Do You Know AnyOne with the Flu?

[Amaterasu]

With all this media hype about epidemic flu...  No One I have discussed this with knows anyOne with the flu.  Maybe I have just freakishly fails to talk to People who know anyOne.  So I thought I would start a poll.  If Your answer changes, You ARE allowed to change it.

I am running this poll for 30 days.

Personally, *I* think this is media BS to hype getting the poison jab.

[Deathcoyote]

I know quite a few that had it but I'm not sure it was the flu. Something was going around in GA and even with all the talk of it being flu, only a few described flu-like symptoms. I rarely get sick, but even I came down with a bit of a bug. But what I heard of from people I know doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary for this time of year to be honest. The hype from the media seems to me like more garbage that is better left ignored. I have experienced first hand, the lack of media credibility or interest in the actual truth of actual events reported. Events reported that I know specifics about are either reported WELL after the fact, or with barely a shred of truth. Most often both of those are true. I always welcome fellow media skeptics, so Hi5 to you Ama!

[Amaterasu]

Well, I'm in GA at the moment...and I know of no One ill with even a cold...

EDIT to add:  I have quit believing ANYTHING I see in the mainstream, considering the made-for-TV "event" called Sandy Hook.

[rdunk]

One of my daughters is a Counselor in a Texas school district. One of their elementary teachers just died as a result of the flu/complications. She was 33 years old, in good health, and had a husband and two very small kids.

What a shame. Yes, it is happening all over the country, and there have been numerous just terrible deaths associated with it.

And, I have a nearly 5-year old grandson, that has just recently gotten over the flu, and had both strains, according to the doctor. He was very sick for a while. My older adult daughter, while not diagnosed by the Dr. as flu, believes her recent sickness was probably because of it. she said she had never felt such pressure in her lungs before, and she is over 50 years old.

Will likely be many more deaths before this thing passes. There could be some type of media hype associated with this, but...........for the most part, this flu thing is the real deal (however it got started). When emergency rooms are turning away people who have a need, one should know the truth of the matter.

Just FWIW (since we are on the subject):::::::::

How to Recognize and Ease Flu Symptoms

Symptoms

Flu starts all of a sudden, out of the blue, while a cold grows gradually worse. Flu comes with a fever and headache along with severe body aches. A cold rarely produces a high fever and body aches are minimal. Extreme exhaustion accompanies the flu along with chest discomfort and a severe cough. A cold may cause fatigue at first, but is not as prominent. A cold usually causes sore throat, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose and sneezing. Flu sometimes accompanies these symptoms, but not all the time. Flu can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia while a cold rarely creates more severe problems other than sinus and ear infections.

Prevention

Influenza spreads through the air. Therefore, a sufferer who sneezes without cover contaminates the air. Anyone in the vicinity that breathes the air can catch flu. A sufferer who coughs into the hand, then touches a shopping cart spreads the disease when someone else touches the cart, then touches their eyes or nose. That is why it is important to wipe off shopping carts before using them. Use personal pens to sign charge recipes and if using an electronic pen be sure to wash with hand sanitizer after using. Also sanitize after using ATM machines or any other public aids that are touched. Always wipe down the public or family phone before using .

Treatment

Get plenty of rest as the fatigue that comes with flu lasts several weeks. Drink tea, fruit juice and clear chicken soup. Take ibuprofen for body aches and use a cough suppressant. Create steam by letting hot water run in the shower or use a humidifier. This keeps sinuses open. Prescription medications are available, but most must be taken within the first 12 to 48 hours of the onset.

Those with chronic disease, diabetes, AIDS or HIV, those 50 or older, health care workers and teachers should always be immunized every year. They are the ones most likely to become infected or have complications.

[Littleenki]

Had it in December..as did many others around me...it was like a hybrid flu/cold..like nothing else Ive ever had...wouldnt wish it on anyone!

[burntheships]

Yes, well at least flu like symtoms.

This has made the rounds at our house, so everyone who came
for the holidays, Christmas has had it.

7-10 days of typical flu symtoms...very nasty.

So far those who took antibiotics have fared not quite as well as those
who sought natures cures.

My best advice is go without the antibiotics, they wont kill a virus,
only a secondary infection from one.

I found defense with the following:

Lots of fluids, especially hot herbal teas.
Lemon juice, and some lemon pith and lemon rind,
Chicken broth with minced garlic and cayenne,
Colloidal Silver,
Vitamin C,
Zinc lozenge,
Horseradish,
Oil of Oregano,
Licorice Tea,
Echinacea,
Eucalyptus
Lavender

If you come down with symtoms, treat with all of the above ...
immediately.

[Amaterasu]

Thank You, all of You who have chimed in.  I may have gotten a very mild case, M'self...  Don't know because I was suddenly struck with being VERY tired, and slept 30+ hours and now I'm fine.  But did not get respiratory issues - just headache and stomach discomfort and, like I said... Tired.

[ichiban]

I had it for about a week and a half at the end of December.  I had just gotten my bachelor's degree, and of course I missed all of the celebrations and parties.   
At any rate, I had a fever of about 102.9 - 101 for about four days and felt fatigued for a solid two weeks.  No respiratory issues luckily.  That might be attributed to the fact that I quit smoking two years ago.
I know of several people on facebook that have the flu.
I'm in California where it's colder than usual lately.

[fredus]

I know a couple of people with the common cold at the moment but no one with influenza

[zorgon]

No flu around here... but then Vegas is dry so it doesn't spread as easily and since I no longer do the conventions right now I am not exposed to the hoards of Chinese with face masks

I think maybe John caught a bug at his party... but don't think it was a flu

[Amaterasu]

I do know that They are pushing the "vaccine..."  Even Mother Jones had an article that was seriously pushing it.  Knowing what is IN those jabs, I cannot believe they are anything but evil for One's body.