posted
On 9/20, I posted "?begin antbx as flu season starts". I am concerned about starting antibiotics now as we enter the flu season and I'm not sure that I will get the flu vaccines.
If I start antbx, how will I know whether I'm having a Herx vs the flu. I heard on TV that 30% of people with the flu can either be assymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. One does not have to have a hi fever.
heartof14k
Posts: 51 | From Boston, Ma. | Registered: May 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I would suspect that with the flu you would at least run a moderate fever.
If you get the flu and it is that mild that you don't get a fever then you should be okay.
I know it is a concern for us since most of us are afraid of the vaccine and you can't really avoid being exposed to the flu. We are all at risk, but I would not wait for the flu to pass before starting Lyme treatment. It might be spring before the flu is fully over. Thats a lot of time passing without treatment for LD.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
In general flu symptoms include fever (over 101), chills, body aches, cough, sorethroat, and some people with H1N1 develop diarrhea.
It is the combination of symptoms that makes one suspicious of the flu. A sorethroat could be caused by many things but a sorethroat combined with the above symptoms should make you consider seeing a doctor to r/o flu.
If you are diagnosed with flu within the first 48hrs after onset you may be able to take Tamiflu to reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the duration of illness.
The difference between herx and flu is that a herx is usually and increase in the severity of your Lyme symptoms. So yes, you will feel cruddy, probably with more joint pain, fatigue, etc.
If you do start to experience symptoms and are unsure if it is herx or flu you could always check in with your doctor just to be safe.
It is important to remember that Lyme is an infection, it will only get worse without treatment. Do not let the fear of herxing or the flu keep you from treating your Lyme infection.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Marnie
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"As Josie's story reminds us, 98,000 people die from medical error in the United States every year, making it the fourth leading cause of death in our country. "
[ 09-21-2009, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Marnie ]
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
There is a big Public Relations push on to get people to vaccinate themselves and their children with a vaccine that is full of contaminants, doesn't work, can have life-threatening side-effects, and isn't needed.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$??????
Or, just another step towards a totalitarian society, as there is talk of locking up people who won't be vaccinated or vaccinating them by force??
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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A herx may mean only a headache, or dizziness. You never know what a herx will bring out.
It really doesn't make any difference if you get the flu while herxing. Won't feel too good, but if you just stop the meds while getting thru the flu you'll be just fine.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
So is the consensus to continue treatment during a flu or to take a brief treatment break until the flu symptoms abate?
Another question is (going back to the original post here) what to do if you don't know whether you have the flu or if your symptoms are a herx?
Since abx suppress the immune system to an extent, would we be better off taking a break from them during a cold/flu/seasonal virus?
I realize that the best advice would come from the doctor, but of course we can't always get such answers quickly from our LLMDs who have patients in crisis situations on a daily basis...
Posts: 408 | From California | Registered: Apr 2008
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