Got the flu - first time in 40+ years

[REWahoo]

Bummer. Hope you get better soon.

 

[marko]

My PCP told me that people are coming down with all kinds of flu and such because we all spent a year not being exposed to minor amounts of infection. We have reduced amounts of immunity by not being exposed.

 

[Dreamer]

Hope that you recover quickly, Dash man. Did they test you for RSV too? They probably did.

 

[Sunset]

OP - hope you get better soon and can smell the roses.

I do wonder how do you know it the flu and not covid ? Didn't read/missed how you know.

I get the flu shots nearly every year, because about 30 years ago when I was strong and healthy, I had the flu, and was so very very sick. I never want to do that again !

 

[Getyoung]

I have never had the flu shot and the last time I had the flu was about 25 years ago, it was fairly mild.
Well, last weekend I did catch the flu, it came on super fast. I wasn't too sick luckily but felt fatigued for about 3 days, and a sore throat for about the same. It has now been 5 days and I feel somewhat "normal". Finally started walking outside again. One thing I have noticed is I have a "bad" taste in my mouth that is annoying, slowly going away.

 

[Dash man]

Hope that you recover quickly, Dash man. Did they test you for RSV too? They probably did.

I think they’re testing for pretty much every virus out there.

 

[MarieIG]

I don’t know what I have, but I’m in the hospital after a long day, been tested for Covid, flu, pneumonia and it’s none of those. Some kind of bronchial infection aggravating my asthma. I feel pretty terrible and can’t wait for this to gone.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[W2R]

I don’t know what I have, but I’m in the hospital after a long day, been tested for Covid, flu, pneumonia and it’s none of those. Some kind of bronchial infection aggravating my asthma. I feel pretty terrible and can’t wait for this to gone.

So sorry to read this! Glad you are in the hospital where you will get the care you need, and hopefully you will soon start to feel better.

 

[W2R]

I have never had the flu shot and the last time I had the flu was about 25 years ago, it was fairly mild.
Well, last weekend I did catch the flu, it came on super fast. I wasn't too sick luckily but felt fatigued for about 3 days, and a sore throat for about the same. It has now been 5 days and I feel somewhat "normal". Finally started walking outside again. One thing I have noticed is I have a "bad" taste in my mouth that is annoying, slowly going away.

Glad you are just about back to "normal"! The flu is no fun, no fun at all.

 

[Amethyst]

I think my smeller is permanently disabled. I feel much better, but can't smell or taste a thing. Our smell cells are evidently in the top of our noses, and vulnerable to virus attack.

A nasal swab was used to test for COVID and Flu A and B.

OP - hope you get better soon and can smell the roses.

I do wonder how do you know it the flu and not covid ? Didn't read/missed how you know.

I get the flu shots nearly every year, because about 30 years ago when I was strong and healthy, I had the flu, and was so very very sick. I never want to do that again !

 

[pacergal]

Amethyst--glad you are feeling better, hopefully your smell/taste senses will return shortly.

Dash man--best wishes for a speedy recovery, sounds like the hospital is where you need to be right now.

 

[pacergal]

I have never had the flu shot and the last time I had the flu was about 25 years ago, it was fairly mild.
Well, last weekend I did catch the flu, it came on super fast. I wasn't too sick luckily but felt fatigued for about 3 days, and a sore throat for about the same. It has now been 5 days and I feel somewhat "normal". Finally started walking outside again. One thing I have noticed is I have a "bad" taste in my mouth that is annoying, slowly going away.

Have you thought to be tested for Strep throat infection? Fever, bad taste, sore throat sound suspicious.

 

[Dash man]

Amethyst--glad you are feeling better, hopefully your smell/taste senses will return shortly.

Dash man--best wishes for a speedy recovery, sounds like the hospital is where you need to be right now.

Looks like I’ll be here at least two more days. Technically I’m under observation, which surprised me, because on the ER they said I was being admitted. Glad I have Supplement Plan N!

 

[REWahoo]

Looks like I’ll be here at least two more days. Technically I’m under observation, which surprised me, because on the ER they said I was being admitted. Glad I have Supplement Plan N!

