Oh Crud - The Flu

[Jimbo357mag]

I got a flu shot before this season started but it seems I am coming down with the flu anyway. I have sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat but haven't got a fever or body aches yet. I'm taking some pills and I use that throat spray as well as drinking lots of liquids and Vitamin C.

Anybody else got it and what do you do.

 

[Cholo]

Ugh! When I 1st notice I'm getting a cold or something I start using Ayr Saline Nasal Mist every time I think about it. 95% of the time the cold doesn't take hold. Before using a saline spray, I'd get the cold about 100% of the time. I don't know if it will ward off the flu, but it's sure worth a try!

 

[Sturgis270]

Also got the flu shot last fall but from what I'm hearing this years shot is touted as being somewhat ineffective. Each year its a crap shoot on which strain is coming through and which vaccine will fight it off. So far either my shot worked or I'm just lucky. In this part of Wisconsin I have heard of a few nursing homes being under quarantine because of an out break. Good luck getting through it!

 

[Conservative]

Recently, I was surprised to learn there are flu shots that can just be a basic (my term) flu shot with a bare minimum of goodies in them and there are flu shots that increase power in stages (with concomitant higher cost) of more goodies. I think the most powerful stop around (if you will) stage 4 being the most powerful.

Chances are most of us, me included, ask our family physician for a flu shot and I'm guessing we get the basic.

Next year, I'm going to ask about this and get the super flue shot (if it actually exists) or perhaps someone here can explain it better...

 

[Bobberfishin]

Whenever we feel something coming on, we zap ourselves with Echinacea, Acai', vitamin D, vitamin A & stock up on "Cold Eeze" cough drops with zinc in them. Anything to boost your immune system

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I'm fairly convinced I have the "crud". It just keeps getting worse. Seems like a lot of pressure on my chest, and coughing, mucus, the typical issues. I'm no doctor but I've got it narrowed down to a
Cold,
Flu,
Pneumonia,
Congestive heart failure.
I'm thinking 2 or 3, but not ruling out 4. May have to call the doctor this morning.

 

[Don Lovel]

Osha "Ute Bear Root" herb, in tea, you can help kickstart your immune system with it and the mutant virus flu is some bad juju you must kick it's butt worse than it kicks you in order to survive

 

[wizofwas]

Every time I got a fly shot as a youngster, I'd get the flu. So no more shots for me.
I do recommend that you drink lots of fluids just to keep you hydrated. Some fluids that I think are good for a cold or flu are Vernor's Ginger Ale. Accept no substitute here. My mother always gave it to us when we were sick and it seemed to work. And of course there is always the honey/lemon tea that will help and don't ever forget to take your "Jewish Penicillin", home made is of course best but any brand will do. Get plenty of rest and don't for et to take aspirin, not that Tylenol junk.

 

[Fox Mike]

I've had 'something' since New Years eve. Finally got to the Doc on the 2nd. Coughing till my head hurt. Spent three days flat on my back. Lots of OJ, water, Gatorade and massive amounts of medicine. Feeling a bit better, finally. There was a time where I would have had to get better to die.

 

[contender]

Y'all can keep that crap!

PS; Get well all of you!

 

[Hughree]

Tamiflu. Repeat, Tamiflu. It's expensive and prescription only but it just saved me a ton of physical misery. You have to take it within 48 hours of the symptoms. I felt the symptoms while driving back from a Christmas visit with my daughter's family (SIL and two grandsons). SIL had been sick for days with double ear infections and pneumonia. Grandson had ear infections. Daughter and both boys were coughing so hard my daughter thought she pulled an abdominal muscle.

I felt the first symptoms during the 12 hour drive - headache and sore throat. Took Tamiflu when I arrived and never experienced anything more than common cold symptoms. I did sleep most of two days but feel I avoided the flat-on-your-back flu that hit several of my friends and family. I live in Texas and this state is one of the hardest hit by flu this season.

No flu shot here. But I will have a dose of Tamiflu ready EVERY cold season.

Best wishes for your quick recovery.

God bless,

Hugh

 

[Rei40c]

The last report I heard is this years Flu shot is only %10 effective due to mutations. It may be a rough flu season hang in there anyone who's still sick.

 

[WAYNO]

I must question how any agency keeps track of the cases of flu, colds, pneumonia or anything else. Doctors, maybe most Doctors, do not test for infections, they just treat the symptoms. It's been a month ago I was diagnosed with pnemonia. It was horrible, and I'm still recovering, but no tests were ever done to see what exactly I had or what caused the pneumonia. Was it the flu? A cold? Did I also have mono and/or strep throat? The symptoms are all the same. And while I was recovering, my wife came down with an awful cold or flu. She still has it. The Doctor prescribed a bag of medicines, but we'll never know what illness she actually had.

