Best wishes for getting over it. Even though it is nothing like a CH, it still isn't at all fun.

Still time to get your immunization. This is a butt kicker flu this year, hoping my shot keeps that bad boy at bay!

Joe

Thanks for the positive vibes.

Tamiflu is an amazing antibiotic.  Feeling 60% better already after only 2 of 10 doses.

Interesting to note...my 12 yr old son came home fron school and asked how I was feeling.  Told him alot better but still sick and need to stay in bed and rest.  I explained to him that this flu hits you really hard making you very weak and miserable, then a few hours later the fever breaks and you feel better, then back to misery with a fever, chills, vomit, cough, etc...it comes in waves.  He says to me..."sounds like Cluster Headaches attacking then leaving you alone, then attacking, etc."...I am so blessed to have such a wonderful supporter, my son

I'm not going to be missing the flu shot ever again and plan to get vaccinated next week when physically ok to avoid a repeat flu in a month or two when flu season really hits.

-Gregg in Las Vegas

I think this is the worst year we've had in a while. I got the flu shot and still came down with something..

Chirstmas Day I ended up in ER with pneumonia and then in the hospital. Had the flu shot so it weren't the flu, but it was terrible and I'm ready for SPRING or something.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and next time get the shot.. 

As of yesterday, the news reported this is officially an Epidemic now widespread flu in every state.  My guess is it will soon be reported as having crossed international borders to include Canada and Mexico and be labeled a Pandemic. 

Although I am lucky enough to feel 75% better after 6 days because I got to the doctor in time to get Tamiflu...most people do not get to the doctor in time and are not eligible for Tamiflu and are prescribed Amoxicillin which is not very effective compaably treating the flu as Tamiflu.

All of the documented cases of the flu are limited numbers from those who like myself got tested with a nasal swab and reported to the local health district which forwards to the CDC.  I imagine the true statistics are at least 5x greater than what is reported as most people do not get to the doctor within 72 hours to get tested.  For those who get to the doctors office after 72 hours of 1st sign of symptoms, the test is not able to be given/reported and you may have the flu but are not part of the statistical numbers reported city/county/statewide.

Also if you are showing symptoms of the flu, you must get tested within 72 hours or they will not prescribe Tamiflu.  They will then diagnose you with an upper respiratory infection but unable to confirm Type A or B influenza because the 72 hour time limit has lapsed.  Those people will be treated with Amoxicillin antibiotic which is not specific to treating influenza virus, but is 2nd best prescribed med.

Hence, a typical 10 day to 3 week recovery with Amoxicillin opposed to typical 5 to 7 day recovery with Tamiflu. 

This is a very bad strain this year and is all over local and national news and common talk among local employers, schools and churches.

My financial mistake...
$30 bucks for a flu shot I never got
                 vs
$150 Walgreens take care clinic visit + $200 Tamiflu/cough syrup/albuterol inhaler + loss of income/time off work + loss of productivity with personal life + etc + etc = PAY THE $30 and GET THE FLU SHOT!

Is the flu shot 100% effective?  Nope!  But all of the pharmacists, nurses, doctors and health care providers who are treating sick people...ALL got flu shots and are standing upright.  So the odds are in your favor if you do get the flu shot opposed to not getting the flu shot.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap including fingernails for at least 20 seconds before you eat, after you eat, after you handle trash, after you go to the bathroom, after you use kleenex to sneeze or cough, etc. 

Sounds tedious to wash your hands so often, but most people studies find, do not wash their hands as often as they should which lead to bacteria growth and attract the virus.

In addition to getting the flu shot, washing your hands with soap is the most effective ally in your arsenal...of course regular exercise, eating healthy and avoiding those you know who are contaminated are highly recommended. 

Some people recommend avoiding the common hug to those friends you happen to run into while out and about and give a fist bump instead of a handshake.

I've seen many people here in Las Vegas walking around in public wearing a N95 filter mask to prevent spreading what they have and/or catching something from others.  I read that the flu is contagious from a person who is 6 feet away from you from somebody else.  So when standing in line, talking to the person in front or back of you may actually put you at risk.  When you talk, invisible droplets of moisture from your mouth are exerted into the air and are a potential respiratory contagion.

Unfortunately due to my poor $30 mistake, I have experienced all of the common flu symptoms this past week and read so much on this subject in the past few days that I conclude everybody is at risk for the flu; not just the elderly, children and those with respiratory issues. 

Sorry for the long rant, but the bottom line is this flu is real and it sucks to be so weak and physically helpless that standing or getting up out of bed to pee is a serious task. 

Nobody likes being bed-ridden/homebound, right?  My intent of writing this long, long, lol, rant is not to come across as mister pissed off doom and gloom, but to shed some realistic light to those fellow CH'ers that are probably similar to myself...stubborn...thinking I never got it before, it won't happen to me.  Step down from the pride on this one and get yourself a shot while still available.  Trust me!

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!

-Gregg in Las Vegas