posted on January 15, 2008 06:22:23 PM new
I haven't had the flu in I don't know how many years but this year my DH brought it home right after Christmas and it has totally kicked my butt. It had him flat out on his back for 1 week and I was a little less but the effects are still with me (us) almost 2 weeks later. It's like a *cold* that won't go away at this point. Runny nose, cough, congestion - squeeky voice. Ugh.
I would seriously consider a Flu shot next year in order to keep from feeling like this again. It was so bad at one point even my skin hurt to touch it. I've just now gotten to where I don't have to have at least one nap during the day - and this is 2 weeks later. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever feel whole & well again.
posted on January 15, 2008 06:42:35 PM new
I got it right around Thanksgiving from house guests but got on antibiotics right away and they knocked it out in about 4 days. I had a flu shot in Oct but got sick anyway.
posted on January 15, 2008 07:21:22 PM new
i have it bigtime too glassgrl.. started around 12/27 and isn't all gone yet. all same symptoms you stated. i'm ready to finally call doctor tomorrow ... all this otc stuff is doin' nothing for me.
posted on January 15, 2008 08:17:19 PM new
My 70 year old aunt has it and she is having the darndest time shaking it. I have not visited her for 3 weeks now as she does not want to share it. I have been getting flu shots for the last 5 years and swear they help. I work in a cardiology dept and they request and pay for us to have them. I sure hope you feel better soon.
posted on January 15, 2008 09:40:35 PM new
I've been getting the flu shots for about 8 years, and have had no flu at all. Retired people really should get this every year; some of the complications at our age can hit us very hard.
_____________________
posted on January 16, 2008 04:49:28 AM new
niel35, if antibiotics got rid of it, it wasn't the flu (which is viral and immune to antibiotics). Sometimes, the aftereffects of a flu will become bacterial, in which case antibiotics will help.
I haven't had the flu (I got a shot), but both of my little ones have had a cold that just won't go away. It's all through the area here; lots of kids out of school, employees calling in sick, employees working sick (nothing quite like having a cashier coughing all over you).
posted on January 16, 2008 05:02:54 AM new
I haven't had the flu or the shot. It's been years since I had the flu. I do Zyban at the first sign of a cold and I take Alka Seltzer Immunity Complex. I will also use Airborne when I don't have any of the Alka Seltzer. So far I haven't had a cold in about three years or the flu in even longer. I have a school-age granddaughter who brings those things around me all the time. I did have laryngitis last year, though. No biggy.
Oh, I also credit my not smoking anymore with my improved immunity system!
posted on January 16, 2008 05:06:07 AM new
I missed my flu shot this year so am trying as hard as I can to avoid breathing while at school, and have discovered that hand washing isn't so bad after all...So far so good.
posted on January 16, 2008 06:09:31 AM new
I agree with roadsmith, I have been getting the 'flu shot for 11 years, and haven't had it since. My husband used to get the 'flu really badly almost every year, but since I persuaded him to get the shot, he has only had it once.
posted on January 16, 2008 09:28:58 AM new
Cash is right. The flu is a virus and antibiotics will not work on a virus. They are sometimes given to elderly or chronically ill people as a preventative to complications of the flu (pneumonia, etc, but not to most people. You may have had a bacterial infection. It is a good idea to take antibiotics only if absolutely needed and indicated. Taking antibiotics when not indicated contributes to development of MRSA-type infections because those little buggers mutate to the point that antibiotics are not effective.
I've worked in the health field for 30 years and have never missed getting a flu shot--and (fingers crossed) have not gotten the flu in all that time. A flu shot is not a 100% guarantee, but it is close. However, it takes 2-4 weeks to develop immunity after you receive it. Get your flu shots and wash your hands madly.
posted on January 16, 2008 09:52:21 AM new
I should have added that there are anti-virals (I took one when I had shingles recently), but they're usually only effective shortly after infection, and are a disproportionate response to a garden-variety flu. You might not feel like it's only a "garden-variety flu," but usually it is (assuming general good health and not too young or too old).
