What I've learned about Swine Flu

1. The system in place for dealing with swine flu is actually quite rubbish. Okay given that it is a pandemic and the NHS couldn't deal with everyone that either has or suspects they have it, it is still a bit rubbish. You have two front line options, visit a website that tells you the symptoms or listen to a phone message via a 0800 number that tells you the symptoms. Basically we are in the realms of self diagnosis as the symptoms are quite broad. Then once you've self diagnosed yourself but still need to know what to do - as in can I get a tamiflu thing or do I just put up and shut up, you then re-phone your GP who has to call you back. You could be the 25th person in a panic that day so don't expect niceties or sympathy. The best you can hope for is are you alive, can you breath then stick with the misery until it passes.

2. Wear flat shoes - you get very dizzy and quite confused. Your balance isn't great, they don't really talk about this element of swine flu. I'm guessing if you are a pig then four legs are better than two.

3. Drink lots of fluid - really really drink tons of water or squash and my new friend vitamin water. Vitamin water is probably a pointless indulgence but it feels like a great substitute for tamiflu stuff and sympathy see 1.

4. Drink coke - this is particularly helpful for the tummy/bottom troubles you may encounter. If you have ever considered Alli diet pills then get swine flu first and then you will get over thinking about choosing Alli. Put it this way, if you saw SATC the movie and remember Charlotte's unfortunate incident, then swine flu can cause this sort of thing as does Alli. It is avoidable by sheer will and the skin of your teeth. Coke helps in the battle.

5. Aches and pains - your head hurts, your arms hurt, your legs hurt. To alleviate this you are recommended paracetamol. I say make like a pig, go round on all fours, it stops you falling over and takes your mind off the pain for a moment.

6. Rest - once you start it is hard to stop bed rest as the fatigue is quite chronic. It is worth showering and dressing in the morning just to make the effort and then get up now and again. It makes you feel human and less swine like.

7. Have water by your bed at night - you will cough a lot in the night because your throat will produce flem. In fact you will get a sore throat. The cough is the driest most pointless cough you have ever had.

8. Eat - you will actually eat like a pig. Your body needs calories to fight this virus and you won't lose your appetite. This is why they say it is a mild flu in most cases. Believe me it is not that mild an illneses, though I accept it is a milder form of flu and not as serious as avian flu, you feel like poo and if you are very unlucky you will smell like poo too.

9. Make a film - don't let anyone tell you you can't make a film when you've got swine flu.

Filming Day 2

I am completely exhausted and also going through the 'should have, could have, oh maybe if...' post filming thoughts. This is not helped given I am with the flu of swine. If the film turns out like a William Burroughs sick dream then this will in part be due to a large ingestion of drugs, fluids and sheer determination.

My flu could be non specific but then that would mean I got it from Sharon Rose at out bloggy lunch! Luckily my GP is of the common sense sort and realising that bed rest was not an option, gave me all the tops tips, requisite drugs and reassured me that unless I was working with someone pregnant or with chronic bronchitis then I was not being reckless as we are in a pandemic and all hope is abandoned of containment.

I still feel as if I'm having a surreal out of body experience due to the flu but my temperature is down, the expulsions (don't ask) are abating but my body is still aching acutely and the cough is manageable. Thankfully, Mr MDS took petit garcon into nursery today so bed rest is on the cards. The worst bit is the headache which isn't a headache because it is a viral thing. However fever does produce amazing dreams.

If I hadn't been so poorly then today I would have re shot a few things but you can only push your body so far.

I took a few photos on my blackberry during filming yesterday - I'm not giving anything away though! I hope to have a screening at the London College of Fashion in November and will of course invite the blogosphere crew! Now excuse me while I go and die....

Filming Day 1

Exhausting! It was a long day and thanks to petit garcon my camera has finally died. We've worked out he has broken the lens, so there are only a few blurry ones to share.




Oh and did I mention it was cold, grey and windy - but I still needed to wear my shades!

Filming

From now until next Tuesday, filming takes over my life! It seems only yesterday I mention my filming ambitions and now it 3 days away. I'm quite tired at the moment in a nice way due to being hectic and a bit of a mind overload. In fact the very nice head of security at the Connaught Hotel just phoned me to let me know I'd put the wrong month on my film location letter. He was worried he'd missed it!

I tell you what I wouldn't mind a stay there to recover! So, have a good time blogging and will catch up on all your fab posts next week.