On the day that it is revealed a teacher from my old school is being held over an assault on a 14 year old student that has left the child with serious head injuries, (so sad), we also discovered a close friend’s asthmatic 5 year old was being treated for Swine Flu. Then we received a text from another friend who has also been advised they may have it, so we should keep an eye out for symptoms.
Having been to Schmesco and bought myself a couple of fab dresses and a set of tiny small screwdrivers (you never know when you might need some), I received a phone call from Miss E’s school asking me to come and fetch her as she had terrible head and ear pain and was shivery and aching with a temperature.
The ear pain didn’t worry me.
The temperature didn’t really worry me as the two tend to go together,
But the achiness was something she’d never had before so I decided to have a look here.
When we qualified for a call back I was not worried.
When they called I was not worried.
The outcome is that Miss E and also Miss M may or may not have swine flu.
If symptoms get worse we need to phone NHS DIrect or our doctors, but while they haven’t got better they’re definitely no worse so, you guessed it, I’m not worried.
So why am I blogging this?
Well my friend Lu is pregnant.
My other friend Marie has a rare and dangerous lung condition.
My sister-in-law Helly has Rheumatoid Arthritis
My friend Jayne’s mum-in-law, who we see quite regularly, has had chemo recently.
My brothers are asthmatic
Miss M and my niece little J are under 5.
Mr B’s mum, aka Grandma, is 80 this year.
So while I am not worried for me, I am worried for them, which is why, even though it might be swine flu, but it might not be, we are staying away from company. We’ve been told to keep them off school till all symptoms have gone, and we will do exactly that, because while we’re currently a bit rough but ok, the person we pass our lergy onto might not be.
If you think you have Swine Flu, or any kind of flu, look after yourself, stay away from at risk groups or other people in general, but don’t panic. If this is it, so far it’s not too bad, and if it gets bad I know there are treatments that will help. My friend’s daughter R is steadily improving and hasn’t had to be hospitalised, and my two have been quite happy spending a day or so with Mummy, sucking ice lollies, watching dvds and colouring.
If you have a temperature, and two or more of the following symptoms it’s worth phoning your GP and seeing what they advise.
The typical symptoms are:
sudden fever, and
sudden cough.
Other symptoms may include:
headache,
tiredness,
chills,
aching muscles,
limb or joint pain,
diarrhoea or stomach upset,
sore throat,
runny nose,
sneezing, and
loss of appetite.
Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication.
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July 10th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Bloody hell.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Oh honey – you’re so right – all the at-risk groups are sounding very at-risk! Here I am sitting at home, just like you with two ill children who may or may not have swine flu…I hate to tempt fate obviously, but I think we’ll be ok…and like you say, you might be too…but I hadn’t actually spared a thought for everyone else (so selfish). Fingers crossed we all get through this. In the meantime, lots of hugs for a very boring weekend ahead at home not seeing anyone!!! xx
July 10th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Good advice … even if its just a cold .. keep your germs to yourself.
That said I hope they both feel better soon … and you dont catch it!
(this was posted whilst I had one of those surgical masks on)
July 10th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hope the girlies are feeling better soon, despite what it may or may not be!
July 10th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
And you get to have the weekend off work, don’t forget that.
I think it’s looking like nearly everyone is going to end up getting this thing. I still don’t know if I’ve got it, but if I had I felt rough for a couple of days and now I’m on the mend.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hope everyone feels better soon!
xo
July 10th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Good for you, keeping a level head and not panicking, but being sensible and thoughtful and keeping away from people who are at more risk than your lovely girls.
(Of course it might be a stroke of divine anger following the suggestion that Jesus shakes his bum bum.)
I’m wondering whether to delete that last bit, because it would read very tactless if you end up having some kind of really bad flu trauma, and then I’d feel really really awful. BUT, I know you well enough to know that you will enjoy a bit of black humour if all is well, and will forgive it if the timing of it falls badly.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I hope I’m right on that last comment. I’m feeling a bit worried now.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
i gotta say, it’s a good day lately when i *don’t* have these symptoms.
also, i guess it’s a no go on a surprise visit this weekend. dang.
okay. well, the house could use a-cleanin.
GLAD to see so many ‘not worried’ lines. this is good.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Oh gosh, Jo. I hope whatever it is goes away really quickly and that Miss E makes a full recovery. Stay healthy!
July 10th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Oh Jo, I do hope it’s just an ordinary cold and not the swine flu! Lots of fluids in any case…tucked up in bed with warm blankets that will get kicked off likely as not…and rest…that goes for you, too! Hugs to all
Sandi
July 10th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I hope you guys get over this illness quickly… good luck.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I love how sensible you are about it all – you’re brilliant.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Hope everyone is feeling better soon. Seems to be affecting everyone at the moment. Here’s hoping it is pretty mild for you all.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Oh my. Hope you all feel better soon and that it’s just…um…normal flu?
July 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Thanks for this. I too have vulnerable friends and worry.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:33 am
A very level headed response. We’re trying not to worry disproportionately but having asthmatic little ones is a worry.
Get well soon x
July 11th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Thanks for clarifying the symptoms etc because I must admit I haven’t given it much thought – don’t know anybody with swine flu yet but from what I read it sounds like it’s on the increase. I guess we all need to be vigilant and act quickly if those symptoms appear.
I hope your little ones feel better soon Jo, and that everyone else is okay too.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:42 am
A very informative post, Nurse Beaufoix. Hope you are all feeling better. Take care xx
July 11th, 2009 at 12:52 am
I hope both Misses make a speedy recovery and that you, or any of the other people you mentioned, don’t get sick yourselves. We don’t want you sick, because the Misses are too young to take care of you properly. They don’t know how to make chicken soup.
July 11th, 2009 at 4:05 am
you’re oh so right about those others with poorer imune systems. I have cancer and I semi fear it as I go into kids homes..sk blessings to you and get well girls sandy
July 12th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Many thanks for popping over to mine many moons ago. Sorry it has taken me ages to get back to you. (You saw a post of mine about “The City” from Thames Valley Mums.) There’s an award for you over at mine. Really hope you all get better soon! Hadriana xx