the flu

[remo85]

Hey there guys!
I just got my first flu since being diagnosed back in october 2015. Ive never been the type to worry about flus. I used to have a strong organism i guess and never got sick. But since the diagnosis Ive been told by several doctors that I should rush to the hospital If I ever get one because it might kill me. Im of course..kinda freakin out about the whole deal. I was depressed and anxious this whole weekend ive been sick.. I felt really sick.
Now , my cd4 count came back 650 2 months ago and Ive been taking my meds , and taking care of myself in general.
SHOULD i be THIS worried? I mean I have Just been diagnosed..theres still a lot of road ahead..

[CaveyUK]

given that you are typing a very coherent message on an internet forum, it's probably not really the flu you have

If it is though - With your numbers, you need to do what anyone does when they get the flu. Rest, take lots of fluid and paracetamol (painkillers - in the US they are called something else).

No need to get a swat medical team involved just yet...

[remo85]

yes sounds logical , but it gets kind of confusing when its the doctor filling your head with ideas .

[CaveyUK]

We get illnesses and ailments just like anyone does.

There are certain common illnesses that can be nasty for HIV+ folks, but generally these become serious concerns when the immune system is seriously suppressed - ie. the CD4 count is low.

For people who are stable on meds, with an undetectable viral load and a CD4 count in the 'normal' range, there should be no additional concerns with stuff like colds, flu etc. Just treat them as you always would have done.

Now this doesn't mean ignore anything that looks like it is developing serious symptoms - and always seek medical advice if in doubt. That would be the same for everyone though....influenza kills a good number of healthy individuals without any immune system problems, so always be wary you start having problems breathing or things are getting worse after a week.

I was being a bit flippant before about you typing on this forum, but there is an element of truth in it....many people who have had a bad bout of flu are really immobilised with it... one of the common things I've heard people say are things like 'If you told me there was a case with a million pounds at the bottom of my garden and I just have to fetch it, I'd still not be able to get out of bed and do it'... In fact, thinking back I don't think I've ever had anything worse than a relatively mild bout of it myself. I would certainly be hopping down the garden to get that case...

Oh, and as someone living with HIV, you should get the Flu jab each year - but I figure you know that

Hope you start to feel better soon.

[remo85]

I think deep inside im still working on getting rid of this idea i had of the disease growing up in the 90s.

thanks a lot btw 

[gcr.mty.mx]

HI remo, I caught a cold after a weekend of travel (airports, air conditioned planes and hotel rooms). I was about two months into my treatment. Freaked out a little bit on the second day so I went to a general doctor who indicated rest and ibuprofen. Three days later I was back to normal. My hiv Doctor congratulated me on not freaking out too much as we tend to do. He said we will get colds and flu and diarrhea just like before and that's there's no reason to get well if we're taking our meds.


G

[remo85]

hey guys one last thing. what about influenza? This same weekend I got sick there have been news all over of an influenza bout around here, and I know hiv+ people should be extra careful..any recommendations?

[harleymc]

The recomendation here in Australia for PLWHAs is to get an annual flu shot.
Apart from that,  just wash your hands on a regular basis or use alcohol wipes if sharing keyboards or other equipment.

[CaveyUK]

hey guys one last thing. what about influenza? This same weekend I got sick there have been news all over of an influenza bout around here, and I know hiv+ people should be extra careful..any recommendations?

Your original post said you had this already (i'm sure you know that influenza=flu)

Points are same as previously. No need for HIV+ folk on stable meds to be more careful than anyone else, other than getting a flu shot.

[remo85]

Your original post said you had this already (i'm sure you know that influenza=flu)

Points are same as previously. No need for HIV+ folk on stable meds to be more careful than anyone else, other than getting a flu shot.

Over here they call it influenza or h1n1  im not sure its the same..

[zach]

there are different flu stains... H1N1 is a specific strain

listen to cavey on this, he's taken point and he's given you good advice

chill out, go hug some snot nosed babies