The FLU boo hoo

[Regina]

We had the flu this week too....vomiting, fevers, sore throats, coughing, etc. My husband called in sick too, which he never does. Then, later on in the day, he said he was feeling better and feels guilty staying home. He was not better, but just felt guilty staying home (more likely, he didn't want to be home with us being more sick than he). Anyway, I told him no way is he going in and spreading it around because that is just plain selfish. I think his "work can't go on without me" ego was coming into play.

My kids get sick all the time because my in-laws send their kids back to school sick after the next day of them being sick. It stinks. At the beginning of the year (I can't remember if it was this year or last), I knew my in-laws were sending their kids to school sick, so I just kept mine home (they were well). They ended up staying well, but the rest of the school got sick. These are the same in-laws that shunned us for like 2 weeks when we had the flu last year. It made my kids feel horrible...I totally understood staying away from us for the 2 weeks because they didn't want to get sick, but it's the way they went about it (teasing my kids, even after 2 weeks of recovery time---at least a week or so of it being at home away from them), especially when they tend not to care if they are the ones getting us sick.

So, I am with the person that said this is a touchy subject. I feel that it is outright selfish for someone to go to work sick and spread it to others. Like I mentioned, people do it all the time at my kids school and could care a less the fact that my son has a chronic condition that this could adversely affect. They could care a less about other people, but in turn, they hate it when people do the same thing to them.

[Rebes]

Can one have the flu without having congestion/coughing? All of a sudden my daughter became very lethargic today, has a low grade temp. (about 100.5) has had no appetite and slept for 3 hours at noon (she doesn't nap anymore). Those are all the symptoms as of now. I hope it is a minor virus and not the flu!

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Rebes

Can one have the flu without having congestion/coughing? All of a sudden my daughter became very lethargic today, has a low grade temp. (about 100.5) has had no appetite and slept for 3 hours at noon (she doesn't nap anymore). Those are all the symptoms as of now. I hope it is a minor virus and not the flu!

Usually the respratory flu is fever, chills, cough, body aches, headache, for 5-7 days. The cough lasts 2-3 weeks.

Hopefuly she just has a little bug and it will pass quickly.

D

[AnneCaitlin]

Originally Posted by Regina

So, I am with the person that said this is a touchy subject. I feel that it is outright selfish for someone to go to work sick and spread it to others. Like I mentioned, people do it all the time at my kids school and could care a less the fact that my son has a chronic condition that this could adversely affect. They could care a less about other people, but in turn, they hate it when people do the same thing to them.

Right now it feels like our entire campus has the flu bug. It's especially bad when people come to class hacking and sneezing and clearly looking sick--I know you don't want to miss class, but please don't contaminate everyone else!! I've been lucky so far, which I credit to living off campus and intaking excessive amounts of orange juice.

[scissorhands]

Im not sure when I posted my original boo hoo but Im now feeling better. I still have a lingering cough but it took a while to recover. I was very sleepy for days after. I don't wish it on anyone...Joy

[Brenda]

Joy, Glad you are feeeling better!

[Kristie]

So, my sister had a cold/flu about 2 months ago and when she came over this weekend, i could tell she still had somewhat of a cough.. not really persistent but deep and she said she could *sometimes* taste and or smell something with it.

So, is that a bacterial or viral thing or will it just go away after awhile? she doesn't seem to think she needs antibiotics still.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Kristie

So, my sister had a cold/flu about 2 months ago and when she came over this weekend, i could tell she still had somewhat of a cough.. not really persistent but deep and she said she could *sometimes* taste and or smell something with it.

So, is that a bacterial or viral thing or will it just go away after awhile? she doesn't seem to think she needs antibiotics still.

No fever or chills....?
This is the WORST flu season I have ever seen.
The cough is lasting 4-6 weeks. If you have asthma, bronchitis, or COPD it makes it much worse.
If it is just a cough, I wouldn't worry too much. If she is fatigued and has a cough or is a smoker, then she probably needs a chest x-ray and seen by her provider.
We are finally getting a break this week from the cold and flu season. It has been standing room only at times..... CRAZY!!