BajaNomad

The flu!

fishbuck - 4-29-2009 at 01:36 AM

Okay, so I didn't catch swine flu. And I'm not even sure if I caught the flu in Mexico. It was about 5-6 days after I got home when I got a "scratchy" throat. Plus I didn't see any sick people. I was the only sick one with my sinus infection.
But it's still the flu damn it. And I was never so glad to get home from work tonight.
I hope tomorrow I'm a little better.
I spent an 2 hours in the docs and he didn't give me tamaflu or anything.
I did get a little blue mask. But after I sneezed in it a few times I didn't really want to wear it anymore.
They say the swine flu kicks in hard after 2-3 days. That's when your immune system goes full blast, floods your lungs in antibody cells, and you die!
I sure hope my doc is right and I just have a "little virus" He's been my doc for over 25 years. Hasn't killed me yet!

[Edited on 4-29-2009 by fishbuck]

Bob and Susan - 4-29-2009 at 06:06 AM

"He's been my doc for over 25 years. Hasn't killed me yet!"

remember he's just "Practicing" :lol:
he has time...:lol:

bajabound2005 - 4-29-2009 at 08:17 AM

If it's swine flu, you didn't get it in Baja!

postholedigger - 4-29-2009 at 09:14 AM

I got a flu a few weeks back where I had a fever, was coughing uncontrollably and had lots of congestion. A few people I know who got the same thing had it develop into pneumonia. It was pretty rough but it didn't kill them. Hope you get better soon man.

toneart - 4-29-2009 at 09:55 AM

I have had a mild flu for about six days. Started with a scratchy throat and quickly moved to my chest. I have a cough which was bringing up stuff from my lungs, but now it is just a dry croup. The cough is not spasmodic and I don't have sinus conjestion. All in all it is pretty mild and I feel pretty good.

I went to Dr. Dan Silva, the young doctor who has a great reputation here in Mulege. He gave me an antibiotic to tackle the secondary infection in my lungs. He also gave me a non steroid anti inflammatory drug and a strong cough syrup/expectorant. The cough syrup makes me a little loopy. I felt better before I started taking the drugs. My own immune system was tackling it, so who knows whether the drugs are assisting or just getting in the way. Anyway, it is only a 5 day course and I will be done with it after Friday's dose. The cough still persists and the lungs and ribs are sore from coughing, but other than that, I am still getting things done around the house. I don't have the other symptoms of the Swine Flu, and the doctor isn't worried. I have enough control to be able to refrain from coughing in public places. I go outside if I feel I have to. I tell people who want to shake hands that I have the flu and they back way away.

The reason I am saying all this, Fishbuck, is to ask if your doctor prescribed anti biotics and some kind of anti inflammitory drug. It won't do anything for the virus, but it may help clear up your sinus infection.:?:

shari - 4-29-2009 at 10:26 AM

the flu bug that circulated here a month ago was the nastiest I've ever seen starting with a sore throat and blossoming into bad cough, headache, body ache and some "runs"...and it was very contagious and nearly the whole town got it...some were sick for a whole week and others had complications like pneumonia after. I very very rarely get sick and only had a bit of it after my serious bout of WINE flu which lowered my defenses I imagine. Be well all.

Pompano - 4-29-2009 at 10:49 AM

I just watched a very comprehensive and informative news report on this subject from Fox News. I was very glad to finally get informed on the history and present form of swine flu. It clearly showed how the 'current swine flu' originated, how pigs are the perfect incubators, how it mutated, and how it spreads. Avian flu, swine ingestion, swine flu, contact with human flu, and the mutating varients. The current mutant form of swine flu is the one we..the world... is concerned about. And because of it's future mutating abilities, thus negating the current anti-virus remedies.



It's an ungoing crapshoot. Keep washing, don't shake any more hands for awhile, and forego the hugs and kisses.

My God! What am I saying!

fishbuck..are you listening?

Tony, Zulema will be devastated...

Also Tony, I went to see Dr. Silva the other day just to be on the safe side, and will see the results of the blood tests tomorrow. His wife drew the blood expertly..and I have hard veins to reach with the needle. We are fortunate to have such a good doctor in our midst, plus he makes those rare house calls. I wish you Godspeed in getting rid of your illness.

[Edited on 4-29-2009 by Pompano]

Cypress - 4-29-2009 at 10:52 AM

We all get some sort of "bug" now and then. People get sick every day, most recover, a few don't. Considering the total population of Mexico, the USA, Canada, etc., this whole "epidemic" is blown way out of proportion. As to the why of it? Are we gonna be driven to panic every time we turn on the TV? Something smells about this"epidemic".

