Charlotte Caught Influenza B

It's been an exceptionally tiring month for me as Charlotte was down with fever twice within a month's time.

Last week, when she started to develop fever for the second time after recovering from the previous one 2 weeks ago, this was literally how I felt.

It started on a Friday night when she suddenly developed fever. But it was around 37.9°C so I only gave her paracetamol. The fever subsided and she slept well throughout the night but the fever came in the morning. The temperature was around 38.5°C so I gave her paracetamol as usual. She was fine throughout the day... until night time. Her fever came back and it was really high. Like 39.5°C. In the middle of the night, she was shivering and panting. She even curled up to sleep.

Like this. She was wearing long sleeves and pants as pajamas and I made sure she was well covered with the quilt. This picture was taken during one of her nap times.

I touched her hands and feet and they were cold while her forehead and armpits were warm. The temperature was 39.9°C at around 3am. So I gave her the suppository.

The next morning, her flu and cough started to kick in. She wasn't sneezing much but her mucus was running down the nose like water. And she had a hoarse voice. Since it was a Sunday, I didn't bring her to the pediatrician. Her fever kept coming back every 4 to 5 hours after medication and each time it would spike up to 39°C or higher. She would feel weak and cranky. She also lost her appetite for food and I suspect it was due to her sore throat. So I cooked her porridge, which she dislikes since she was a baby. But she could at least finish a bowl every meal as it's easy to swallow (though she gagged a few times cause she really really doesn't like porridge) so I consider it a win. She continued to have porridge for lunch and breakfast for the next few days. I had to bribe her with YouTube videos to get her to finish a bowl every meal.

The fever continued to strike throughout the night and she couldn't sleep well at all so I took her to the pediatrician first thing on Monday morning. The pediatrician suspected she was having viral infection. It could be dengue or influenza. Since Charlotte was having running nose, he said higher chance it's an influenza virus cause it's currently the season. But he didn't test further as Charlotte was really cranky and all. He did asked if I want to do the test or take some medicine home and continue to monitor her. I really didn't know what was wrong with me that I decided to bring her home and continue monitoring. Maybe because she didn't look severely ill. Maybe she was still active and cheeky. Maybe because I thought she's strong enough. Whatever it is, I swear I will not make assumption so easily next time. He did advised me to bring her back if the fever still persist on Thursday.

It was a really, really bad move to bring her home without doing the test because it was really hellish for me. Don't get me wrong, I am totally fine taking care of her. But the tiredness was taking a toll on my body and mind.

Sick baby = sticky baby. I couldn't get things done most of the time cause she just can't leave me alone. I'm sorry, bladder.

So on Thursday, I was so ready to take her back to the doctor first thing in the morning because she was still having fever around mid night. She woke up around 10.30am, much later than usual. I guess she was also tired from all the discomfort, too? She was all fine until we finished breakfast. So I thought, ok, Imma wait until she wakes from up from her nap and if there's fever before or after her nap, off to the pediatrician we go.

Since she woke up late, she was down for her nap later than usual and woke up around 4.30pm. And guess what? Jeng jeng jeng.... her fever CAME BACK FML! And her pediatrician had already gone off work 😧😧😧

I decided to take her to another pediatrician as his clinic operates in the evening. And after telling the pediatrician the whole account of what happened and a quick test using the influenza test kit, it was confirmed that she had contacted Influenza B. Just in case you're wondering how the test kit looks like, come, let me show you.

It looks something like this and the result will show in 10 minutes.

The doctor told me that Charlotte was the 3rd child this week to get diagnosed with Influenza B. The good news is, there's medicine to cure. The doctor said she should be fine within 2 to 3 days after taking the medicine. Boy, those words just sound so angelic to me.

True enough, she was much better on Saturday and officially fever free on Sunday. IS THIS THE BEST MOTHER'S DAY GIFT OR IS THIS THE BEST MOTHER'S DAY GIFT!?

Congratulations if you're read my long ass writing above. But if you've just scrolled down to this line for a summary of the account, it's ok, I forgive you.

5 May (Fri) - Started to develop fever at night before bed time. Temperate was around 37.9°C.
6 May (Sat) - Boarder line fever but still active.
7 May (Sun) - High fever (39.5°C). Fever comes back every 4 to 5 hours with runny nose and hoarse voice.
8 May (Mon) - Took her to the doctor. Didn't take the test cause she looked active and not severely ill.
9 May (Tue) - High fever continue to strike every 4 to 5 hours.
10 May (Wed) - Public holiday. Fever, cough and flu still persist.
11 May (Thur) - Took her to the doctor in the evening. Testified as Influenza B.
12 May (Fri) - Fever came back twice throughout the day.
13 May (Sat) - Fever came back once in the middle of the night. Getting much better, though.
14 May (Sun) - Still has a runny nose but officially fever free 🎉🎉🎉

Some people had came up to me to ask what's the difference between Influenza and Common Cold. Well, I've gathered some information from the Dr. Google and here's a quick summary.

If you have a cold, you’ll probably have symptoms like these:

• ⇢ runny or stuffy nose
• ⇢ sore throat
• ⇢ sneezing
• ⇢ cough
• ⇢ headache or body aches
• ⇢ mild tiredness

Flu symptoms can include:

• ⇢ dry, hacking cough
• ⇢ moderate to high fever, although not everyone with the flu will run a fever
• ⇢ sore throat
• ⇢ shaking chills
• ⇢ severe muscle or body aches
• ⇢ headache
• ⇢ stuffy and runny nose
• ⇢ severe fatigue that may last up to two weeks
• ⇢ nausea and vomiting (most common in children)

Colds come on gradually over a few days and are often milder than the flu. They usually get better in 7 to 10 days, although symptoms can last for up to 2 weeks.

Flu symptoms come on quickly and can be severe. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

What's the difference between Influenza A and Influenza B.

You can always ask Dr. Google for a more detailed explaination but here's what I understand. Influenza A is like H1N1. Type B flu may cause a less severe reaction than type A flu virus, but occasionally, type B flu can still be extremely harmful.

How do I know if my child has influenza?

The flu strikes more quickly than a cold, and makes people feel worse. Children with colds usually have energy to play and keep up their daily routines. Children with influenza are usually in bed.

Typical influenza symptoms include:

• ⇢ sudden fever,
• ⇢ chills and shakes,
• ⇢ headache,
• ⇢ muscle aches,
• ⇢ extreme fatigue,
• ⇢ dry cough and sore throat and,
• ⇢ loss of appetite.

Children with the flu may have many of the same symptoms as adults, but there can be differences:

• 1. Newborns and babies may have a high fever that can’t be explained, and no other signs of sickness.
• 2. Young children usually have temperatures over 39.5°C and may have febrile seizures (convulsions). 
• 3. Upset stomach and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are common in younger children. Earaches and red eyes are also common. 
• 4. In some cases, muscle inflammation can lead to severe leg or back pain. 

For more information, you can refer to THIS LINK.