Tamiflu originally uploaded by Tony Hisgett
Last week’s poll asked about whether you thought gun control would curb violence. The discussion was great, the response rate to the poll question was high, and ultimately “No” won out. While some sort of changes are apparently going to occur following this tragedy, it’s always amazing to watch as people happily throw away their rights which have been actively fought over for more than 200 years, how fickle we are.
This week’s poll comes as I live on the edge of a flu quarantine zone centered around my bedroom. I had a very busy day on Friday trying to get a ton of work done before a two week vacation and a holiday party for work that evening. The Wife started calling me to ask when I’d be home. Being that she was supposed to be at that party and knew about it for weeks, I was a little surprised. I told her I’d be there as soon as I was able.
I came home around 5:30 PM and she was completely incapacitated. She had been prescribed Tamiflu over the phone and I went to the one remaining pharmacy in Apple Valley that had it in stock to get it along with other important items like OJ, Gatorade, soup and crackers. I gave her the Tamiflu and didn’t see much of her for the next 23 hours as I tended to the kiddos and their own varying aliments including undiagnosed conjunctivitis, a 100.3 fever, many nasty diapers for The Koala, etc. Personally I’ve been harboring The Cold That Never Ends for two months now. As soon as I start feeling a little better, someone else comes down with something and I end up with it several days later. I hate this.
The Wife posted of her misery on Facebook last evening and found out at least two others she knows have come down with the flu and were taking Tamiflu (which seems to begin working within 24 hours based on her improvement from the day before). So the question for you today is, have you picked up any flu symptoms? Do you get a flu shot? And what do you do when the flu strikes? When was the last time you had the flu and how bad was it? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and vote on the sidebar and then comment on below.
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December 23rd, 2012 at 8:12 am
We had the flu shot (myself, husband and two kids) and three of the four came down with Influenza A. I got it first and then hubby but didn’t realize that was it until my son got it and we had a flu test run. We got him on tamiflu and my daughter got tamiflu as prevention and she’s managed to not get it.
December 23rd, 2012 at 8:34 am
I’m not sure that I’ve ever had the real flu. I’ve had plenty of colds and sinus infections and the like, but the flu- fever, muscle aches that sort of thing, can’t ever remember being that sick. I do get a flu shot every year, not sure if that helps.
December 23rd, 2012 at 9:43 am
Don’t know if this will make you feel any better but I had the cold that would never end complete with sinus infection. Then on top of that got the stomach virus that’s going around along with a 101+ degree fever. Well the fever completely cleared up the cold/sinus infection in a matter of hours. The flu was gone in three days and now I feel better than I have in weeks.
I always get a flu shot but that’s not effective against stomach virus. I haven’t had the respiratory flu in years.
December 23rd, 2012 at 10:08 am
I’m allergic to the shot and have never had the flu. Get an air mattress for your hallway :)
December 23rd, 2012 at 10:16 am
Not the most popular opinion but I don’t do flu shots nor do I get them for my kids. Each year I hear of people who get the shot, yet still get the flu.
Never had the flu and my kids have not either.
December 23rd, 2012 at 11:41 am
dm, I have a full-sized air mattress. It’s too wide for the hall.
December 23rd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I get the flu about once every 10 years or so. I never get the shot (and I was told by an MD that it only works on respiratory ailments anyway). But when I do get it. It sucks.
Hope you’re going someplace warm.
December 23rd, 2012 at 1:57 pm
This is the second year I received a flu shot. My company administers them for free twice during the winter (to catch as many folk as they can). I started getting them when my Grandson was born. I spend a lot of time around him, and young children are considered at risk for Flu, so I figured it was a good idea. I haven’t had the flu, or at least the symptoms of the flu for a terribly long time. Long enough that I can’t recall when it may have been. I generally don’t get sick.
When flu shots became popular, only my youngest son ever got it because he was on the risk list. My oldest never got it and I checked recently and he still hasn’t gotten the shot.
