October 25, 2009
Well, my daughter has influenza A, and there is really only one strain of influenza A in the public right now, H1N1. I want to document for everyone what I have done for Ila because it seems that many of us will get this flu before immunizations are available to the general public.
Friday night, 7pm – started with her lying on the couch, which she never does, and she said her body was hurting and cold. Took her temperature and it was 101.5. She looked flushed and sweaty. I also noted a dry, tight cough but no problems breathing. Gave her children’s ibuprofen and put her to bed. When I took her temperature 1 hour later, it had increased to 102, so I gave her Tylenol, and let her sleep with me. She slept 10 hours straight.
Saturday – She woke up shivering and sweaty. Fever was 102, and the dry cough is difficult for her to control. She did not complain about sore throat. Her nose was congested with occasional clear drainage. I gave her ibuprofen every 6 hours which kept the fever decreased to 100.5. She stayed on the couch all day, and I told her we would go to the clinic tomorrow if she woke up with a fever. She had a nice hot bath, which she said helped her feel better. I gave her some Triaminic night time medicine before bed for the cough.
Sunday – She woke up with 102.5 degree fever. I gave her some ibuprofen and within an hour the fever was down to 99.5. She told me that the dry cough kept her up all night. Took her to the clinic and the rapid flu test was positive for influenza A. The rest of her exam is normal. It is interesting that her cough increases with the fever and goes away when the fever is under control. I started her on Tamiflu, mostly because that is what I would do for everybody else (it is hard to be objective with your own kids and she was doing so well that I almost did not give it to her). She is on the couch now watching an old Looney Tunes Halloween special. She is eating, drinking and acting quite normal; just her energy level is decreased.
So we have quarantined her to the house and are hoping no one in the family gets this from her (I had the vaccine for health care workers 10 days ago, so I should be OK). The moral of the story: this is the flu, and like any other flu virus, you need to take care of yourself and protect others from getting it.
1. Push fluids – this can be ice chips, popsicles, jello – anything clear that turns into liquid. Dehydration is one of the reasons patients are admitted to the hospital with the flu.
2. Control the fever – use baths, cold drinks, ibuprofen and/or Tylenol.
3. Watch for respiratory symptoms – if you or your family member has a cough that develops into chest pressure/congestion, wheezing or difficulty taking a deep breath, they need medical evaluation immediately to check for pneumonia.
4. Stay home! If you want to get a flu test and Tamiflu, please email me.
Stay tuned for up-to-date information about the H1N1 vaccine – there will likely be widespread availability of the vaccine in November.
