FLU

[Sayruh 11]

I just had to pick up my daughter from school because she has a fever of 102. IDK if it is the flu or not but she doesn't have insurance right now because of the insurance company itself not looking at my renewal. I'm very nervous. All this shit in the news has me worried sick and I'm scared to death. I'm worried that my younger daughter will get it or that me or my husband will get it. IDK what to do I am panicking.

[Holls 1505]

Hi... I wish I could help.. I'm not sure the age of tour child but can you get her ins through Chips I believe it's called?? It maybe call a Dr office and ask how much a flu test and office visit would cost?? E.r. will take you without insurance as well call and ask what payment is due up front?? 

She could also have a virus. Did she get her shot this yr? I know you have a 24 hrs to get the tamiflu 

[Sayruh 11]

I got her a shot. She is 8. the insurance we had was medicaid. I think you can get tamiflu within 48 hrs but without insurance it costs 100$.

[Sayruh 11]

I'm just really upset. I can hear her in her room laughing at whatever she is watching on her tablet

[Holls 1505]

4 minutes ago, Sayruh said:

I'm just really upset. I can hear her in her room laughing at whatever she is watching on her tablet

My daughter was really sick a few weeks ago after she got her flu shot. I took her to the e.r. but she tested neg.. she had super high fever and cough. I just made her nap a lot and I really pushed fluids. I alternated Tylenol and Motrin and gave her popcicles etc to keep her cool.. it took her a week to get over it. Just stay on top of it. She will be ok. It's hard not to worry but she's home and tour taking care of her. 

[Sayruh 11]

Thank you. I wish I didn't freak out like this every time one of us gets sick. 

[Holls 1505]

5 minutes ago, Sayruh said:

Thank you. I wish I didn't freak out like this every time one of us gets sick. 

I do it too.. and with the media pushing the flu stories on us.. it's hard not to. 

Keep me updated on your little one. She's going to be ok.

[DoxieMoxie 316]

Sayruh,

From your description, she seems to be doing reasonably well.  If she's laughing, the flu is actually quite unlikely.  

With your financial issues/insurance coverage, it would be OK to just watch her.  102 fever is not dangerously high, and the most important thing is to monitor her symptoms, how she feels, and make sure she gets plenty of fluids and rest.  Pedialyte is your friend (even though she is 8).  If things substantially worsen, then by all means take her, but other than an early dose of Tamiflu, most of treatment is really just managing the symptoms.   

[Sayruh 11]

Quote

14 minutes ago, DoxieMoxie said:

With your financial issues/insurance coverage, it would be OK to just watch her.  102 fever is not dangerously high, and the most important thing is to monitor her symptoms, how she feels, and make sure she gets plenty of fluids and rest.  Pedialyte is your friend (even though she is 8).  If things substantially worsen, then by all means take her, but other than an early dose of Tamiflu, most of treatment is really just managing the symptoms.   

Thank you. She's been watching her tablet and laying in bed but she doesn't seem completely wiped out. She is eating and drinking fine. The woman at her school said that strep throat was going around too, though. I think I might take her in the morning to the ER anyway or to the urgent care. 

 

[Sayruh 11]

I stopped myself from googling so much about the flu. I feel like it has been so sensationalized in the media lately that it is causing everyone to panic every time they get flu-like symptoms so people flock to ERs and Urgent Cares. I'm one of those people, and it sucks.

[MommaWorrier 11]

My daughter is special needs with chronic lung problems. She had the flu after getting the flu shot. It was primarily high fevers. We kept her well hydrated and she made it through a-okay. I was super scared. We did not do Tamiflu because our doctor told us it’s basically a scam. 

 

Just make sure she gets a lot a lot of fluids and bring her to the ER if she is in respiratory distress. 

[Sayruh 11]

I think I might take her anyway. I can't handle it 

[Holls 1505]

1 hour ago, Sayruh said:

I think I might take her anyway. I can't handle it 

Awwe. Sayruh. I've been thinking about you all day. I watched the news this morning and I instantly got anxiety reminder for me why I never watch the news. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and just do what your gut tells you. How is your daughters fever? Hugs!!

