Please tell me about this year's flu

[Don Claybrook]

My 6th grade son came home feeling ill today. I don't know if he has the flu, or some other "bug".

About 2 weeks ago, my wife was violently ill for 24 hours, headache behind the eyes, dizziness, throwing up. After 24 hours, she was weak but feeling better. The next day, she was pretty much back to normal.

Today, my son is reporting a headache (he didn't say behind the eyes, but he did indicate his forehead area). He feels sick to his stomach, although he hasn't vomited. He doesn't have a test tomorrow. He has some post-nasal drip. He reports feeling dizzy.

This year's flu sounds like a bad strain, based on what little I've read. In anyone's experience, do these symptoms match the onset of this year's flu? Or might he get lucky and have the same, shorter-lived illness that my wife had?

Can anyone recommend home remedies or comforts? I'm already checked off on vitamins, lots of water, juice, rest, and quarantine from the other kids.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Timefortruth]

1. Does he have a fever?

If he doesn't seem real sick, call the doctor and ask what they suggest.

You may also want to call the school, they are a great source of information about what is making the kids sick. Your kid could be the first one there with the flu, but if there are lots of kids feeling like him that have been tested as not having it it makes it a little less likely.

[Don Claybrook]

3. Thank you. n/t

[bratcatinok]

2. Dry cough, headache and fever

with aches all over were the signs to watch for per the Dr. on Good Morning America's program this morning.

I actually wrote it down since I've only had the flu once in my life and that was 30 years ago when I was in college.

They also said it irritates the bronchial lining which can open up avenues to bacterial infections like pneumonia.

Here's an interesting website about where the flu is by zip and by county along with warnings and the like. http://www.fluwatch.com

[Don Claybrook]

4. Thank you. I'll go look at fluwatch. n/t

[LuLu550]

5. depending on where you live

you may want to be on the look out for Whooping Cough...it's making the rounds in NY state

[Kamika]

6. I had the flu

Just sleep it off really.. will take a week or so

[RedEarth]

7. Don..l.check out this CDC website

it will tell you everything you need to know regarding the flu. You could also try google. Good luck.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

[radwriter0555]

8. The robitussens are GREAT for easing the symptoms, and there is NO

reason not to.

If you're going to be sick as a dog, might as well make yourself or your loved ones as comfortable as possible.