| Flu? Without Cough or Sore Throat?
On Wed eve I went to bed early, more tired than usual. I woke in the middle of the night with diarrhea, nausea and the sharp onset of a headache. Throughout the night and morning these symptoms continued, along with fever and chills, and increased nausea, which culminated in vomiting. This continued for a couple hours. The headache became so excruciating, and involved the sides and back of my neck, including feeling stiff. My oldest son, home from school was concerned about my symptoms. I had a migraine the previous Saturday. The only migraines I have ever had were well over a decade ago and amounted to 4 or 5 at that time. None before, nor since, until last Saturday.
About 10am we drove to the ER, presented my symptoms, donned a mask and I was taken in immediately. They did an initial exam, blood draw, and begin an IV with saline, anti-nausea meds and 5mg morphine, then a CT scan, which came back negative for bleeding, clotting and tumor. They informed me of their concerns for the possibility of having the flu or maybe menningitis. All precautions were taken. They did a spinal tap to inspect and test the fluids. At first sight the fluids appeared "clear" and the results of the test were negative for menningitis. They kept me for a few hours because of dehydration, and kept the IV & meds on board (add'l dose of the zofran and morphine). I was finally able to produce enough urine for them to test.
My ultimate dx was "Flu, Viral Syndrome and Migraine" for which the gave me a parting shot of 2mg dilaudid and a script for zofran & 5/500 vicodin along with instructions to stay hydrated, clear liquids, rest & follow up with my GP the next day, or come back to ER if needed.
That was Thursday. Thursday night I ate and kept down 1 jello cup, 7-up, water and medication. Friday morning I woke with the headache (less than previous) and slight nausea. Through late morning I wanted to try to gain strength, so I tried Chicken soup...didn't get more than 1/2 cup down and decided it was enough. Kept water and diluted 7-up down.
Through ALL of this I had no cough, nor sore throat. Isn't that part of the flu? If so, wouldn't it seem as if I have something other than the flu. I guess it is another type of viral infection, but that only gives me more questions than answers...such as how long will this last? How long will I be contagious? How long should I rest?
Any advice?
| 