My daughter's colleague (college student age) was recently found on the floor of his apartment in a coma. They speculate that he picked up a virus in Haiti, where he had recently been. He needs open heart surgery, and while not out of the woods, is in better condition than the original prognosis. THAT'S a non-garden variety virus.
Regarding the flu shots, I get one every year. The determining factor appears to be how accurately the experts predicted this year's flu from what was around last year. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes not (swine flu, anyone?).
Speaking of the evolution of viruses, will the 3-4 presidential candidates who don't believe in evolution refuse to get vaccinated if a vaccine is developed for Avian flu? Or maybe they believe in evolution but only at microscopic sizes
posted on January 16, 2008 11:04:28 AM new
If you think you have the flu there is one thing you can take to lessen the duration & discomfort, but it must be taken within 12 to 48 hours from symptom onset.
Tamiflu, prescription required.
"How to tell the difference if it's a cold or flu."
Fever:
Rare- cold
Usually Present- flu
Aches:
Slight- cold
Usual, often severe- flu
Chills:
Uncommon- cold
Fairly common- flu
Tiredness:
Mild- cold
Moderate to severe- flu
Sudden Symptoms:
Symptoms appear gradually- cold
Symptoms can appear within 3-6 hours- flu
posted on January 16, 2008 01:23:38 PM new
"The determining factor appears to be how accurately the experts predicted this year's flu from what was around last year. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes not (swine flu, anyone?)."
The US tries to determine what strain will hit us by watching Australia/New Zealand and other countries in that part of the world. The same strain usually appears the following flu season in the US. There are occasional surprises as Cash mentioned. Still, some protection is better than none at all. Interestingly enough, it seems that young people--late teens or early twenties--seem to get hit hard. During the influenza epidemic in 1918, a large proportion of people who died were young men and women. Possibly, older men and women had some antibodies from previous exposure.
This is an interesting link--median age for death from avian flu is 20.
For some reason, the deadly viral episodes have generally killed healthy young adults. The more "normal" viruses seek to kill those at the age extremes (very young and very old) and others with weakened immune systems. It is conjectured to be a cytokine storm which is unleashed by an over-reacting immune system. I think that's the reason so many are worried about the avian flu; it has the makings of a disaster if we're unlucky.
posted on January 16, 2008 03:31:41 PM new
I do remember reading something about over-reactive immune system in young people, which actually is what kills the patient,not the influenza. Thanks for the interesting information, Cash. No matter what flu we are dealing with, this old fogey is getting her flu shot every September.
posted on January 16, 2008 04:20:48 PM new
When my throat feels scratchy,I reach for 2 anti-oxidant (Solgar)tablets,I will keep taking 2 tablets every 3-4 hours and it usually go away by the end of the day.
You have to act fast when the initial symptom shows up.
*
Lets all stop whining !
posted on January 17, 2008 05:23:12 PM new
I don't own stock in this (wish I did)...but look into MESOSILVER. I swear by it, but my other half thinks I am crazy. NO...this is NOT the stuff that turns you blue. If anyone has a great-great grandmother around...ask her what they put into milk and other foods to KILL bacteria...makes you wonder why a Silver Dollar is so valuable. Two things sold me...one was something my doctor said would take 8-10 weeks to temporary go away(gone completely in 4 days with this stuff)...y'all with dogs, ever hear of kennel cough. $100s in vet bills - no results...GONE in 8 hrs with this stuff!
posted on January 18, 2008 12:23:39 AM new
hi glassgrl... went to doctor thursday.. he prescribed antibiotic (augmentin). said finish 'em up and come back in 2 weeks. i think my coughing is subsiding already (thank God), but i'll let you know later today if that's the case or not. lol.
posted on January 18, 2008 09:23:43 AM new
GLASSGRL...were u asking me?
