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Flu Anxiety

Last week, I came down with a nasty cold—clogged sinuses, sore throat, coughing—that kept me home for several days. Various friends and family members called to check on me, and each said a variation of the following: “You better see a doctor. You could have the flu!” No matter how much I tried to argue that what I was experiencing was a garden-variety winter respiratory virus which no doctor could cure, each of my callers was certain I needed Tamiflu ASAP. Even when I pointed out that I did not even have a fever or body aches, they were relentless with their insistence that I seek immediate medical treatment. One person even suggested I go the ER!

This all seemed so alarmist to me, which is amazing because, as a Panic Sister with Illness Anxiety, I worry about dying from everything. (I’m serious—no paper cut goes unwatched for signs of flesh-eating bacteria). Yet, virtually everyone I spoke with about my cold recoiled from me in genuine fear that (1) I might die from this virus and (2) they might catch it from me and, then, die too.

Then I started reading some of the recent emails we received from our Anxiety Sisterhood and there was an unmistakable theme running through the correspondence: everyone seems to be terrified of the flu. One Sister said she is afraid to leave her house and obsessively washes her hands all day. Another said she is wearing a mask whenever she leaves her house. Yet another refused to accompany her husband to the movies for fear of lurking flu bugs.

It’s not surprising people are so freaked out about catching the flu. Over the last decade, influenza has morphed from a rather routine seasonal diagnosis into an international threat of biblical proportions. We hear of “strains” and “mutations” and “pandemics” on the news, where, every day, someone who has died from the flu is spotlighted. No wonder we are anxious about this invisible terrorist!

But, as every Anxiety Sister should well know, the media relies on exaggeration and hype to capture and maintain its audience. Scary headlines are their modus operandi. And this includes the internet, which makes everything a crisis. If you don’t believe me, check out www.snopes.com which aims to fact check all the sensational stories circulating on your Facebook feed.

I am not suggesting that the flu is not a serious illness and shouldn’t be attended to immediately. What I am saying is that we need some facts to help us soothe our panicked brains:

• In order to get the flu, you must be within 3 feet of an infected person whose bodily fluids come into contact with your eyes, nose or mouth (or hands, which inevitably end up in contact with your eyes, nose and mouth). So being in the same building, restaurant, movie theatre, etc. does not mean you will be exposed to the virus.

• On any given year, roughly 12% of the US population contracts the influenza virus. Some years, that percentage is only 5%.

• In 2014, there were 4605 deaths due to influenza. Given that there are 325.4 million people in the US, that’s a pretty tiny number. Really very very tiny and small.

• People who die from the flu, in almost all cases, have underlying health conditions and/or compromised immune systems. Most deaths are among the elderly and very young children.

• Many people who report having the flu are unwittingly not telling the truth. Influenza is a very specific virus which must be confirmed by a lab. Lots of docs diagnose flu on a hunch and give scared patients Tamiflu without testing to see if it is indeed the flu. Those patients will tell everyone they have the flu. But, in many cases, it is not influenza but another respiratory infection which has similar symptoms. Some bad colds can feel much worse than a moderate flu! And you are much more likely to contract a bad cold…

• Every year, a rumor circulates that the flu vaccine is less effective than the one from the previous year. This year, I have heard the number 10% bandied about quite a bit. In reality, there is rarely a big difference in effectiveness from one year to the next. For the current flu season, the vaccine is proving to be approximately 32% effective. In 2017, it was 33% effective.

• Each year, flu headlines contain the phrase “most widespread ever.” Translation: lots of people in every state get the flu. Here’s what’s not in the headline: very few die.

You know how practical we Anxiety Sisters are so we do have a few suggestions to help you avoid the flu:

1. Avoid shaking hands during flu season. If you must, then wash immediately with soap and water. In fact, washing your hands frequently during flu season is very good prevention.

2. Get a flu shot (it’s not too late).

3. Don’t touch your face until after you have washed your hands.

4. Avoid emergency rooms, if possible. Flu germs are notorious tenants of hospitals, urgent care centers, and pediatrician’s offices.

5. Carry a package of Lysol wipes, especially if you travel. I wipe down my airplane seat, armrests, tray table, and tv controls. I also wipe down my hotel rooms—remote controls, door knobs, sinks, toilets, light switches, etc.

And, finally, don’t allow influenza to create so much anxiety—anxiety lowers your immunity plus it feels crappy to be afraid to leave your house. I’ve had the flu, and it truly does suck. But, honestly, constant panic is far far worse.

