Not The Flu

Last night my right ear started hurting and I couldn't hear out of it.  So this morning I camped out at the doctor's office so I could see someone as soon as possible.  I now have a severe ear infection, possibly the worse one the doctor has ever seen.  Between the infection and laryngitis, the doctor feels I never had the flu.  Instead, I had one heck of a bacterial infection.

And now I know how I got so sick.  Jonah had a bacterial infection two weeks ago.  He ran a high temperature and ended up with a double ear infection.  A few days later, Elliott got it.  And a few days after that, grandma went down.

Ironically, I'm the germaphobe of the family, always pushing the sanitizer.  But I guess no amount of sanitizer can shield a grandma who loves to give hugs and kisses.

Today I start on a 10-day antibiotic.  The doctor also prescribed an ear drop to numb the pain. Historically, within 24 hours of starting an antibiotic, I'm much better.  I'm hoping that's the case this time, because I'm also a grandma who loves to make Christmas special.

New Flu Symptom

And now I have laryngitis.  I had no idea until hubby came home last night.  I tried to talk and nothing came out.  Literally nothing.

I've had laryngitis before, but never to this extend.  But it confirms my self-diagnosis of flu. According to the U. S. National Library of Medicine,  "The most common form of laryngitis is an infection caused by a virus, such as cold or flu viruses."  Recommended treatment is resting the voice and taking decongestants and painkillers, which is all I'm doing today.

But beyond not being able to talk, I'm much better, just low energy and minor sore throat.  So I'm hopeful I'll be well enough by Thursday to watch my two-year-old grandson all day.  I just hope I have at least a little voice by then.  If not, for sure it'll be a challenging and interesting day.

Flu Treatment and Prevention

This morning I woke up still not feeling well.  I'm definitely getting better, but not as quickly as I had hoped.  My main concern is not being able to watch my grandsons, which means my daughter has to solicit help.  Typically that means contacting several people before finding someone who's available to watch the boys.  She was able to cover Monday and Tuesday, so I really want to be better by Wednesday.

I called the doctor's office this morning.  Although it would have been better to start within 48 hours, the doctor prescribed Tamiflu.  He also prescribed it for hubby in the hopes Jim will not get the flu, too.  At least not this time.

The nurse told me they're currently seeing a lot of flu cases, which is alarming since the season just began.  I suppose we have to be grateful for flu shots.  Just imagine the epidemic that would occur with no prevention!

Self-Diagnosis – Flu

It started yesterday afternoon.  By late last night, I was miserable.  I honestly don't remember the last time I felt so bad.  My entire body ached; I was chilled; and I had a horrific headache and sore throat.  I believe I have the flu.

Hubby talked to the pharmacist this morning, brought home some medicine, and I'm feeling much better.  My body no longer aches, the headache is finally gone, and my throat is only slightly sore. Now I'm mostly just extremely tired and have been sleeping most of the day.

I have no idea where this came from.  The grandsons were sick last week, but it was sinus and eye infections.  I read people are contagious for one day before flu symptoms hit and up to five days later.  Needless to say, I'll be housebound for a few more days.