and on the bright side, if it's a killer flu I have, I'd be dead already, wouldn't I?

i went back to work yesterday- i was away 4 over a week- still coughing a little

rugrat had it as well, poor little mite actually fainted/passed out in the toilet
[Edited 8/21/08 20:15pm]

prb said:

darn it

I've had a temperature on and off (but mainly on) since Sunday
I've got razorblades in my throat somewhere, if I cough it feels like I'm ripping it to shreds

ZombieKitten said:

i coughed at night 4 a week- spent that week on the couch

temp off and on- and very sore throat..

oh and aches and pains- but that was from arthritis

dr said it wasnt the flu- just a virus

ZombieKitten said:

.. i know that feeling... are you taking anything? i havent had the flu in years.. but when i get a regular cold, i'd take NyQuil and after about 2 days, i'd be fine..

prb said:

bastard!
mine said my throat isn't that bad, but he was only looking at my tonsils I can feel the pain down behind my collarbones, and I have absolutely no voice - what use am I as a parent

panadol, rest and plenty of fluids (not alcohol )

hope u r better soon

ZombieKitten said:

mine is still breaking up

they keep laughing at me at work

and my family loved it when i lost my voice
[Edited 8/21/08 20:26pm]

Flowers2 said:

I've never had a flu before, EVER.
I don't know if we can get that here
all I'm taking is panadol and nasal spray

ZombieKitten said:

lots of liquids, soup, stay warm... and lots of rest

You should take some proper Cold & Flu tablets, they work wonders. Pandol is pretty crap for anything in my eyes.

I haven't been sick every since I stopped smoking the green stuff But when I got sick then it would stay with me for ages....mainly due to the fact that I would still be smoking while sick which isn't smart.

kcwm said:

I normally don't get all the kids bugs they bring home, but I've probably been burning myself out

I can't take those cold & flu things - all that "non-drowsy" stuff keeps me awake all night long even if I took it that morning.

ZombieKitten said:

Could still be killer. You don't necessarily die as soon as you get it.

WIKI of course,

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). The name influenza comes from the Italian: influenza, meaning "influence", (Latin: influentia). In humans, common symptoms of the disease are chills and fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.[1] In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly. Although it is sometimes confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus.[2] Influenza can produce nausea and vomiting, especially in children,[1] but these symptoms are more characteristic of the unrelated gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".[3]

Typically influenza is transmitted from infected mammals through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating aerosols containing the virus, and from infected birds through their droppings. Influenza can also be transmitted by saliva, nasal secretions, faeces and blood. Infections also occur through contact with these body fluids or with contaminated surfaces. Flu viruses can remain infectious for about one week at human body temperature, over 30 days at 0 °C (32 °F), and for much longer periods at very low temperatures.[4][5] Most influenza strains can be inactivated easily by disinfectants and detergents.[6][7][8]

Flu spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics, killing millions of people in pandemic years and hundreds of thousands in non-pandemic years.


In humans, influenza's effects are much more severe and last longer than those of the common cold. Recovery takes about one to two weeks. Influenza, however, can be deadly, especially for the weak, old or chronically ill.[23] The flu can worsen chronic health problems. People with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or asthma may experience shortness of breath while they have the flu, and influenza may cause worsening of coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure.[50] Smoking is another risk factor associated with more serious disease and increased mortality from influenza.[51]

Influenza reaches peak prevalence in winter, and because the Northern and Southern Hemispheres have winter at different times of the year, there are actually two different flu seasons each year. This is why the World Health Organization (assisted by the National Influenza Centers) makes recommendations for two different vaccine formulations every year; one for the Northern, and one for the Southern Hemisphere.[64]

It is not completely clear why outbreaks of the flu occur seasonally rather than uniformly throughout the year. One possible explanation is that, because people are indoors more often during the winter, they are in close contact more often, and this promotes transmission from person to person. Another is that cold temperatures lead to drier air, which may dehydrate mucus, preventing the body from effectively expelling virus particles. The virus may also survive longer on exposed surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, etc.) in colder temperatures. Increased travel due to the Northern Hemisphere winter holiday season may also play a role.[65] A contributing factor is that aerosol transmission of the virus is highest in cold environments (less than 5 °C) with low humidity.[66] However, seasonal changes in infection rates also occur in tropical regions, and these peaks of infection are seen mainly during the rainy season.[67] Seasonal changes in contact rates from school terms, which are a major factor in other childhood diseases such as measles and pertussis, may also play a role in the flu. A combination of these small seasonal effects may be amplified by dynamical resonance with the endogenous disease cycles.[68] H5N1 exhibits seasonality in both humans and birds.[63]

An alternative hypothesis to explain seasonality in influenza infections is an effect of vitamin D levels on immunity to the virus.[69] This idea was first proposed by Robert Edgar Hope-Simpson in 1965.[70] He proposed that the cause of influenza epidemics during winter may be connected to seasonal fluctuations of vitamin D, which is produced in the skin under the influence of solar (or artificial) UV radiation. This could explain why influenza occurs mostly in winter and during the tropical rainy season, when people stay indoors, away from the sun, and their vitamin D levels fall.
[b][Edited 8/22/08 0:23am]

hope you feel better soon zombie.

i find manuka honey quite good, pineapple is a natural antiseptic, very good for the throat.

the usual honey & lemon drinks.

It usually lasts until it's gone.

Like wikipedia says, if it's a real flu it can last for quite some time, espesecially if you start back your daily routine in life too early and you get a relapse.
I hope you feel better very soon Charlotte !

great

I've been in bed for 5 days now SOOOOO sick of it!

woke with and it was sore 2 swallow on mon, tues, wed started coughing lost my voice, thurs night and day couldn't sleep and today went and got some meds (eew)

kinda love the lost voice though!

The longest flu I've ever had lasted for 3 months. But it was on and off with how bad it got.

I had a really bad cold about 3 weeks ago - struggled through and carried on working.

Last weekend my breathing became shallow and i was diagnosed with a chest infection. I've been on anti biotics for 6 days now and had to go back to the doctors yesterday to get something stronger as it is just not shifting.

The doctor told me there is a harsh cold virus around at the moment and mine has moved to my chest.

So, in answer to your question - I'm going into my fourth week

Arnotts said:

Yes, the flu can last for up to 3 months. I remember I had a bad cough last year from Feb. to almost May.

Hurry well

Dayclear said:

Can it be you posted a wrong emoticon ?

hoping you feel better real soon

prb said:

I had that too but I did not see a dr about it. I just figured it was a sinus infection. It is still lingering, I am still not 100%.

I hope you guys are all better soon.

Sorry you are sick hun! Get well soon!

missmad said:

that sounds pretty much same thing as me - except with temp of 38° the whole time

ZombieKitten said:

awwwww, feel better sweetie! Hugs love M

missmad said:

I think I do feel a bit better today, I'm not coughing as much, and it doesn't hurt. How about you?

ZombieKitten said:

You'll be better soon! And you don't want to give Ocean your germs when you go visit her next month, right?