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The reality of having the swine flu, my experience with H1N1

November 2, 7:12 PMSeattle Parenting ExaminerKristy Stevens-Young
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My experience with having the swine flu - H1N1 virus
   Will you and your family get the H1N1 flu shot?

I have the H1N1 virus or as it is often called, the swine flu. Well, actually I am close to recovered with only a nagging cough and a slight headache left.

What is a bit odd is I really was unaware I had H1N1 at first. I say it is odd because I have written up articles about the flu virus but it just didn’t click when I started getting the symptoms.

That is why I am writing up my experience so maybe others will be able to spot the symptoms quickly in themselves or their loved ones. 

The only symptom I had at first was a horrific headache. When the headache didn’t go away after taking medication and continued into the next day I though it must be another sinus infection. That was still my thought when on the next day I woke up with a really bad sore throat. 

On the third day, I had developed a cough and a slight fever. At that point, I still didn’t connect it to the swine flu as I was sure it was just another sinus infection. And so I admit, I was surprised to find out I did have the H1N1 flu.  

This would have not been a surprise had I waited another day as my symptoms worsened quickly. My cough was deeper, my fever remained and my muscles all hurt: really my neck, my back, my legs all ached. It wasn’t like I couldn’t walk or anything but, they hurt like they do if you worked out for the first time in months.  

I had three days where I stayed in bed. I was extremely tired: my cough kept me up and my headaches never seemed to stop. My muscles continued to ache and even going up the stairs made it difficult for me to breath. I wasn’t eating much because I felt so bad and my throat really hurt. I never vomited but I did have diarrhea. 

Slowly some of the symptoms would let up and I ate a bit more. My fever went back to normal first, then the diarrhea stopped and the muscle aches lessoned. I can now make it up the stairs without being entirely out of breath but my cough and the headaches seem to be the last to go.  

I will add that fortunately, no other members of my family have come down with any H1N1 symptoms. This is also true with other families I know where one member has come down with the swine flu. I know 7 people who have been officially diagnosed with H1N1 and in only one case did a second family member catch it.

 
Other H1N1 articles ~


Swine flu threat level raised, how ready is your family?

What if you have to travel during this swine flu outbreak?
 

Stopping the spread of the swine flu one person at a time

Dsytonia facts and causes - can a flu shot give you Dystonia?

Video of cheerleader who claims flu shot caused the disorder Dystonia

For updated information on the H1N1 virus: Center for control of disease and prevention

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