Ok, I was hoping that I'd get the shot in time but it looks like I'm SOL. I have yet to get the results of the nasal swab back but I have all of the symptoms of H1N1. I can't remember having felt this sick.

This illness comes on like a strike of lightning. I went to bed on Thursday night feeling fine and I woke up on Friday morning feeling like I'd been hit by a freight train. I have a temperature of 38.5 celcious which is 101.3 fahrenheit, I've got a severe dry cough that is leaving my throat raw and the muscles in my sides and abdomin screaming. My nose is running like a tap, my head is so stuffed up that it feels like my ears are plugged and my chest is so congested that I have a constant rattle when I breathe. My eyes are usually blood shot, I have the chills and a headache right behind my eyes that just won't quit. Sometimes I get coughing fits that are so long and severe that I basically see stars and feel dizzy. I've been downing Tylenol like candy during the day (within max dosage limits) and I've been using Nyquil at night which helps me sleep. Once the swab comes back (probably tomorrow) and confirms the diagnosis, I'll be prescribed Tamiflu to try to knock it down. I've been having trouble keeping most food down but chicken broth seems ok and I've been drinking a lot of orange juice and no-brand Gatoraid type stuff.

The sickness kept getting worse from Friday morning until Saturday night and it has now pretty much evened out - not really getting better but not getting worse either. I hope I've turned the corner on this thing. I don't wish it upon anyway. Whoever says that this was a "mild" flu has obviously never had it. I can't imagine now bad the "severe" sickness is.

I hope you feel better soon. You have to quarentine yourself for two weeks right? If so, do you have enough supplies to last without going out?

Thanks man. I'm trying to clarify that right now. I think I only have to voluntarily quarantine myself until I no longer have a fever and the symptoms are subsiding. The doctor says that usually takes about a week. I'm actually good to go with food, etc. for several months. I've also got nearby family who are willing to assist with getting anyting that I need (have the leave it at the door rather than come in and get exposed).

Well that's good and definitely the safest way to do it.

The CDC says that after you feel better, you should wait until you've not had a fever for 24 hours before going out amongst the general population again. Just a helpful FYI.

Feel better soon!

Thanks for the info Shrapnel.

More specifically, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm.

Just in case you don't feel like searching about for info.


Also, do you have a flu buddy or family to check on you while you're sick? Basically, someone who is going to see you once a day or more, just to make sure that you aren't lying on the floor unconscious and dying? It's just a good safety measure.

Sucks, man, hope you get sorted out. My oldest daughter has cough/fever for about thirty hours now, we're keeping a close eye. How is your job treating you over this?

The wife and the six month old baby boy have been sick for a week now. Bad fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, and a mild fever. Have no idea if this is H1N1 but we have been keeping a close eye on it. Ive managed to get away with only fatigue bit of a cough and some headaches. Im told that it can happen with symptoms so mild, and that makes me actually hope it is H1N1(Parent of the Year award for hoping my 6mo old has a pandemic virus). The baby is on the mend and so is mom, although slower.

Get well mantis!

TMM

Thanks everyone. I do indeed have a "flu buddy" who is checking in and my employer is being really good about it. Today I still feel lousy and I feel completely drained of energy. It's like all my limbs suddently weigh more than they did and even walking across the room is a major chore. I haven't eaten anything in three days beyond orange juice and gatorade to drink, soup broth and crackers.

It does get better, from all of the account I've heard about it comes on quick and leaves gradually. I was sick as a dog for about 24 hours and about 2 days after that had the feeling where I was sitting in my chair and I just felt like I didn't have enough strength to lift my arms (I did). A day or so after that I was back to 100%

I've just gotten over it myself and I'll warn you now: The first two to three days are the worst, after that, with plenty of rest & liquids in ya, you'll be fine.

Just make sure you don't overdo it, that cough is nasty for almost the entire length of time.

I was told to stay home for 7 days cause I was still contagious even though the fever was gone, it's that cough that's the killer.

i got hit hard last week. My friends and my girlfriend took zicam at the first hint of the sore throat and were able to recover in about half the time it took for me. I was down for 4-5 days, they were down for about 1.5.

I was out for 5-7 days with this crap, but it took about 2 weeks to get back to 100%. For me, it was like the regular flu, but it lasted longer.

Get well soon

night 1 - slight sore throat, weird head sensation I guess I'm the only one that gets it. I hear my own voice in my head before i get sick.
day 2 - slight malaise, severe sore throat, congestion, headache.
night 2 - severe fever. I time traveled on nyquil. This was the first night I was feeling good enough to get to walgreens and get some orange juice and nyquil and more paper towel for my
snot issue.
day 3 - muscle soreness all over, no more sore throat, runny nose, chills
day 4 - after the fever i start feeling pretty good. I spent the day watching movies and playing evony. couldnt sit up long enough without my head spinning to do anything significant
day 5 - worked from home so I wouldn't share with my coworkers. feeling ok, still blowing my nose like crazy.

day 5 - worked 10 hours trucking to Iowa and back. Probably stupid because I felt like shit when I got home at midnight

day 6 - took it easy doing home chores. still blowing nose like crazy.

day 7 - yesterday, snot all day. day 8, today, more snot. still not green so im not sure it's getting out yet.

Definitely. My throat is raw from all the coughing and the muscles in my sides and abdomen are aching.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. It's day 5 now for me and I'm starting to get some energy back. My temp is down but this killer cough is still dogging me all the way. I've also got mega chest and head congestion.

I started coughing during a night shift on Sunday, soon it was bending me over, and I went home. There I dry-heaved for five minutes or so. Since then, I'm regularily taking fever meds, but it's definitely the coughing that's doing me in. All the muscles in my trunk are worn the hell out.

The cough has stuck with me for a couple weeks now, although it is not nearly as severe as when it started. Hope you feel better dude.

It was confirmed that it was H1N1 thou.

It was indeed confirmed.

I am feeling marginally better today - Day 6. I have less nasal congestion but I'm still suffering terrible coughing bouts and horking up gobs of this nasty brownish mucus. I suppose it's a good thing that it's being expelled. One new development is that my left eye has become very bloodshot and sort of "sticky". Evidently that is another less common H1N1 symptom that some people get. My temperature is pretty much back to normal as wel which is relief. I figure that I've truned the corner. If I can get this coughing under control, I'll be thrilled.

Thanks. This coughing is the worst part of it. If not for that I wouldn't have the sore throat or sore sides and I'd feel a lot better than I actually do.

This is day seven and I think I'm finally over the hump. I still have this terrible cough and congestion which is still causing an incredibly sore throat (I'm actually losing my voice) but my fever is gone and I seem to be ok with solid food for the first time in a week. I'm hopeful that the cough and congestion will start to improve today.

Oh man. My friend Tiffany is sick with the H1N1 Virus and she is pregnant. The Pastor at my church is also sick with the H1N1 Virus. What really stinks is that only Children, Pregnant Women, and Old People get the Swine Flu Vaccine. I wonder about those with compromised immune systems, Adolescents, and Adults. Also those with Asthma, Diabetes, and other problems. Hmm?