The doctor says lots of people are getting/being 'Post viral' this winter; are they?

[KatyMac]

DD hasn't 'picked up' after sinusitis & the dr said lots of people were struggling this way this winter

Are other people finding the same?

[KatyMac]

Well she has been woken about times & turned over and gone back to sleep.....so even tho' it's not a snow day I think she will be at home

[moisturiser]

Tbh if you have CFS and she has a post viral thing, I would not let her push herself. It's being totally over cautious, I know, but I have M.E and so many of my friends have another relative with it, in my case my mum had it. There does seem to be a genetic element (i.e possible some people have a genetic susceptability to getting it following a virus). None of that is as yet proven of course, as I said it's just uncanny how many people I know who have it also have someone else in the family who has it/have it.

And also, for many, it started with a bad virus like this and they pushed through in the weeks after and ended up terribly ill. It's just not worth the risk if you have CFS. Have her rest, there's plenty of time ahead of her to get back to dancing and school.

[weaverofmetals]

Oh dear. Perhaps I should be making my own thread for this, apologies if I'm being rude -- but I'm having one of those confused, "but isn't it like this for everyone?" moments.

I've always been so impressed in how people can manage after being ill, and be back at work after a cold, etc. I just assumed I'm a big wuss, because I'm always weak, tired, somewhat nauseated, etc. for at least two weeks after cold, and that would be a cold that just lasts a day or two, normally I'll be what I call "ill" for 5-7 days and then "recovering" for 3-4 weeks. Is this NOT normal? Is this what you all are talking about re: "post viral"? Do most people feel back to themselves after the main cold is gone? (No, that can't possibly be true can it? Please tell me it's not true.) I've just gone back and read the thread again. People are saying they were sick at Xmas and only just better. But that's not even been a month. Isn't that normal?

I don't get sick very often; I get the flu shot every year because if I do get the flu I'm ill for over a month and take a good 3-4 months to get through the whole thing, but I know that's unusual. But a normal cold that you're only off work for a few days, isn't it normal to feel like crap for another month or so?

Right, I'm just saying the same thing over and over. Sorry if this is inappropriate.

[KatyMac]

I just checked with my colleague & for her a cold is 2/3 days, recovery is 2/3 day (probably with no time off). If it's longer than a week/10 days or needs a day off it's a very bad cold.

[mummytime]

When I get a cold, by the time the cough/runny nose etc. is finished I normally am totally fine.
However sometimes things do linger, but not usually for a month, more often a couple of weeks.

KatyMac, in your case I would: plague the doctor for blood tests etc. does he know your DD's full medical history? I would also definitely use vitamin supplements. Could you try to take her out for very short walks around midday, if it is sunny? She cannot return to school unless she can: stay awake for a whole day with at the most a short nap; can walk at least as far as school and back without falling asleep afterwards.
Can school send work home? How supportive are they being?

One of my most successful friends suffered with CFS type symptoms all through sixth form and Uni; he actually graduated at least 2 years behind his cohort (I'm not sure it wasn't 3 actually), but he is doing very well now.

I do hope she gets better soon.

[weaverofmetals]

Wow, okay. I wonder if what I call "fighting off a cold" (feel awfully tired, have a sore throat, might cough/sneeze a little, but it only lasts a few days) is what most people call "having a cold". Will have to readjust my mind!

And sorry, Katy, I should have said something re: your DD. My mind was just reeling! I hope she gets better :( It sounds so hard, especially for someone used to being so active.

[KatyMac]

Blood test on Thursday, urine test today & see how we go......she doesn't think it sounds like Glandular Fever - but there are other things she can test for

[KatyMac]

I've just made cakes I can't eat (intolerance) that DD started & flaked out halfway through

& they are my favourite

[KatyMac]

& I have started giving her rescue remedy to calm everything down

[KatyMac]

We are going to try school today.....going in late

[SouthernComforts]

My friend has post viral fatigue, she has had it for over a year, she is often bed ridden, she can't hold down a job and receives DLA. It's awful for her. She must have a very extreme case of it.