I think that if anyone in my family ever got really sick, we’d worry about it more. But thus far my body has been nearly impervious to illness, and my wife rarely if ever has had the flu so stuff like Tammiflu has never even been on our radar.
December 23rd, 2012 at 2:17 pm
At the risk of angering the Flu Gods, I can’t say I’ve had the actual “flu” in close to thirty years. Now that I’ve mentioned it, I’m probably doomed. Haven’t had a flu shot since about 1978.
We attempt to eat real food and also swallow a shitload of vitamins every day. I do get colds once in a while, and have had a few lingering ones, but that even seems to be less frequent these days.
Growing up I was frequently very ill; I was given the flu shot religiously then – ? Probaby something to do with the wonders of processed food and the clouds of cigarette smoke.
December 23rd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
I’m allergic to the shot, too, so I’ve never gotten it. Thanks for the herd immunity, though, guys! I haven’t had the flu since I was seven and hospitalized for it (and I’m almost certain that was rotavirus). I haven’t gotten a cold in years, with the exception of one this year that lasted for abount 72 hours, about 4 months after quitting smoking (go figure). I tend to avoid people and wash my hands more when it goes around my office, and thankfully, the fiance hasn’t brought it home to share with me. I have no explanation for this other than dumb fucking luck (I’ll probably be stricken with some super virus tomorrow).
December 23rd, 2012 at 5:28 pm
I got the shot when I was pregnant with a couple of my daughters, but generally choose not to. I think we’ve had the flu every 4-5 years, but in general, don’t see anything severe. I was told this year that I am considered “at risk” because I donated a kidney 4 years ago. Since this is the first time I’ve heard this, I’ve opted to avoid the shot once again.
I do not bring my daughters in for the shot either.
December 24th, 2012 at 9:48 am
My reasons for not vaccinating besides being ridiculously healthy (as well as my kids) is we’re not in a high risk group. We never, ever get sick. Plus I work at home and really am not around a huge group of people.
I know people in some fields are required to get one. What are people’s thoughts about that, especially if you’re really opposed to the vaccine?
December 24th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I get the mist or shot every year at my workplace. Knock on wood, have never gotten the flu as an adult. Plan on getting the pneumonia shot when I age qualify as well.
December 26th, 2012 at 9:35 am
I have never had the flu shot, and maybe had the flu once in past 20 years I think. (not counting various intestinal disorders with fever and malaise I picked up overseas in that time). I rely on washing hands, mindful of my surroundings, and I swear by a cup of Super Anti Oxidant Green Tea … its probably a placebo effect but when I feel on the verge of something I make sure to have 2 cups and I seem to avoid anything.
I think the flu shot is a good thing though, especially for the young and old, and certainly for medical personnel. (although my wife an RN, doesnt get one , go figure).
December 26th, 2012 at 9:47 am
Mulch – interesting. I thought all healthcare workers who work with the public were required as part of their job.
Nice that she has a choice.
December 26th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I swear by green tea and eating healthy. It seems I get a cold after a few days of eating bad food. It seems to stress the natural defenses. It could be all in my head, but it works.
Our family had the never ending cold last year. We were mostly OK but could not shake the cough and stuffed noses. It was all cured within ten minutes of arriving in Mexico. It was magic! So, book a flight to somewhere warm.
December 26th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Dammit all to hell (can I say that?). My kid came down with something norovirus-like.
There’s nothing like being woken up at midnight with “mommy, I think I’m going to” …braaaaappppppppgggggguguguugh… then out of both ends about every half hour until 5 a.m. this morning.
I’m convinced I jinxed myself by posting how invincible we were. ;)
December 26th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
ks, you didn’t put enough disclaimers in your other posts!
December 26th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
I have the flu now. Went and got prescribed Tamiflu this morning. While The Wife could sleep for three straight days, I cannot sleep when I’m sick. Quarantine is miserable for me. Bleh.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
We jinxed Bill. The first rule of the Flu is to not talk about the flu.
