Regarding influenza

[irish]

I have been reading about the higher incidence of influenza this year and have wondered what the statistics are where all of you live. This makes you think twice about shopping and being out and about.It seems the shot is only working 30% of the time. As usual the young and the old and being more affected. I am guessing there may be some nursing homes that may be having a problem.
A young man from California came home from college over Christmas and felt ill and went back to college. He went to the doctor a few days later and they air lifted him to a bigger center. He dies 24 hours later from pneumonia and organ failure. So sad. His mother could hardly believe it. Irish

[susanep]

Irish it terrifies me to have to go to the store for food. We had a severe stomach virus a week or so ago. I came very close to going into the hospital. I hear the hospitals are packed with people with the flu, and telling others to not go into the hospital if they are not a patient.

I am sure the nursing homes around here are not allowing visitors.

Take care everyone.

susanep

[Deb 27]

I heard of quite a few people sick with the flu around Christmas.  We went inside a very crowded restaurant yesterday and I thought with all those people crammed in like sardines, someone  could have spread the flu quickly. Glad we got out of there quickly!  I got the shot and am using hand sanitizer like crazy.  It could be a long winter!

[bluegardenia]

also in italy this year its awful. we had 30 people dead from it. im terrified of going out but i have to, i wash my hands continually and clean phone and computer every day. seems that this is the worst week then it will fade

[eye2dry]

Hi to all.

Today is day 2 for me with the flu. My husband says he got it from the delivery man
At work. I wash my hands like crazy...use antibacterial gel when out......to no avail.

I have chills and fever, headache...body aches, wet cough...nausea. treating myself with OTC.

My elderly in laws are off limits....don't want to infect them.

Everyone take care and precautions.

Shelly

[Carolina]

Dearest Angels,

I am sooo lucky not to fear getting the flu.
This is because I have IVIG every four weeks,
and I have normal IgA.

Since I don't really get immunities from the Pneumonia
vaccine, it is possible that I don't get immunity from the flu
using  the flu Vaccine.  But I have the flu Vaccine every year.

Since starting the IVIG over four years ago, I have not been sick at all.
I still do occasionally get a cold sore, that virus is very pervasive.

of course part of me still thinks I may start getting sick again all the time.

But I hope not!.

[jazzlover]

We've been in Texas and about 10 people have died in Houston already from the flu (where we were). We drove 12 hours yesterday to get home to MO. My husband was sick the whole way. He drove like a Zombie but we made it. Poor thing! He is very ill today, and we are snowed in.

I doubt we can get him any help until Thursday due to frigid temps and the fact that we live on top of a steep hill! We were lucky to get UP the hill last night.

So .. I guess I'm next. We both had the stomach flu in mid-December, then his dad died and we had to make TWO trips to Texas. We are WASTED, to say the least.

and...our pantry and refrigerator are basically empty....

end of rant ...

[irish]

jazzlover, I am going to worry about your hubby and hope that you don't get the flu. I hope someone can bring you some groceries, esp 7-up, jello, tea, soup etc. Sorry that you have had such a wicked time of it these past weeks. Stay warm and hope your hubby can shake this bug. Good luck. Irish

[Carolina]

Dearest jazzlover,

Who takes care of the care giver?  I hope your husband can help you, if you, too, become ill.

The 'flu is a horrible illness. I remember, to this day, having the flu in 1986 and as the pain travelled up my body from joint to joint, I was sure I would die when it got to my head (I was 24, now almost 76, so obviously I didn't die). 

Be well, be gentle towards yourself.

Love, Elaine

[jazzlover]

Thanks, guys.

I have food hubby can eat, but he's been too nauseous anyway. He has crud in his chest and I guess the mucous is making him sick to his stomach. He had high fever last night, but is better today. He said he won't get out until at least tomorrow to go to Urgent Care. It was zero this a.m. Lucky us, our doctor is out of town. I don't know for how long.

I'm beginning to cough and it sounds like it's in my chest. I don't feel too horrible .. yet. Sigh.

I told him to take notes on how to take care of me! I've been taking very good care of him. I hope he can sleep today. He slept very little last night. I slept about 5 hours.

Carolina .. I've had the flu many times. You live through it (usually), but yes, feel like death.

PS .. The food issue is really mine. I need fresh food, nothing canned. That's a bit of a problem right now. Even my frozen meats in the freezer are too "old" for me to eat. I had some chicken yesterday but it made me itch.

[lorigacc]

I have had this flu since Christmas. Just cant shake it. Tried treating it myself, but finally went to the doctors yesterday.  I seem to get sick every January.  I believe I get run down with all the Christmas prepping and then become more susceptable.  Taking one day at a time right now.

[lorigacc]

Jazzlover....will keep you and your hubby in my prayers. My husband has it too, it does seem to get rid of it sooner than I do however. 

[eye2dry]

Day 4 with the flu.....no real improvement yet. I remember Tuesday night I was laying in bed
Suffering and thought .....could I die.. I have nausea too with vomiting.
But I feel starved.


Take care all.
Shelly