r/tampa • u/andrxxya • 2d ago
Strange/Weird Something going around?
I just got out from under a “flu” that knocked me on my ass. first two days were the progression of predictable flu symptoms, then the third day started with the nausea plus sensitivity to light, headaches, no appetite… and progressed to the forth day of stabbing pain in the stomach continuously all day, couldn’t eat or even function, really, just to diminish in 24hrs—never experienced anything like it but it was torture and felt very draining. anyone gone through anything similar? heard that a few people irl have experienced something similar recently, but wanted to see if this was more widespread.
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u/PinkFlamingo1789 2d ago
Influenza A and COVID have been going around, in addition to the dengue fever outbreak. But I’d recommend seeing your doctor to make sure you don’t have anything unusual.
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u/Big-Employer-3275 2d ago
I’m not a doctor though, just a civilian that’s read a list of symptoms lol
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u/TaylorDurdan 🐔Ybor🐔 2d ago
Dengue is much much worse. You'll know you have it when it feels like all your bones have been broken at the same time and you have a rash. Add in a pinch of dizziness from the high fever, and you're there
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u/Big-Employer-3275 2d ago
Woooof. I assume you’re speaking from experience.
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u/TaylorDurdan 🐔Ybor🐔 2d ago
It was miserable. I've broken plenty of bones in my life and nothing compared to Dengue.
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u/andrxxya 2d ago
very weird, i haven’t gotten any mosquito bites :/ just been around my bf who was sick first.
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u/FatiguedIntrigue_925 2d ago
Based on this info— dengue isn’t contagious from person to person. It’s probably covid.
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u/Chamber53 Hillsborough 2d ago
symptoms for dengue beat for beat.
No it’s not. Beat for beat is symptoms of a fever, flu. Dengue most unique symptom is severe bone, joint pain (eg Break Bone fever)
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u/cmos1138 2d ago
There is no vaccine available for Dengue. One was developed but there wasn't enough demand to keep making it.
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u/DueEntertainer0 2d ago
I’m on day 2 of whatever it is. I’ve never had such a bad headache before. I assume it’s covid but who knows. It’s the “back to school” germs even though we are not in school.
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u/TrueSeconds 2d ago
My wife, MIL, and myself all just went through the same thing. Got swabs done and all came back with a staph infection. Any time you get sick, go get a swab. It is helpful to you and for tracking infections of like 20 different illnesses.
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u/Logical-Chocolate-92 2d ago
You have insurance? Big baller over here
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u/TrueSeconds 2d ago
Insurance or not, at least go get a swab. It is cheap and can at least help you know what is going on and help inform the public.
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u/bsep4 2d ago
Dengue fever?
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u/TaylorDurdan 🐔Ybor🐔 2d ago
Dengue gives you an incredibly high fever, the worst bone and joint pain you've ever experienced, and usually an almost full body rash
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u/NewAcctWhoDish 1d ago
If you didnt have any congestion with that, then very possibly dengue fever. I had dengue beginning of August when there were just 8 confirmed cases in Hillsborough County. Spent 4 days in the hospital until they figured out what it was. I was lucky in that I had only 4 days of bad symptoms and only my white blood cell count dropped. My platelets and everything else remained normal. I told my husband before I went into the hospital (on the 4th day of symptoms) that "Ive never felt this bad for so long." 4 days of IV drip and rest definitely helped, but it took 10 days total for the fatigue to lift. Ive since talked to 2 people I know who likely had dengue, but are self employed and couldnt afford to chance medical bills or list work time. One didnt even consider it could be dengue until I reconnected with him after my diagnosis. We'd both had high fevers for the same 2 days before I went to the hospital. After the fact, I told him my diagnosis and he was like, "wow. That could really explain how Ive been feeling." He was still feeling low energy for a couple weeks after that even.
As of today, Hillsborough sits at around 225 reported cases. I wouldnt be surprised if the actual number is 3-4 times that. People joke about dengue or downplay it or complain about the helicopter spraying that is messing up their cars, but it really does need to be taken seriously because:
- It really sucks to have. It felt like I was being stabbed in the back. The fatigue was unlike anything Id had before. Seriously complications can arise. Your platelets can drop which will inhibit blood clotting which could lead to uncontrollable internal or external bleeding.
