Do you know anyone with (suspected) Swine Flu?

[janeyo]

My son has been unwell for a few days, and took him to docs this mornong and was told he has to be treated for swine flu, even though it might not be that.

I was quite shocked as it hadn't even entered my head it could be that. Doc said as we were cooped up on plane last week the chances of it being that are higher.

I have got to keep him off school and inform all the parents of the 30 children we had round yesterday for a party to watch for symptoms too. Am I gonna be popular or what... ?!

My little boy even asked when his friends were going home as he felt too ill to do any more bouncing on the bouncy castle lol. Poor thing he has waited all year for his party then couldn't really enjoy it.

Does anyone know of anyone who's had the real thing or been suspected of it?

[OverWyreGrower]

We've had a few cases at the Uni now, including one member of our senior staff.

The HPA etc aren't testing/swabbing any more, as they aren't in the 'containment' phase of this.

From what people have said, it's ranged from full blown flu - bed ridden and everything, to a horrible sore throat and voice loss.

Our emergency co-ordinator said that we're better getting it now, rather than in the autumn....

[janeyo]

He is more of the 'horrible sort throat, high temp, lethargic' symptoms... but could be any kind of virus as well.

We live in a tiny village so I guess I just thought we'd kind of by-pass it all!

[allotmentlady]

awwww janeyo give him a massive hug from auntie mo, poor lad xxxxx dont u worry what others, may or may not think, he isnt the first nor the last and its probably just a precaution, the doctors treating him for it. IF u get any symptoms, go see your doctor, I personally feel too many people are panicking, we all get summer colds/flu, especially when the weather changes so often. Wish I was closer to give you all a hug xxx

[rustylady]

Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but this Swine Flue reminds me of the Bird Flu scare last year or the year before. People who are generally in good health shouldn't suffer too much from this virus - after all it's just another variant on all the flu bugs that are always with us

[janeyo]

He seems fine, as I am dosing him up on calpol, nurofen as I would anyway when he's poorly.

I am not one for panicking over these things, and he's generally very healthy. They have to make these precautions, but it was a nightmare trying to find somewhere to leave him so I could go and get the medicine! Chemist is always full of greys so daren't take him with me.

[bluemoon]

My brother had this, though it was probably caught in Greece. He was very ill, but his wife's symptoms were minor in comparison. He caught it at a time when they were still trying to contain it, so he had it confirmed with blood-tests and was given Tamiflu. He's fine now, but it caused major problems as he's a barrister and was in the middle of a trial at the time, normally he'd continue to work, no matter how ill he felt, but the decision wasn't his.
The NHS advice is to NOT go to your doctor, but to phone for advice, otherwise you risk spreading the virus to others in the surgery who might have other health problems and thus be badly affected.

[Bagpuss]

Hi Janeyo

I'm just recovering from it. I would describe what I had as a cross between a very very bad cold and flu (I've never had flu but have seen others suffer). I had terrible terrible headaches, flushing fever, achey limbs, very sore throat, no engery and am (still) very bunged up.

I drink an awful lot of water anyway, my I had such a thirst that I was drinking gallons.

I didn't want to take the tamiflu (I am not a high risk group) as I (personal decision completely) would rather my body try to fight it. I starting feeling "odd" last Sunday, headache and sore throat Monday, cold on Tuesday then hit with it full on - Thursday was the worst day as I could hardly get myself to the loo. Feeling much much brighter now, but am still v tired and snotty (tmi?)/

Dose him up and make sure that he is drinking lots and lots of fluids. Get a hand gel (if he is old enough) and get him to use it everytime he blows his nose to stop it crossing to the rest of my family. I'm taking a multi vitamin and a seven seas tonic to help with the fatigue

My OH seems to have escaped with a cold but we have slept in different rooms and no kissing !

Hope this helps a little ?

[BumbleB]

Yes. I posted here last week. My friends hubby is just getting over it. I also know of schools that are closing early for the holidays in a bid to stop any further cases.

Wishing everyone a speedy recovery if they do go down with this.

[vikkib]

Apparently my cousin has it.

I say apparently as I heard the news via my Mum who spoke to her sister who is my cousins Mum and I have to confess neither my Mum or her sister are renound for their accuracy!

