It was any other weekday afternoon when my eldest came home from school, cheeks slightly flushed.
He felt warm, but I brushed it off; it was a hot day after all. “Let’s just get him rested,” I thought. But as evening crept in, something felt off.
He started slowing down.
The chatter that usually filled our home, his endless stories, and his running commentary on every cartoon scene grew quieter.
This is the same boy who never stops talking, moving, or planning his next adventure before finishing the current one. So when he sat down quietly, barely touching his toys, I knew something wasn’t right.
When One Falls, We All Fall
At first, I assumed it was one of those regular episodes, a little fever that would break overnight.
But it wasn’t.
A couple of days later, his father fell sick. The test confirmed it: Influenza A.
And just when we thought we could manage, my second child started coughing and slowing down too. By the time we were ready to toss the sheets into the wash, a symbolic “end” to this chapter – I joined the club.
Let me tell you: Influenza A is no joke.
We honestly thought that after surviving COVID as a family, we could handle anything.
But this? This was something else.
It hit harder, lasted longer, and drained every ounce of strength we had.
It was like being trapped in a loop of fever, chills, and body aches with no “off” button.
The Reality of Being the Sick Mum
Here’s the thing: when Mum gets sick, the whole house feels it, and everything is displaced.
I went almost four days without a proper meal, surviving on meal replacements just to keep my medicine down.
My appetite disappeared completely, replaced by headaches that throbbed so intensely I couldn’t find words for them.
Every joint ached, even lying down hurt, and my skin burnt from the fever – I think it even gave me a tan.
Meanwhile, the kids, thankfully recovering, still needed breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner.
For the parents, work went on as usual.
So, yes, the TV stayed on much, much longer.
Dishes piled up, and clothes remained unwashed. Food delivery receipts multiplied too.
And that’s okay.
Survival mode doesn’t look pretty, but it gets you through.
We stocked up on coconut water (a lifesaver for hydration) and fresh fruits – all ordered in.
Warm showers helped soothe the aches.
We learnt quickly that with influenza, the fever can return multiple times even after you think it’s gone.
So if you’re a parent reading this, don’t let your guard down too soon.
Keep resting, keep hydrating, and keep monitoring.
Also, not all medications are suitable for children or adults with influenza A; so please, always consult your doctor before giving or taking anything.
What I’d Tell Other Parents
If I could go back in time, I’d stick to our vaccination schedule no matter how busy our weekends got.
That one-month delay, because of “no time”, taught me a hard lesson.
So from one parent to another: Get vaccinated. Eat well. Rest more. Boost your family’s immunity with the right foods.
And if the flu still finds its way to your doorstep, remember, it will end.
The house will eventually look normal again. The pile of laundry will shrink (hopefully).
You’ll sip your first cup of coffee without feeling dizzy and think, “We made it.”
Because you did. You always do.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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