On the news the other night one 'on the scene' newsman said because the hospitals are so full of flu patients they are telling people to stay home and treat with over the counter remedies unless your symptoms are severe. I found that statement a bit of a liability for the hospitals since several people have already died but perhaps it was only the newsman's interpretation of what the hospital meant.

Regardless, I sure hope I don't get it (thankfully got my flu shot this year) because it just sounds nastier than ever.

jodi-

I would suggest that it depends on what flu related problems the patient has but most certainly they will provide assisted breathing apparatus, re-hydration in the case of those patients who are dehydrated, Tamaflu [and other flu medication] where appropriate and treatment of all body functions stressed by the flu...as in high blood pressure, lung impairment, heart problems, etc.

Getting a flu shot does not automatically prevent contracting the flu and the very young as well as the elderly are immuno challenged. It will usually reduce the severity of the flu if you contract it but it is no guarantee for automatic immunity. To stay away from those who may be ill; scrupulously washing ones hands and limiting ones exposure to highly populated areas where flu carriers may abound are still the best advice in avoiding contracting the flu...as well as getting the shot.

Anne

There are probably some things that are hard to treat at home, like dehydration. It's hard to hydrate a very sick person without an IV. I imagine that's what they're mainly doing in those flu tents.

Yes most certainly an IV for hydration, maintenance of temperature for high fever, breathing treatments. Many many are turning into pneumonia a very nasty pneumonia and that can kill you quickly especially elderly and those with weak immune systems.
For me my doctor put me on antibiotics, steroids, and told me to continue with my Advair inhaler and Flonase nasal spray.
It was with out doubt one of the worst I have been through and it was for my husband also he rarely gets sick.
Several people at his company had the flu shot they offer it there but that has not stopped it they have all had the shot and all got very sick.
The flu shot is just a crap shoot, will they pick the right strain to use definitely not right all the time and does not seem to be right this time either by the numbers.

I was planning to get a flu shot this month because I had no problem from last year's flu vaccine. (Some years ago I had a terrible reaction, which put me off the shots for a long time.) But yesterday I read a long thread on a fibromyalgia message board in which quite a few people reported bad reactions to this year's vaccine that are still going on. So I'm very reluctant to do this. I'm still on the fence, though, because of my contact with my little grandson.

They are pumping IV fluids!

I have fibromyalgia and got the flu shot in Sept as well as a tetanus one the same day with absolutely ZERO side affects. I hear that this year vaccine is pretty much on target with the strain of flu. I will never NOT get the shot, never had a reaction but had the flu two times before the shot and wished I was dead each time.

I was at my doctor's office a few days ago because I'd had a bad fall a few days before that, with terribly bruised knees and a couple cracked ribs. I hadn't gone to the hospital, and my friends and family had been hounding me to go.

My doctor said I'd done just fine, staying home and using ice and Advil. "I wouldn't go to the ER right now unless I were dying!" were her exact words!

You can read Lily316's post word for word and add my name.

Jodi-

I hear you guys. And I got the pneumonia shot myself this year w/o a problem. But the reaction I got to my flu shot about eight years ago was scary--not just because it flattened me for almost 24 hours (felt like my whole body was burning), but because a couple of others on a FMS message board got the same reaction and never got over it. It took a big leap of faith for me to get last year's shot. I haven't decided yet about this year....

I thought most people got a flu shot. If that's true, how did we end up with these huge numbers of flu cases?

I hear you guys. And I got the pneumonia shot myself this year w/o a problem. But the reaction I got to my flu shot about eight years ago was scary--not just because it flattened me for almost 24 hours (felt like my whole body was burning), but because a couple of others on a FMS message board got the same reaction and never got over it. It took a big leap of faith for me to get last year's shot. I haven't decided yet about this year....

I thought most people got a flu shot. If that's true, how did we end up with these huge numbers of flu cases?

I will never have another flu shot the reaction to it I had was extremely serious, would never risk that again, my doctor agrees. People have serious reactions to many types of meds. You certainly wound never tell a person who had a serious reaction to penicillin to just go ahead and try it again. The fact my husband also had a serious reaction is evidence that it does happen and it's not rare.

My dh came down with the Type A flu on New Year's Eve and it turned into pneumonia a couple of days later. He went to Urgent Care because his temp was still increasing after 48 hours. They gave him four different medicines including Tamiflu and antibiotics. My dd and oldest ds both caught the flu also. They came through just fine and have recovered. I don't agree with the science behind the flu shot so we don't get it. My neighbors got the flu shot and got the flu anyway.

Tamiflu and iv fluids. Maybe pain meds for aches and pains. That's about it. I wouldn't go to the hospital myself. I'm sick right now and don't feel like even going back to the doctor. I had my shot in October. I've been sick with something for 5 weeks now. Everytime I start to feel better I wake up feeling worse.

