I got hit New Year's Eve eve at a friends pre New Year's Eve party. A lot of people were there whom I had not seen all year, and of course there were lots of hugs, kisses and handshakes being shared. Even though I had received my flu shot in mid December, it didn't prevent me from getting the flu, which I knew it would not, but I thought I might escape it like I have since the mid 80's.

I'm still sick after having this shit a week. It seems to come in waves. The first day I had a slight sore throat and cough, but by the next day, New Year's Day, I was flat on my back with the whole nine: fever, chills, body ache, weakness, non stop cough, nausea and vomiting. Up till then I had been convinced that I had an iron clad immune system because I almost never got a flu shot and never got the flu or so much as a cold in over 20 years. I'm older now so I guess my body is getting more susceptible to infection. Another factor might be the "germ beasts," you know, kids. I'm in close proximity to two little girls every school day, and you know they are the first to knock you on your ass with their germs.

One good thing about getting the flu. I haven't had a cigarette since contracting the virus. I can't stand inhaling because it just aggravated my already rattle filled lungs. THANK GOD! I think I might be able to let those damn things go for good now.

Yep. Half the house got it Christmas Eve. It took awhile - and a LOT of antibiotics - for it to go away.

See a doctor, get some good medicine, and take care!

The sore throat, fever, and respiratory stuff sounds like influenza. Nausea and vomiting don't.

I have had three bouts of Type A influenza in my lifetime. (The most recent being last year.) The first two times I had it, I had not had a flu shot and was sicker than a dog. Last year, I got a flu shot and still got the flu. (Which can happen. Not because of the vaccine, but because you get infected with a strain that isn't covered by the shot or because you're exposed to the flu before your immunity builds sufficiently post vaccine.)

Last year was the "least bad" flu I've had - mostly likely because the flu vaccine provided partial protection. Even so, I had a fever for five days and the cough lasted a good month.

Antibiotics do nothing for "true flu" because it's a virus. There is nothing to do but ride it out - preferably with a codeine-based cough syrup, which will help you sleep as well as suppressing the cough. (Plus, if you have to be sick, you might as well be high.) However, if the cough turns much worse, you should see a doctor - you may have pneumonia or bronchitis, both of which can be bacterial and might require antibiotics.

I hope you feel better!

Thanks to both of you. I had an appointment to see my doctor today, but this damn snow storm threw a wrench in my ability to get there. My biggest problem is my hypertension. It has been off the chain since mid December. My physician told me to contact him if my pressure rose above 150/90. My highest reading so far has been 186/100. I'm taking the medication prescribed but it's obviously not working. I called my doctor this morning and got the runaround from the hospital's appointment scheduler. I asked him to please transfer me so I could speak to my doctor. He transferred to a answering machine. If I don't hear from my doctor by the end of the business day, I am going to write a letter of complaint to the hospital medical director. This is a teaching university hospital where I used to work for 25 years. No matter. I'm still treated like a red headed step child. I am seriously considering just cutting all ties with these people because they could end up killing me with their lackadaisical attitude. I'm really feeling abandoned right now.

Wow - yeah, you need to see someone about the blood pressure, for sure. Are you taking any medications for the flu? Some OTC cold/flu medicines shouldn't be taken if you have high blood pressure.

Is there a nurse line you could call? Sometimes, it's easier to get to the nurse than to the doctor - and s/he could get a message to the doctor quicker. I often email my doctor or her nurse - and usually get a reply before the day is out.

Genesia said:

Wow - yeah, you need to see someone about the blood pressure, for sure. Are you taking any medications for the flu? Some OTC cold/flu medicines shouldn't be taken if you have high blood pressure.

Is there a nurse line you could call? Sometimes, it's easier to get to the nurse than to the doctor - and s/he could get a message to the doctor quicker. I often email my doctor or her nurse - and usually get a reply before the day is out.

Thanks, G. I finally got in contact with my doctor. I guess my mind was befuddled because I should have had him paged the first time. The operators know me at the hospital and when I identified myself and asked that my doctor be paged, within one minute, he was on the line, and as soon as I started talking, not identifying myself at first, he immediately knew who I was, bless his heart. When I told him what was going on, he was very concerned. See, I used to be the program coordinator for internal medicine postgraduate education at this hospital, and my doctor did his residency there. We were buddies way back then because he was such a sweetheart. His first name is "Ricardo," and whenever I would see him in the hall or wherever, I would say, "Hi, Ricky Ricardo!" and he would say in his Nicaragua accent, "Hi, Lucy!" I just love him to death. So now everything is settled. He called in a new prescription to my drug store and is going to have his assistant call me with an appointment for later this week. I could kick myself for not thinking of having him paged sooner and saving myself a whole lot of grief.

