Did anyone else get sick over the holidays?

[smirkymonkey]

I have been sick w/ a bad cold since Thursday and it has really knocked me out. Just wondering how long it's dragging out for people. This one seems to going on longer than usual. Tried to go to work today and they sent me home. The cough is the worst part of it, although I don't have a fever.

[Siwsan]

1. I've heard from friends who had stomach "bugs" and flu

One of the perks of not celebrating Christmas is I don't spend a lot of time in the big crowds, getting exposed to everyone's germs.

Hope you start feeling better soon! Keep super hydrated and I can't recommend cabbage, onion & garlic soup strongly enough. You can toss in whatever else you like, and use a chicken or veg broth based - either way, the trick is LOTS of garlic.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Thanks for the advice. The only thing I feel like eating is soup. Nothing

else appeals to me.

[GP6971]

2. My wife

started on Saturday...down for the count for the last 3 days. No fever, but horrendous cough and congestion.

[smirkymonkey]

10. Yes, I went to our company health center today and I don't have a fever either, but

the cough and congestion are terrible. It's exhausting, really. Hope your wife feels better soon!

[MustLoveBeagles]

3. I didn't

I hope you start to feel soon.

[smirkymonkey]

11. Thank you!

I love Beagles too!

[Sanity Claws]

4. Me too

I missed work today.
But I’m on the mend and will go to work tomorrow.

[smirkymonkey]

12. Sorry to hear that. I may have to pass tomorrow. People get really upset with the coughing so

even though I feel like I should show up, I think they would rather that I wfh. My boss is on vacation for the rest of the week and just told me to stay home until I felt better. I always feel guilty, but I don't want to show up and have them tell me to leave again.

[unblock]

5. Of course! Thats what holidays are for!

Everyone needs to rotate their immune system every 10,000 miles.

[smirkymonkey]

13. It always seems like I get sick when I am around my nieces and nephews.

My mother is really sick too.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

6. Wife got sneezed on in the Guadalajara subway

and caught a cold mid-December. Often those go to her lungs, but this one didn't. She thinks she also may have a stomach bug. I ate the same stuff she did and am fine even though I have a more delicate constitution. She's waiting for the doctor to decide whether she needs to see my wife or whether she can go straight to the lab for a sample/test.

[smirkymonkey]

14. I hope everything turns out ok and that she feels better soon!

[pbmus]

7. Started Christmas Eve and still fighting it...

It is not just a cold, it’s bronchitis .... mostly fluids and teas and albuterol...Comtrex and alka seltzer for colds and flu....

It lasts anywhere from 2-3 weeks.

[smirkymonkey]

15. Ugh! 2-3 weeks! That is what I am worried about - that it will turn into bronchitis.

I am taking Mucinex, hot tea, soup, etc., but I am coughing so violently that my voice is almost gone. Hope you feel better soon! Did you get some antibiotics for the bronchitis? It won't do anything for the cold or flu, but will work on the bronchial infection.

[Laffy Kat]

22. IMHO, wouldn't hurt to get a chest X-ray at this point.

Just to be cautious. Nip it in the bud, if it is pneumonia.

[smirkymonkey]

24. I think I will if it goes on a few more days. It's very deep and sound

terrible. Thank you!

[Laffy Kat]

30. Then don't wait, smirkymonkey!

If it already sounds deep and terrible, go tomorrow, Love.

[pbmus]

32. Gotta try to lessen the cough with throat spray, elevated sleeping positions, etc.

Have had my prevnar 13 and booster so infection is not my worry.

When you do cough, try to spit up pleghm and drink lots of fluids.

Also keep warm, use heating pad ...

And get your rest, cannot cough all night and get rest.

[smirkymonkey]

34. I know, that is my problem right now. The coughing is keeping me up so

I can't rest. For some reason it seems to be the worst at night. I am drinking lots of fluids and taking Mucinex. Maybe need a heating pad on my chest to loosen things up. Thanks for your advice!

[pbmus]

39. Get a decongestant and Tylenol, the comtrex and alka seltzer have

The combination in them, do not overdose on these over the counter meds.

Tylenol is dangerous but effective for fever, chills.

The reason you cough more when laying down is because our lungs fill faster due to gravity. When standing or seated your lungs can expand 2-3 inches or more downward.

[smirkymonkey]

41. Oh, that makes sense. It's better when I am up and walking around, but nobody wants me

to be around them so I am just home in bed with the computer on my lap and it has been so much worse. Maybe I will try to work at the table tomorrow and see if that works better. Thanks for the tip!

[steve2470]

9. I got the flu on Christmas day, that really sucked

thankfully with fluids and bedrest, it only lasted 48 hours.

[smirkymonkey]

16. You are lucky! I'm glad you are feeling better.

Did you get a flu shot? I did, but I don't think this is the flu, just a bad cold.