Just watched a segment on ABC news by their medical expert who said, that if you're sick, don't even think about going to the ER or even your Dr's office unless you are having difficulty breathing or have symptoms of severe dehydration like sudden dizziness or delerium. He said that if you go to the ER you will have a very long wait and take the chance of becoming infected with a bacterial or other viral infection while waiting, besides spreading your Flu to others. He also said that you should call your Primary's office and handle it that way unless you have the above symptoms. Of course there will always be those who treat the ER as their Primary Care, or hypochondriacs who will ignore all the pleas and warnings and go to the ER anyway.

I don't think everybody DID get the flu shot. I know a lot who didn't and wish they had. The one time I had the flu, I hoped I could die, and when I got well, I vowed to never miss that shot again. I've not had it since. Now, what I DO have is bronchitis, uri, pharangitis and some other itis. 4 itises. 2 huge shots and a script for Keflex. Tested negative for flu and strep. Wouldn't go to an ER like the above poster stated. Worst stuff out there. When I went to the doc, I sat as far away from anybody in the waiting room as I could get. At our hosp. they are offering visitors masks. I didn't volunteer there Wed. like I usually do, but I think lots of employees and volunteers are masking up. Yep! there's always something worse out there.

We have never gotten the flu until this year. This flu started early in the souteast. DH and I got h2n3 flu in November before any news reports. We were sick for a week with Fever, chills, achiness, cough, congestion, headache, sorethroat. I don't think EVERONE needs to go to the hospital. The news media is doing the scare tactics again. Never gotten a flu shot and never plan to.

I also have fibromyalgia and I get the shot some times it makes me a little sore but that is but we who have fibro all are different.

Mostly, the hospital helps your body to stay alive while it works it way though the crisis. There is no antidote for the flu virus.

My friend just got out of the hospital, where she spent two days being treated for the flu and pneumonia. She had an IV, anti-nausea meds and antibiotics. I swear they saved her life. She was delirious when I talked to her before she went into the hospital. She is finally flying home tomorrow and I am picking her up at the airport.

However, I think going to the ER is your last resort. Whoever takes you there is going to be exposed to a lot of people with the flu. This is such a mess.

Half my family didn't get the shot. Husband and I did in Sept and daughter just got it two days ago, but her son, husband, and brother didn't get it. They'd better not complain if they get sick. I am very conscious of what's happening around me when I go to the gym or store like I did tonight. I'd really like to wear a mask but don't want to draw attention to myself. I scrub up a lot like I'm a surgeon.

My sister works in a pharmacy and she said they went from giving 1-2 flu shots/day to about 30/day. She's working 11-hour days. But no one in the pharmacy got a flu shot, even though they can have them for free. She's never had a flu shot and never had the flu either so she's afraid to mess with a winning formula.

I have a standing appt with my doctor in a couple of weeks, necessary to get a prescription renewed, and I'm already dreading the exposure to germs in my tiny doctor's office where I usually have to wait forever - in the waiting room or in an exam room. I'm going to tell them I'm waiting in the hallway and they'd better not call me back until they're ready! I had a flu shot in October but that doesn't guarantee anything, although they claim it's a pretty good match for the most common strain showing up around here.

I got a flu shot this year. Get this! My doctor had absolutely no supply, because the chain drug stores got it all! He highly recommended I get one as I'm high-risk for a couple reasons-my age (don't ask, don't tell) and I'm taking immunosuppressant drugs since my kidney transplant. So I went to CVS, got the shot, no pain and no reaction. they say it's still not to late to get your flu shot. If you haven't yet, go get your flu shot. Better than getting sick!

I finally got my flu shot yesterday, the day after every news outlet reported on the epidemic. My doctor was out of the vaccine, as were all the drug stores in my area, but our city's health department had a flu clinic and had enough vaccine.

They said they'd been doing about 10-15 people per 2-hour period in past weeks; yesterday, there were about 25 people there just when I was there.

It takes two weeks to build up an immunity, so I hope I'm okay until then. I'm another one with a suppressed immune system due to chronic illness, and I'm usually right on top of getting my flu shot, but I just missed it this year.

I went to the hospital and they did what they could.Sent me home and I'm going around in circles.Have to ware it off and pray.Not a good feeling.

I hope you feel better soon, Goldy.

I'm hoping you're able to stay in bed and have someone help you, Goldy. I'm convinced the best way to get over the flu is to simply sleep.

thanks Joane .I also had a stroke.Today I feel much better.Sometimes when you know someone else cares you begin to feel better.Love the 'kitchen Table'