If you have flu symptoms do you go to the hospital?

[COCOCHANEL]

i started to experience symtoms yesterday and things got steadily worse. i can barely stand. i don't have anyone to take care of me right now but although i have insurance it's expensive from today because it's a national holiday until the 5th so it's like 10x more than if i had gone yesterday in the daytime. i can't sleep well because of body aches and chest/head congestion. pretty sure i have a fever.

should i go or not?

Updates

+1 y

thank you for your help everyone ♡
i've made a full recovery ☆

http://prcm.jp/pic/original-image/id/5cTkXId

Updates

+1 y

this is what i did to recover: sleep, drink lukewarm water, apply cold jelly sheet to forehead.

i did not receive medical attention nor did i take medicine.

[emmabee11]

Nah... you don't need the hostpial for minor to medium colds or flue plus docs won't see you for that any more anyway since all the cut back, but if go for ear infections, my stupid doctor though wouldn't see me for that but it's stupid not to because now i have conjunctivitus in my eyes and every now and then it's effecting my sinuses... i now get a blocked noes for up to a week because of it... but for colds i tend to just eat a lot of spicy chicken and veg soup (home made) and cartons of orange juice, the vitimin c will help your body and the spicey soup will help you sweat it out, make it quite spicy, drink 4 cartons of orange juice through out that week and it will reduce the symptoms to 6 days :).

[SamiJane]

Well it would be a good idea. They can give you a Z pack that would probably fix it. But if it is that bad I wouldn't try to ride it out. Despite our advances in medicine, the flu is still very serious, people still die from it and you can also get pneumonia which could have longer lasting consequences. If you absolutely can't get to the doctor then all you can do I suppose is try some over the counter medicine.

[COCOCHANEL]

if it's the flu, taking cold meds could make it worse. friend brough me otc cold meds but i'm not sure what to do.

[SamiJane]

If it is that bad then you really need to go to the doctor as soon as possible. If you are worried about going because of how much it costs I would suggest finding a clinic instead of going to the ER. They are cheaper.

[COCOCHANEL]

all clinics closed on the 27th or yesterday. this is the biggest holiday in japan. the only way i can see a doctor is the ER. it's the only thing open.

[SamiJane]

Ah. I used to live in Japan and I remember that. Soooo busy. You are still probably going to just have to go.

[Dargil]

If it is life threatening, yes, but:
Influenza is a virus. There is no cure. Going to the hospital exposes others to it. Palliative treatments can cause the virus to mutate and get stronger. Ditto getting flu shots if you are generally healthy.

Drink plenty of fluids. Sport drinks with electrolytes like are the best. Maximizes your immune system.
Keep as warm as you can stand. Heated room and blankets. Viruses hate heat. A very good reason to cuddle with your lover for hours at a time. If you smoke and/or drink, don't until you are better.

[Prof_Don]

My mom is a nurse, and we almost never went to the doctor for illness unless it was something directly curable (ex. ringworm) or the symptoms were that out of control (which was rare).

A flu isn't "curable " directly, so It's best to save your money and time, by nursing the symptoms at home. with rest & over the counter medicine.

[COCOCHANEL]

thank you. i was a bit skeptical about that too. i've never taken meds for the flu/cold so i've always wondered what they do for people who go to the hospital for it. on the 29th i was feeling kinda bad and didn't think to quickly get to the clinic before they close for a week. if i had gone i would've paid a mere $4 for the flu test and maybe $10 for meds if i wanted them. from the 30th though it would cost about $100 because only ERs are open and they charge even more on holidays.

[Prof_Don]

Take those over the counter meds and drink tea (preferably green and lemongrass)... and rest up! Get better soon. :)

[Prof_Don]

Glad I was able to help you, Coco! :-D

[COCOCHANEL]

i appreciated the medical professional perspective thank you (*^^*)

[Prof_Don]

ginger tea works wonders (getting fresh ginger, cutting a 3cm slice, cubing it, steeping in hot water for 5 mins)

;-)

[COCOCHANEL]

thank you ♡

[Prof_Don]

Good to hear u feel better!

[CommieDearest]

No, I personally wouldn't go to the hospital over general flu symptoms. If they got bad enough, I would. If you feel like this is significantly worse than a typical flu, go. Better safe than sorry. But if you think you're going to pull through and this is just particularly nasty one, drink water, watch netflix, and sleep.

Feel better.

[COCOCHANEL]

thank you

[DodgersGM]

Do you feel like it's a regular flu, or does it feel like it could possibly be something worse?

If it's just a flu, no need for a doctor or antibiotics; you just gotta let the virus do it's thing.

If you think it could be something different though, then perhaps going to the doctor might be a good idea. For example, one time I had pretty gnarly flu-like symptoms for over a week, and finally I went to the doctor and I actually had walking pneumonia, which could have been pretty dangerous.

[COCOCHANEL]

i rarely get the flu and the last time was like 5 years ago and it lasted for more than a week. i'm not even sure what i have. no thermometer. the hospital said they have meds for the flu. i've never gone to the hospital for something like this but i had someone to take care of me.

[DodgersGM]

Awww I'm sorry! That must be awful to feel so poorly and not have support at the moment.

Are you having real difficulty standing, because if so that sounds like it warrants a trip to the hospital.

[COCOCHANEL]

yeah i feel dizzy and can't keep my balance

[DodgersGM]

Hmmm well I'm obviously not doctor, but if it were me I think I might go. Better to be safe than sorry, especially if you are alone.