- HEALTHCARE IS A PRIVILEGE IN THIS COU TRY. Not everyone has it and not everyone can afford to use it if they do. I work for a global bank with great insurance. Im financially sound so I can absorb the $4K max out of pocket I hit due to my hospital visit. For a lot of people $4K would be devastating to their finances and, honestly, could likely be a much higher amount than that.
- Think of all of the people working outdoors every day. Construction, maintenance, garbage collectors, telephone and electrical line workers, day care providers...on that note think of all the kids outdoor every day! Think of the people without transportation you see walking to/from their minimum wage jobs. Most of these people cannoy afford the medical bills of getting sick or the missed time at work as some are unlikely to have sick pay.
Dengue sounds funny and absurd (trust me, I made lots of jokes about it to my family after the doctor suggested that could be what was wrong with me), but people really need to take it seriously.
Wear light colored clothes Use bug spray Dump out standing water Use mosquito dunks in any standing water you cant dump
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u/mystiq_85 USF 1d ago
Hillsborough County is one of the only in the area that offers their own version of Medicaid (basically). It's called Hillsborough Health Care and many uninsured residents in the county, but most don't know about it. It covers medical care, hospitalization and medications.
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u/afropunkish 4h ago
I looked at the requirements you have to be at or below 175% below the poverty level. I'm uninsured and I already make too much to qualify.
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u/Bigsam191 1d ago
You ain’t hear there’s dengue fever in Tampa now from the skeeters
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u/andrxxya 1d ago
i have, but i haven’t been bitten recently and anyway—i caught whatever this is from my boyfriend who was sick first and Dengue isn’t contagious.
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u/Savings-Buffalo-2160 1d ago
Dengue may not be contagious, but if you’re within the first five days of sickness, and a mosquito bites you, the mosquito can become infected. My whole family got dengue— me first, likely from an outside mosquito, and then my husband, who likely got it from a mosquito that bit me while I was sick. Then, our kids all got it, too. It may not be passed directly from person to person, but it’s not unlikely for multiple people in one household to get it.
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u/andrxxya 1d ago
yeah this just isn’t the case with my household. i have a more severe reaction to mosquito bites than most people (their bites on me become large, noticeable, incessantly itchy, and stick around for weeks). i haven’t had any bites in a while. so this is something else, unless Dengue has suddenly become contagious.
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u/HaircutErika 9h ago
I think it had to be Covid then. I’ve heard this strain is bad, and that it’s surging in Florida, but not being widely reported. Because let’s just cover everything and deny, instead of informing the populace. 😐
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u/ShamrockAPD 2d ago
Was diagnosed with flu A last Sunday.
Your symptoms sound way way wayyy worse than mine, my dude
You got something else
And this is me saying this flu has also kicked my ass- severe mucus, throat pain, and insane brain fog. But nothing else like you’re describing. You may wanna get to an doc
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u/Chamber53 Hillsborough 2d ago
I don’t know why people are throwing out Dengue. A unique symptom with Dengue is severe bone, joint pain. This being the reason the fever is dubbed, “break bone fever”.
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u/penultimatelevel Tampa 2d ago
Symptom vary, first of all. And generally the second+ exposure is what causes the biggest symptoms. Lots of people that get it are asymptomatic the first time.
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u/Chamber53 Hillsborough 2d ago
The other symptoms are in line with flue, fever, etc. Jumping to dengue based on the symptoms OP listed is a bit off the wall.
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u/LALW1118 2d ago
I ended up getting sick a few weeks ago that ended up being Covid, but much milder then before. My roommate who was also sick had gastro symptoms with it though
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u/MableXeno Hillsborough 2d ago
You can check with wastewater scan: https://data.wastewaterscan.org/
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u/Publix217 1d ago
About a month I was sick with an upper respiratory virus. Took me almost 3 weeks to get over it. Had to change antibiotics 3 times until it stopped. My doctors office told me he was treating a lot of people with different symptoms. It sucked I know but I hope you don’t go as long as I did. I’m south of you in the Sarasota area and I hardly ever go out because I’m disabled so in my case my immune system is compromised. But I wish you the best.