I first heard of it on the internet. Pityriasis rosea is what the doc said I had...got hit in the leg and after about a month this rash started around the same spot. Within a few days...it looked like I had heat rash(under arms..upper legs...around the stomach). After $84 in doc visits, she basically said take some benadryl for the itching(which wasn't bad)and in 8-10 weeks it should go away..but may come back. Started researching and found MESOSILVER. It was hard to believe the stories of what it helped people with...ASTHMA...SINUS INFECTIONS...COMMON COLD/Flu...headaches...HUGE list. It is suppost to ATTACK bacteria...basically kill it almost immediately. You need to be careful on the amount, because we need bacteria in the intestines. But for $50...it worked great on myself and my dog. Still have some left. 1 teaspoon a day, only take it now if a cold is coming on. They also make a spray bottle.
When I had that rash..I ordered the Mesosilver and received it in LESS THEN 24 hrs...going camping in five days...rash was GONE in four days. I told the Vet about the kennel cough with our dog and how the Mesosilver worked...they shrugged it off...guess they like the $40-50 visits also.
There are about 4 or 5 TOP recommended brands out there..MESOSILVER being the HIGHEST in concentration and quality. Vitamin stores carry the IONIZED brand that is NOT good for you.
posted on January 18, 2008 10:10:05 AM new
I'm not a doctor, but I would be VERY careful about taking something that kills bacteria. Many/most bacteria are beneficial.
Using antibiotics is fraught enough in its own right, so I would be triply sure about taking something that has at best a controversial side effect history.
Edited to add quotes to this I found at NIH: "Animal studies have shown that silver builds up in the tissues of the body. In humans, buildup of silver from colloidal silver can lead to a side effect called argyria. It causes a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, other organs, deep tissues, nails, and gums. Argyria cannot be treated or reversed, and it is permanent. While it is not known how argyria occurs, it is thought that silver combines with protein, forming complexes that deposit in the skin and are processed by sunlight (as in traditional photography).6,7 Other side effects from using colloidal silver products may include neurologic problems (such as seizures), kidney damage, stomach distress, headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation. Colloidal silver may interfere with the body's absorption of the following drugs: penacillamine, quinolones, tetracyclines, and thyroxine.5"
I know that Mesosilver maintains that it doesn't cause argyria, etc. I'm conservative about believing drug companies that are regulated by the government (e.g., Vioxx, Vytorin, etc.); shouldn't I be even more conservative about things said on the web?
As I say, I'm not a doctor, nutritionist, etc. This is just my 2 cents worth, but please be careful.
[ edited by cashinyourcloset on Jan 18, 2008 10:10 AM ]
posted on January 18, 2008 11:24:57 AM newPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!
Do NOT ingest a HEAVY METAL COMPOUND such as COLLODIAL SILVER without FIRST discussing it with yer FAMILY PHYSICIAN (MD or DO)!
For some strange reason, over the past 40 years, Americans have fallen under the sway of WooWoo and now believe virtually ANYTHING just as long as it is ANTI-SCIENTIFIC!
From working for 30 years in medicine, I can GUARANTEE you that there is NO grand conspiracy designed to "keep you sick..."
THERE ARE NO BLACK HELICOPTERS WAITING TO WHISK YOU OFF TO THE LAND OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER!
SCIENCEisSCIENCE, and BULLSHEETisBULLSHEET!
There is AMPLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE in the literature that conclusively PROVES BEYOND ANY DOUBT that ingesting COLLODIAL SILVER (whether a "good" brand or "bad" brand) is not only SUICIDE by major organ destruction, but also just plain...NUTS!
