Got the swine flu and survived?

For those of us who got sick from the H1N1 virus, I would like to know if it did permanent changes.

I caught it myself and since then, I don't feel the same. Actually, I feel that my immune system is stronger than ever before.

During the winter, I used to be sick from the flu 2-3 times a year and even more. Been over a year last time I got sick. This Fall, I also realised that I had almost no symptoms from my usual allergies. First time in 10 years that I did not take medication to treat it.

Since I didn't change my habits (I smoke a lot), it seems logical that this virus changed something in me.

The only way for me to confirm this is to ask you if it did the same to you. I know the subject is somewhat old, but still hope to get a feedback from you.

No stars or flag asked, just answers needed...

Not sure about any changes to my immune system. But it was the worst flu I have ever experienced. Every joint in my body was on fire and I was practically immobile for four days. The funny thing that did happen was my girlfriend contracted it first and was put on heavy antibiotics. I had no insurance so received no meds. She suffered for twice the amount of time as I did and I am the one who smokes. Go figure

reply to post by strangefires


Wow, antibiotics to cure a viral disease. Did her doctor actually go through medical school? Incredible...
I don;t find it difficult to imagine why she suffered twice as long. The antibiotics did nothing to counter the virus, but weakened her immune system!

Oh, and I think that smoking is actually good for the immune system and that's why big pharma, through government campaigns wants us all to quit.. (ffeeww, I managed to squeeze a conspiacy in.. : )

Became allergic to antibiotics after, more susceptible to coughs, less susceptible to colds and flu than everyone else in the household. You know as a mother you are usually pretty much in for anything everyone else brings in, but I seem to shrug it all off in a few hours of starting to feel iffy.

Speaking of antibiotics, never had it prescribed since 2008. Before that: 1-2 times a year since as far as I can remember.

But the way viruses use our genetic material to replicate made me think about the possible implications. I also read somewhere that a large part of our DNA reflects our biological history with pathogens.

Also to consider: As done with plants and animals in genetic research, you can create specific conditions to get the desired characteristics. In some way, viruses may have more far-reaching implications than nano-robots.

Little bit off-topic. Thinking aloud so to speak.

Perhaps it was the cigarettes that did not allow the virus to wreak havoc. There is some indication, I can't remember the source, (i know), that an exposure to H1N1 will foster a degree of immunity to H5N1.

All I have to say is you have been chosen for the next breed of Super Humans.I am not lucky enough to have contracted such an illness.

reply to post by Vio1ion


Yes I do see an increase in immunity levels. I haven't ever been prone to being sick very often at most 1-2 times a year. But since I had the swine flu I have not been sick at all. Except for the occasional sore throat but that is probably from smoking BL. The day I got sick was two days before a football game my senior, being the starting defensive end I told my coach I was getting sick, missed the practice the day before the game. The night before the game, my body continually goes from extremely hot to extremely cold. I lose 10 lbs in a single night. Show up to class the next day because my temperature had gone down to normal. But was probably just because I was dehydrated, I felt extremely woozy and go back home after my coach tells me to. My fever spikes to over 106 and so this is how I spent my weekend, and last home game of the season. Talking like a cancer patient to my now ex gf. My symptoms are all gone by the next monday. I go to practice the whole week and to the game, but it drained my body extensively and I didn't feel as up to par as I was before I was sick, lack of energy for the most part. This continued for about 2 weeks but i recovered almost to 100% by our last game of the regular season and we were able to pull out a win. I think the fact that I was exercising rigourosly was the reason I was able to recover so quickly but also at the same time could have been very dangerous.

Originally posted by fredgbear
Perhaps it was the cigarettes that did not allow the virus to wreak havoc. There is some indication, I can't remember the source, (i know), that an exposure to H1N1 will foster a degree of immunity to H5N1.

Trust me. If the OP author had anything close to what I had, because whenever i would chew tobacco while I had H1N1 I would almost immediately if not after a couple minutes, start puking a lot. It wouldn't stop until i got the taste out of my mouth, including dry heaving stomach acid. Not pretty at all. It felt like my whole stomach was clenched into a fist.

No, I had swine flu in summer 2010 and the doctor gave me tamiflu tablets. Then in January of this year I ended up with glandular fever and tonsilitus, hmm bad times! So no, I ain't no superhuman after swine flu lol.