[Sayruh 11]

I ended up taking her to the er. They did the flu test and it came back negative. They said that it could still possibly be the flu because the test is only 60% effective when it is early on like this but the doctor said that most of the tests have been coming up positive for the flu this early so idk. Could just be a virus. She is still holed up in her room though so, I am playing her made lol. Her fever came down with ibuprofen. (It shot up to 103) They said she should be better by Monday.  I feel less anxious about it. I'm guess exhausted from my emotional roller coaster of a day. Thanks for all the kind words, y'all. I really appreciate it.

[Holls 1505]

11 minutes ago, Sayruh said:

I ended up taking her to the er. They did the flu test and it came back negative. They said that it could still possibly be the flu because the test is only 60% effective when it is early on like this but the doctor said that most of the tests have been coming up positive for the flu this early so idk. Could just be a virus. She is still holed up in her room though so, I am playing her made lol. Her fever came down with ibuprofen. (It shot up to 103) They said she should be better by Monday.  I feel less anxious about it. I'm guess exhausted from my emotional roller coaster of a day. Thanks for all the kind words, y'all. I really appreciate it.

I bet you are exhausted!!! You are a great mom... We do turn into nurses and maids when we have sick little ones don't we lol! Take care of your self too. Hugs!! 

Keep me updated. I'm glad you took her and you have some relief over the worry. 

[Eek 31]

11 minutes ago, Sayruh said:

I ended up taking her to the er. They did the flu test and it came back negative. They said that it could still possibly be the flu because the test is only 60% effective when it is early on like this but the doctor said that most of the tests have been coming up positive for the flu this early so idk. Could just be a virus. She is still holed up in her room though so, I am playing her made lol. Her fever came down with ibuprofen. (It shot up to 103) They said she should be better by Monday.  I feel less anxious about it. I'm guess exhausted from my emotional roller coaster of a day. Thanks for all the kind words, y'all. I really appreciate it.

The headlines for this year's flu are too much. I don't normally worry about that kind of thing, but it's impossible to ignore this year, especially for us HA types. Just remember that how she's acting is more important than how high her fever is. If she gets legitimately lethargic (and not just low key because she's zoned into her tablet) it's absolutely reasonable to get her medical attention. But if she is acting pretty normal, breathing okay, and eating and drinking, you should try not to worry too much. In these situations, I also give myself permission to feed them anything they like to eat, so I can reassure myself that they're eating, you know? If my kids didn't want ice cream or french fries, then I'd be concerned. But chicken or veggies? They'd probably turn those down if they were actually starving!

[Sayruh 11]

Quote

31 minutes ago, Holls said:

31 minutes ago, Holls said:

31 minutes ago, Holls said:

I bet you are exhausted!!! You are a great mom... We do turn into nurses and maids when we have sick little ones don't we lol! Take care of your self too. Hugs!! 

 

Thank you so much for saying this! I'll keep you posted. 

P.S. Idk why there are so many text boxes and i'm too tired to figure it out. lol

 

 

 

[Sayruh 11]

1 minute ago, Sayruh said:

29 minutes ago, Eek said:

The headlines for this year's flu are too much. I don't normally worry about that kind of thing, but it's impossible to ignore this year, especially for us HA types. Just remember that how she's acting is more important than how high her fever is. If she gets legitimately lethargic (and not just low key because she's zoned into her tablet) it's absolutely reasonable to get her medical attention. But if she is acting pretty normal, breathing okay, and eating and drinking, you should try not to worry too much. In these situations, I also give myself permission to feed them anything they like to eat, so I can reassure myself that they're eating, you know? If my kids didn't want ice cream or french fries, then I'd be concerned. But chicken or veggies? They'd probably turn those down if they were actually starving!

She has eating pretty much whatever she wants. lol. Her fever droppped down to 98.6 When we got home. I'm sure that it is just from the medicine but it's still a relief

 

[DoxieMoxie 316]

1 hour ago, Sayruh said:

I ended up taking her to the er. They did the flu test and it came back negative. They said that it could still possibly be the flu because the test is only 60% effective when it is early on like this but the doctor said that most of the tests have been coming up positive for the flu this early so idk. Could just be a virus. She is still holed up in her room though so, I am playing her made lol. Her fever came down with ibuprofen. (It shot up to 103) They said she should be better by Monday.  I feel less anxious about it. I'm guess exhausted from my emotional roller coaster of a day. Thanks for all the kind words, y'all. I really appreciate it.