I hope you get well soon whatever you decide! :-)

[COCOCHANEL]

thank you

[Prof_Don]

The hospital doesn't have medicine directly for the flu... they have medicine to help manage the symptoms (fever, body aches, etc.) while your body naturally fights the virus off.

[Kris85]

I'm sick as well and right now I'm sweating out my fever. I wouldn't bother going unless it persists a few more days and you can't keep anything down. You would need to go in for dehydration. Keep drinking lots of water, get some rest, take meds when needed. I always just ride my sickness out until it's gone.

[fallingblaze]

It's late but I wanted to say that when one of my family members when to the hospital because of a flu she ended up dying. Her parents were doctors and suspected it was due to her being given the wrong medication but of course justice wasn't served because even if it's the hospital's fault it's almost impossible to sue them...

[Hans222]

I would only go to hospital if dehydration or extreme fiever is involved.
If it's the flu, best to take something against the fiever and sleep it off. And if it doesn't quickly get better call your domestic doctor. You never know.
Wish you a quick recovery :-)

[Hans222]

Happy New Year Coco! Hope you're feeling better in the meantime :-)

[mei0313]

You have to go to the hospital if you have fever and if you can barely stand :( hope you get well soon

[COCOCHANEL]

thank you

[mei0313]

Feeling any better? 😕

[COCOCHANEL]

a little

[mei0313]

Did you go to the hospital? I think they have ice patch thingy that you can put on your forehead and your arms when you are feverish. My sister used to get them for me from Japan. It could make you feel better too 😕😧

[COCOCHANEL]

yes ☆ my friend brought me the cooling jelly patch and it really worked (*^^*)

[mei0313]

Glad to hear that :) stay healthy coco ☺️

[Error_204]

The odds of death are low and there's no real treatment for viral infections. Take your temperature. If it is 1.5 degrees higher than your normal go in. If it is not it's up to you.

[COCOCHANEL]

don't have a thermometer

[Error_204]

Then you have no choice but to go in. :(

[COCOCHANEL]

really? :[

[Error_204]

Really. You need to at least monitor your temperature because while it won't kill you a high grade fever left unchecked can cause a lot of problems that can take a while to recover from. It's not worth it.

[Error_204]

Congratulations on you regaining your health.

[JackKerouac77]

Call an ambulance if you're really worried.

But no, I usually just stay home and tough it out.

Nobody to come watch over you?

[COCOCHANEL]

friends are willing to bring me stuff but they don't want to catch what i have

[JackKerouac77]

Ah, well you'll be OK. As long as someone is within calling distance so you're not alone.

Be glad you have nice friends :)

[yaddayaddayadda02]

I'd try to nurse it one more day. Keep hydrated, take meds and try to rest.

[COCOCHANEL]

if it's the flu, taking cold meds could make it worse. friend brough me otc cold meds but i'm not sure what to do.

[yaddayaddayadda02]

A fever reducer/pain relief would be my choice. You have to keep your fever down and your body hydrated. But if you're that concerned go to the doctor.

[evenlift]

Cocochan daijoubu?

Isha ni iku hou ga iiyo.

Kane yori karada hou ga taisetsu kara.

[COCOCHANEL]

心配させてごめんね

[evenlift]

Ii wa yo :)

[ShaeNielson]

... But it's just a flu, who do people need a doctor for that?

[kangy]

If yoy are already so sick you shluld go to nearby clinic asap.

[COCOCHANEL]

all clinics closed, only ER is open

[kangy]

Ok please do so now

[atomique]

Nope. I continue to go to work and school. I mentally fight it till all exams and major work projects are completely. After that treat the illness myself for two days. Last resort is hospital. Hang in there a little longer. You my bef able to beat it. I was ill Friday to Sunday

[Levin]

If you had real flu you wouldn't fight it. You'd be in bed, contemplating death.

[atomique]

@Levin which flu?

[Levin]

I have no idea about the strains. But I'm on the third week of it, and I had to return early from work today because I'm still sick. The first week was staring blankly off into space, i had to force myself to sit up, managing four hours a day, which was agonising, but I did it so I didn't totally seize up in bed, and so I could sleep better. Week two is just bouts of feeling somewhat reasonable, followed by bouts of feeling horrific. Week three is a bit like week two, just someone less severe, and a tiny bit more energy =/ Honestly, your stupid machoism annoyed me. You've obviously never had 'proper' flu.

[Account]

I avoid going to the hospital at all costs. I cure it myself.

[MariellaRo]

No, don't go to the doctor. There isn't really a cure for the flu. The doctor will very likely tell you to rest, drink tee and possibly take some paracetamol, and you don't wanna wait for two hours in a cramped waiting room to hear that.

[Ihav2fart]

I always just tough it out. I just eat take a hot ass shower then turn myself into a cocoon with blankets and sleep it off.

Last years flu made me feel the way you felt. I wanted to just dieeeeee

[madhatters4]

depends where you live but in America if you have the flu or flu symptoms you typically go to the doctor... unless you've gotten to the point of severe dehydration in which case you go to the emergency room

[KhaysunDei]

I'm glad that you got better! I wouldn't go to the hospital for flu symptoms though personally. I rarely see the doctor too (hehehhehehh...).

[Nothing_]

I don't go to the hospital unless I'm dying of pain.

[ShaeNielson]

What? No of course I don't. It's a flu, it will pass.

[COCOCHANEL]

in japan most go to the hospital when they think they have the flu

[ShaeNielson]

That's weird.. Here we take a shot Bailey and then go on with our lives.

[COCOCHANEL]

lol nice

[Keyspirits]

I would tell ma luver @chocolateismylover every last bit of breath that i LUV her more than anything before it ends with meh. 😢