# Mrs. L.A. is sick **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120 "2016-02-04T03:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/1 "2016-02-04T03:16:00Z")
She was just getting over a cold after a week and a half. This morning she was awake before I was, puking. She’s presenting vomiting, diarrhea, body ache, and weakness. She called to me when I was in the kitchen, and her voice is so weak I didn’t hear her. Sounds like flu to me… and she’s had her flu shot. I was worried I’d catch her cold. I _really_ don’t want what she has. I had it a decade or so ago, and it was horrible. I want her to be well, and quickly. We have our phones in case she wants anything or wants me to take her to the hospital. (She’ll want to go to the VA in Seattle, since she doesn’t care for the local hospital.) ☹ ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/2 "2016-02-04T04:00:36Z")
I’m no medical professional, but that not only sounds like Influenza, it sounds bad enough for a doctor visit, stat. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/3 "2016-02-04T04:03:09Z")
Come now, you–of all people–should be able to whip up some Jewish Penicillin for your inamorata. Get crackin’! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/4 "2016-02-04T04:06:42Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I’m no medical professional, but that not only sounds like Influenza, it sounds bad enough for a doctor visit, stat. My PCP is less than a mile from here. She doesn’t have insurance except for VA, but she can pay for the office visit here. She’s a nurse, so it has to be her decision to go to the doctor. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Come now, you–of all people–should be able to whip up some Jewish Penicillin for your inamorata. Get crackin’! She had me pick up chicken soup on the way home. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/5 "2016-02-04T04:07:25Z")
It sounds like ebola…or possibly space aids. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/6 "2016-02-04T04:15:31Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > My PCP is less than a mile from here. She doesn’t have insurance except for VA, but she can pay for the office visit here. **She’s a nurse, so it has to be her decision to go to the doctor.** > > She had me pick up chicken soup on the way home. Nurses and doctors are said to be the worse patients. Exert your dominance. 😃 Seriously, another vote for doctor. Or ER. Now. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/7 "2016-02-04T04:24:33Z")
If she refuses to go, you need to pile 10 or 15 thick blankets on her while she’s sleeping and burn it out (keep the fluids going). Works for me every time. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/8 "2016-02-04T04:55:21Z")
In a couple of days you might know that is Norovirus (you will have it too) - at least that is what happened to me in a similar situation. As Stephen Colbert advises, "Remember, if you’re in public and have the winter vomiting bug, be polite and vomit into your elbow.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/9 "2016-02-04T05:18:55Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > In a couple of days you might know that is Norovirus (you will have it too) - at least that is what happened to me in a similar situation. She visited a patient yesterday, and sanitised her hands afterward. She went somewhere else, but I don’t remember. She also went to Jack In The Box. I wonder if any of the food service workers was sick. ETA: The Applebees in town had at least two norovirus outbreaks in the last year or two. So the virus exists here. . ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/10 "2016-02-04T05:25:01Z")
It’s not the flu. The flu is a respiratory virus. Like others have said its a stomach bug like norovirus. It will seem violent and horrible for like 12-24 hours then she’ll rest peacefully and then you’ll get it too. If that’s not the case, if it lasts longer than a day, then visit the doctor. But there’s nothing you can do yet but wait it out. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/11 "2016-02-04T05:34:03Z")
Just checked the CDC website. Could be norovirus. I don’t think it’s the same virus as her cold, but she texted her boss who suggested it might be. They’re the nurses, but I’ve (personally) never seen a ‘cold’ turn into a ‘flu’. Since it seemed to hit pretty suddenly, and since norovirus can hit in 12 hours, a norovirus infection can’t be ruled out. I guess we’ll find out if I come down with it in the next 12 to 48 hours. [quote] The most common symptoms— [ul][li]diarrhea[/li][li]throwing up[/li][li]nausea[/li][li]stomach pain[/ul][/li] Other symptoms— [ul][li]fever[/li][li]headache[/li][li]body aches[/ul][/li] \ Symptoms of dehydration— [ul][li]decrease in urination[/li][li]dry mouth and throat[/li][li]feeling dizzy when standing up[/ul][/li][/quote] She hasn’t mentioned a headache, and the only stomach pain she mentioned was that Robitussin and Nyquil hurt her stomach. She hasn’t complained of dry mouth or throat, and she’s not feeling dizzy upon standing. But she did mention she’d urinated, which indicates a decrease in urination. Treatment for norovirus is to drink plenty of fluids and feel miserable for three days. In addition to the soup, she asked me to pick up Gatorade. I got her four litres. She’s drinking that, and had some broth from the soup. The CDC says ‘Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration. But, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals.’ So the Gatorade will help with the dehydration and the broth will help with the nutrients. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/12 "2016-02-04T05:37:53Z")
Have you tried homeopathy? [farnsworth]Or a big fat placebo! It’s all the same crap![/farnsworth] ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/13 "2016-02-04T17:59:26Z")
Arthritic goat’s milk will get her back on her feet in no time. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/14 "2016-02-04T18:27:40Z")
She seems to be doing better. She’s lost her voice and can only whisper. But her stomach seems to be better and asked me to make her some Irish oats. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/15 "2016-02-04T18:44:28Z")
I don’t think she’s in any condition to be demanding about where her next bowl of oatmeal comes from. j/m/o. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/16 "2016-02-04T23:15:34Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > She seems to be doing better. She’s lost her voice and can only whisper. But her stomach seems to be better and asked me to make her some Irish oats. You’re gonna put whiskey in her breakfast? Going to Irish up those oats, eh? You’re the best hubby in the whole wide room. Fun is fun, but seriously, I hope she’s feeling better; flu ain’t fun. ---
**Author:** ![Calla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Calla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calla)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/17 "2016-02-04T23:20:46Z")
I hope she is feeling better soon! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/18 "2016-02-04T23:33:07Z")
> [@Calla](#): > > I hope she is feeling better soon! Still whispering (pretty much), but she seems to be improving. Anyway, she’s _much_ better than she was last night. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/19 "2016-02-05T00:07:08Z")
Good news! ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120/20 "2016-02-05T00:33:54Z")
This went through my family a few weeks ago. It took turns–first the youngest, then me, then the wife, then the oldest. But recovery was fairly quick, only a few days were really bad. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrs-l-a-is-sick/745120.md?page=2)