One person says he has a cold. The next person with identical symptoms says he has the flu. Maybe a feller has Legionnaires, Noro, Hanta, Ebola, or others. Mostly we never know. And then we have epidemics.

No matter what, a person can be quite miserable.

Get well!

 

[sncup]

I do like Bobber does to boost the immune system. My wife is what the CDC calls 'at risk" older population. I got a cold and did like Bobber. My wife with a weaker immune system not so lucky. She just got home after spending a few days in the local hospital. She had a nasal swab taken to test for Flu A or B and was put on Tamiflu to await results. Chest xray, nebular treatments and oxygen were her treatment.

The CDC says for tamiflu or other Flu treatment should be started ASAP (less than 48 hrs) from start of symptoms.

 

[blackhawknj]

I have been taking Vitamin C for over 20 years, Linus Pauling was right. Others I know who take it say their families, their kids, no longer get colds or related ailments.

 

[gramps]

Flu shots have a killed virus unless you get the nasal spray-that is attenuated live virus. The flu shot cannot GIVE you the flu, but like the flu it ramps up your immune system, causing the same aches, and pains and other symptoms of the flu. Drink fluids, vitamin C 500mg daily, vit D3 2,000 mg daily, aspirin/ibuprofen for fever, and aches. Deep breath 5 x every hour while you are awake to pump the immune system, and keep your lungs inflated to prevent pneumonia. Echanacia works, as do other nostrums etc.
gramps

 

[Colonialgirl]

I must question how any agency keeps track of the cases of flu, colds, pneumonia or anything else. Doctors, maybe most Doctors, do not test for infections, they just treat the symptoms. It's been a month ago I was diagnosed with pnemonia. It was horrible, and I'm still recovering, but no tests were ever done to see what exactly I had or what caused the pneumonia. Was it the flu? A cold? Did I also have mono and/or strep throat? The symptoms are all the same. And while I was recovering, my wife came down with an awful cold or flu. She still has it. The Doctor prescribed a bag of medicines, but we'll never know what illness she actually had.

One person says he has a cold. The next person with identical symptoms says he has the flu. Maybe a feller has Legionnaires, Noro, Hanta, Ebola, or others. Mostly we never know. And then we have epidemics.

No matter what, a person can be quite miserable.

Get well!

Pneumonia can be Bacterial or Viral and is a miserable thing to get (week in Fort Ord Hospital during basic) and all they can do is offer you drugs to kill bacteria and a "decongestant" for your lungs.

I QUIT getting flu shots way back in 1967 because I always got sick WITH the flu. I DID gt BOTH varieties of pneumococcal injection since I have been diagnosed with Emphysema and my Primary Care at the VA suggested it; it seemed like a good idea !!

 

[32magfan]

I have had "the Crud" for about 5 weeks to varying degrees. Chest congestions, bad sinuses mostly. Just before Christmas, I got a prescription for antibiotics to knock it out. No dice. I just went back and got a steroid shot and a second round of a stronger antibiotic. The pills are huge. I think it is finally breaking up and will go away. It hasn't kept me from buying guns though :mrgreen:

I am "strongly encouraged" to get a flu shot by my employer. They will even give it to you at work if you are there when the nurse is in to give it. I missed her this time. I hope I can get one before I catch it. I have heard of this year's flu not being covered well by the vaccine. It happens. That virus mutates so often that it is amazing they get it right as often as they do.

Y'all get well now, ya hear?

32Magfan ( on the mend)

 

[GLASSMAN]

The wife got a flu shot this year, still picked up a flu bug and devastated her
for over a week. We got a prescription for Tamiflu, $111.00 out of pocket. Ouch!
She recovered just in time for her scheduled knee replacement.
THAT's all covered by Medicare.
I didn't get around to getting a flu shot this year.
Got one last year, then came down with a horrible flu for a week.
Toss of the dice, lots of different viruses out there.

 

[SamV]

Yes, it looks like this years flu vaccines missed the variants that are going around. They are usually pretty much on target, but sometimes get wrong. My wife was down for about a week with all the classic symptoms, but she is better now. We went into hyper infection control around the house. Everything gets wiped down a couple of times a day, light switches, door knobs, handles, buttons, keyboards, phones etc. EVERYTHING!! No touching your face. Purell alcohol after washing hands. We have a couple of family members in the house that have health problems that could turn fatal from the flu. Flu can be really dangerous.

