 |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
I went to Afghanistan and all I got was H1N1By Dr. Sanjay Gupta It started as a cough. It wasn’t the kind of cough where something is temporarily stuck in your throat. It wasn’t the kind of cough where simply clearing your throat would’ve been adequate. This was the kind of cough that hurts when you do it. A stinging pain that makes you wince and guard and hope that you don’t have to cough again any time soon. I thought I might have a fever, but of course, I was in the middle of covering a war in Afghanistan, and the conditions were… well, hot. So, maybe it was that. Problem was, the next day I wasn’t feeling any better – in fact, I was worse. I woke up in my dusty desert tent and tried to step out of my sleeping bag. Two steps later, I almost hit the deck. Incoming. Except this wasn’t due to any sirens going off, this was due to my own body simply being unable to hold myself up. I was lightheaded and freezing cold – even though it was over 100 degrees outside at that early hour of the morning. 
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who contracted H1N1 in Afghanistan, receives treatment.
 I was nauseated and my entire body hurt. I tried to explain away my symptoms with lots of different excuses. You don’t sleep much while covering a war. My bulletproof jacket didn’t fit perfectly and was very heavy. There was a lot of dust and dirt, and maybe I had what the Marines referred to as the Kandahar Krud. It turned out to be none of those things. I remember looking over at my camera man, Scottie McWhinnie. He looked absolutely awful. He was wearing a scarf on his head, and it was completely drenched in sweat. He was coughing so loudly and frequently that I was really starting to worry about him – and about myself. We each had it, whatever “it” was. I made a command decision. As a physician reporter in a war zone, I was going to get us medical care. That prompted our visit to a battlefield hospital, not as reporters this time, but as patients. It is worth pointing out the irony of a medical reporter getting influenza type A, which was then ultimately confirmed as H1N1. (The term swine flu is a misnomer, as this strain is made up of several different components, including swine, but also avian parts.) It really didn’t matter if I got tested, as my doctor told me. It was the only flu strain circulating and I had it, and so did Scottie. We both had high fevers, the lack of appetite, terrible sinus congestion, body aches, and yes – that hacking, come out of the blue. I am not someone who gets sick, really ever. And this was the sickest I have ever been. I would’ve much preferred my own bed with all the comforts of home – including a wife who would’ve taken great pity on me and allowed me lots of rest and relaxation. Still, I am here to blog about it, after taking the requisite few days to stay at home and not spread my gift from Afghanistan to all my colleagues at work. In case you are curious, there wasn’t much the doctors could really do for me. Some Tylenol and a sinus decongestant (the same my wife would’ve given me). We also got IV fluids, given our inability to keep anything down. Within a couple days, I felt a lot better, and a few days after that – I was back to normal. It was a lot like… the flu – with a different name. A lot of people will get the exact symptoms I described above, and for most people, it will simply mean a few miserable days, hopefully spent in your home – and not in a war zone.
« Previous entryHealth care in the real world: duct tape won’t suffice
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
 |
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
© 2010 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Help | Advertising Practices
Dr. Gupta:
This was a VERY knowledgable article that you provided. A lot of people are scared during this time. With the word of "Swine Flu" around, that causes goosebumps throughout one. Thus, as soon as one develops a minor symptom, the thought of Swine persists throughout their mind. I just got over the flu. I went through the same exact symptoms as you. However, once again, only decongestants, tylenol, WATER, VITAMIN C, and PLENTY ( and I mean PLENTY ) of rest is needed. That's what helped me get through it. In fact, I bought 6-7 bottles of Purel Hand Sanitizer for the family just so that they can eliminate a lot of the common germs that lie on our hands.
Glad to know that you are feeling better & thank you for the insight !!! : )
To those who were asking...no the regular, run-of-the-mill seasonal flu shot does not offer any protection against H1N1. A vaccine specifically targeting H1N1 is being produced and is supposed to be released sometime in October/November. So get both shots this year if you can. It's always a good idea to get the seasonal flu shot anyway. The less the flu circulates, the less recombination that occurs and thus fewer chances that a novel, and unique virus like H1N1 can start circulating. Of course, even if you do get both vaccines this year you can still get the flu...there are only a limited number of strains that can be put into one vaccine, and it's always a "best guess" scenario as to which ones will be circulating. Some years the researchers guess correctly, some years not.
Dr. Gupta, it's awful hearing about you and your colleague getting sick. Thank you for sharing this terrible experience. I hope you and your colleague are feeling better. And thanks to the medical attention both of you received to get you feeling better. Take care Dr. Gupta we need you and so does your family. You are doing a great job.