Comments

  • Judy
    January 31, 2018

    Interesting!Put my anxiety level lower!!

    reply
    • Abs
      January 31, 2018

      We’re so glad we could be helpful!

      reply
    • Erin
      March 1, 2020

      This article helps me put my anxiety into perspective. Thank you so much!

      reply
  • MW
    January 31, 2018

    Thank you for this I too have serious anxiety daily anyway this has made it worse . It is helpful to read this .

    reply
  • donna
    February 5, 2018

    I have the flu right now and I am on Tamiflu so far 4 of the 5 day and I thought I felt bad before but it’s worse now. The fever is gone, but the aches/pains and exhaustion and weakness is still there. The coughing and “expectoring” is worse but I guess that is what needs to get released. I spit my water out when you were talking about flesh eating bacteria from a paper cut. It made me laugh and then cough. Be safe everyone!

    reply
    • Abs
      February 6, 2018

      We wish you a speedy recovery, Donna!

      Hugs,
      Abs & Mags

      reply
  • Kelly
    February 6, 2018

    This sounds like me!! Although my daughter who has cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder just got over the flu!! I really got up and checked her every hour for days!! It was like a nasty cold, just worse!! She did test positive for it and never had a fever!! And no tamiflu either, but thank goodness she is better now!! Just a lingering cough!!

    reply
    • Mags
      February 9, 2018

      It is really hard when you have a child (or anyone) that is vulnerable in terms of getting the flu. You must also be exhausted. So glad your daughter is better! Mags and Abs

      reply
  • Barbara Thornton
    February 7, 2018

    Omg i am totally just like that. I have depression and anxiety already without worrying about the flu. But i admit i have been hiding in my apartment for days at a time until i absolutely have to go out. And i watch the news a lot so that is a huge problem. Thank you for the article it does set my mind at ease a bit.

    reply
    • Mags
      February 9, 2018

      It is really hard to keep seeing the news reports. Each time we see these reports, our brain registers them as “new” news even when we are hearing the same things over and over. Mags and Abs

      reply
    • Anxiety Plus
      February 10, 2018

      Glad I found this site –I see that I’m not alone with these fears. Although, I have an anxiety disorder, I am more afraid now due to this nasty flu season. The article helps some…I go out as don’t want fears to overtake me, but can’t stop thinking about all the “bugs” out there. Also, I have an autoimmune disease which make me even more anxious –HATE to be so fearful –it’s the pits…

      reply
      • mags
        March 20, 2018

        Abs also has an autoimmune disease, and getting sick terrifies her because it takes a long time to get better. It can make folks feel really vulnerable. The best we can do is wash our hands and try to take care of ourselves. Wishing you health!

        reply
  • Brenda
    February 7, 2018

    Thanks for putting the panic in perspective

    reply
  • Kathryn
    February 10, 2018

    Thank you for this!! Helps a lot.

    reply
  • Dana Price
    February 11, 2018

    I have panic and anxiety disorder also PTSD and I’m terrified of this flu going around. I literally have not left my house since Christmas day.. Just absolutely terrified. I also am alone and if anyone comes over I keep them at the door. Them outside me inside. I’m keeping Clorox and Lysol in buisness. I’m so scared 😢

    reply
  • Jackie Aldrich
    February 18, 2018

    Thanks for this article. As I was reading this I have had a respiratory cold also. Actually got laringitis too for a day which never had before. Did not panic & call Dr. as antibiotics don’t work on a virus I know that. Still coughing very irritating I must say. Cough drops & Rx cough med helping. Alot of liquids to stay hydrated too. Also Vicks vapor rub helps at night.

    reply
  • Haley
    March 10, 2018

    I have the flu and my 9 yr old daughter, also has it but ours isn’t bad my 1 yr old son HAD it but he recovered,
    Im having, feverish feeling (no fever), chills, headaches, and coughing.
    this puts my mind at ease, thank you.

    reply
    • Mags
      March 20, 2018

      Sorry the family got the flu! It is so hard to see the little ones with it but they tend to recover fast. When the mom’s get it, we can’t care for them and we seem to recover slowly. But it sounds like you are just about over the worst of it. Feel better!
      mags and abs

      reply
  • Kathy
    March 12, 2018

    Well i spent 6 weeks with I flurenza b and 3 trips to er and 3 to my dr, now I have aniexty and depression
    I think i am getting better at least a little
    Lost alot of weight which is very upsetting since I am underweight
    So this has been a nightmare

    reply
  • Mags
    March 20, 2018

    Kathy,
    That sounds awful but I hope you are on the upswing. I think anxiety and depression are a natural physiological reaction to a really terrible infection. We hope you are doing better.
    Mags and Abs

    reply

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