Kiddo in KL; Tress in Klang, and I’m in Melbourne. Each locked up inside separate premises. All pigged.

Yeah, we have been struck with the Swine Flu panics. Kiddo picked up some flu symptoms last Thursday. She and Tress left Melbourne anyway and when they arrived on Friday, the airport thermal scan picked up her temperature. She was driven straight to the KL General Hospital.

On Saturday they confirmed she has THE flu. Swine Flu. H1N1. Influenza A. Actually it is only a mild form of flu but more of that later. She was told she had to be quarantined for 7 days. Tress too was home quarantined. When I heard, I also home quarantined myself.

Yesterday morning I went to the local GP down the road, the Forest Hill Medical Centre. They were initially reluctant to see me but I said (I thought) I didnt have the sypmtoms, a bad cough notwithstanding. The cough has been with me for close to a week anyway. It turned out I also have a temperature so the doctor took a swab sample for tests, and promptly told me I had to stay away from work until the tests results are back. The doctor said this was just precaution. He said Swine Flu is actually a very mild form of flu. When I asked him how is it a mild flu has killed many in Mexico, he said other forms of flu has killed up to 25,000 in Australia alone. There has been no death from this in Australia and 100 in Mexico has to be taken into perspective against deaths from other forms of flu. Anyway, he didnt seem pleased he had to treat me, so I didnt prolong the conversation. He prescribed Tamiflu and a strong cough mixture (a codeine linctus). These, and flasks of warm water, were to be my companion for the rest of the day.

The temperature turned out to be the tell tale sign – I felt miserable for the whole of yesterday. I was aching all over, felt tired and weak and just miserable generally.

I talk to kiddo and Tress 2-3 times each everyday, and kiddo always sounds close to her usual cheery self. Last night Tress said Kiddo will now leave the hospital tomorrow, which is fantastic news. God is good.