Toxic People
“The ideal way to get rid of any infectious disease would be to shoot instantly every person who comes down with it” – Henry Louis Mencken
There’s a toxic person in my house! No, for once, I am not talking about psychology. I’m talking about an actually toxic person.
My youngest son. He’s been diagnosed with the dreaded H1N1 flu virus. And for the record, he will not be shot. I just thought the quote was funny.
Poor little guy. His fever got as high as 104 today. Tylenol alone isn’t touching it. We have to do the Tylenol/Motrin thing every 3 hours.
Hubby and I had just been talking this weekend about the vaccine and what we would do if/when it becomes widely available here. We are both moderately suspicious of the government, government agencies and major corporations. Ok, I’m moderate. He’s practically a conspiracy theorist. We pretty much decided that all this hype was just an effort to get us scared enough to buy more drugs, thus further lining the pockets of all the corrupt individuals who stand to profit from a pandemic.
When my son reported to his Grandma that he had a headache and felt a little dizzy, I told her to keep an eye on him but also reminded her that he tends to be a bit of a hypochondriac. Mother of the year award….down the drain again! I’m quite a hypochondriac myself. I don’t feel sick a lot but when I hear someone has something bad, I start to feel as if I have it too. I feel that way now. I hope I don’t have it, but only time will tell.
In the meantime, he’s feeling pretty crappy when his temperature starts to climb, but otherwise seems much like himself. He’s stuffy so he doesn’t exactly sound like himself. His heart rate was elevated at the doctor’s office but that was when his fever was the highest. He gets chilled easily, especially right before it’s time to take Tylenol or Motrin. It’s all pretty standard flu-like stuff.
The doctor and my mother (she’s a nurse) assured me that the symptoms are the same as the regular old seasonal flu and to just watch his fever and for dehydration. As is also the case with the seasonal flu, any sign of breathing difficulty should be treated as an emergency.
I’ve read quite a bit about H1N1 and about swine flu and the flu in general. I’ve talked to health-care professionals. They all seem to agree that the media is blowing this whole thing out of proportion. Not that it isn’t something to be taken seriously, but certainly nothing to panic about. The swine flu has been around since the ’70’s, just not this strain. According to the doctor, swine flu vaccine has been part of our annual flu shot for years.
I’m going to keep a close eye on him but my heart isn’t racing like it was when I first heard the diagnosis. However, I am feeling a little flushed and light-headed. I better go lay down.
Thanks for stopping by!
LMAO!
(Not at the little guy, just because you’re such a smart ass!)
Stephanie´s last blog ..Green Reading
I take that as a compliment from you!
Aww poor guy! I hope he feels better soon, the flu is tough!
I’ve read a lot too, and talked to friends in the health care. They agree – it’s just hype. True, it can be dangerous for ppl w/ weak immune systems like babies, sick ppl, and senior citizens – but the same goes for the common cold!
And, it’s not like if you notice he’s getting bad you can’t drive to a handful of safe medical facilities within 15 minutes of your house! I always think ppl forget we aren’t in a 3rd world country w/o doctors. Ppl are saved w/ bullet wounds and brought out of comas, give them a little faith to treat ppl w/ the flu!!
Christina´s last blog ..Flank Steak
Thanks Christina. It really does seem like yet another “sensational” story our media just loves to feed on, and possibly part of a much bigger conspiracy too…
Oh, no! The poor little guy! I hope he gets over it quickly. They said watch for bluish fingers or any sign of breathing trouble–then get him to a doctor ASAP. Otherwise he should be fine. Hope nobody else there catches it!
Les´s last blog ..Our Nobel Leader
Thanks Les, me too!
Aww! Poor guy. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
I’m from a family of nurses. We’re all in agreement that the media is blowing things way out of proportion. By all means, take the flu shot if your immune system is compromised. Otherwise, don’t bother.
Thanks! And it’s good to hear your family is in agreement.
Nothings more agitating than finding our child sick, irrespective of what it is, our concern is the same. Being a parent is not easy.
No, it’s not easy but he seems to be doing ok. Thanks for your comment.
sending healing prayers.
she´s last blog ..Twitter
Thank you!
oh & you’re totally fired b/c i haven’t made it into your blogroll yet! lol
she´s last blog ..Twitter
I’m sending you BIG wishes and a nice thought from our pediatrician to remember during this time of flu ick. She says, “When children get these viruses it actually helps build up their immunity to them as adults.” Pretty cool eh?!
You’ve just inspired me to restock some stuff in my medicine cabinet. I can’t help but guess that your mom radar is on high alert, around the clock. Rest when you can!
Dawn´s last blog ..My Favorite Truism of the Year
Thanks Dawn. My mom, being a nurse and a little OCD, was kind enough to run out for me yesterday and brought back all sorts of disinfectants, medicines, soups, etc. He seems to be doing a bit better this morning.
well you definitely get some prayers directed your way today! praying for you and your little guy, for a speedy recovery and that no one else gets it!
man some people will do anything for attention!
consuella´s last blog ..portland anyone?
Thank you!
Yes, they will.
I hope he feels better soon!
I hope your little guy is doing better soon.
I am among the group that believes the piggy flu is just a bunch of hype. I have never had a flu shot nor has my son. I am not one for “meds”. Although, last week more than 100 students were out ill at my sons school. Yet, I am still not going to run out and get the “shot”.
Tammy´s last blog ..caught in between
Lisa & Tammy: Thank you, he does seem to be feeling a bit better today.