Is there a flu epidemic at the moment ?

Calibos

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

I remember when I got swine flu around early December a couple of years ago. At the time there were constant reports of young people (not the usual flu casualties) seriously ill in hospital with it and the media coverage was extensive.

There was also a thread here in AH about it and posts similar to ones here about how you don't have swine flu if you are posting in AH - it's just a cold, you would know if you ever really had flu etc. My thinking was pretty much in line with these thoughts at the time and I remember that thread definitely consolidated my thoughts on the matter.

That was until my consultant insisted on swabbing to check on my "cold" as I have pre-existing heart issues. Turns out I did have swine flue even though I was still in work.

Honestly, different people are affected differently - not everybody is flat out with the flu.

Interesting......and I probably posted in the threads you referred to saying the things you talk about. Maybe like you, I wasn't giving myself or my body enough credit so to speak.

ie. I didn't think I had ever had the flu because surely I couldn't have had it and still functioned, even that time where the whole family were knocked out at the same time for a week and because I was able to work through the aches pains fever headaches nausea weakness, I not only still managed to work my own shifts in the family business but everyone elses too for over a week. We were all dying sick but I was dying slightly less. Turns out I might have actually had the flu that time and that I am just more superhuman than I already thought.

Go Me!!

TBH I'd heard stories like yours before where someone insisted they had the flu but powered through it (No medical confirmation of diagnosis though) but I always wrote them off as still simply not 'getting it', not getting the fact that if you were not confined to a bed for a week wishing for the release of death, then no matter what you thought you simply did not have the flu but a bad cold instead.

I think your the first that confirmed a flu diagnosis with a doc and swab.

Cool, We should get together sometime and start breeding more super humans

bb1234567

Ye could be, my brother, sister and cousin were all on antibiotics just last week. Chest infections, felt exhausted and weak all day and all that

thiarfearr

Struck down with this norovirus over the weekend and 4 others so far in the family. Its an awful dose, vomiting, diarrhea and aches and pains. Can't even keep down water and haven't eaten in 36 hours. Wasn't helped by the fact I was out drinking the night before, thought it was just a bad hangover but then it got worse instead of better

stateofflux

ive never had the flu before but i think i have it now . could feel a wave of weakness hit me last night, shivering, massive headache, overheating ,dry cough, inability to sleep...

PlainP

From America

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/widespread-flu-outbreak-rises-41-states-18138130

Lollipops23

I'm sick of people confusing the flu and a nasty head cold- they're not the same thing, and antibiotics won't do anything for either.

There has been a nasty strain of the common cold going around though- my mam and my OH had it, I thought I'd gotten away with it but came down with it over New Years. Really bad dose, proper feverish temp, sore throat and zero energy. However, I was back up and running after 3 days, so it certainly wasn't the flu.

Conrach

Lollipops23 wrote: »

I'm sick of people confusing the flu and a nasty head cold- they're not the same thing, and antibiotics won't do anything for either.

There has been a nasty strain of the common cold going around though- my mam and my OH had it, I thought I'd gotten away with it but came down with it over New Years. Really bad dose, proper feverish temp, sore throat and zero energy. However, I was back up and running after 3 days, so it certainly wasn't the flu.

It probably was the flu'! I work with GP's and there is a flu' going now that is effecting people with the same symptoms but the severity is different, even within the same house.
Blood tests are showing the same strain in people who feel grim but can function and those who are bedridden with it. This is why this thing is spreading and reaching epidemic proportions because those that can function are going out and about, to work, supermarket etc., spreading it.
They are expecting it to peak in the next 2-3 weeks because schools are back and people have returned to work after the holiday period.
Also the Norovirus peaked only a few weeks ago and it was a worse than normal season so a lot of people are going to have a weakened immunity so more susceptible to the flu'.
This flu' is also causing secondary infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis in the young and normally healthy.
Also this strain is not in the flu' vaccine. Not in the North and UK anyway.

Lollipops23

Conrach wrote: »

It probably was the flu'!

It's unlikely, as I had the flu jab. Honestly I think it was a bad cold- high temps and sore throats are par for the course.

degrassinoel

had a flue since 21st december, it's only starting to clear up now. I had a very lemsip christmas

El Guapo!

