I just read this thread. Unfortunately, I share some of those symptoms. Fortunately, I haven’t died (yet).
As far as I can recall, I have only once in my life had any kind of flu (at least I assume that’s what it was). At that time, I ached all over and couldn’t get warm despite being under a comforter, an electric blanket, and inside a 40 degree F rated sleeping bag, and it lasted for about a week. I was totally miserable.
What I have had lately is some congestion in my head and lungs, a persistent headache, some digestive issues, and a general feeling that I’m not quite well.
I had H1N1 a few weeks ago and my symptoms were quite mild.
The first day I had a mild cough. The next day at work I was tired, a bit achy and probably had a slight fever. The next day I was more tired and achy and felt mentally dull.
From the next day on, I started feeling better. By the time I got my test results a few days later and found out I had H1N1 I was almost fully recovered, if a little bit more tired than usual.
Obviously, other people had it much worse, especially the ones who died.
Just before the swine flu outbreak was identified, I came down with sudden flu-like symptoms that were unusual. It all started deep in my lungs. I had a high fever and achiness. I’m thinking that’s what I had, and I’d love to get an antibody test to see if there is evidence of it. Where can I get a test for past infection with H1N1?
Here’s the British National Health Service’s self-diagnosis questionnaire.
The father of a girl I work with has it, and in addition to the usual flu symptoms, has very bad diaorreah.
If that’s a symptom, it’s a very good idea to get a good supply of rehydration salts - the advice on the packet is one sachet in the recommended amount of water, per bowel movement. Dehydration is no joke, can be life-threatening, and often bears no relation to how thirsty a sufferer feels.
(IANAD but I’ve had a lot of tropical diseases and learned the hard way about hydration.)
From what I understand they need to test within the first two days of infection to see if it’s H1N1. There might be some research-level test that could detect past infection, but what’s in general use needs to be done right away.