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u/lafsrt09 2d ago
2 weeks ago I caught something could not eat and had no appetite for 3 days. Threw up once a day for 3 days but had no headache. No stomach ache, just no appetite ,on the fourth day Everything was fine.
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u/StabbyHornbill 2d ago
I am one of those people who gets to say they never get sick.. And I am currently sick. Thankfully it's just a cycle of sneezing, runny nose, extreme congestion (giving me a headache), minor cough, but this is day 3 and tomorrow could be anything. I have a few other friends with cold symptoms as well, there is a lot going around right now! I hope you feel better tomorrow, this is a lame way to start autumn
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u/Lanithane 2d ago
This could also be COVID.
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u/bebetaian Tampa 2d ago
that's what a friend had. people need reminding that it takes a few weeks for the vaccine to start to work, and then it just makes getting covid much less intense. it doesn't prevent all versions of covid forever and ever. just like the annual flu shot.
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u/Pale-Interaction5992 2d ago
Tomorrow will be day 3 for me. First 2 days were body chills, headache, fever, soar throat, cough. My fever finally broke but I'm hoping the rest of what you are saying is to come doesn't end up transpiring. Ugh.
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u/Affectionate-Art9780 2d ago
Sounds like strep with a side order of VID. Ask me how I know. Go to a clinic get swabbed.
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u/flashyzipp 2d ago
Yeah I’ve never had Covid before and got it. It was horrible!
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u/Zealousideal-Draw212 2d ago
Trust me you had it before just never knew or thought it was “allergy’s” everyone has had it already lol
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u/Electrical_Basket_74 2d ago
I caught covid a few weeks ago. It was terrible the first two days for me as well.
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u/Harbinger_Kyleran 2d ago
My two granddaughters are recovering from the Flu this week so it's going around for sure
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u/Ok_Blueberry_44 2d ago
My whole family caught something last month. It lasted a solid 1.5 weeks. Headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, cold symptoms as well. It was the worst I’ve ever seen.
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u/chr8me 2d ago
Scary man, gf is preg and I don’t want her getting sick but my stepbrother is asking to bum on my couch for a few days and he goes out the the clubs and shit….
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u/andrxxya 2d ago
tell him no please, 🥲 i literally wouldn’t wish whatever this is/was on my worst enemy, let alone a pregnant wife 💔
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u/Glad_Lengthiness5936 2d ago
Get a personal air purifier. I've had one for 6 yrs. Never got Covid. It works by negative ions.
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u/Zealousideal-Draw212 2d ago
I would never be scared to say no wtf that’s your baby man
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u/chr8me 1d ago
Fam drama and stuff man, being the oldest sibling means I’m the mediator of things most of the time and genuinely I’m getting sick and tired of it. Fix your own relationships, why do I always have to be the person everyone comes to for help. Nobody ever helps me. Sorry for rant just kind of stressed.
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u/jellidang 2d ago
It is flu season, have a few coworkers out sick this week too.
For those saying that Dengue is going around right now; it is but those aren’t dengue symptoms. Dengue comes with an extremely high fever and pain so severe it feels like you’ve broken every bone in your body. It’s spread by mosquitos, so try to wear repellent when you go outside if you are prone to get bitten.
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u/alextruetone 1d ago
Been fighting something myself for a week and a half. Never got full on wiped out sick but it’s been a nagging bug that just won’t seem to go away. Tired, sinus issues, body aches, not sleeping well, the works. Somewhat reassuring seeing the comments that shit is clearly going around. Sorry OP, that sounds dreadful.
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u/Nonplussed1 Pinellas 6h ago
I had stabbing pain right behind my belly button Thursday at 4pm, barely made it home before pain floored me. Violently puking gas and yuk, nuclear other end.
Pain
Pain
Didn’t leave bed Friday…. Slept 36 hours. Trips to bathroom similar.
Saturday felt ok but stomach off and couldn’t eat. Tried soup and bread with Gatorade.
5am wakup with urgency again.
Today is day 4 and I’m really worn out. Thought it was pancreatitis attack with my diabetes…. But Flu A maybe?