May God be with you and every single person that is out there.
Hi, glad to know you recovered well, just had a similar question as another poster... Noticed how your started out as a cough, i had a brief sickness lasting 2-3 days and then just this cough that has continued for weeks like this person's above:
"I did have at least 3 days of feeling completely drained … not unlike any other time of being sick. After about 3 weeks it all seemed to have subsided, but the lingering cough still continues to this day … months after the other symptoms. It acts more like allergies than anything else."
Is this normal for any type of flu? And what can you do?
Thanks for anybody who has any clues.
thanks doc. you put our minds at ease by getting this play by play and knowing, that it is just a bad flu, with a different name, and not armaggedon. get well soon.
Glad you and your cameraman are feeling better. Thanks so much for those words of wisdom! Keep up the terrific work Doc!!
You've gone above and beyond Dr. Gupta. I have been concerned about THIS flu...It made me feel better to know that you are over it. Take care of yourself sir. It's good to hear and read your comments.
Monica
I had it too, probably from one of my medical research colleagues traveling to a conference (or her husband who went to PAX).
The bizarre thing about it is that I'm rarely sick, so having to take a sick day Friday (noticed symptoms on Thursday afternoon) and stay home all weekend was a rare event for me.
For the record, I am a physician and have seen many patients with H1N1 this past month. Generally, their symptoms are much less severe than Dr Gupta's. It is a run-of-the-mill virus and nothing more.
Did you take an anti-viral? Many doctors will not give anti-virals. I don't understand why. The CDC web-site says it DOES reduce the time AND complications that may result from this flu. Is there a shortage? I do not hear anyone addressing this. Either way, glad you are feeling better. Good Health!
Oh, my! Thanks for sharing your symptoms with us though, Dr. Gupta. It will help us to make a quick assessment of any symptoms we might experience this flu season to determine what we need to do. I'm glad you're feeling better.
Thank you for the post. It was a great reinforcement for those who haven't gotten H1N1 (yet) to get our flu shots this year. I've never done it before, but this year we will get both shots. Hope you are feeling much better!
Thanks for sharing your experience on H1N1.
Please stay safe and keep up the A+ good work!
Dr. Gupta has been "keeping it real" on the H1N1 and it's appreciated. The mass hysteria surrounding the "swine flu" is the real epidemic not the actual flu itself. Thanks again Sanjay for being down to earth and giving people the truthful information that they need.
Dr Gupta,
You too? Wow! Glad to hear both yourself and your cameraman are doing better and I thank you for your post it really will help some in distinguishing their fly symptoms. I've never elected to get a flu shot in my 40 years bit I think this will be the year.
Thx for all the work you do out there.
A grateful fan from Montreal, Canada
Dr. Gupta
Thanks a lot to give the exact symptoms and how it feels like. Now I know better when to get help if I have it !!
I hope you get well soon !!
Thank you
Best description of H1N1 flu yet. Now I really know what to look for. Glad you're feeling better.
I had this flu back in June and at the time it was improperly diagnosed. As a very healthy, active 35 year old female this flu knocked me out for over 3 months. I was not told to stay at home, and therefore kept up my very busy schedule as a dancer and teacher. It may be a normal flu but if you catch it while your system is already worn out and you do not take the time to completely rest the recovery period can be prolonged. Take the time, get the rest, and recover sooner and more fully. PS. this was the worst fever and muscle cramping I have ever experienced. Dreadful.
Thank you Dr. Gupta. Your first hand account will provide valuble insight to millions of people who are worried about what it feels like to have the H1N1 flu. It will help me know if I my periodic aches and pains are routine, or if I need to see a doctor. Good job. Glad you are recovering.
I am a paramedic and found it baffling that myself and several co-workers got some kind of "stomach" bug that lasted over 2 weeks, involved severe nausea (I vomited whenever I had even small sips of water or chicken broth), abdominal cramping, diarrhea and low-grade fever. I lost almost 16 lbs. from this bug and am now down to a size 5/6.
Being a paramedic for over a decade, as well as a healthy 32 year old woman who runs regularly, I found it amazing that I was completely leveled by this. I literally could not eat or drink ANYTHING for almost 4 days, and when I did begin to eat and drink again, I had a piece of dry toast for breakfast and didn't want to eat again until my two pancakes the next day. Aside from being a little dizzy from standing, I wasn't particularly tired, which I thought was odd.
While I never got official medical attention, just followed the BRAT diet when I began to eat again, and drank fluids and ate salty Ramen noodle soup to replenish my electrolytes, after comparing notes with my co-workers, we're pretty convinced that we had a strain of the H1N1 virus.
