Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Oink Oink! The Piggy Flu Has Come For A Visit!

Both Little Man and Shad were diagnosed with the flu...Type A...probably H1N1. We'd have to send it down to the CDC to be confirmed. That would cost $300 and insurance won't cover it, so we're left assuming it's H1N1. Oink Oink!

Shad's on Day 2. Little Man's on Day 1. I'm praying that I'm not next!!! Both started on Tamiflu this evening. Hopefully, it'll get them feeling better soon!!!

For those of you interested...Little Man's preceding symptoms:

For the last few days, he's had a clear, slightly runny nose, really no nasal congestion and a dry cough. We recently ran out of his Allegra, so started giving him Claritin. I assumed it wasn't working and he was having allergy issues since that's his normal reaction to allergies. Nothing that caused me to worry.

The fever started around lunchtime today (Wednesday, Nov. 18). While working childcare at church, he became flushed and warm. I chalked it up to the fact that he was running around and playing. However, he was still warm when we got home (approx. 12:30), so I took his temperature. It was then 102.1!!! Shad was actually at the doctor's office at that very moment. He later received the flu diagnosis, so called to tell me. I got Little Man into Dr. L (Dr. T was out of the office) where they swabbed his nose (he DID NOT like that!). The test came back positive for Type A flu. It's not confirmed, but Dr. L believes it's H1N1.

Little Man was so pitiful when I put him to bed tonight! I was laying next to him, holding a cold, wet washcloth on his forehead and he started hallucinating. :( He was asking what that green stuff was on the tv. The tv in his room was off and he was facing the wall when he asked. Poor thing!

I did learn something new today: a fever of 102.1 is considered "mild!" Apparently, anything between 97 and 100.4 is "normal." Umm, when my child feels like he's on fire and is hallucinating, I don't consider that mild!!!!! His fever has gone as high as 102.4 when I've checked. Thankfully, the Tylenol has brought it down to the 99-range the one other time he took some (he's only taken 2 doses and is now sleeping)!

At this point, I'm only dealing with a bronchial infection. I had flu-like symptoms (fever, aches, pains, lethargy) back on Sunday evening (Nov. 15), but I woke up perfectly fine on Monday morning. I haven't had a fever since then. I've been told by my doctor's office that I didn't have the flu since it was so short-lived and that I shouldn't be contagious unless I have a fever (I've been on an antibiotic for my bronchial infection for almost a week). I'm praying that I don't catch it next and that Shad and Little Man get well soon!!!

BTW...Little Man weighed in at 31.4 lbs at the doctor's office!