My Mum just stated 'Stephen has swine flu' and when pressed further he 'apparently' hasn't has a swab or anything to confirm it but he is suffering from flu symptoms and has, again, 'apparently' been issued with Tamiflu.

I found the last part scariest if it's true. I would have thought they would be only prescribing Tamiflu to people with clinically diagnosed swine flu, not just suspected cases. Otherwise, surely this will lessen the potential impact of the treatment and give many more strains of flu the opportunity to develop resistance to it therefore making it less effective?

Having said that I believe Tamiflu doesn't cure any type of flu; just lessens the symptoms and reduces the risk of severe complications.

[Bagpuss]

You're right Vikkib - I think they call this the treatment phase. They are not swobbing anyone who presents symptoms anymore, presumable to reduce the spread further. It seems to me that Dr's are taking a different approach.
Mine told me that guidance told her to issue me with the Tamiflu, when I said I wasn't that happy about it, she said she was happy enough to allow me to "fight" it myself, but if I got worse I had to take it.
From what she told me it doesn't necessarily "cure" the flu, but lessen the symptoms, which can be important for those in high risk groups
She also mentioned that they are expecting a second wave later in the year (deep joy) which may be a mutated version of what there is at the mo.
TBH I do not think it is really any different to sesonal flu

[janeyo]

My brother had this, though it was probably caught in Greece. He was very ill, but his wife's symptoms were minor in comparison. He caught it at a time when they were still trying to contain it, so he had it confirmed with blood-tests and was given Tamiflu. He's fine now, but it caused major problems as he's a barrister and was in the middle of a trial at the time, normally he'd continue to work, no matter how ill he felt, but the decision wasn't his.
The NHS advice is to NOT go to your doctor, but to phone for advice, otherwise you risk spreading the virus to others in the surgery who might have other health problems and thus be badly affected.

My son is 4. If he's ill with fever, sore throat for a few days, etc I will take him to the doctors (or call one out). It could have been tonsilitis or throat / ear infection. I don't care what advice they give, if my children are 'ill' they see a doctor. If my 2 year old gets any symptoms too he will be seeing a doctor too. No question.

[janeyo]

Hi Janeyo

I'm just recovering from it. I would describe what I had as a cross between a very very bad cold and flu (I've never had flu but have seen others suffer). I had terrible terrible headaches, flushing fever, achey limbs, very sore throat, no engery and am (still) very bunged up.

I drink an awful lot of water anyway, my I had such a thirst that I was drinking gallons.

I didn't want to take the tamiflu (I am not a high risk group) as I (personal decision completely) would rather my body try to fight it. I starting feeling "odd" last Sunday, headache and sore throat Monday, cold on Tuesday then hit with it full on - Thursday was the worst day as I could hardly get myself to the loo. Feeling much much brighter now, but am still v tired and snotty (tmi?)/

Dose him up and make sure that he is drinking lots and lots of fluids. Get a hand gel (if he is old enough) and get him to use it everytime he blows his nose to stop it crossing to the rest of my family. I'm taking a multi vitamin and a seven seas tonic to help with the fatigue

My OH seems to have escaped with a cold but we have slept in different rooms and no kissing !

Hope this helps a little ?

As he's only 4 he often doesn't explain how he feels! I just hope he gets better soon. I will soon know when he starts asking for the tv to be on again - at the mo he doesn't even want this, lol.

Thanks for reassuring me a bit

[bluemoon]

My son is 4. If he's ill with fever, sore throat for a few days, etc I will take him to the doctors (or call one out). It could have been tonsilitis or throat / ear infection. I don't care what advice they give, if my children are 'ill' they see a doctor. If my 2 year old gets any symptoms too he will be seeing a doctor too. No question.

Absolutely, I wouldn't muck about if it was a young child either. My bro is in his 40's though! He was one of the first cases in this country and also, as there was a possibility that he's caught it in Greece, it was thought that he might have a more virulent strain, which is why all the fuss was made.

[BarleySugar]

We've had a letter go round at school to say one of the kids has 'suspected' swine flu, but the advice from county is now that it doesn't spread any more quickly in schools than anywhere else, so we don't need to close.
The kid's brother says he isn't too bad, but he's staying with his mum, while the other 2 boys have moved in with dad. Be just our luck to catch it just as we start the holidays! I did notice the year 9 group were going a bit mad with the hand cleanser when they came in and out of the room today