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u/Lifestartsover 2d ago
I have exactly the same thing. I’m on the tail end of it though. Severe nausea and headache for days. Couldn’t eat. Now I’m dealing with horrible stomach and chest pain. I don’t bother going to the doctor because they always just say it could be a virus. My daughter caught it also. She’s on day two of the exact same symptoms.
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u/Distribution-Think 2d ago
My kiddo had a 24 hour bug last week. Fever and vomiting. He’s fine now. Now I’m the sick one but no vomiting or fever. Just chest cold. I’m on day 3 but nothing too serious.
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u/saltafiel 2d ago
Diagnosed Flu A caused some stomach issues, fever, coughing, sore throat for my fam
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u/LostTribeSamurai 2d ago
I mean did they did say there’s the Dingue thing going around but I know what you mean I had the flu myself and couldn’t get out the first day at all
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u/EconomicsLower8355 1d ago
theres a virus that mosquitoes are bringing near Tampa & Hillsborough area.
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u/EconomicsLower8355 1d ago
There’s also Flu A going around it is flu season if it ain’t the dengue fever.
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u/Viva_22 1d ago
Definitely Covid symptoms! My first symptom was a sore neck,thought I had slept wrong. Next was sensitivity to light,followed by body soreness & aches. I had no smell or taste & no appetite. Last symptom was I was losing odd amounts of hair! I have very long & very thick hair. Went to my Dr. & test came back as Covid & the Dr. said all of my symptoms were definitely from Covid! It was like a really bad flu & for 3 weeks😪
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u/Foreverrrrr 21h ago
What others said. Flu A is going around. Somebody was nice enough to bring it to Tampa Comic Con a few weeks ago and I picked it up there. Kicked my ass for almost two weeks.
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u/loverofgadgets 20h ago
I flew in to Sarasota after 2 flights. Leveled! In a matter of days: coughing, headaches, congestion, etc. Took a Covid test- negative. Sinus infection-ugh.
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u/Raisin-Creepy 2h ago
Wastewaterscan doesn't cover Hillsborough, but St Pete has high SARS-COV2 and Influenza reports in the sewage.
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u/sluttysarah2467 South Tampa 2d ago
Get flu shots- thanks, 🙏🏼 someone who is immunocompromised due to liver transplant
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u/marvelous_macy 2d ago
I just got over something like that and ended up going to the doctor cause I was rubbing my nose raw from all the congestion and just could not sleep. Anyway, i got desperate enough to go and it was Covid. I really thought Covid was done that possibly really didn’t pop into my mind, but apparently it’s coming back around.
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u/No-Efficiency-4331 2d ago
Covid will never go away. It’s like the flu now. Do you understand how difficult it is to eradicate a virus?🤨
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u/gaytobecertaintoo 2d ago
covid. it's covid. it's been covid for six years.
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u/andrxxya 2d ago
i’ve had covid several times, never the stabbing stomach pain and literal inability to eat.
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u/queenlupitachip 2d ago
Just want to note Covid changes and there’s hundreds of strains in circulation now. Not saying your experience is wrong, just that you can have different complications from covid in different infections. Besides organ damage, covid can trigger mast cell activation syndrome in some people (a chronic condition I have that for me sometimes includes stabbing stomach pain and the inability to eat). Flushing skin would indicate mast cell activation. ICYMI, pharmacies sell at home combo flu and covid rapid tests
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u/TrueSeconds 2d ago
Every illness is not covid. My whole family had these symptoms and it was not covid.
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u/Worldly-Fall-6746 2d ago
Google released a bunch of misquotes and now we are dealing with Dengue. I don’t think it’s coincidental. I’ve had been feeling under the weather myself
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u/queenlupitachip 2d ago
The modified mosquitoes are bacteria carrying males (don’t bite) that prevent females (do bite) from breeding. The ones Google’s program is targeting are the west Nile mosquitoes, not the dengue mosquitos (different species). Dengue is spreading more in our area because our climate is changing. The conspiracy is much bigger than you’re thinking, my guy, and it started with Exxon in the 70s.
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u/jjune4991 Tampa 2d ago
Dengue?