Thought I would check back in here. Hope your family is all better Brandyfro.

Norovirus, I think, is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and a lot more common than we realize. The key to the real flu is that is long acting. You do not get over it in a few days or even usually a week. It's more like two to three before you are fully recovered.

Interesting side note here. I just read over my imployers declination form today for the flu vaccination. I work at a hospital. I have declined it every year. Last year there was a simple declination form. This one is more like a legal contract. It says a bunch of stuff about understanding that by refusing it I realize that I am putting other employees and patients at risk of a life-threatening illness. I do not like the way it is worded AT ALL.

I have decided that I am not going to sign it. We'll see what happens. If I am approached openly about it I am simply going to refuse. I don't think they can make me. They can go ahead and fire me for it for all I care. I am so sick and fed-up with the healthcare agencies right now that I really just don't care anymore!

No more bouts of flu around here. Seems either the season over early or getting a late start.

This is going to be so hard to track. This flu bug spreads like wildfire. After you are around it, you will be sick in a day or two. My oldest had a bug that made him empty his stomach in a hurry, body ached the works. Just when we thought he was good, he was sick again. Turned out to be strep. (He had swine flu last year we think...they dont test for any particular strain, just an approximate and he was positive for a h5 strain.)

On my school bus, I believe they have all been out sick with the flu on one of my routes now, and about half way through the other route. If one kid was sick on Monday his neighbors were sick on Tuesday. I could see it coming though. The color in the face goes grey a week or two before, and for a week before, they do not feel well.

Im finding this is hardest on the adults than it is on the kids. When adults come down with it, it is violent, and leaves them down for a good 5 days.

My little girl is sick with the flu now. Poor thing started throwing up yesterday but is feeling a bit better today.

The main thing I see is that no one is going to the Dr. for this. Money is beyond tight. They wait to see if it gets serious then go to the ER if it does. ER rehydrates sometimes gives an antinausea med, and ships them out the door. No testing is being done. No one wants to pay for it. Especially the hospitals.

Ya my oldest had strep and of all the symptoms the sore throat was the least of them. BUT I dont think it is what everyone else was getting. He never really got grey in the face. I could be wrong though.

Quick edit to add that I take Bcomplex and D vitamins every day. I have not gotten sick. There were a few days where I was tired and my body ached but that was it. Considering I practically swim in germs all day every day...I think that says something about those vitamins. I did not get the flu shot either...never do.