Swine Flu - not all its cracked up to be

So last week both kids got sick and we eventually diagnosed with Type A influenza. Type A includes the seasonal flu and H1N1. There have been no confirmed cases of seasonal flu in Austin (and Colin was vaccinated). There have been confirmed cases of H1N1 in Austin, and although the CDC is not testing all suspected cases, that is the presumption: they had H1N1.

Colin missed a week of school, and Anna missed all but one day. Basically they had high undulating fever, congested noses, and Anna vomited. We treated them with ibuprofen, sudafed, saline, and gobs of TV.

Anthony and I so far have not gotten sick, though we have certainly been exposed. We also inadvertently exposed my visiting friend Fran, and our heroic babysitter Wesley (they're not sick either). Perhaps we've been exposed to a similar virus before. In any case, the swine flu is no longer as virulent as once feared. Hard to believe our school was closed for 2 days last May for a possible case, later confirmed not to be swine flu. Now, one in four were out in Anna's class, and one in three were out in Colin's, surely with the very same dreaded disease.

I was very happy to send them back to school today, although they were drowsy and dragging, since during their recuperation we let them sleep in as long as possible every morning. They came home with lots of make-up work, which is very tedious for Colin but is inducing some anxiety in Anna ("What if I don't get it all done? What if I get a bad report card?")

Staying in, cooking and cleaning for this lot, does make one weary. The good news is we won't have to line up for the swine flu vaccine - available by injection only, and requiring a booster! Also: no fish died!