Forgot to add that he told me to get Coricidin High Blood Pressure dose for my flu. I had been taking Nyquil which put my blood pressure off the chain. Should have known better. Again,

[Edited 1/6/15 11:12am]

Sounds like you got it all handled. I'm glad!

I've never had the flu. In fact I haven't been sick at all for at least the past 25 years, and I live in the Northeast.

What's my secret?

I've built up my immunity through diet (Vitamin C, Zinc, etc) and well-timed supplements (Airborne, Cold-EEZE, etc).

Most importantly, I avoid viruses by doing the following:

Wash my hands constantly.
Avoid touching strangers.

Maintain a safe distance from others when in public.
Never let my bare skin touch filthy objects such as grocery carriages, ATM screens/buttons, door handles, elevator buttons, gas pump handles.
Never eat anywhere where strangers are handling my food.
Dress warmly and spend as little time as possible outside in the cold.

I don't have kids, so that definitely helps.

Shyra said:

I got hit New Year's Eve eve at a friends pre New Year's Eve party. A lot of people were there whom I had not seen all year, and of course there were lots of hugs, kisses and handshakes being shared. Even though I had received my flu shot in mid December, it didn't prevent me from getting the flu, which I knew it would not, but I thought I might escape it like I have since the mid 80's.

I'm still sick after having this shit a week. It seems to come in waves. The first day I had a slight sore throat and cough, but by the next day, New Year's Day, I was flat on my back with the whole nine: fever, chills, body ache, weakness, non stop cough, nausea and vomiting. Up till then I had been convinced that I had an iron clad immune system because I almost never got a flu shot and never got the flu or so much as a cold in over 20 years. I'm older now so I guess my body is getting more susceptible to infection. Another factor might be the "germ beasts," you know, kids. I'm in close proximity to two little girls every school day, and you know they are the first to knock you on your ass with their germs.

One good thing about getting the flu. I haven't had a cigarette since contracting the virus. I can't stand inhaling because it just aggravated my already rattle filled lungs. THANK GOD! I think I might be able to let those damn things go for good now.

omg. that's where i am right now. stayed home yesterday, staying home today (my work office is actually closed today anyway due to cold weather) because i was projectile vomiting, and serious pain in my joints. hurts to move, hurts not to move. and i NEVER get sick. this sucks

actually, nausea and vomiting are part of the package:

http://www.flu.gov/symptoms-treatment/symptoms/;

What are the symptoms of flu?
Symptoms of flu may include fever (though not everyone with flu will have a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, fatigue (tiredness), chills, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure. Although most people are ill for less than a week, some people have complications and may need to be hospitalized.

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/flu/:

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Flu symptoms include:

• A 100^oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
• A cough and/or sore throat
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)

Genesia said:

The sore throat, fever, and respiratory stuff sounds like influenza. Nausea and vomiting don't.

I have had three bouts of Type A influenza in my lifetime. (The most recent being last year.) The first two times I had it, I had not had a flu shot and was sicker than a dog. Last year, I got a flu shot and still got the flu. (Which can happen. Not because of the vaccine, but because you get infected with a strain that isn't covered by the shot or because you're exposed to the flu before your immunity builds sufficiently post vaccine.)

Last year was the "least bad" flu I've had - mostly likely because the flu vaccine provided partial protection. Even so, I had a fever for five days and the cough lasted a good month.

Antibiotics do nothing for "true flu" because it's a virus. There is nothing to do but ride it out - preferably with a codeine-based cough syrup, which will help you sleep as well as suppressing the cough. (Plus, if you have to be sick, you might as well be high.) However, if the cough turns much worse, you should see a doctor - you may have pneumonia or bronchitis, both of which can be bacterial and might require antibiotics.

I hope you feel better!

[Edited 1/7/15 6:22am]

I'm still not 100%. My doctor told me to get some Coricidin HBP which helped a lot with the cough. I remember that medicine from way back in the day. If you took it at the first sign of a cold, it would knock it out pronto. Still have that nausea and fatigue and a slight headache, but that might also be part of my hypertension. I was getting concerned with the nausea because in women, nausea can be a symptom of a pending heart attack, but I don't have any other symptom like back, chest or jaw pain. I do have an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow, thank God.

