Got the Flu

[draven]

So my Dad got the flu last week, and i pretty much stayed away from him as much as possible. but we had to travel together in the car on the weekend, i covered up and sat in the back seat.
But on Monday i got a headache and by Monday night i had a cough and a runny nose. had bloods done yesterday and creatinine is up a bit 137 it was 122 before so not up by much. doc says creatinine level can go up when u have the flu. any know if this is true. what would u guys recommend i do to fight this flu and can it effect my kidney. I'm approaching my 6 month anniversary so don't need any issues.

[Romona]

Stay hydrated. I wish I knew more to tell you. 

[Bill Peckham]

Do you know which strain of flu?

The CDC's novel H1N1 (aka swine flu) guidance for people with chronic conditions, including immune suppressed, is different than their guidance for the normal seasonal bug.  Do you have a fever?

[charee]

I got it too at about 6 months , it went to my chest and i had to have 2 lots of antibotics and was told to rest and drink heaps, it took about 3 weeks to get better. go and see your gp if you don't feel better soon. Good luck

[Wenchie58]

Not to be a killjoy or the voice of doom, but did your Doc check you for CMV...often has flu like symptoms and can kick the crap out of a new kidney!

[Sluff]

Damn Draven I hope there is a way for you to protect the kidney and hopefully it is not the H1N1 strain.

[pelagia]

Given that your dad has the flu, it seems likely that you caught it from him.  What has the doc recommended?  Did you have a flu shot?  Hope you feel better soon.

[draven]

Hi guys

feeling a bit better today. doc says i should just drink plenty of water and rest. if i experience any nausea or vomiting i should let him know. have not vomited or felt that bad. i dont have a fever just  feels like i have the normal flu. dont think i have the swine flu no one has it here. as far as i know. and my dad did not spend time in mexico or where ever that flu came from.

[G-Ma]

 

[pelagia]

sounds like you need some chicken soup! feel better soon. 

[Bill Peckham]

Sounds like you're on the mend.

I think we all should have a thermometer - especially those with immunosuppression, living with a transplant. A fever is an important indicator of infection and rejection, making a thermometer well worth the nominal investment.

[pelagia]

Yes, Bill, I'll second that.  When my husband was feeling ill last week, I couldn't get him to call the doc until I convinced him to take his temp.  It was elevated and that was the little push he needed to call.  I remember the transplant clinic PA telling us to remember that by the time a transplant recipient is showing symptoms an infection will have better foothold than it would in someone with an normal immune response.

[monrein]

Here, they make sure we have a thermometer  and we're supposed to take our temp every morning and if it is 37.5 or more we need to start contacting someone.  I have a phone mailbox at my transplant clinic so I can leave and receive messages and that is a really reassuring system for me. 

[kellyt]

I left the hospital after transplant with a digital thermometer and a blood pressure machine (they provided them, but I'm sure I paid for them   ).    I had to take my temp twice a day for the first few weeks post surgery, as well as do my BP's twice a day.  I keep the thermometer by my  bed and check it periodically.

Good Luck Draven.  It sounds like you're doing better.   

[draven]

Flu is pretty much gone. feeling normal again.

  for all the advice

[willowtreewren]

Good news! 

[kellyt]

Good news, Draven.  Did you feel as if it was worse than you've had in the past?  And did it last longer?

I've never had the "flu".  Seriously.  I don't think I've ever even had a fever.  Not one that I can recall anyway.  All I ever get are allergy/cold symptoms that generally are gone in a few days, and cold sores.

[draven]

i dont think i felt worse then in the past. i was more worried it might effect the kidney.

[okarol]

So glad you'r better Draven!
One big risk with the flu is dehydration. Another is not being able to keep the immunosuppressants down if you've got the stomach flu.
Take care!