ANEDOTAL EVIDENCE is absolutely 100% WORTHLESS as any kind of indicator as to EFFECTIVENESS + SAFETY + EFFICACY of a drug!
posted on January 18, 2008 11:37:39 AM new
wow... only 3 hits of augmentin since yesterday afternoon and i only had 1 severe coughing jag, shortly before i went to bed last nite!.... i get most of them shortly after i lay down at nite and a few episodes in middle of nite), then the first hour in the morning..(with several more during the daytime) ...
this is great! still healing with a wracked body but still, a LOT better than it's been the past few weeks.
posted on January 18, 2008 11:56:43 AM new
Don't forget to eat some yogurt when taking Augmentin (or any other antibiotic). It helps to repopulate the good bacteria. Use any "real" yogurt (i.e., with live cultures).
posted on January 18, 2008 12:30:45 PM new
I am never far from emergency yogurt. I get occasional flair-ups of ulcerative colitis. Eating yogurt is the LAST thing I want to do, but the spasms subside within 20 minutes of eating it. My doctor scoffs at this, too.
posted on January 18, 2008 12:47:13 PM new
You might have your doctor look at 2 studies at Johns Hopkins:
" * Two controlled trials have found that the probiotic E. Coli—a harmless form of the common intestinal bacterium Escheria coli—achieved results comparable to standard drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis.
Evidence is accumulating that "friendly" bacteria called probiotics can safely treat a variety of digestive disorders, including ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The digestive tract plays host to hundreds of microorganisms, which are termed flora. While some cause disease, most perform valuable functions.
Among the potential benefits: Two controlled trials have found that the probiotic E. Coli—a harmless form of the common intestinal bacterium Escheria coli—achieved results comparable to standard drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis. In another study presented at a Digestive Disease Week meeting, probiotic therapy with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria infantis (given alone or in combination with antibiotics) significantly improved symptoms and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Both of these microbes use sugar as a food source and in turn generate lactic acid, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.
Other benefits of probiotics exist for treating infectious diarrhea in children and diarrhea associated with antibiotics, and for preventing bacterial infections after surgery.
Because probiotics do not permanently colonize the gastrointestinal tract, they would probably need to be taken indefinitely to maintain any beneficial effects. Although there is a small chance that probiotics could cause an infection, especially in people at high risk for opportunistic infections or in cases where the gastrointestinal tract is badly damaged, the probiotic strains that have been tested appear to be very safe.
However, more research is needed to identify the best probiotic—and the optimal dose—for managing a particular condition. And many experts believe that better regulation of probiotics is needed to ensure that the over-the-counter products now widely available contain viable microorganisms in the amounts stated.
If you want to try probiotic supplements for a few weeks to see if they help with your gastrointestinal symptoms, check with your doctor first. A variety of capsules, liquids, and powders are available. Powders can be stirred into food but shouldn’t be added to food warmer than room temperature because heat will kill the bacteria.
Another option is to add probiotic-containing foods to your diet. These foods include yogurt, kefir (a cultured-milk beverage), tempeh (which is made from soybeans), and kimchi (a Korean fermented cabbage dish). It is unclear whether they contain enough probiotics to have any effect, however. "
posted on January 18, 2008 02:45:53 PM new
tomwiii...I was just offering "my" opinion...each & everyone can research..believe what they want to believe..listen to what they want to listen to... I know personally that this worked for me. Oh..this stuff is NOT a drug..it is a mineral - like iron or potassium, etc.
As for studies and literature and federal agencies... whole other discussion there...
as for GRAND conspiracy...maybe NOT grand...but nice size. Ask your eye doctor about the BATES METHOD...see what the response is after you pay for an $80 office visit and they tell you your eyes haven't changed.
As for science...how long did it take to remove asbestos from roofing and lead from paint...all I know is that those ADS sell real well on eBay.
I'll shut up now and go watch the news on "scientists claim they have successfully created cloned human embryos"......
posted on January 18, 2008 03:18:21 PM new
Silver is at best a placebo, and at worst a deadly poison that will turn you blue for the rest of your life. I feel sorry for the dog, who has no choice in the matter. http://www.boingboing.net/2007/12/20/another-person-turns.html
