Why all the fuss? Influenza.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 27, 2003

Me, too....I caught some kind of illness a week-and-a-half ago, and it just keeps mutating. It's not the flu---I had my shot, and I haven't experienced the upper-respiratory symptoms, body aches and high fever associated with flu. But what started out as a type of bronchitis seems to have evolved into laryngitis with on-and-off sore throat, and now my chest is starting to feel like it did at the beginning (raw hamburger), and I STILL don't feel very well. I'm functional, but I tire all too easily, and of course my asthma is giving me trouble.

Now, this doesn't mean I feel compelled to go to the doctor.....I'd be sitting in a roomful of OTHER sick people and probably get whatever they're brewing. Besides, going to the doctor means shaving my legs.......and I don't have the energy!

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 28, 2003

I waited for over an hour at the doc's office and got a z-pack for the bronchitis...That has made me sick as h#ll,too....The worst intestinal cramping and gas...I just have NO energy... The cough syrup with codeine was worth the trip....

hogan4736, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2003

Originally posted by ktwlpn
I waited for over an hour at the doc's office and got a z-pack for the bronchitis...That has made me sick as h#ll,too....The worst intestinal cramping and gas...I just have NO energy... The cough syrup with codeine was worth the trip....

no offense, but after ONE pill gives me the gas/cramping, I would throw the rest away...Why bother w/ a double trouble??

Sarah Kat · Dec 29, 2003

Originally posted by mjlrn97
Me, too....I caught some kind of illness a week-and-a-half ago, and it just keeps mutating. It's not the flu---I had my shot, and I haven't experienced the upper-respiratory symptoms, body aches and high fever associated with flu. But what started out as a type of bronchitis seems to have evolved into laryngitis with on-and-off sore throat, and now my chest is starting to feel like it did at the beginning (raw hamburger), and I STILL don't feel very well. I'm functional, but I tire all too easily, and of course my asthma is giving me trouble.

Now, this doesn't mean I feel compelled to go to the doctor.....I'd be sitting in a roomful of OTHER sick people and probably get whatever they're brewing. Besides, going to the doctor means shaving my legs.......and I don't have the energy!

Yeah, we (my family and I) have this cold that won't go away. It's a lot of sneezy scratchy throat tiredness achy limbs stuff. It started around Thanksgiving. We'll have a few days reprieve then relapse. But no one feels really sick, just half sick... no fevers. No chills. Like "cold - light".

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 29, 2003

Originally posted by hogan4736
no offense, but after ONE pill gives me the gas/cramping, I would throw the rest away...Why bother w/ a double trouble??

Because what's a little farting amomgst loved ones? The bronchitis was doing me in-it was the lesser of 2 evils........Medicating the side effects was the smart thing to do,imho

proud2basn · Dec 29, 2003

What I hate about the flu is that some people have no common sense about it at all. We went to Christmas at my husband's grandma's and his ignorant cousin (not just because of this, she is just ignorant to begin with) just had to bring her two very sick little boys because SHE just couldn't miss it! Grr. My husband ended up with the flu, has been sick for 4 days now and missed work today, all because she does not have the sense God gave a pile of goose doody! Never mind the fact that she put her late70 some Grandma in harms way. Stupid people just make me very mad.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2003

last year about 32,000 people in USA died from flu. I guess if they weren't related to you it does not seem significant.

ShelleyERgirl, LPN · Dec 30, 2003

Originally posted by proud2basn . Stupid people just make me very mad. [/b]

Amen, sister, Amen!!

unknown99, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2003

I have ignored this post long enough!!

To the original person who posted this thread,

Tell the parents whose infant just died from the flu, that it's just a fuss.

Tell the children whose parent died from the flu, that it's just a fuss.

Tell the woman whose husband of 50 years that is on life support, that it is just a fuss.

Until you have to do any of these things, then maybe you should get your facts straight before you post!!!

MrsWampthang, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2003

Besides, going to the doctor means shaving my legs.......and I don't have the energy!

:roll :roll

I never have the energy to shave my legs! I only do it when I have to, like in the summer if I am going swimming or wearing shorts.

As for the flu. I have had the flu symptoms on and off for about three weeks now. Really flared up the last 5 days. I couldn't do anything but sleep and take tylenol and motrin, so I didn't have any fever or much aches. I actually started to realize why people are coming to the ER though. I felt so bad that I wished there was something someone could do to make me feel better, however, I know there isn't anything anyone can do so I stayed home. But people that don't know any better would think that there is something that can be done so they come out even when they haven't been sick that long.

I can only add that I wish I could have some cheese with my whine!:chuckle I feel TERRIBLE!!!!!! Anyone have any suggestions for something I can take to get some energy back?

Pam

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by Pamela_g_c
[b I feel TERRIBLE!!!!!! Anyone have any suggestions for something I can take to get some energy back?
Pam [/b]

yeah-take about a week off..It has taken that long for me to feel human again..and I do! yipee!!!!

nowplayingEDRN · Jan 1, 2004

A) yes, the media always makes a bad situation look worse.

B) yes, the flu season started much earlier this year and has been more deadly/serious than usual.

C) no, the CDC can not successfully predict which strain of the flu is going to make it's rounds, they can not see into a crystal ball to do this and use statistical info from previous years to see which one "is due" to come round again and then based on that info, make up the flu vaccine serum. this years was more virulent than expected.

D) no, the flu vaccine is not a guarantee that you will not come down with the flu. (my hubby had the worst case of flu after a vaccine and never got another one) I have always gotten them, especially after having pneumonia once and being told that it is wise and prudent for me to have one. yes, i got the flu this year. it was over Christmas, i stayed home and i called out of work. i was stmptomatic for 4 1/2 days and now i have a sinusitis but feeling 100% better.

E) it is always more serious when we are directly related to or involved in the care of those that are seriously ill and dying from the problem.

F) they quit doing nasophayangeal swabs for the flu at my facility becasue so many were being done that every place ran out of the test medium.

G) sensitivity should always be used before launching into a sensitive topic.

H) if you start an antibiotic, it is never wise and prudent to stop taking it after 1 or 2 doses. this practice helps promote drug resistant strains of bacteria.

I) antivirals are most effective if prescribed and started with in 24-48 hours of onset of sympotoms. after that they really don't do much.

J) i will now get down off the soap box and thank NRSKaren for her links as well as all the others that provided such great, practical and timely info.

addenum: when you discharge......take the time to educate yo ur patients. with out it, we just propigate the ignorance that already exists.