At 31 years of age, I got my first flu shot. This was just a couple of months ago. They tell you that there’s no guarantee you won’t get another strain and that the shot only protects you from one strain.
Guess what? I think I have the flu! Either that or the worst cold I’ve ever had.
Symptoms (All started on Friday):
Head feels stuffed with foam.
Ears feel like they’re going to burst.
Without Tylenol, my head feels as if it’s going to explode.
Feel like I’m going to sneeze at least once every five minutes. Every fifteen minutes, I actually sneeze.
Watery eyes.
Runny nose.
Very slight cough.
Irregular chills.
Loss of appetite.
General tiredness.
Want my mommy.
I’m on antibiotics and I always take Allegra D, so I’ve got my decongestant going. I’ve been forcing liquids all day and I’m having a nice brothy soup for dinner. I’m also calling in sick tomorrow, dammit.
All you can do is rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics for discomfort.
If symptoms grow worse or persist beyond about ten days, see your doctor.
Unless you are taking antibiotics for another condition, know that they will not help your Flu, which is viral, not microbial.
Most Flu vaccines are attenuated live viruses, and in some cases can actually cause the Flu; looks like you drew the short straw this time around, hon.
The Flu and Canthearya too! That’s too bad. I hope you feel better soon. I’ll be moving shortly, maybe you guys can come over for a visit when you’re better
Flu vaccines DO NOT cause flu any more. There are a crapload of different strains out there, though, and the vaccine is just for whatever the top-4 hits of the season are (I, too, got a shot this year and got the flu last week, alas).
Be careful, dammit. This one is UGLY. The hubby and I both have pneumonia now. I’m suffering through assorted breathing treatments (thank god there’s a new drug that doesn’t taste as bad as the old ones) but I’m still terrified they’re going to admit me and leave my hubby home alone to deal with the kids.
Whee, asthma AND the Alien Death Plague. What a year. Can we start over and try again?
I hate to differ with you MK…but the flu shot does affect different people in different ways…I had the flu shot three years in a row…and every time…I had a 48 hour flu…confirmed by the doctor…and he also told me that the flu shot will give some people a very mild case of the flu…I haven’t had the flu shot now in 4 years…but this year I did get sick…I’m not sure it was the flu…but it lasted for 2 weeks at Christmas. OJ and Therma-flu made me feel the best.
“Do or do not, there is no try” - Yoda
You wanna know something about me…ask me…not my friends…
Thanks for the well-wishes and sounds of sympathy, y’alluns.
I forgot a couple of symptoms:
Swollen glands, mostly on right side.
Tickly throat.
Sinuses so stuffed that they creeeeaaak after I blow my nose.
*Whine, whine, bitch, bitch, moan, moan, me me me me me me me…
Who cares about you? We’re talking about me here!*
Seriously though, Suze, I sure hope that you and your family feel better. I assume you don’t have someone you trust enough to watch your kids for a couple of days while you and your hubby re-coup… If you do, maybe you should consider it. You needs some rest, mah sistuh.
Seriously, the flu this season is Really Bad. I had it over Thanksgiving and only just felt fully myself after Christmas. (not to be discouraging or anything)
If you haven’t yet, try lying in bed with the covers pulled up to your ears and the electric blanket on as high as you can stand it. I didn’t believe it myself, but my own nursemaid forced me to do it, and after a whole day like that, the fever broke and I started to feel better.
And of course drink as much fluid as you can stand - you’ll need it.
Fevers are the body’s attempt to fight off the flu. You get hot cause its working to do it’s job. Why commercials try to sell stuff to surpress them baffles me. Unless, of course, youhave a very high fever.
I had the flu last month…when I get the flu…my main problem is how LONG it lasts…with secondary stuff. This yead I took Tamiflu (one of the new anti virals)…The first 3 days or so are still crappy…but no LINGERING stuff for me…so if you have similar problems with the flu…I suggest at least asking your doc about it…keep in mind you have to take it within the first 48 hrs or so of the onset of symptoms…
I am about three weeks into the nastiest cold I’ve had for years. (insert lots of complaints here) I just got a new pressure cooker for x-mas (thanks Mom, now where’re the toys?!) so any DC dopers out there can stop by for some chicken soup.
Anyway, I’m not just here to enjoy the pity-party (though I am extending and asking for some sympathy. Ready – on three. One, two, three… Awwwww!) but to spread a bit of info. From the CDC’s official website, FAQ on the Flu:
Save your money. Most of the time going to the doc when you have a flu is useless. They say the same thing, rest, drink a lot of fluids & wait it out. There just saved ya a bundle.