Here is the family illness timeline:
Son #3 got the flu Oct. 2. Got over it in about 5 days.
Daughter #2 got it Oct. 7. Got over it in about 5 days.
I got it Oct. 13. Daughter #3 got it the day after me.
So far no one in my family has had a critical case. None of us are in the high risk category: pregnant, diabetic, heart disease, asthma, kidney disease, weakened immunue systems. The H1N1 flu shot was limited in our area. Hello, we didn’t have time to get it.
Illness Timeline
Oct. 13 Day 1: tickle in my throat, then sore throat, tired, body aches. Made the mistake to go to the preschool fieldtrip and grocery store because I “didn’t feel so bad.” Sorry everyone I came in contact with.
Oct. 14 Day 2: fever of 99 to 100, congested, sinus headache, body aches, sore throat, coughing. Stayed home. Time to be a responsible adult. 200 kids home ill from our junior high.
Oct. 15 Day 3: body aches, no fever (because on meds), congested, sinus headache, sore throat, coughing, feel yucky, but I can be up more. I am staying home with daughter #3.
Things I am grateful for. Lots of food (we are hungry instead of nauseous), meds (DayQuil, NyQuil, ibuprofen), cough drops, and kleenex in the house. Ordered pizza last night. Glad I planned on having some items in advance because I do not want to go to the store.
What do I wish I had had more of? DVD’s. TV is pretty boring these days. I’m tired of watching everyone remodel their kitchen or hear about a national health plan.
Advice? STAY HOME! FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS AFTER FEVER IS GONE. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine)
What are “emergency warning signs” that should signal anyone to seek medical care urgently?
In children:
•Fast breathing or trouble breathing
•Bluish skin color
•Not drinking enough fluids
•Not waking up or not interacting
•Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
•Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
•Fever with a rash
In adults:
•Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
•Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
•Sudden dizziness
•Confusion
•Severe or persistent vomiting
More information on H1N1