Since I've been sick, I can totally understand why younger people are dying from this. We don't slow down and don't think something like this is that serious until, well, it suddenly is.
As Dr. Gupta points out, there is no "cure" for the flu. If you think you have it, you're better off isolating yourself and your family, pushing clear fluids and eating a bland diet until it passes. Make sure you treat any fevers promptly with Tylenol/Motrin so you can prevent dehydration due to hyperthermia.
I also hope that your cameraman is doing well too. Thanks to him too for all his work as well.
Sanjay,
Thank you for making the effort to document your symptoms of H1N1. I've heard a lot of rumors flying around – one in particular, that you either don't get a fever with H1N1, or you get a low-grade fever, so it's good to learn the truth from your first-hand experience.
I'm sorry that you had to get sick in a war zone. Hope you're back at home.
Feel better.
It is somewhat a relief to have a doctor explain the swine flu not from notes but rather from actually having it. Glad to hear your doing well.
Glad to hear you are fine..Hope you will be fully recovered soon..take care and thumbs up for great report and coverage in Afghan
Thank you for helping us understand the symptoms of H1N1. So sorry you and your cameraman ill. You truly remain a trusted resource for us who are trying to understand a variety of maladies. Keep up the good work. We value your efforts.
Glad to hear you are feeling better Dr. Gupta. I really enjoy your reporting on CNN and the unique perspective you bring as a physician. Keep up the good work!!!
Thanks Sanjay, You wrote your experiences perfectly. It will make it easier to spot when those around me, or if I, get the same virus .
I'm home for a second week with H1H1. Was offered Tamiflu but I don't like that kind of stuff. All the same symptoms, but my cough persists. Went to the doctor Monday expecting to be told I had bronchitis or pneumonia, and was told it was still H1N1 and I shouldn't be in public as long as I'm coughing. Anyone who gets this flu should take it very seriously.
I had it, too. And while I didn't have the cough as dramatically, I felt absolutely terrible and it took a month and a little more to start feeling better. I don't ever get the flu or colds, either. The main thing for me with this was that my stomach hurt a lot and I totally lost my appetite for a long time - I have a really strong stomach, too. I did have aches and just no energy at all. I'm glad I feel better & that Dr. Gupta is okay. If you get the flu, just take care of yourself and you will eventually feel better. The upside, maybe, is that now I have some immunity to it. I hope.
Two days ago we had to go to the doctor at Dartmouth Hitchcock
Hospital in Lebanon, NH. They were giving out free seasonal flu shots in the main entrance. I stepped right up but my husband declined saying he never gets the flu shot bla,bla,bla.. As the nurse was giving me the shot she gave me this wonderful quote, "nothing is better than the soft cushion of denial." Glad you are better,Doc.
It's great to read an actual account of what happens when you have H1N1. Not only does it serve as a warning to take care of yourself and/or your loved ones if these symptoms arise, but I think it also helps quell some of the unnecessary fear we've seen surrounding H1N1. Get well soon Dr. Gupta!
All the more reason why we need more research funding in to virus study.
Call it my human arrogance but i cannot adjust to the fact that biology of these strains overrules our understanding and human rationality and IQ .
Not that existing research is bad we achieved quite a bit in categorizing these virus but how to fight its mutation is no doubt a challenge.
Anyway hope you get well soon.
For those wondering:
The seasonal flu shot has no effect whatsoever for providing immunity against H1N1. It covers other strains of the flu expected out this season, which are completely different from H1N1.
I have to say, a medical doctor in a war zone catching a flu that people in the West seem most worried about is pretty ironic.
Hi...sorry you were sick....but you know what I really am glad you have given us this info....your being a physician makes me appreciative of your 'take' on it. With so much information coming at us ....it is scary and it is overwhelming. Should I get the vaccine?? Should I not?? A lot of pros and cons ....what do I believe. Thank-you Sanjay ...I believe you!!
Great description! Glad to hear you and scottie are feeling better. Don't bring it back (the flu, not Scottie!) home
My grown daughter had the swine flu three weeks ago. She started with chills during the night and for 3 days her fever went up to 103.5. I had to get a bowl of cool water and a washcloth at one point after I had given her 2 Tylenol and when the fever didn't go down after 2 hours I gave her 2 Motrin. That broke the fever that time - thankfully I only had to do that once. She started a horrible cough on the third day and after the second day (of the cough) I started Robitussin DM which helped a lot. Three more days of fever that topped 100.+. I pushed fluids and during the first three days I set a timer for every 2 hours during the night to check on her temp. She didn't have much of an appetite but could tolerate jello, noodle soup, and lots of gatorade, water, clear sodas. Thankfully she didn't have the sore throat, vomiting or dirrahea but the cough was awful. She said that she didn't remember anything about the first three days but at the time she was talking to us and just seemed really tired. We put her up in her bedroom and we wore N95 masks and got a hefty squirt of Purell when we left her room. And the first day we washed everything we could think of with Purell wipes or Clorox wipes. She's fine now Thank God but it took two weeks.
