This strip is based on an ongoing true story from our family’s life over the last week. Novel Influenza Type A (H1N1) 2009 — or whatever the proper name for swine flu is — knocked my daughter for a loop, and as of this writing, she’s still not over it. Well, she’s technically over the flu, but not the secondary infection that caused a howlingly painful earache.
Just a tip for anyone who hasn’t yet gotten H1N1: If you go to the doctor within the first 48 hours of symptoms, INSIST on Tamiflu. The doctors will try to tell you you’ll just have to let it run its course and put you on ibuprofen and maybe some cough syrup, as one did with my daughter. Only, she didn’t get over it fast, and it got worse, forcing us to head her regular pediatrician later in the week and then on Sunday to a different Urgent Care doctor, who was irritated that she hadn’t been given Tamiflu by the first guy. And then he said there was no point giving it to her now that she was testing negative for Type A flu. He said if you don’t get that kind of medicine within the first 48 hours, it’s not going to do you much good. So be aware of what you need and when.
It really is a helpless feeling when you can hardly console your child, much less make anything better for her. The best I could do was carefully mind her meds, help her go back to sleep, keep her hydrated, and, when possible, try to make her laugh.
She did laugh when I told her I thought of this strip during our third trip to the doc, and didn’t mind that I was making light of your unbrushed-for three-days teeth and rank breath. Not that hygiene would or should be on a sick person’s agenda, but as soon as she started feeling better, it was time to break out the toothbrush!
You did a good job being a strong kid, T! Thanks for the inspiration!!
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