Our most recent/ongoing experience with H1N1: Coughing and sneezing everywhere, some were so violent, they were amazing in their intensity, and scary. Everyone had trouble breathing out their little noses. Some chose to sleep in the tote of ping pong balls for coolness, others piled up in threes and fours in hammies and sleep boxes to create mini heaters because of fevers. No one was moving around very much at all... To start at the beginning.....my oldest child came home sick. Please stay completely away from the ferrets I told him. Then my youngest child got sick. Please, please, stay away from the ferrets, I told him, too. They tried, but like most young men their age, cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze, cover what? hand washing, why? Hubby was next, right along with half a dozen of the business in various stages, then the other half right behind within a day or two. So there I was with 2 grown children, a husband and 12 ferrets with the flu. Total misery from day one. Out came the humidifier, the drop or two of Ferret Rx on all of their bedding, and in the humidifier. Some got a smear on their noses once or twice. For some of the worst cases, a little bit of benadryl to help clear some of the congestion. Soup for everyone every day, extra water sources too. (Mine hate pedialyte, so that option was in reserve) Check for dehydration often, check each one to make sure it hadn't progressed into their chests. Watch for secondary infections. The last ones to succumb were the last to recover of course, but recovering they all are. Some concern me more than others, the ones that have other issues to start with anyway. Most are now their usual bouncy selves now, but still have the occasional sneezing fit. A couple of days into this ordeal, it was my turn. Went to the doctor who said we had H1N1, gave me and hubby some medicine to prevent pneumonia and deal with symptoms. Hubby was still recovering, and I was out of commission for a day or two with fever, etc.. I am thankful for my husband, he took care of them all while I lay in bed shivering, even though he wasn't up to 100% then either. H1N1 has been pretty prevalent in my area. Most cases these days are diagnosed as that. I know from where I work and now from personal experience that this stuff is extremely contagious, to people AND ferrets. I think we were really lucky that we took action immediately at the first signs and have been able to circumvent the dehydration and secondary infections. The Benedryl and the Ferret Rx stuff (Ferret Rx is from MF - I bought it on a whim several months ago at a pet store, but never used it) really seemed to help too. I'm just glad it's almost over. In all, close to 2 weeks for it to run the worst of its course. Good luck to anyone who ends up going through this. For all of us, it has been a Halloween we won't forget, and hope never to repeat. Bonnie Cole and the Colbiz [Posted in FML 6504]