To Tom and others with the same question,
The regular seasonal flu shot will not cover for this strain of Influenza A. That is why several companies are in the process of producing the "Swine flu" vaccine, which, as Dr. Gupta stated a misnomer since it has now been transmitted to humans. The H1N1 vaccine will be availabe in mid-October.
With that said, you should be getting your seasonal influenza shot as well as the new H1N1 vaccine this year.
Also, just an FYI because I have had many people tell me they have gotten the flu from the seasonal flu vaccine. This is NOT TRUE. You cannot contract the flu from the flu shot. It is possible to have flu-like symptoms for a day or two, but nothing like what Dr. Gupta explained above.
Yours truly,
Student Pharmacist
I wouldn't have thought that H1N1 would be able to thrive in a climate like Afghanistan. Get well soon!
So glad you are recovered. Now you are in the clear and self-immunized! I enjoy your reporting enourmously. I don't know how you do all that you do.
All these people commenting that they're glad to hear first hand what the symptoms are should realize that just because a famous doctor got these particular symptoms does not mean the symptoms will manifest that way in you if you get H1N1. The symptoms have been very diverse and the scientists don't seem to understand why, but it seems that people past 50 or so are faring better.
Thanks Sanjay,
So scary. It is of the utmost importance that those with asthma, cf, etc. get vaccinated. I am a teacher and believe I contracted H1N1 in June along with 3/4 of my class. The cough was horrible. Those with lung impairment must heed the warning and get themselves vaccinated ASAP.
I am sorry you had to go through that experience, but as a Preventive Medicine Technician for the Navy, the article was very interesting. I was always curious about how the typical signs and symptoms actually effected patients. I've always thought it would be much easier to understand from the personal experience of a provider. Very interesting because it clears up some questions; for example fever with a cough, well sure poeple cough but how much coughing and how would it effect the patient. I have heard of many that have experienced the night sweats, the chills and body aches. A new one to me "hot eyes" Thanks Sanjay for surviving this and clearing up a few questions I had.
Maybe the best lesson here is that we need to be more careful about going to work sick. A lot of us drag ourselves in to work and go about our daily errands until our symptoms can't be ignored, and by then we've probably infected all our friends and co-workers. At least this year, we should stay home and keep the germs to ourselves,
As a doctor myself, I can only applaud you for your personal, graphic description of the H1N1 illness. As I watch you on TV and listen to your interpretation of the medical world I am so proud of your contributions. Get well soon Sanjay. We in the medical community are very proud of you.
Thank you for sharing. You are so lucky you were only ill for a few days. My friend's 45 years plus daughter has been hospitalized for over a week and is still not out of danger. It has been diagnosed as H1N1. It is so scary! Glad that you are back with us.
Get well soon. I got the swine flu shot in 1976 and got the flu. The symptoms are just like you described. I was in my mid 20s at the time and it took me down good with a very high fever for several days and horrible chills. I just hope I don't get it again at age 62.
WOW! You got it too. Thank you for all the details. We'll be watching for it. I hope you and your camera man are back to great health. Thanks soooo very much for all your reporting!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the H1N1. The flu is spreading through my daughter's school and your account makes me a little more at ease. Yes your experience sounds horrible but you were able to recovery quickly and without complications. Thanks for taking away some of my fear. I love your reports and think you do a great job!
Thanks so much for the info on this flu. I never get sick or get the flu or flu shot because I always react badly to it. So this information was very helpful in making a decision as to whether to get the flu shot or not.
As I read the post by Dr. Gupta and the countless comments regarding H1N1, I can't help but think of the people who have had and will have fatal effects from the illness and those who are and will be suffering greatly from it. Yes, it is probable that a great majority of the public will get the flu and recooperate after a week or so in bed. However, there is still a portion of the population that is not so lucky. I strongly believe that it is crucial that the public be aware that it is imperative that those whose bodies may not be able to protect themselves from it, seek medical attention right away. It is important that hearing about these "mild" cases of H1N1 doesn't lead us to a feeling of complacency about the illness. I share this information to protect further families from the pain and suffering that it can cause.