Should I get ds2 tested for swine flu? And how/where?

[Greensleeves]

he's been sent home from school today feeling sick and has since vomited twice

he has a temperature and says his legs "won't let him walk" and his throat hurts

there is swine flu in other local schools although I haven't heard of it at his school yet (he's 4)

should I try and get him tested, or is it pointless?

Aww poor you greensleeves

My Gp told me that the older you are the worse you'll feel.

Does that sound right to those of you that have had adults and children get it?

I would have thought the children would have been worse as their bodies are smaller and can't fight it so easily.

I think kids in general are amazing when ill. I know dd2 has been bad but still not as bad as I think I would be with the temp she has had etc. Childrens ability to bounce back always leaves me in awe!

Greeny, you've had it a long time now. If you are starting to feel worse again then you should phone your gp. Secondary infections are not uncommon in flu.

OYBBK you seem to be very well-informed about this (as well as being my fave MN weather gal!) which is fantastic.

Do you think my ds had it or not - he was diagnosed with it by the GP over the phone on the basis of:

• high temp
• he was saying he was achey occasionally
• very slight runny nose occasionally
• had had contact (brief though) with someone with it recently and we are in a hot spot

BUT he really wasn't that bad and was totally normal within 48hrs and didn't have the tell tale cough....

pigs. I'm not at all medically trained - just had a long standing interest in emerging and pandemic viruses. Didn't actually really think that my interest might pay off. bit of an embarrassing interest really now!

Your ds does sound like he may meet the criteria, as growingup says some people do get it really mildly or even asymptomatically.

HPA say 'The clinical diagnostic criteria are:

• Fever [pyrexia ≥38°C] or a history of fever, AND influenza-like illness (TWO OR MORE of the following symptoms: cough; sore throat; rhinorrhoea; limb or joint pain; headache; vomiting or diarrhoea) OR

severe and/or life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process'

But saying that, you can't be really sure because the usual colds and germs that are always around still are around.

Ohyubadkitten - this is a very interesting site

Hope all poorly ones are on the mend. We have an unconfirmed case of swine flu in our school. Most concerned about myself due to asthma and dd2 who's colds always go to her chest. We'll see if/when we get it.

That is interesting - thank you

I have also now found out of some local confirmed cases where there have been no fever. I had thought this was crucuial to a flu dignosis, but it seems not to be the case with SF in some cases.

So maybe last wee when I was ill it may have been SF after all.

It's quite infuriating not knowing whether it was SF or not isn't it.

I can imagine!

pigswithfludontfly - I agree. Now I am feeling better and it really doesn't matter healthwise if I had SF or not last week. But part of me just would love to knpw!

I've seen some tests via private Gps for about £125 - tempting! Don't know whether they're above board but some of them seem to be.