My gf has it for the past two weeks. She just can't seem to shake it.
For some reason though, I haven't caught it yet. The most I've had so far is a slightly sore throat and a stuffy nose.
I've probably jinxed myself now though.

Solair

I think people are confusing a complex interaction between a highly sophisticated biological system (humans) and a highly sophisticated virus (influenza) with something simple like a broken washing machine.

Different people will react differently to a virus like flu. It depends on how it hits them and how their body reacts.

One person may experience a bad head cold type thing. Another person may be unable to move and hallucinations might kick in!

We're not machines and biological systems are incredibly complex and constantly adapting to deal with new pathogens. So, it's only possible to say it could cause a range of symptoms and may last for a range of time.

You could be lucky and your immune system may figure out how to contain the infection quite quickly, or it may not figure it out for a while or may try a few totally useless attempts to attack it first!

You're dealing with adaptive, evolving bugs and a defense system that is basically intelligent! It actually has to analyse the bug, attempt to kill it various ways and come up with a workable solution to deal with it!

That's why I get a bit annoyed with people (and employers) who seem to think illness follows an exact time line! It absolutely doesn't.

All you can do is rest and let your immune system do its thing. It's possible that if it's seen a similar virus before, it might kill it quite rapidly. If it hasn't or it has some slightly ineffective strategy you can be stuck with it for longer.

It's not all about tonics etc

Bed rest and try to keep your energy up!

14murphy

I had it for just under a week and dragged myself to the doctor turns out I have tonsillitis and Bronchitis on top of it. Lord help me.

Bruthal

Lollipops23 wrote: »

It's unlikely, as I had the flu jab. Honestly I think it was a bad cold- high temps and sore throats are par for the course.

The jab is probably not certain to prevent you getting flu.

mar1us

still goin on ?

Got rid of it a while a go,that why i'm surprise ...

Dr Nic

Anyone have mainly just an awful sore throat? Like swallowing razors awful??


What the hell is it?

TPD

I had a cold which culminated in sore limbs and a loss of taste and smell for a day or two, and the runny nose is still on its way out a week later. Haven't seen any flu victims about though.

Lollipops23

Lollipops23 wrote: »

It's unlikely, as I had the flu jab. Honestly I think it was a bad cold- high temps and sore throats are par for the course.

Thought the tail end of my cold was taking ages to shift, but turns out it'd just morphed into bronchitis

I also have chronic asthma, so am in a freaking heap. Steroids and antibiotics ftw.

StormWarrior

I never catch colds or flu. Right now everyone in my household has a bad cold except me. It's because I eat several kiwi fruits a day. I'm not joking, that totally stops you catching things. Also if you have a cut or bruise or have had an operation, eating lots of kiwis every day makes you heal up much faster. I had an operation on my legs and the doctor said it would take a month to heal. I ate about 8 kiwis a day and was almost back to normal after 4 days.

Dr Nic

StormWarrior wrote: »

I never catch colds or flu. Right now everyone in my household has a bad cold except me. It's because I eat several kiwi fruits a day. I'm not joking, that totally stops you catching things. Also if you have a cut or bruise or have had an operation, eating lots of kiwis every day makes you heal up much faster. I had an operation on my legs and the doctor said it would take a month to heal. I ate about 8 kiwis a day and was almost back to normal after 4 days.

Thats good advice...
But... try skiing/drinking for 7 days followed by a week of nights at work in a hospital.... thatll get you nice and sick in case youve missed the feeling too much!!

Lawr

Have to say, mine started as a slight headache and a slight sore throat. The next day, I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it. The virus went into my lymph nodes. My throat closed up. I could breath, but swallowing was excruciating. In the days that followed, my temperature spiked. I couldn't get warm, no matter how many clothes I put on. I slept nearly 24 hours after the third day of it. The virus had only moved into my sinuses yesterday and I have this horrible feeling that as soon as it gets what it wants there, it will attack my chest. The one (or two) constant(s) has been that mild, low-grade niggling headache and that soreness in my throat. I suppose I'll be over it when those have disappeared. What is this stuff? It's been years since I've been sidelined like that by a virus. I lost a week of work so far. Thank doG for the weekend. I have work to catch up on, but at least, if I feel like crap, I can go lie down.

