Page 11 | Really terrified about this flu going around

Caramelbarrel · 2025-12-07T21:15:59+00:00

I’m in a total panic about the flu. It’s everywhere I look online, people are posting about it left, right and centre. Including locally. I’m always hugely anxious when my DS gets ill anyway and so if he gets it I know I’ll be a wreck. I have bad health anxiety too. I don’t know anyone personally who has it, but I know it’s just a matter of time. I’m so worried I’ll get it before Christmas and it’ll all be ruined for our DS. We’re supposed to be going down and staying with family.

Kavellanne · 09/12/2025 22:26

We've all had the flu jab a couple of months ago, it's free for all of us due to various reasons (but not because we are medically vulnerable). It was pretty easy to get appointments at Boots in October.
No sign of any of us catching the flu, despite 2 primary aged dcs, DH working in an office 5 days and all of us regularly using London public transport and going to busy attractions like Winter Wonderland, West End theatre etc. I'm 46 and don't ever remember getting severe flu (where you can't get out of bed etc), perhaps I've had milder cases but assumed it was a cold. I seem to be quite good at dodging viruses, my dcs had a bad one that wiped them out for nearly a week at the start of school term but none of the adults caught it.

eastegg · 09/12/2025 22:33

Staybymw · 09/12/2025 21:49

It seems that everyone who has been sick with it has already had the jab.

Just to balance out the casual rubbishing of the vaccine (you may not mean to, but it has that effect), here’s how it’s been in our house:

DS16; not vaccinated because school don’t do year 12, he’s never ill, never even mentions it when he has a cold, wiped out with flu symptoms but thankfully only for a couple of days then lingering cough for 2 weeks. Unprecedented for him.
DH; not vaccinated, more ill than I’ve seen him in 20 years.
Me; vaccinated, could tell it was a flu strain because of aches, loss of appetite, and had to spend half of one day in bed, cough took a while to clear up, but basically extremely mild (I’ve had flu before which is why I always get vaccinated).
DS14 and DS8; both vaccinated, not a sniffle.

I think one of the problems this year is that flu has got its boots on earlier which means it’s got ahead of the vaccine for many. Many schools don’t get going with it particularly early. Our secondary school messed up the administration of the year 9s (I got my year 9 to the GP for his asap, in the nick of time it seems), and another local secondary failed to send out consent forms. I have never heard of so many ill children in 16 years of parenting.

I believe the vaccine works.

eastegg · 09/12/2025 22:39

On newsnight right now

HulaScoop · 09/12/2025 22:50

I wonder if the reporting is partly to try and get the residents to call off the imminent strike…

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 09/12/2025 23:30

I've definitely been exposed as I'm breaking out in post viral hives now which always happens to me.

I was jabbed in mid Oct.

Caught it off son who was worse than me in early dec

3 days of Sore ears swollen glands Runny Nose. Cough felt tired. Had Two pj days and watched films etc. I was till Able to potter about but needed a lot of rest then suddenly bounced back and the hives started.

My son was worse but he was
Late getting his jab Much worse cough and breathing issues. Also his heart rate was 92 and normally it's 60. He was off school a week.

Lidre · 09/12/2025 23:36

Caramelbarrel · 07/12/2025 21:21

My DS has but I haven’t as I’m not immune compromised or anything. I’ve not been offered it.

But I’ve heard the flu spray/jab isn’t making any difference to the current strain this year.

I?'m not sure. f this will help you, but a colleague has just been knocked for six by it. Usually a stoic, three days in bed, but her DC didn't get it, having had the immunisation.

APatternGrammar · 10/12/2025 09:27

Staybymw · 09/12/2025 21:49

It seems that everyone who has been sick with it has already had the jab.

Are they all doing rapid tests for flu to know that they have it, though? There are viruses going around that aren't flu (we've all had one of them recently and tested negative, to my surprise). Also, many people are still havingcovid without knowing it because they don't test.

Idontpostmuch · 10/12/2025 10:20

@Caramelbarrel I can remember a flu epidemic winter 1975 to 76, but it wasn't widely reported and there was no social media to wind up everyone. (At least, we called it an epidemic, although I don't know what the scientific definition was.) I remember only 6 of us left out of a class of 30. It's easy to worry when it's talked about and written about because you trip over it with every step.

Netcurtainnelly · 10/12/2025 11:01

They say some schools are using masks.
I know masks were a pain in the arse in Covid and were littered on the ground alot but i think it was better in the Winter. People not coughing and sneezing everywhere.

Idontpostmuch · 10/12/2025 14:06

Lidre · 09/12/2025 23:36

I?'m not sure. f this will help you, but a colleague has just been knocked for six by it. Usually a stoic, three days in bed, but her DC didn't get it, having had the immunisation.

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I wouldn't call 3 days knocked for 6. I've only had flu twice but both times I was in bed for 9 days.

