For this post I am wearing my doctor's hat rather than my chef's toque. If you have already had the flu, or been able to get the vaccine, feel free to skip this post and go on to read about Halloween cupcakes and Black as Night Bean Soup.
I got this email with questions that almost everyone I know has asked and decided it would be far easier to post a public response.
Hi all,
A few parents have asked me what this virus has been like for my daughter...what the symptoms are etc. so I thought I'd post here. I'm not sure how typical our experience is with others who have had this, but here goes...
Symptoms -Everything you can think of!
· Runny nose
· Stuffy nose
· Headache
· Body ache
· inflamed, productive eyes (but not green or yellow as in conjunctivitis)
· Wet cough
· Hives!! (but only when fever was over 102) I haven't seen this one in the clinic
· Fever - peaked a few times a day. When it did peak, generally 102 or more...this went on for 7 days!!!!
· Delirious - not making sense, walking in circles
· Inconsolable - screamed for me, cried for me, but wouldn't let me hold her
· Not eating, limited drinking. Said no to strawberry popsicles, her favorite!
· At least one if not two canker sores in her mouth.
· Vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Sleeplessness (I think most experience lethargy...we only had that when the fever peaked)
Today is day 8 or 9. I really don't know anymore. She's been home until today when we scooted out because she had been 24 hrs+ with no fever. Still VERY snotty nose, but feeling much better and back to her old self more or less.
I don't know what else to say except that this has been VERY SCARY. There isn't much traditional medicine/doctors can offer. "Lots of liquids. Giver her Tylenol. Make sure she rests. Keep her away from other's until the fever is gone for 24 hrs."
I hope that my dear friends, loved ones, and neighbors can avoid this. I think I had it about 5 weeks ago. Worst "cold" I'd ever had, but nothing like it has been for my daughter.
I can take Sudafed, I can breathe out of my mouth if my nose is blocked, I can adjust my pillow. Hell, I can blow my own nose! This bug is very rough on the little guys. Very rough. I understand it is very dangerous for children or adults who are health compromised (asthma, immune disorders, etc.) and for pregnant women. Check the CDC site for more info http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/.
Maybe Dr. Jean will be able to weigh in too.
Thanks to all who offered prays, support, and food! I think yesterday was a big turning point for her...I think we are over the hump and on the mend!
So here I am weighing in. I have seen patients these past couple of months with all of these symptoms although most don't get them all. I have also seen laryngitis (no voice) and pharyngitis (incredibly sore throat) as symptoms.
I have to admit that even as a health care professional, I have chosen to not get the H1N1 vaccine.
I have researched and studied and this is my choice.
Realize that a fever of 102 is good! The ability for our bodies to raise body temps high enough to kill off viruses is a good thing. Suppressing the fever is not what you want to do to build a healthy immune system.
That being said once a fever gets to 102.5, I begin to cool folks down using herbs, hydrotherapy and sometimes NSAIDS. But be very careful about the NSAIDS, there are concerns that using them actually prevents the immune cells from doing their jobs.
I have some great charts if you feel geeky enough to check out some immunology that shows which cell line is upregulated vs. downregulated below.
TH1 vs TH2 go here and then click on the Cytokines to see the list of cells.
But if you want to be able to follow a bit of my explorations, come on over to www.GFDoctor.com and read away.
I have some protocols I use with children and adults to prevent and mitigate the viral illnesses of fall and winter.
For this post I am wearing my doctor's hat rather than my chef's toque. If you have already had the flu, or been able to get the vaccine, feel free to skip this post and go on to read about Halloween cupcakes and Black as Night Bean Soup.
I got this email with questions that almost everyone I know has asked and decided it would be far easier to post a public response.
Hi all,
A few parents have asked me what this virus has been like for my daughter...what the symptoms are etc. so I thought I'd post here. I'm not sure how typical our experience is with others who have had this, but here goes...
Symptoms -Everything you can think of!
· Runny nose
· Stuffy nose
· Headache
· Body ache
· inflamed, productive eyes (but not green or yellow as in conjunctivitis)
· Wet cough
· Hives!! (but only when fever was over 102) I haven't seen this one in the clinic
· Fever - peaked a few times a day. When it did peak, generally 102 or more...this went on for 7 days!!!!
· Delirious - not making sense, walking in circles
· Inconsolable - screamed for me, cried for me, but wouldn't let me hold her
· Not eating, limited drinking. Said no to strawberry popsicles, her favorite!
· At least one if not two canker sores in her mouth.
· Vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Sleeplessness (I think most experience lethargy...we only had that when the fever peaked)
Today is day 8 or 9. I really don't know anymore. She's been home until today when we scooted out because she had been 24 hrs+ with no fever. Still VERY snotty nose, but feeling much better and back to her old self more or less.
I don't know what else to say except that this has been VERY SCARY. There isn't much traditional medicine/doctors can offer. "Lots of liquids. Giver her Tylenol. Make sure she rests. Keep her away from other's until the fever is gone for 24 hrs."
I hope that my dear friends, loved ones, and neighbors can avoid this. I think I had it about 5 weeks ago. Worst "cold" I'd ever had, but nothing like it has been for my daughter.
I can take Sudafed, I can breathe out of my mouth if my nose is blocked, I can adjust my pillow. Hell, I can blow my own nose! This bug is very rough on the little guys. Very rough. I understand it is very dangerous for children or adults who are health compromised (asthma, immune disorders, etc.) and for pregnant women. Check the CDC site for more info http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/.
Maybe Dr. Jean will be able to weigh in too.
Thanks to all who offered prays, support, and food! I think yesterday was a big turning point for her...I think we are over the hump and on the mend!
So here I am weighing in. I have seen patients these past couple of months with all of these symptoms although most don't get them all. I have also seen laryngitis (no voice) and pharyngitis (incredibly sore throat) as symptoms.
I have to admit that even as a health care professional, I have chosen to not get the H1N1 vaccine.
I have researched and studied and this is my choice.
Realize that a fever of 102 is good! The ability for our bodies to raise body temps high enough to kill off viruses is a good thing. Suppressing the fever is not what you want to do to build a healthy immune system.
That being said once a fever gets to 102.5, I begin to cool folks down using herbs, hydrotherapy and sometimes NSAIDS. But be very careful about the NSAIDS, there are concerns that using them actually prevents the immune cells from doing their jobs.
I have some great charts if you feel geeky enough to check out some immunology that shows which cell line is upregulated vs. downregulated below.
TH1 vs TH2 go here and then click on the Cytokines to see the list of cells.
But if you want to be able to follow a bit of my explorations, come on over to www.GFDoctor.com and read away.
I have some protocols I use with children and adults to prevent and mitigate the viral illnesses of fall and winter.