[steve2470]

20. I did get a flu shot, which was the odd thing

I had a partial-flu at best, body aches, fever, fatigue, but no coughing, sniffling, or runny nose. It wasn't a cold or bronchitis, I know that much. Maybe the flu vaccine did work after all. Thanks for the kind words.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. I got a cold, apparently from one of my sister's grandchildren.

No big deal. I think of it as the child generously sharing his excess virus with me, and my body making a warm and hospitable, if temporary home for them.

What's actually odd is that the cold only lasted three days, wasn't that bad, but now I have a major case of laryngitis. My friends are rejoicing. I'm not.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Yes! Kids seem to catch everything! I always seem to get sick after the holidays because

I am around my nieces and nephews. I don't know if I have laryngitis, but I can barely speak. The cough has kind of ripped up my throat. I'm glad that at least your cold has gone away.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. I am not that often around little kids,

and at my ate, 69, I almost never catch anything. This is my first cold in at least five years, and I'm genuinely astonished at how short and mild it was. The laryngitis, on the other hand, is quite annoying. But not painful, so that's good.

[Laffy Kat]

21. Strep. Not fun. nt

[LuckyCharms]

23. Yes. Like you, a bad head cold. This is the 5th day, and it is getting better.

No cough, just a headache and stuffed nose. A lot of fatigue.

Feel better soon.

[smirkymonkey]

25. Thank you!

Glad you are feeling better!

[CanonRay]

26. Bad chest infection,

Persistent cough, no fever, now 6 weeks. Can't shake it.

[smirkymonkey]

27. Ugh! Sounds awful! That's how long it lasted for the nurse in the health

center. Hope we both get better soon!

[CanonRay]

31. Thanks, you as well.

At lea I'm getting sleep now.

[Duppers]

28. Me. Still sick. Cough, fever...

Achy joints, sore throat - the works.

Woe is me.

[smirkymonkey]

35. Sorry to hear that. It sucks being sick. The thing is, once you start to feel better,

it feels so good not to be miserable anymore. Take care!

[Duppers]

38. Thank you!

[dhol82]

29. Been sick since 12/23

Started as a sniffle and rapidly went into a major head cold.
Just started to feel human again couple of days ago.
Still have congestion and a hacking cough. Been on Robitussin for a week and a half.
Also, due to my asthma, have been using my Advair inhaler.
Not fun.

[smirkymonkey]

36. Wow, that's a long time! Have you seen a doctor?

Mine started exactly the same way and is now just a hacking cough which isn't very productive. It's keeping me up at night, so I'm exhausted. Hope you feel better soon!

[MLAA]

33. My husband and I caught a stomach bug yesterday.....

Was hoping it is the 24hr variety. But that deadline is fast approaching and we aren’t feeling better yet.

A friend can’t stop coughing. Her doctor told her it was a virus. Another friend had the same thing about 6 months ago. It dragged on for months.

[smirkymonkey]

37. I'm sorry to hear that. Stomach viruses are the worst. I hate feeling nauseated and

throwing up. I had a cold about 10 years ago where I couldn't stop coughing for months. I went to a Dr and he told me my lungs were clear and said it was post-nasal drip and told me to drain my sinuses w/ a saline wash for 5 days. I was desperate so I did it and amazingly it worked. It wasn't pleasant, but the results were amazing. If this doesn't clear up soon I will do it again. It's hard to tell what is causing it w/ out seeing a doctor.

[MLAA]

40. I use a nasal kettle whenever I have a cold or even allergies.

It doesn’t take that long a couple times a day. 😉. It is only 8:19pm and I just took a night time Alka seltzer cold and flu. Hoping to sleep my way to recovery!

[smirkymonkey]

42. Have a good rest! Pleasant dreams!

[Marthe48]

43. I woke up sick 2 am 12/26

I thought I ate too much or picked up a bug. I ended up in the e.r. and learned that I have a gallstone, and probably had a gallbladder attack. I have a surgery consult 1/9. In the meantime, I am being so careful of what I eat. I felt horrible.

Hope you are better by now

[smirkymonkey]

44. Thank you! I hope you are ok and that your consult goes well!

Take care and feel better!

[Sancho]

45. Two weeks and I'm still coughing...

no fever either.

Sounds similar. Going around here in Fl.

I've been miserable.

[smirkymonkey]

48. Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. It is so unpleasant.

Hopefully, it will go away soon.

[diva77]

46. sorry you're sick! is your wrist better at least?

[smirkymonkey]

47. Thank you for remembering! It is getting better, but it still hurts a bit.

I tried to pick up a trash bag and it was obvious that my wrist was not at 100%, but it's definitely much better. God, I have been such a basket case lately! Thanks again for your concern!

[diva77]

51. so glad it's getting better!!

[denbot]

49. I've been horribly sick since Xmass eve.

Worst cough and congestion, feverish, nauseous, all around suckage!

[Gothmog]

50. I have been fighting a cold since early December

I finally went to doctor and got anti-biotics and good cough syrup

[Shrike47]

52. Husbands had a cold since 12/22. Major coughing, can not sleep lying down.

Apparently there’s something nasty out there.

