I had the "Flu" for the 1st time in years.

I couldn't believe it I got the "Flu" or "Influenza"!I would like to blame my friend because he said, you look awful, I hope your not getting the"Flu"everyone has been getting. I said, "Me No", as if I was above it or something... Then when I got it I discovered I was above nothing I could see with my eyes... I decided to look it up and it is all over the news everyday,
but I never paid it much attention. I learned this was such a big deal that Google's did a study on it. What are the systoms of the flu?

Here are some Flu Symptoms, and what some call it H1N1, some call it Swine Flue, some call it
Influenza call it whatever it usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:

* Fever (usually high)
* Headache
* Tiredness (can be extreme)
* Cough
* Sore throat
* Runny or stuffy nose
* Body aches
* Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)

Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.
Diagnosing the Flu

It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. A doctor's exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication of the flu. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu as long you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health care provider. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children.
Know the Risks from the Flu

In some people, the flu can cause serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Children and adults may develop sinus problems and ear infections.
People May Have Different Reactions to the Flu

The flu can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.

Know How the Flu Spreads

The flu usually spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

Healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 5 days after getting sick. Therefore, it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.

Some say the Best Protection against the Flu: Vaccination

Some say the single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a flu vaccination each year. Two kinds of flu vaccine are available:

* The "flu shot" — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).
* The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

If you are going to get a yearly flu vaccination you should start thinking about begin in of September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. I think it starts like the !st day of Fall. Just when the kids get back to School. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
Antiviral drugs are available to treat and prevent the flu.

* "Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.

Knowing this does not make me feel better. I am not at the age where they will give me a free Vaccine, not that I really want a needle. So I decided to do some do things to make harder for those little bugs getting at me again. I have a feeling I will be adding to this blog a lot.

Well I hope this helps someone out. Check out some of the help I have found for us. I hope you have a "Flu" free life! But if you are like me and aren't so lucky you may want to try some homemade medicines... go to http://www.homemademedicine.com/?hop=april1975