MitchMan - 4-29-2009 at 11:35 AM

Over the last four times that I went to La Paz in the last 5 months, I got a really bad deep cough after one week there. It was accompanied by muscle and joint fatigue, and in one case with a fever. My Mexican neighbors get it off and on, they call it "gripa" and they think that it is due to inhaling dust that contains some kind of viral or bacterial bug.

It takes me about two months to get rid of all symptoms after returning to the USA. Anybody else have a similar and recurring experience as I do?

Each year in the United States, influenza kills more than 36,000 people and hospitalizes 200,000 others according to the NIAID (Nat'l Inst. of Allergies and Infectious Deseases). That implies that there are 98 deaths per day in the USA in a normal year.

How does that level of "normalcy" square with "cries of pandemic" with what is going on today with this current outbreak? Are we being histrionic and alarmist or is there something different about this outbreak of flu?

schwlind - 4-29-2009 at 12:25 PM

My guess ... the major cause for concern is not only does it seem to be a virulent virus but incredibly contagious as well... with no proven vaccines to treat it. When it kills otherwise healthy adults between 20 and 50... that's very troubling

Also, the flu strains we typically encounter, most with healthy immune systems can fight off... only those with diminished immune systems suffer the worst problems...

There have been nasty flu viruses circulating everywhere... although a friend has a flu shot every year... she came down with a particularly nasty strain and was deathly ill for an entire month...

Linda

toneart - 4-29-2009 at 01:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
Over the last four times that I went to La Paz in the last 5 months, I got a really bad deep cough after one week there. It was accompanied by muscle and joint fatigue, and in one case with a fever. My Mexican neighbors get it off and on, they call it "gripa" and they think that it is due to inhaling dust that contains some kind of viral or bacterial bug.


The "inhaling dust" theory makes sense to me. We certainly have a lot of blowing dust here in Mulege. There is lots of silt lying around that the river spills after flooding. The river is pretty funky, even though it flushes in and out with the tide. The many septic systems that line the river, leach. Often, as I walk around at night or early morning, the ground surface is saturated and there is a distinct odor. It dries out quickly during the day. Vehicles, many of which are speeding, really kick up the dust, and then there are the incessant winds. :(

Cypress - 4-29-2009 at 03:08 PM

Blowing dust? Yea! That's it. What comes to my mind is blowing smoke up everybodies kazoo!

fishbuck - 4-29-2009 at 03:12 PM

Okay, I think yesterday was the worst. I've got the dayquil-nightquil-nose drop-antihistimine thing going on now. I think I got the rythem of this beast ! I actually feel kind of good for having the flu. I'm sure there is a crash coming.
I'm probably get everyone here at work sick now!:P

[Edited on 4-29-2009 by fishbuck]

Bajaboy - 4-29-2009 at 03:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
Okay, I think yesterday was the worst. I've got the dayquil-nightquil-nose drop-antihistimine thing going on now. I think I got the rythem of this beast ! I actually feel kind of good for having the flu. I'm sure there is a crash coming.
I'm probably get everyone here at work sick now!:P

[Edited on 4-29-2009 by fishbuck]


Hey Buck-

You need to add some Baja Discussion to this topic....:?:

fishbuck - 4-29-2009 at 03:27 PM

Remember, I thought I caught this flu in Ensenada? I thought it was swine flu.
I thought I might have caught it from some girls in a club in Ensenada? And maybe they flew into Mexicali or TJ from Mexico City and took a bus to Ensenada. Or perhaps on the ferry from Santa Rosalia and a bus to Ensenada. Maybe they went home for Semana Santa and returned back with the swine flu. Maybe? :coolup:

[Edited on 4-29-2009 by fishbuck]

toneart - 4-29-2009 at 04:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Blowing dust? Yea! That's it. What comes to my mind is blowing smoke up everybodies kazoo!


Those are two separate modes of blowing. For these particular modes, i believe they are happening simultaneously. The dust blowing causes nose blowing. The kind you are an expert in, Cypress, causes blowing around the kazoo region. :lol::rolleyes:

Thankfully, Fishbuck hasn't introduced a third mode which may have given him the flu in the Ensenada region. No coughing please!:o

fishbuck - 4-29-2009 at 04:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Blowing dust? Yea! That's it. What comes to my mind is blowing smoke up everybodies kazoo!


Those are two separate modes of blowing. For these particular modes, i believe they are happening simultaneously. The dust blowing causes nose blowing. The kind you are an expert in, Cypress, causes blowing around the kazoo region. :lol::rolleyes:

Thankfully, Fishbuck hasn't introduced a third mode which may have given him the flu in the Ensenada region. No coughing please!:o


Incase you haven't figured it out by now, I'm the blowee not the blower.

Bajahowodd - 4-29-2009 at 04:51 PM

The dust inhalation factor reminds me of what is known as Valley Fever. The valley be the San Joaquin.

[Edited on 4-29-2009 by Bajahowodd]