Flu thread - anyone else got it? Seems to be rife in SW London right now. Sympathy thread for fellow sufferers and tips on how to cope.

[Cloudhopper]

Everyone I know with children seems to have come down with this horrendous virus. Am always reluctant to say "flu", but it is pretty nasty.

In this area I have had so many phone calls from very sick mums, no food in the house and babies/toddlers waking all night while the mum just feels like quietly dying.

Unfortunately I am on my own this week, looking after the dds who are both v ill (temperature approaching the 40s). It has been sheer hell for us here. Not a good time to have no family support network in the area, but somehow getting through it.

Anyway, I just wanted to post this to provide sympathy for others who might be affected, especially those on their own like me. Here are my tips, in case they help anyone.

The virus starts with a v high temperature, with some children affected more severely than others. It seems pretty infectious, with everyone in contact getting it so far. As soon as you think one of you has it, try to get supplies of medicines and food in for a week.

Online shopping - is a good option if you can't get out to the shops.

I ended up at the hospital with dd1 (long story) and they advised that to keep the kids' temperatures down, alternate nurofen with paracetemol every 3 hours, being careful not to exceed the maximum dose of either in 24 hours.

Please anyone who is also going through it post here for sympathy!!!

oh you poor things. I hope you all make speedy recoveries. Is there no one who can help at all??

I had proper flu a few weeks back and I physically could not care for DS (I fainted on my way to the bathroom just trying to get up!). My mum had to come and stay (she lives 2 hours away). I was also so worried of him catching it and fingers crossed, so far he hasn't. The only tip I therefore have is rest, rest, rest and call in any help you can.

And chocolate, never too ill for that

here

and here

those links are to threads on mumsnet about this nasty virus! It's been everywhere it seems.

me this week. I've been in bed for 4 days so far. Felt very tired, weak, tearful, temperature (shivering/hot etc), headache and dizzyness and bad throat/ears/sinuses too. dh took 2 days off and the rest of the week (when I'm meant to be at work) children are in nursery.

I feel a bit better atm and am hoping it's on its way out.

Thank you for your replies. I will check out the other threads too.

Weegle, my mum is at work and can't come. Luckily MIL is coming anyway today because it is dd2's first birthday tomorrow, so we have some help at last.

dd1 is whingeing 24 hours, and dd2 is waking up boiling hot. There's only me here and I am drifting in and out of consciousness at times.

at weegle and pollyanna in bed! Thanks guys - at least I am not alone.

me.... waiting for DH now so I can go to bed.

Me, and lots of drugs seems to have been the best approach. I'm feeling a lot better now, and DS didn't have it too badly, thank goodness. Some of his friends' mothers are pregnant and can't take anything and I don't know how they are surviving.