December 28th, 2012 at 8:12 am
No, Aliecat, Bill jinxed Bill. It’s called karma. A couple days ago, he texts me the following:
“I’m about to own you with a plate of corned beef”. (Referring to my favorite dish at one of my favorite restaurants – the corned beef hash at Stockmen’s Truckstop).
Then he sends me a photo. Jerk.
My text back: “Get the flu”.
Yeah…who owned who now?
December 28th, 2012 at 8:49 am
MSPD,
I don’t really care that you probably made that up. Thanks for the laugh.
lefty
December 28th, 2012 at 9:00 am
I don’t make this stuff up.
December 28th, 2012 at 9:52 am
“Way ahead of you” is key. I already felt like shit and knew I was coming down with the flu. I had bought you a Stockmen’s sweatshirt to give you after you didn’t win COTY, again, but now I’ll keep it for myself along with the 16 different porno mags I bought.
December 28th, 2012 at 9:54 am
You didn’t buy me a sweatshirt, you liar.
January 2nd, 2013 at 7:07 am
FWIW, today is the first day I am not completely and utterly useless. It took 7 full days for me to even begin to feel somewhat normal again. The fever, nightmares, and night sweats kept me awake 95% of the night and the 5 day long headache kept me awake throughout the day.
Reports from the State say this is one of the worst flu seasons they’ve seen in a long time and based on my experiences at Urgent Care (my doctor’s office was backed up for three days when I tried to make an appt on 12/26 and they weren’t open on 12/31 when I went back because the fever had yet to break) would agree.
If you get it, best of luck to you. I have never, ever, ever been that sick in my life — even when I had mono when I was 17. Yuck.
—
Sorry about the lack of posts during this time but I was barely able to eat sometimes, let alone worry about writing posts to be up by 7 AM. I think I’m back on track now though :)
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:12 am
Glad you are feeling better Bill!
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:17 am
Let the debate begin.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:48 pm
So, Bill, what is your opinion of Tamiflu?
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Sandy,
I dunno if it did anything for me. If it did, I don’t even want to know what my life would have been like w/o it. However, it kicked the shit out of the flu for Kim. She slept for three straight days (she was awake for a total of 5 hours out of 72) and she was fine.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Glad you’re all on the mend. Daughter passed the bug onto my son, then I got it. It was like a regular vomitorium for a while around here.
Good times, good times.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Ack… half the office has been out sick this week, and at 7pm I suddenly felt tired, had a scratch in my throat and something didn’t feel right. 3 hours later and the scratch is now a soar throat, I have a head ache and my joints don’t feel good.
I think I’m getting sick. Don’t think it is the flu. Progressing slowly for me, which means I may still be feeling it through Sunday. Normally I’d be peaking by midnight, but this feels more like a possible peak around mid morning tomorrow. We’ll see how sleep goes tonight.
January 17th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
http://feeds.minnpost.com/~r/minnpost/~3/hVu7bwB1_aE/flu-epidemic-renews-hype-and-serious-questions-about-tamiflu
It seemed to work great for The Wife but seemed to do little for me (if it was doing something I can’t even begin to imagine how sick I would have been). Have you had it in the past? Did you try it this year? How’d you do w/it?
January 18th, 2013 at 9:44 am
I’m curious how you even know if it is doing something for you? Unless you take the pill and the next day you’re better, I can’t say I’d be convinced it is effective. I’ve never used the stuff for me or my kids and the seemingly endless variety and duration of symptoms for all of us has me doubting Tamiflu.
That said, if I was unhealthy and/or at risk, i suppose even if it has a small percentage chance of helping, I’d take it.
January 18th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
s hard to know what would have happened had you followed another course. This is the “miracle” of symptom-squashing drugs. People take a pill and feel better; it doesn’t matter that they are not addressing their real health issue(s) and will probably become less healthy as a result. A healthy diet and high-quality vitamin supplements don’t give immediate results, so many think they “don’t work”.
Disclamer: This is not a statement about Tamiflu – it’s just a generalizaton about prescription drugs and health attitudes.