I find it only natural to blog about what I have experienced first hand over the past week…or what I think I have experienced that is? (I dont have a fancy lab to send off nasal swabs and sputum samples to tell me exactly.) Through research of signs and symptoms maybe we will discover what exactly I have been bed ridden with. Even better I hope you will learn the basics about the primary seasonal culprits Flu, Rhinovirus, and RSV, and how to avoid them!!!

The FLU

Also know as “influenza” the flu is a respiratory illness. It can be mild to severe. It’s different than a cold because symptoms usually comes on suddenly. People are sick for a few days up to two weeks. That is if they don’t develop complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections, or have worsened chronic health problems which can add on more sick time. Check out CDC (flu symptoms and severity), for more info.

symptoms:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone has this)
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue or extreem exhaustion
• may have vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

Rhinovirus 

Also know as one cause of the “common cold.” Likes to circulate and visit people during flu season. Its symptoms are very similar to flu, but are much less severe. Kids may have this cold up to six to twelve times a year usually occurring in autumn (start of school time) and winter.

symptoms:

• sore throat
• runny nose, sneezing, or nasal congestion
• coughing
• muscle aches or weakness
• tiredness
• decreased appetite

RSV

Short for “respiratory syncytial virus.” According to the CDC, RSV is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia in young children. Its also the leading cause of death from respiratory illness in those aged 65 years and older. Let me tell you fist hand this is a nasty virus. One word to describe it, “SNOT.” In the hospital, we suction kids noses frequently to help clear their airways and allow for easier breathing.

symptoms:

• a lot of snot, fancy word “secretions”
• wheezing
• fever
• decreased appetite
• cough
• sore throat
• headache
• general sickness feeling

BEST WAY to AVOID all of these sicknesses…

Wash your hands, don’t kiss sick people (my poor husband couldn’t resist, praying he has super immunity), don’t share drinks or utensils, get your shots (flu and whatever else you can get), and I always like to remind people adults CAN get sick from babies and kids.  So don’t be kissing on those sick babies. Probably how I got sick…being around so many cute sick babies. (Not kissing them!)

My guess as to what illness I had… a week with RSV.

In health,

Tara Arnold, RN