H1N1 / Swine Flu

I'm just curious to hear from others who have tested positive for H1N1 / Swine Flu.

I came home from work on Tuesday and felt very drained. My energy was gone, and I just figured I needed a quick hour long nap. I laid down and didnt wake up until my wife woke me at about 7:15. She took my temp and it was a little high... 100.3. I walked out to the couch and couldn't stay awake... She woke me up again at 9:30 and I walked back into our room and slept all night.

I woke up on Wednesday and felt a bit better. I was still running a fever of 100.6. I was coughing quite a bit and I figured it was another case of bronchitis. I worked 14 hours because there was a big event going on and I couldnt miss it. I got home from work at about 9:15pm and was in bed by 9:25. Again, the fever was not breaking and I was taking tylenol and nyquil.

Thursday morning I felt really good when I woke up. I think the tylenol and nyquil were still working. I went and did a quick photoshoot and was back in the office and all of a sudden it felt like I got hit by a train again. So I was excused from work and went to the doctor. I had a temp of 103.3 and was tested for the swine flu. It came back positive.

During these three days, clear up until today, I have ached from head to toe. I have not gotten sick to my stomach, but have not had energy to do much at all. My legs felt as if I were about to get a charlie horse, but never did. I felt as if I were chilled to the bone, but to touch my skin you'd think I was burning up.

The doctor merely prescribed me a cough medicine with codeine, and directed me to continue taking tylenol to break the fever. I had done the flumist on Sunday at drill, so there wasnt anything else they could have done - even if they had the H1N1 vaccine, I'd have to wait another week.

So there's my story.... I'd just like to hear from others about their experience to really see if indeed this was H1N1.

Also, now that I've had it (if indeed I did) is there a benefit to get the vaccine?? Has my body built up its immunity to it now?

I'm glad you posted this thread, I'm anxious to read the responses.

I've not had anything.

Part of me thinks it's just a flu, where normal people get sick and people with any kind of complications suffer a greater.

Not making light of the situation at all, but I wonder if the government has caused a panic over a flu virus, when "normal" virus hit the exact same way and people die from them also.

Again, don't flame me.

Interested in hearing the rest of the reports and thoughts

I'm with you Lisa... if this is indeed the swine flu like they said it was after testing me... I honestly think this is better than the regular flu simply because I didnt vomit. I understand that reactions may differ from person to person. But I have been okay for the most part. The lack of energy and aching from head to toe (literally) has been the worst.

I haven't had it but I've diagnosed about 10 people with it at work.
You can also take a Tamiflu 75mg tab two times a day for 5 days to decrease the severity and duration of the flu if it's started within 48 hours. However, this isn't recommended for healthy children over 5 and adults (mainly so we don't run out of the medicine). Vast majority of people without any underlying medical illness will recover in about 5-7 days. However, the swine flu is more fatal in pregnant women than other flu strains for unknown reasons.

If you have the swine flu (sorry Pork industry, who is trying to change the name to H1N1) then a vaccine won't help you as you already will have antibodies to the virus once you have recovered. However, getting the vaccine afterwards won't hurt, it just won't help you any. IMO, government has not created a panic, I think it's the mass media that has done so and the government is just responding.

Many that die of the flu actually die of respiratory issues like a pneumonia that occurs after the flu, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor if you are having really bad respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath and very bad coughing. Otherwise medications to treat the symptoms of cough, fever, body ache, and plenty of rest and fluids is all 99% of us need.

We can all do ourselves a favor if those infected stay home so you don't infect others too. Flu is spread by contact with respiratory secretions so if you touch your nose/mouth then wash your hands and the things you have touched.

Hope you recover soon.

They told me not to take the tamiflu because I had the flumist just last Sunday... something about them contradicting each other.

Thanks for the response there Tee... much appreciated.

LeesaB wrote in post #8793624
I wonder if the government has caused a panic over a flu virus, when "normal" virus hit the exact same way and people die from them also.

The real difference is in WHO dies from the flu. With the ordinary annual strains, it's mostly the old and the sickly. With H1N1, kids die. That's a huge distinction.

SoaringUSAEagle wrote in post #8793739
They told me not to take the tamiflu because I had the flumist just last Sunday... something about them contradicting each other.

Thanks for the response there Tee... much appreciated.

It takes about 14 days for the flu vaccine to actually produce antibodies, so while it may prevent the flumist from actually taking effect, the Tamiflu will prevent the virus that you already have been infected with from reproducing. Once you recover you'll make antibodies the old fashion way (from actually getting the disease) so Tamiflu blocking the effects of the vaccine is a moot point IMO.

No, but one of my very very good friends passed away from it almost a week ago. Sucks.

jgrussell wrote in post #8793748
The real difference is in WHO dies from the flu. With the ordinary annual strains, it's mostly the old and the sickly. With H1N1, kids die. That's a huge distinction.

I hear pregnant women who make up about 1% of the population is responsible for 10% of the deaths. The young who normally recover very well from the influenza are having a tougher time with the swine flu.
The thinking is that older ones have seen strains of the flu similar to the swine flu and that may give a small protective effect, while to the young, they have never seen this type of a flu before.

As a healthcare professional I have to get the H1N1vaccine. You've pretty much described all your symptoms and you've nailed it right on the head. I'm glad you're doing much better. From my own experience at work, others aren't so lucky.

Appreciate the responses and I hate to say it's like sars in fact I do not believe they are alike.

I shake over 4k hands on any given week but after I do, I wash my hands and before that I am very careful not to touch my face at all.

It's amazing that of all those people, I only know one woman who will not shake hands with anyone because of the flu.

jdizzle wrote in post #8794838
As a healthcare professional I have to get the H1N1vaccine. You've pretty much described all your symptoms and you've nailed it right on the head. I'm glad you're doing much better. From my own experience at work, others aren't so lucky.

Again, I appreciate the feedback - I knew we had some healthcare workers on here somewhere I'm normally very healthy, maybe catching a cold once a year, or once every two years. The last time I had the flu was in 2006.

I do consider myself lucky as I was able to fight this off fairly naturally. Tylenol and Nyquil = my best friends.

SoaringUSAEagle wrote in post #8793654
I'm with you Lisa... if this is indeed the swine flu like they said it was after testing me... I honestly think this is better than the regular flu simply because I didnt vomit. I understand that reactions may differ from person to person. But I have been okay for the most part. The lack of energy and aching from head to toe (literally) has been the worst.

First of all, I'm sorry you've been sick!!!!! Not fun.

The stomach "flu" and influenza are two different things. Using "flu" for the stomach flu is a misnomer because the true flu (influenza) affects your respiratory system and not your digestive system. Although, with H1N1, some people can have the stomach side of it. I think the flu is much easier to deal with because you can still eat, even if you don't have an appetite. Throwing up is the absolute worst. I hate it more than anything.

I too am glad you posted this thread. Being pregnant (and a healthcare worker), I'm terrified of getting H1N1, even though I know they're going to make me get the vaccine. Not sure when that's going to happen though.

The swine flu is scary for some. But generally I think you should be okay. My friend who died from it a bit over a week ago was 18, varsity athlete. I'm not sure how or why it got him so bad, but you just gotta be careful I guess.

There have been two deaths where I'm from. Friend of mine said they had it; didn't report it..stupid really. Why mess around with something like that? It's not funny..sure the death ratio is low but there is still a death ratio and how crippled would you feel if it was someone close o you.

Sorry Scotte, for your loss