OMG..the flu is horrible!

buckeyegirl

buckeyegirl

Cathlete
My 10 year old DS came home from school Friday with a temp of 100, and he's been absolutely miserable ALL weekend. Temp has fluctuated from 100 to 104.7!!! I put him in the tub to try and cool him a little - that high of a temp is scaring me. We have him on 2 advil and then alternating with 2 extra strength tylenol...he also has congestion and a cough and mild sore throat.

I called the ped on call yesterday - told me to ride it out, it's the flu, it's viral, yadda, yadda, yadda..but this kid has never been this sick. I toyed with taking him to the 24 hour physician's plus, but DH says "what are they going to do any different?" I know he has a point, but I worry.

Anyone else have kids or themselves go thru this lately? Anything else I can do?

Worried sick,
Heidi
 
Two of my girls had it a week or so ago. Really high fevers. Enough to scare you like you said. I did the cool damp towels on the head an alternated the tylenol and motrin. They were very achy and their stomachs hurt but no vomiting. Just plain old sore, high fever and sore throats. Ride it out. My oldest who is 12 it took about 4-5 days and the youngest had it for about 3.
 
I'd take your son to the doctor to rule out things like strep. My daughter was diagnosed with it on Friday. Her fever was up to almost 103. A couple weeks ago, she did have a virus on top of an ear infection and her fever kept going up and down, up to about 103-ish. I would make sure he is not sick with anything that requires antibiotics. If he's not, you've just got to ride it out. It's awful, isn't it?
 
103 is my limit. I'd go to the doc with a temp of 104. It may still be viral, but I'd get it checked out.

I hope he recovers soon!
 
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Oh, I am sorry your DS is sick. I think I've been battling the flu this weekend and it looks like our 4 y/o is next. Just an FYI about the flu - now I know not everyone trusts the CDC but for what it is worth:

Also they used to prescribe Tamiflu within 48 hours to reduce the length of the systems.
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Yes, and there are 3 other antivirals approved for use in the U.S.
Treatment & Prevention: Influenza Antiviral Drugs
Note: On December 19, 2008, CDC issued Interim Recommendations for the Use of Influenza Antivirals for the 2008-09 Season.
What are flu antiviral drugs?
Flu antiviral drugs are prescription drugs (pills, liquid, or inhaler) that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. While getting a flu vaccine each year is the first and most important step in protecting against flu, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense in the prevention and treatment of flu.
What are the treatment benefits of flu antiviral drugs?
For treatment, antiviral drugs should be started within 2 days after becoming sick. When used this way, these drugs can reduce the severity of flu symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days.
How effective are antiviral drugs at preventing the flu?
When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective against susceptible viruses (i.e. viruses that are not resistant to the antiviral medication). It’s important to remember that flu antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine.
 
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Thanks for the replies.

Between advil, tylenol and a bath, we got it back down to a comfortable 100...thank God. I was really panicked for a while. I"ve talked to mom's from school that have said their kids had a fever for FIVE days during this bout of flu.

So, he'll be home tomorrow again...resting, eating jello, and watching MORE tv!

Keeping my fingers crossed for a good night's rest:(

Heidi
 
It looks like you're out of the woods with your son, but wanted to post a tidbit.

I had this (for 4 weeks on and off, mind you) and my mom made me take Motrin. All the way from NJ (I live in NH), at the age of 34, she still has the "mom influence!" I swore I didn't need it because of everything else I was taking, but boy, it made a huge difference all around.
 
I hope your son is feeling better. Those high fevers can be worrisome. My 3 yr old DD was spiking 103 fevers like clockwork every three weeks starting last October. The first couple of times it happened she did have a sore throat and ended up on antibiotics. After the third time her ped had her bloodwork done and she came back positive for mono. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she is finally over the mono. We were alternating doses of Tylenol & Motrin - Motrin definitely seems to be the more effective of the 2 for bringing down that high fever and keeping it down for a longer period of time. Supposedly fevers are a good sign that your body is doing its job at fighting the infection, but those high fevers are taxing on worrying Moms:(
 
WE all had it in our house....my 2 year old started with it, then I got it, then my husband, then my 7 year old! WE had it for 3 days, when I couldn't stand to see my baby sick any longer, my husband took him to the doctor...turns out he had an ear infection on top of the flu! THe boys' symptoms all cleared up, but then I still had it another 4 days! Now, 2 weeks later, we all have colds! Spring can't come quick enough!

