Barb’s Blog: What ails you?
So, you think you have swine flu? Well, maybe. I learned a few things at the doctor’s office this week. I have a normal blood pressure, no fever, and another virus.
This is not the much talked about H1N1. No, I had that last spring. This time, it is Parainfluenza. It’s the garden variety flu that makes you feel miserable with achy bones, headache, sore throat, and a runny nose. (In my case, I had no voice, which is a bit of a job hazard) It’s not A or B influenza, and it doesn’t get a lot of press, but it is responsible for about 50% of all croup cases, 10-15% of bronchitis cases and pneumonias.
My doctor, who could do little for my viral infection other than prescribe a cough medicine that would make sleeping a little easier, said only 30-percent of the tests they are sending out for swine flu confirmation are coming back positive. He says the A and B flu strains are still not prevalent, so… a lot of people in Utah County likely have the same thing I do. Para… which makes me wish I could just “para-chute” into a warmer climate until flu season is over, because it’s going to be a long one!
