to avoid the bugs as they come around.

Hoping the flu passes by all our homes this year though without stopping in to visit!

I ride the bus all the time so it's not something take lightly.

Charlie