 

[john guedry]

Wife and I both had it. We had to put off Christmas til New Years eve.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I must question how any agency keeps track of the cases of flu, colds, pneumonia or anything else. Doctors, maybe most Doctors, do not test for infections, they just treat the symptoms. It's been a month ago I was diagnosed with pnemonia. It was horrible, and I'm still recovering, but no tests were ever done to see what exactly I had or what caused the pneumonia. Was it the flu? A cold? Did I also have mono and/or strep throat? The symptoms are all the same. And while I was recovering, my wife came down with an awful cold or flu. She still has it. The Doctor prescribed a bag of medicines, but we'll never know what illness she actually had.

One person says he has a cold. The next person with identical symptoms says he has the flu. Maybe a feller has Legionnaires, Noro, Hanta, Ebola, or others. Mostly we never know. And then we have epidemics.

No matter what, a person can be quite miserable.

Get well!

I think Wayno nailed it. I went to the doctor yesterday. Told her I suspected Pneumonia, because I've had it a couple of times before, but she still did no tests. My theory on that is that medicare pays so little to these people, that they can't afford the time to do a good job. Actually, not sure how much they actually care about it. I have no idea how they know what you have or how you treat it. I did ask for a Zee-Pack and they sent a prescription over for me to pick up. Course they won't have that in til tomorrow... After having gone to the doctor, I know NO MORE than I would have, if I hadn't gone anywhere.

 

[Conservative]

I guess my perspective hasn't been well received or believed.

There are different levels of flu shots.

Don't believe it?

Discuss this with a pharmacist.

 

[Mus408]

When I feel the start of a cold/sore throat it is gargle with salt water/vinegar mix Cold Ezze and nasal saline solution. It all helps to cut it short!

 

[WendyZXZ]

Get well all!

 

[ibboatin28]

Every time I got a fly shot as a youngster, I'd get the flu. So no more shots for me.
I do recommend that you drink lots of fluids just to keep you hydrated. Some fluids that I think are good for a cold or flu are Vernor's Ginger Ale. Accept no substitute here. My mother always gave it to us when we were sick and it seemed to work. And of course there is always the honey/lemon tea that will help and don't ever forget to take your "Jewish Penicillin", home made is of course best but any brand will do. Get plenty of rest and don't for et to take aspirin, not that Tylenol junk.

I'm not sure about the Vernors cure. I had a cold/bronchitis this year and it didn't seem to help. Maybe it's because I mixed it with Black Velvet!!!!!

 

[Colonialgirl]

I think Wayno nailed it. I went to the doctor yesterday. Told her I suspected Pneumonia, because I've had it a couple of times before, but she still did no tests. My theory on that is that medicare pays so little to these people, that they can't afford the time to do a good job. Actually, not sure how much they actually care about it. I have no idea how they know what you have or how you treat it. I did ask for a Zee-Pack and they sent a prescription over for me to pick up. Course they won't have that in til tomorrow... After having gone to the doctor, I know NO MORE than I would have, if I hadn't gone anywhere.

They SHOULD take an Xray; That is how they diagnosed mine while in the army and how they checked on me the last time I thought I might have it (2004).

 

[welder]

The last report I heard is this years Flu shot is only %10 effective due to mutations. It may be a rough flu season hang in there anyone who's still sick.

I read (forgot where) that even if they predict the strain to base the vaccine on perfectly, the vaccine is at best effective 60% of the time. I stopped the shot a few years ago and try to avoid enclosed areas and people as much as possible, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep and avoid touching my faces/eyes/nose with unwashed hands. I heard a doctor say on radio today say that the aerosol mist from a sneeze can linger in stale air for several hours and one can pass the flu up to 24 hours before any symptoms. Scary stuff.

Get well fellas.

 

[wizofwas]

I'm not sure about the Vernors cure. I had a cold/bronchitis this year and it didn't seem to help. Maybe it's because I mixed it with Black Velvet!!!!!

Can't really say it is a cure but it does help to make you feel better. And I do remember drinking Comfort Drivers for a cold. (Southern Comfort and OJ mixed half and half) I don't remember if the cold went away faster but I didn't care after having at least 4 of those a day.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I think Wayno nailed it. I went to the doctor yesterday. Told her I suspected Pneumonia, because I've had it a couple of times before, but she still did no tests. My theory on that is that medicare pays so little to these people, that they can't afford the time to do a good job. Actually, not sure how much they actually care about it. I have no idea how they know what you have or how you treat it. I did ask for a Zee-Pack and they sent a prescription over for me to pick up. Course they won't have that in til tomorrow... After having gone to the doctor, I know NO MORE than I would have, if I hadn't gone anywhere.

They SHOULD take an Xray; That is how they diagnosed mine while in the army and how they checked on me the last time I thought I might have it (2004).

I agree, CG, that's why I'm so ticked off.