It is so hard when the little ones aren't feeling well.  Big virtual hug, and I'm glad you were able to take her.    

[lofwyr 215]

Oddly enough the flu and communicable diseases don't set off my HA and I do get sort of interested in them. In college I considered a career in epidemiology, but went elsewhere. 

Anyway, long story short, the flu this year is bad, but by no means the worst it has ever been. The media gets a hold of stuff and runs with it. So far I think has not caught up to how bad the 2016-17 season which was, so far, deadlier. 

It reminds me of the hysteria surrounding shark attacks in 2001. The media dubbed it "the year of the shark." The truth was, 2000 was a far worse year for shark attacks than 2001 and it was barely reported in 2000, but the media gets going and it is all about sensationalism. 

The flu has tragically taken the lives of 30 or so children, but literally hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of them have been sick with it and not died. I don't want to minimize the effect it can have, but the media is as bad as Google these days for health issues.

[Sayruh 11]

I'm worried about anyone else in the house catching it. I've kept her confined but she woke me up at 3am breathing and talking in my face so now I am paranoid that I will be sick in the next couple of days. I don't think that I would worry as much if I knew that I had some reliable help with the kids. I know that I am worrying about things that haven't even happened yet, but that's what I do best.

[Holls 1505]

6 hours ago, Sayruh said:

I'm worried about anyone else in the house catching it. I've kept her confined but she woke me up at 3am breathing and talking in my face so now I am paranoid that I will be sick in the next couple of days. I don't think that I would worry as much if I knew that I had some reliable help with the kids. I know that I am worrying about things that haven't even happened yet, but that's what I do best.

That's normal. I worry about things like that too. 

You will handle it better than you think IF you get it. 

[GoogleUGrad 3]

The flu shot is only 30% effective this year, but it's still supposed to shorten the severity and length of the illness. I know it is super hard to see your child sick but you did the right thing getting her the shot. She'll be fine. The vast majority of people who develop complications have immune system issues and/or did not get the vaccination.

[Sayruh 11]

Well, my daughter's fever is still at 102 but it doesn't seem to be bothering her as much. I gave her some ibuprofen and it brought it down to 100. No signs of anyone else being sick. Hopefully it stays that way. She woke me up last night sleep-walking and talking about straws. It worried me for a bit but she talks in her sleep a lot. I asked her about it this morning and she didn't remember it. My anxiety is still going haywire. One second I'll think, "I might as well prepare to get whatever she has because I've been the one closest to her." and the next I'm having a panic attack thinking about how bad this flu season is and that it could kill us. I also think I am causing my own psychosomatic symptoms. I'll think that my chest is getting tighter and that I'm coughing too much. Ugh. Why can't I just be a normal person and not obsess over this? 

[Holls 1505]

1 hour ago, Sayruh said:

Well, my daughter's fever is still at 102 but it doesn't seem to be bothering her as much. I gave her some ibuprofen and it brought it down to 100. No signs of anyone else being sick. Hopefully it stays that way. She woke me up last night sleep-walking and talking about straws. It worried me for a bit but she talks in her sleep a lot. I asked her about it this morning and she didn't remember it. My anxiety is still going haywire. One second I'll think, "I might as well prepare to get whatever she has because I've been the one closest to her." and the next I'm having a panic attack thinking about how bad this flu season is and that it could kill us. I also think I am causing my own psychosomatic symptoms. I'll think that my chest is getting tighter and that I'm coughing too much. Ugh. Why can't I just be a normal person and not obsess over this? 

Bec that's what us HA people do.. we over worry and we listen to our brain chatter.

If you are looking for symptoms you can create things.. 

My daughter had a virus with high fever and luckily no one else got it . And like I said if you do get it, you already know what to expect . Seems like it's a virus.