[smirkymonkey]

59. Yes, I have found that it's much worse when lying down. I am propped upright

on my pillows and it seems to help a bit, but still doesn't eliminate it entirely. Hope he feels better soon!

[Tiggeroshii]

53. My wife right after new years

Something is going around

[Rhiannon12866]

54. Me! I've had the flu since just before Christmas, had every symptom except a fever, too

I went to the doctor and got a prescription the Thursday before Christmas, but I still don't feel that great. That was the last day I left the house. I had plans which I put off till New Year's, but I pretty much slept all New Year's Day. And it doesn't help that we have record low temperatures here in NE New York, we broke the record last week at 20 below. My poor dog refuses to go out - and I don't blame him. Wishing us both a return to health in the New Year!

[smirkymonkey]

56. Sorry to hear that you are still sick Rhiannon! It's such a drag!

Where are you in NE New York? I am from Upstate NY, north of Utica in the Adirondack foothills and I know how cold it can get up there! Your poor pupper! Feel better soon!

[Rhiannon12866]

62. Thanks so much! It's getting very discouraging

I figured I'd start feeling better after I went to the doctor, but it just keeps hanging on. He did say that they've seen a lot of strange flu bugs this year. Last year I got 2 flu shots, but nobody mentioned it this time around and I had other issues at the time - TMJ. At least that's let up *knock-on-wood* but I've had the flu nearly as long.

I'm in the mid east, just north of Glens Falls, south of Lake George, Adirondack Foothills, can see the mountains from my house. And I'm somewhat familiar with Utica, I'm a graduate of Hamilton College, in Clinton - also on the top of a hill. And I'll pass on your wishes to my little Jack, he's on the short side, so he's not a fan of snow. *sigh*

[smirkymonkey]

63. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better! I think this weather doesn't' help either.

I am very familiar w/ Glens Falls/Lake George. It is such a beautiful area! I also grew up around Hamilton College and used to have cross-country races there. It's a beautiful campus. I went to St. Lawrence University in upstate NY (Canton) so way up in the sticks. You live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world, in my opinion! What kind of dog is your little Jack? I love dogs!

[Rhiannon12866]

64. I may try going out tomorrow, not sure yet

Tomorrow will make it 2 weeks! I've never been sick this long before. And one of my good friends also went St. Lawrence, know that it's a very good school. Hamilton does have a very nice campus, though I was mostly on the Kirkland side.

And Jack is a Brussels Griffon, large for the breed, but still fairly small. He was a "pet shop rescue" and I've had him since he was 5 months. He's 11 now - but he has always hated snow - and weather in general.

[VOX]

55. Yes. My wife and I both came down with bad colds on December 30th.

She's doing a bit better than I am. I've got that damn dry hacking cough, and am starting to sound like a seal. May have to see the doc this week if it doesn't improve.

[smirkymonkey]

58. I know what you mean. I hate going to the doc, but the coughing just gets so exhausting

after a while. It seems like there is no relief. Hope you feel better soon!

[VOX]

60. Thanks, I'm going to the doc tomorrow afternoon.

The cough won't let up. I had the same darn thing last year: "asthmatic bronchitis," and I've never had asthma in my life. On the plus side, my abs are sore from all the hacking -- so I'm getting some "crunches" in while I'm laid up.

[Freddie]

57. The real flu

I’m quite sure - although I never got around to getting the flu shot earlier (won’t do that again!) my daughter (a nurse) said that this years shot is only 10% effective. Started late Sat. night with chills, fever, coughing, aches and a wicked headache. 4 days later I still feel like utter crap although a bit more human. Weak, exhausted, runny nose, cough. Worked 2 part days (darn people want to get paid!) thankfully my boss is great about these things. Might take a whole sick day tomorrow since payroll is done, or maybe we’ll have a snow day. Big difference between the flu and a cold is you don’t bounce back from the flu, you can stay weak for quite a while.
Morbid thought - my FIL, 85 with a bad heart, died of pneumonia 2 months ago, wonder if it was the same virus.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

61. I got sick first day of winter break, dec 11.

Was down through my birthday and Xmas, not that it really mattered. No one to notice.

It’s taking forever to get back on track now; slogging out of depression is hard.

[PassingFair]

65. Started coughing on New Years Eve

... still coughing. Feel TERRIBLE! It’s 1:30 in the morning and I’m awake and on the couch. No fever, but wheezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, and sporadic but violent coughing . My husband isn’t feeling too great either, his nose is clogged, so his snoring means I had absolutely no chance of falling asleep in bed. This is some nasty *hit!

[mvd]

66. I had a minor stomach bug and sinus congestion

Fortunately it didn't turn into a full fledged cold. I have been susceptible to colds throughout my life, but have not had one in a couple years. I attribute it to having vitamins, washing with WARM water when I get home from being out, avoiding touching eyes/nose/mouth, and using nasal spray.

I read that the flu and other things affected many during the holidays.

Hope you feel better soon!