Shyra said:

I'm still not 100%. My doctor told me to get some Coricidin HBP which helped a lot with the cough. I remember that medicine from way back in the day. If you took it at the first sign of a cold, it would knock it out pronto. Still have that nausea and fatigue and a slight headache, but that might also be part of my hypertension. I was getting concerned with the nausea because in women, nausea can be a symptom of a pending heart attack, but I don't have any other symptom like back, chest or jaw pain. I do have an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow, thank God.

how long ago did you start feeling sick? i keep thinking i'm feeling better, but then if i try to do anything, i feel sick again. been three days so far

I did, last year

I was sick as hell from late Dec 2013 to early Jan 2014

it was dreadful: pain, fever, cold nose, constant coughing/sneezing, nasty green mucus, partial deafness...

never again, I'm a lot healthier now, been taking measures since then to avoid another MAJOR flu...

JoeTyler said:

I did, last year

I was sick as hell from late Dec 2013 to early Jan 2014

it was dreadful: pain, fever, cold nose, constant coughing/sneezing, nasty green mucus, partial deafness...

never again, I'm a lot healthier now, been taking measures since then to avoid another MAJOR flu...

damn! It hit me bad last year (same timeframe as you)...that shit almost kilt me.

I ended up with double pnemonia and the flu at the same time.

Oh my god i hope i don't get it. In the past 2 months Ive been sick with something two different times. They both lasted about a week, and i was miserable. What i had didn't seem as severe as the flu but it also didn't seem like an average cold either.

Also i'm temporarily doing all my internet stuff at the library and its hella sick people around me.



Anyway this year's flu vaccine is bunk. They say it's ineffective 2/3 of the time.

Y'all stay safe!

so if one NEVER had the flu ..is it better to NOT get a shot?

luvsexy4all said:

RodeoSchro said:

Yep. Half the house got it Christmas Eve. It took awhile - and a LOT of antibiotics - for it to go away.

See a doctor, get some good medicine, and take care!

the antibiotics was not for the flu. It was likely some co-infection.

I'm fortunate that when I do get the flu, it only lasts for a day until I get to bed and sleep it off. As I age though, it's become harder to shake them. My nephew is like me, sleep - and it's gone the next day.

I'm 38 and the last time I had the Flu had to be when I was 9 or 10yrs old....I don't get sick like that..

luvsexy4all said:

so if one NEVER had the flu ..is it better to NOT get a shot?

Many healthcare employers require all their employees to either get the flu shot each year or wear a mask while at work. Despite the fears of some people, it's never a bad thing to get a flu shot. The vaccine contains dead flu viruses, which means it cannot cause illness. And it strengthens your immune response, it doesn't weaken it.

Superfan1984 said:

Everyone around me has had it and had it seriously, I have not got it and I think it's because I am constantly drinking green tea with real lemon and honey. I think that wards off the germs. Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to help- all the antibacterial stuff from the honey and the lemon and the green tea-

You just reminded me of something else I drink often to build up my immunity:

JoeTyler said:

I did, last year

I was sick as hell from late Dec 2013 to early Jan 2014

it was dreadful: pain, fever, cold nose, constant coughing/sneezing, nasty green mucus, partial deafness...

never again, I'm a lot healthier now, been taking measures since then to avoid another MAJOR flu...

Exactly like me. It started late December, 2014 and lasted a good 8 days into January this year. That green mucous was nasty as hell.

Other than getting the flu shot every year some pretty effective ways to avoid it are!

1) do not touch your face!

2) keep hands washed and sanitized (Both are important)

3) keep a hula hoop distance at least from all people!

4) avoid food handeld by others.

5) wash hands with soap and warm (as warm as you can take it) water before eatting. *yes I said wash hands twice!

6) clean/disinfect any surfaces you touch regularly 2 or 3 times a week

7) wash your damn hands!

Never had the flu and I refuse to get a flu shot.

Working out and eating right are my vaccines.

I decided not to get a flu shot this year, no flu.

Didn't get a flu shot last year, no flu then either.

Got a flu shot 3 years in a row before that with me and my kids, we stayed sick and got the flu.

They can keep their flu shots.