Comeonbabyblue · 10/12/2025 14:35

Caramelbarrel · 09/12/2025 20:16

@Comeonbabyblue

I know it wasn’t your intention to, but that post has just really scared me. It’s all the things I’m worried about, especially for my DS.

Sorry it wasn't.my intention to scare you at all 😪 I just read how much you were worrying already (probably makes no sense at all) and didn't want you to worry more or feel bad. Like how you were going to pay for the jab and your husband wouldnt get it and I know its easier said than done but you just have to do what you think is best and, as much as you're worrying that you should have the jab im not the only.person to say they've still caught it.
Basically it just is what it is in the nicest way possible but hopefully getting the jab offers some protection. Im really sorry. I too suffer with health anxiety and have tried to take precautions that havent worked. Someone telling us not to worry doesn't stop us worrying does it unfortunately, we're dealt what were dealt I was just trying to say that without being rude.

Comeonbabyblue · 10/12/2025 14:40

Strawberrryfields · 09/12/2025 20:50

@Comeonbabyblue Well if she was mildly worried before, she’ll be bloomin terrified now! 🫣
But genuinely that sounds awful, hope you’re all feeling better soon.

Genuinely didnt mean to scare her at all. Just trying to say I think with this strain it is what it is now without putting it rude and bluntly tried to show an example and feel absolutely terrible for it now 😕
Thank you, think we're over the hill now 🤞

Strawberrryfields · 10/12/2025 14:51

Comeonbabyblue · 10/12/2025 14:40

Genuinely didnt mean to scare her at all. Just trying to say I think with this strain it is what it is now without putting it rude and bluntly tried to show an example and feel absolutely terrible for it now 😕
Thank you, think we're over the hill now 🤞

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Ah I was just making a silly joke, clearly wasn’t your intention. Glad you’re over the worst of it 👍

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/12/2025 15:06

eastegg · 09/12/2025 22:33

Just to balance out the casual rubbishing of the vaccine (you may not mean to, but it has that effect), here’s how it’s been in our house:

DS16; not vaccinated because school don’t do year 12, he’s never ill, never even mentions it when he has a cold, wiped out with flu symptoms but thankfully only for a couple of days then lingering cough for 2 weeks. Unprecedented for him.
DH; not vaccinated, more ill than I’ve seen him in 20 years.
Me; vaccinated, could tell it was a flu strain because of aches, loss of appetite, and had to spend half of one day in bed, cough took a while to clear up, but basically extremely mild (I’ve had flu before which is why I always get vaccinated).
DS14 and DS8; both vaccinated, not a sniffle.

I think one of the problems this year is that flu has got its boots on earlier which means it’s got ahead of the vaccine for many. Many schools don’t get going with it particularly early. Our secondary school messed up the administration of the year 9s (I got my year 9 to the GP for his asap, in the nick of time it seems), and another local secondary failed to send out consent forms. I have never heard of so many ill children in 16 years of parenting.

I believe the vaccine works.

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I agree.

All flu vaxxed in this house and hoping for the best. I’m Covid jabbed too due to immunosuppressants.

Kids have been a bit ill with colds but no flu yet (touch wood).

If we do get it - I guess it means a few days in bed and cancelled plans/ school/ work. Annoying but don’t suppose it will kill us.

Comeonbabyblue · 10/12/2025 17:57

Strawberrryfields · 10/12/2025 14:51

Ah I was just making a silly joke, clearly wasn’t your intention. Glad you’re over the worst of it 👍

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Aww I know, think this sickness has got me going soft though 🤦‍♀️ thank you :) x

CheshireCat1 · 13/12/2025 19:46

Ranoutofideasfortheelves · 07/12/2025 23:52

What were your symptoms please?

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High temp, shivers, cough, aching and I’ve lost hearing in one ear. I’ve been referred to ENT. Still not 100% at the moment but hopefully I’ll be back in work next week.

ThatAgileRosePanda · 19/12/2025 16:07

Caramelbarrel · 07/12/2025 21:21

My DS has but I haven’t as I’m not immune compromised or anything. I’ve not been offered it.

But I’ve heard the flu spray/jab isn’t making any difference to the current strain this year.

You can pay privately for the flu vaccine.
If I was that terrified I would get the vaccine (we have had our vaccinations), as it will provide some protection. Bottom line is you might get flu, but it’s not inevitable and if you catch it, you will recover.
Having health anxiety is a really stressful way of living, maybe you can get some help with that.

Xmasdemon · 23/12/2025 14:21

The headlines appear to be becoming more intense and urgent about the whole thing and I'm saying that from reading reputable publications. However I was ill last month, tested negative for covid so I'm assuming it was this flu. It wasn't that bad apart from my sinuses fusing shut for a while. I then developed a secondary bacterial infection so I was sick for about 4 weeks