The "under observation" caught my eye. There are some potential ramifications to what medicare will cover based on whether you are under observation or formally admitted. Not sure if it should be of concern but didn't want to let it pass without a mention:

Your hospital status—whether you're an inpatient or an outpatient—affects how much you pay for hospital services (like X-rays, drugs, and lab tests). Your hospital status may also affect whether Medicare will cover care you get in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) following your hospital stay.

Inpatient or outpatient hospital status affects your costs

 

[Dash man]

The "under observation" caught my eye. There are some potential ramifications to what medicare will cover based on whether you are under observation or formally admitted. Not sure if it should be of concern but didn't want to let it pass without a mention:




Inpatient or outpatient hospital status affects your costs

Yes, I was aware it was a minefield for those without a Medicare Supplement. I’ve heard horror stories for Medicare Advantage patients and those with only basic Medicare. If I have to pay my deductible and copays for Plan N, it doesn’t matter to me.

 

[MichaelB]

Does the supplement cover the hospital overnight stay if the patient is listed as outpatient?

 

[REWahoo]

Does the supplement cover the hospital overnight stay if the patient is listed as outpatient?

If I understand this article correctly, his Plan N should cover what Medicare doesn't, less a $20 copayment.

 

[Koolau]

Yes, I was aware it was a minefield for those without a Medicare Supplement. I’ve heard horror stories for Medicare Advantage patients and those with only basic Medicare. If I have to pay my deductible and copays for Plan N, it doesn’t matter to me.

I had to be admitted (under observation) a few years back. The hospital had a whole packet of info on what that meant, MC wise. I thought that was a good idea. They indicated that they would resolve my issue, admit me as a patient in need of a procedure or send me home before the MC issues kicked in. They did. They were much more on top of things than I was - which I appreciated.

 

[ivinsfan]

I have never had the flu shot and the last time I had the flu was about 25 years ago, it was fairly mild.
Well, last weekend I did catch the flu, it came on super fast. I wasn't too sick luckily but felt fatigued for about 3 days, and a sore throat for about the same. It has now been 5 days and I feel somewhat "normal". Finally started walking outside again. One thing I have noticed is I have a "bad" taste in my mouth that is annoying, slowly going away.

You sure this wasn't Covid,,,sounds a lot like Covid including the bad tasted.

 

[foxfirev5]

Does the supplement cover the hospital overnight stay if the patient is listed as outpatient?

DW and I have had too many experiences with our Medigap Plan G. On the plus side it has paid for everything. I've been in for observation, recovery, admission and DW has had numerous specialists, ER and therapy. All covered after the annual $226 deductible. That's why we pay the big bucks. With each visit I get the impression the facility is well versed in billing (and maybe care?) for these plans.

Anyway I can't imagine skimping on healthcare when we drop $500+ a night on hotels. Priorities

 

[Koolau]

DW and I have had too many experiences with our Medigap Plan G. On the plus side it has paid for everything. I've been in for observation, recovery, admission and DW has had numerous specialists, ER and therapy. All covered after the annual $226 deductible. That's why we pay the big bucks. With each visit I get the impression the facility is well versed in billing (and maybe care?) for these plans.

Anyway I can't imagine skimping on healthcare when we drop $500+ a night on hotels. Priorities

True. What better could we spend money on than our health?

 

[Dash man]

If I understand this article correctly, his Plan N should cover what Medicare doesn't, less a $20 copayment.

Plan N has a $50 copayment for ER visits, waived if admitted. That’s not a big deal. I guess I’ll find out before long if that and the deductible are all I pay. The important thing is tonight I’m beginning to feel much better. Hopefully able to go home tomorrow.

 

[REWahoo]

The important thing is tonight I’m beginning to feel much better. Hopefully able to go home tomorrow.

Great news!

 

[Dash man]

Great news!

It took me a day longer than I hoped, but I’m finally out of the hospital!
Able to breathe again without oxygen needed to keep my levels up.
Still weak, but at least I can recover at home! [emoji3]

 

[REWahoo]

It took me a day longer than I hoped, but I’m finally out of the hospital!
Able to breathe again without oxygen needed to keep my levels up.
Still weak, but at least I can recover at home! [emoji3]

Outstanding!

I recommend you follow the same regimen I prescribe for my dog: Sit. Stay.