BestICan
 
So sorry to hear about everyone's woes with the flu. Hope all are feeling better soon! It is such a miserable illness, especially when multiple family members get it.

We get flu shots every year at our house...this thread has reminded me to jot it down in the calendar again for next fall so we don't forget! It is worth it to us to avoid the misery.

Can't wait for winter to be over! Hope everyone is feeling good soon!
 
Yep, on day 5 of the fever. Poor kid is stressing out about all the schoolwork he's missing, so I was nice enough to stop in and pick up some makeup work for him:p He'll try to plug thru a little when he's on his upswings during the day. I'm toying with taking him to the doctor - have a call in to the nurse to see if it's necessary or still let it takes its course. The bad cough worries me, and of course, the extended fever.

Speaking of flu shots, DS is really afraid of shots so never wants to get one. When he was suffering with 104 temp, I said..."think you'll go for the flu shot next year?" He said yes...we'll see!

Heidi
 
May not be the flu...

My DD got sick on Saturday with a high fever, sore throat, headache, stomach ache (but no vomiting). I took her to the doctor yesterday for strep test (negative), and the doc said that something that is similar to the flu but not actually the flu is going around. The fever can last four days or more. My DD still has a fever and is home today.

By the way, she had Flu Mist (inhaled flu vaccine) back in November, so she should be covered.

Regarding the flu: I've read that the most common strain of the flu this year is not affected by Tamiflu.

:(
 
That's interesting, Kathryn! I took DS to the dr. He didn't send him home with anything since he's "rounded the corner" so to speak (thank goodness!)

Hopefully, he'll be back at school tomorrow!

Heidi
 
Well, it is the flu. Flu A - apparently the most severe case is what I had to bring home. The family is on Tamiflu.

Heidi ~ Glad your DS is better.

Regarding the flu: I've read that the most common strain of the flu this year is not affected by Tamiflu.
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I read that yesterday. "CDC researchers said 98 percent of all flu samples from the H1N1 strain [the most common strain] were resistant to Roche AG's Tamiflu, a pill that can both treat flu and prevent infection". Lucky for us (my family) we got a strain that seems to be responding to the antiviral..... I mean if you can call us lucky. :eek: DS was sick Sunday afternoon and yesterday but is afebrile and frisky today. DD was sick this morning and so far this afternoon she is afebrile and feeling better.
 
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We've got it here, too:( We all had flu shots, too, so we will see if it gets worse and need a Dr visit. I hate the fevers:mad: I know that the fever is actually fighting the virus so that it can't grow or whatever they do...but those numbers still make a mom worry!!:(

Good luck to everyone!
Jenn
 
buckeyegirl said:
Speaking of flu shots, DS is really afraid of shots so never wants to get one. When he was suffering with 104 temp, I said..."think you'll go for the flu shot next year?" He said yes...we'll see!

Heidi
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Okay, from the "Not Mother of the Year Hall of Shame:" I took my 11-year-old DS in for his shots recently (he's terrified of needles). He locked himself in the bathroom and refused to come out, so the nurse and I had to unlock it from the outside and I went in and hauled him out -- literally dragged him kicking and screaming (pried him off the handicap rail by the toilet) -- to the exam room where I then held him down (with the help of another nurse) until he could get his shots.

Of course he was shrieking at the top of his lungs so everybody in the building must have heard -- and seen -- what was going on. It was just so awful that I was sure they'd never let me come back. :eek:

Of course, I was back in there a week later because he hurt his knee. And now this week with DD and this illness. I'm there so often I should have my own key!

By the way, flu vaccine is available some places in a nasal mist form (which both of my kids had -- the vaccines were for other things). Maybe your son can get that instead!

Being a parent ... sometimes it's a royal pain in the you-know-what!
 
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