Unexpected Flu Bug Visits Cathy Kates’ House
My husband Homie was feeling a little funky on Friday night. He didn't really sound normal but he forged on. Probably should have listened to the warning signs and stayed home instead of coming with me to the hockey game. Who knew he had a 101.5 fever on the horizon? Now, I'm playing nurse and washing my hands every five minutes. I AM NOT GOING TO GET THE FLU!
I know, I'm not unique in the situation. There have been so many people sick with flu-like symptoms. I don't know whether to be glad he got it before the holidays or not because now I could be a carrier monkey incubating!
Flu comes on pretty fast. He went to bed Friday night and woke up freezing. I had to give up my side of the comforter to double it up on him. I knew this was going to be bad at that point because he usually sleep on top of it because he's always hot. When we took his temp on Saturday it was 101.5. (I had texted my friend 105.1 and she said, "holy crap, did you bring him in?" I realized that's the radio station frequency, not his temp, lol. Habit!) I looked up flu symptoms and they are:
- fever
- chills
- aches
- tiredness
BINGO! But, now what? I asked if he wanted me to take him in to get Tamiflu. It's a medication that has to be taken within the first two days of symptoms. But he said no, he'd stick it out. So, I checked out the FDA suggestions for treatment. They say to:
- Getting plenty of rest (I was gone all day Saturday, but he didn't move from the couch)
- Drinking clear fluids like water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages to prevent becoming dehydrated (we used 7-up)
- Placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead, arms, and legs to reduce discomfort associated with a fever (we didn't need to do this because he had the chills)
- Putting a humidifier in your room to make breathing easier (he had a cough in the morning, but wasn't that stuffed up. Sneezed a (lot though)
- Gargling salt water (1:1 ratio warm water to salt) to soothe a sore throat (the bad patient wouldn't do this, said he'd gag)
- Covering up with a warm blanket to calm chills (we have a electric "throw" blanket that was a God send. He was toasty underneath it and the dog was toasty on top of it)
Some of the "house rules" we have when we're sick is:
- You have to keep your toothbrush in what we call the isolation chamber. Away from the other toothbrushes.
- "Snag rags" aka, used kleenex go into a paper bag next to the patient, not left on the floor, the coffee table or any shared areas.
- Patient's dirty dishes are immediately put in the dishwasher.
- Let people do things for you. Don't be a hero. You're sick, you need to rest or you won't get better.
- Patient gets control of the TV remote. (anything to keep them happy)
It's such a tough time to be sick. There's gifts to buy, parties to attend and work to wrap up before the holidays. The best defense is to hope those that are sick STAY HOME and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!!! Personally, mine are chapped!
Hope Homie feels better soon and that my immune system is healthy as a horse and I avoid getting it this time around!