[SouthernComforts]

And I hope your dd is feeling better soon, but don't let her do too much too soon and exhaust herself

[ToomuchWaternotWine]

weaver I think, sorry, but yes you do sound unusual. For most people I know, a standard "cold" with snotty symptoms will last 2/3/4 days and then maybe a couple of days of feeling a bit tired but still able to function ie go to work/school and cope fine. Real Flu is very different of course, thats a week in bed for most and then longer recovery.

I think people here are expressing concern that after viral illnesses the expected recovery is much longer than normal this year. I have a friend (mid fifties and fit and well usually) who has had a cough since November which hasn't shifted, this is unusual but she is still working and coping with a busy life well, she has just cut down her gym time and does gentle walks instead.

I wonder if its PVF, or just that immune systems are lower for longer so people pick up the NEXT horrible bug and it all runs together and feels like the same thing?

[toffeefee]

I think part of the problem is that people just go about their daily business whilst they are still contagious, spreading their illnesses about, rather than staying in until they are better, so people keep just picking up virus after virus when they are still low from the last one. Also I see loads of people who just don't wash their hands after using public toilets, or don't wash their DC's hands before eating. This can't help.

OP, I hope that your DD feels better soon.

[KatyMac]

Well I left her in tears, I asked her to try just one lesson & see how she did

'Not going to school' is intrinsically bad & going back is so hard

[JustAHolyFool]

I have had a chesty cough since the middle of December. It just won't budge, keeps going away then coming back. Sinuses are fucked too.

I do get out every day, but yes, the heating at work is whacked right up and it makes me feel worse, I think.

[IDismyname]

I had shingles twice in two years when DS was younger. A nutritionalist told me about this stuff, and it did help me kick the virus into touch.

I think they now have child friendly versions and maybe sugar free.

It tastes like Ribena!

sambucol.co.uk/Sambucol

[KatyMac]

2 lessons & back home again; this is going to be a nightmare

[KateSMumsnet]

Hi everyone,

We're going to move this to children's health in a mo, at the request of the OP.

[KatyMac]

Thanks - it's more a whinge about DD than a general chat I thought - sorry

& I want to whinge more x2

[mummytime]

Whine away!
We all have issues at time.
Children and their health (mental and Physical) don't necessarily fit the education timetable, and Mr Gove is just making it stricter (eg. A'levels).

I do hope your DD feels better soon, but also I hope you manage to have wisdom/insight/whatever to help her make the right decisions about her future.

[KatyMac]

Oh I don't know what to do with her long term....getting to the end of the week will be good!

We have planned for her to do 2 hours tomorrow

[roundabout1]

Katy - my dd was diagnosed over a year ago with post viral fatigue after a few bouts of tonsillitis. Trying to keep a boisterous 7 year old taking it easy but exercising a little even if she's feeling poorly is so hard. The strops & temper tantrums she is having remind me of a 2 year old, she's clingy when she's feeling bad & then oh so independent when she is feeling ok. If school are ok I would just try her doing a few hours a day then gradually increase it rather than her burning herself out.

[KatyMac]

School are being OK so far (most of the teachers anyway)

How is your DD now? (I have a 6 stone, 5 foot, 2 year old atm)

[roundabout1]

I'm glad school are being sympathetic. We have had huge problems with school along the way but slightly better at the moment. Dd still isn't great - they are thinking it is possibly Chronic Fatigue now due to lack of improvement, I am a bit confused about the difference between the two to be honest especially CFS in its milder form. Dd id doing a couple of hours at school a daybut averaging only 3 days a week as still finds it hardgoing. At home she has periods of normality, boisterous, dancing etc etc but then flops. She is a bit like a puppy, has a mad half hour & then flops but instead of being a cute sleeping puppy turns stroppy!