Lawr

Lawr wrote: »

Have to say, mine started as a slight headache and a slight sore throat. The next day, I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it. The virus went into my lymph nodes. My throat closed up. I could breath, but swallowing was excruciating. In the days that followed, my temperature spiked. I couldn't get warm, no matter how many clothes I put on. I slept nearly 24 hours after the third day of it. The virus had only moved into my sinuses yesterday and I have this horrible feeling that as soon as it gets what it wants there, it will attack my chest. The one (or two) constant(s) has been that mild, low-grade niggling headache and that soreness in my throat. I suppose I'll be over it when those have disappeared. What is this stuff? It's been years since I've been sidelined like that by a virus. I lost a week of work so far. Thank doG for the weekend. I have work to catch up on, but at least, if I feel like crap, I can go lie down.

Sounds nasty but that's not the flu.

The Barefoot Pizza Thief

In bed with Flu for three days. Can't even sit up straight I'm so weak. Out of breath just thinking, crazy at it sounds. Remembered this thread just there and had to post.

Four days back got a Taxi from City Centre and as soon as I got in, the Taxi driver sneezed and then continued to sneeze and cough a dry cough for rest of journey. He said: "Have a damn flu and just can't shake it". I should have got out at that stage, but didn't. Next night I started sneezing and then woke up with sore throat accompanied by a dry cough.

People with the flu that go out when they know they are going to be in close proximity to others are assholes. I have preexisting health conditions which could very well be made worse by this. An elderly person could have got into this guy's cab and the infection could potentially end their life.

Four people have died from the flu recently and many many more have ended up in ICUs:

http://www.herald.ie/news/four-die-in-latest-outbreak-of-the-flu-29174241.html

I'd go to the Doctor / Hospital but last time I was in hospital (Kidney stone) got MRSA, which too kills many each year.

If you have the flu, try and stay away from people if at all possible.

donegal_road

The Barefoot Pizza Thief wrote: »

In bed with Flu for three days. Can't even sit up straight I'm so weak. Out of breath just thinking, crazy at it sounds. Remembered this thread just there and had to post.

Four days back got a Taxi from City Centre and as soon as I got in, the Taxi driver sneezed and then continued to sneeze and cough a dry cough for rest of journey. He said: "Have a damn flu and just can't shake it". I should have got out at that stage, but didn't. Next night I started sneezing and then woke up with sore throat accompanied by a dry cough.

People with the flu that go out when they know they are going to be in close proximity to others are assholes. I have preexisting health conditions which could very well be made worse by this. An elderly person could have got into this guy's cab and the infection could potentially end their life.

Four people have died from the flu recently and many many more have ended up in ICUs:

http://www.herald.ie/news/four-die-in-latest-outbreak-of-the-flu-29174241.html

I'd go to the Doctor / Hospital but last time I was in hospital (Kidney stone) got MRSA, which too kills many each year.

If you have the flu, try and stay away from people if at all possible.

thought you'd find this interesting

and this

you can get Echinacea at any herbal shop...

get well soon!

smeedyova

What makes me angry is that the people who go around spreading it actually expect sympathy when they splutter that they have 'flu, instead of feeling ashamed of themselves for putting other people at risk.

Full.Duck

I have not been sick in over too years. Not even a cold. Just sayin

juicyduckie

My boss came in to work with the flu when she should have stayed at home...gave it to me.
Couldn't take any days off work because she'd made such a show of her struggling on whilst being sick.

I still have a touch of it now, loads of people I know are getting it!

Cantona's Collars

Full.Duck wrote: »

I have not been sick in over too years. Not even a cold. Just sayin

I was boasting about that & literally 2 days later got the flu.Pain everywhere,dizzyness,high temperature the works.Took 2 weeks to shake it and was still coughing for a few days after.

keithb93

I get colds often, maybe once or twice every 2 months, but i dont think ive ever gotten the flu, whenever im sick, its the usual blocked nose and sore throat that lasts a couple of days. I cant imagine being bedridden with the flu. Am I just lucky?