Could this be flu? But had flu jab

[Greta84]

Had flu jab in October. I'm convinced this is a bad cold but never ever felt like this since I had flu which was 13 years ago. I've been pretty much bed ridden struggling to go to the toilet. The onset of symptoms was very sudden. I had a tight chest on Thurs afternoon out of no where and when I coughed it really hurt. Now we're ok Sunday I'm in so much pain. Usual blocked nose, very painful when I cough in throat and chest. Achy back and worst of all is the fever and the sweating absolutely drenched last night. Thurs night I had the shivers and fever start and now on Sunday I'm really struggling. Is it like a mild flu as I've had the jab? Or just a bad cold. Struggling. Two small kids and a SAHM need to get better for tomorrow so DH can go to work

[Topseyt]

Flu vaccine doesn't cover all strains, I don't think, so it is still possible.

Maybe you should see your GP. I began 2017 with severe bronchitis. Symptoms similar to what you describe and it began as a cold which went to my chest. So there are other things it could be which should be checked out.

Hope you are on the mend soon.

[ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander]

It could definitely be flu of a different strain to the flu jab ones. Hope you're feeling better on Monday morning.

[Greta84]

Thanks. What was making me think it wasn't flu is because I can still type. But I'm very weak. Throat and chest feel horrible. So feverish too. Yes hope I'm better but been going on since Thurs and I am not feeling better if anything I'm feeling worse. Thanks for your advice

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Ditto here been over a week now. Three days completely laid up doing nothing. Ds had flu spray and he still got this. Aches, fever, cough. There is a really nasty bug. I am calling it flu because it's never been this bad and not been flu (had once before).

[Greta84]

Fever since Thurs is worrying me. As is my very sore throat

[Greta84]

Temp 38.6 in agony went out of hours doc they said it's a 'flu like illness' not sure what that means I guess they can't label as actual flu unless they swab. Said painkillers fluid & rest

[HubbleBubbles]

Ooh I had this- in fact I started a thread about it as I felt so miserable! Conclusion seemed to be that it was a very nasty flu-like virus - went on for 7 days and kind of peaked in the middle. Temp, night sweats, weird viral rash, nausea, sore throat, omg the snot!! Now I'm more or less over it , I'm quite impressed by it!
Keep dosing up on the drugs, hope you feel better!

[Greta84]

Thanks Hubblebubbles yeah it's pretty rough going have you got link to your thread? Any advice

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Addenbrooks closed wards due to a flu outbreak.

[Greta84]

I don't understand as I've had flu jab. I don't feel like I'll be better by tomorrow

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

people already explained...the flu jab doesn't cover for ALL the flu varieties, year before, 2015-16 version was one of the most ineffective ever!

so the jab doesn't make you immune to ALL flu.

[Greta84]

Sorry didn't see that thanks husband said my room is like an icebox. I'm boiling least my body is fighting the infection

[Topseyt]

Having the flu jab does NOT mean that you cannot get flu. It provides immunity to the strains it is covering that year, which are believed to be the ones most likely to be a significant problem that year.

You can still catch a different strain. It won't stop that.

Did the out of hours doctor listen to your chest etc.? If no better tomorrow I would go to your GP.

[Greta84]

Yes listened to chest said at the moment it sounds ok. Not a GP I think like a senior nurse/clinician. I have swollen glands and high temp. But nothing to warrant anything other than rest

[Topseyt]

I'd still say see your GP tomorrow. Insist that you aren't right and get another opinion.

Doesn't sound as though the out of hours experience has inspired you with confidence, so no harm in going again. Colds and flu can easily lead to severe secondary infections.

[Greta84]

No I don't think she felt confident either but I think they wanted me out of their waiting room asap so as to not spread so not a long wait

[Topseyt]

So it wasn't a good service. All the more reason to insist on seeing your GP tomorrow.

[Topseyt]

No harm in saying that OOH just didn't inspire confidence, you didn't get the impression that they felt confident either, therefore you need to be seen.

[Greta84]

Thank you. I will try get an appointment for tomorrow

[Topseyt]

Don't take no for an answer. I have learned that through having three children and also some significant problems myself.

Stress that it is urgent. If they offer an emergency appointment then take it. If they say nothing available today then ask to be put on the list of add-ons that many surgeries run at the end of the morning or afternoon session.

[Olympiathequeen]

There is a really virulent virus doing the rounds at the moment. Cold symptoms, a dreadful cough (think cough til you vomit) and a horrible fever. I'm now finishing week 4 and still coughing intermittently and feel just exhausted, no appetite and just fed up. I had a fever for 10 consecutive days of 38, really snotty nose and cough. I'd say really severe symptoms for 2.5 weeks. Started just like a cold then 5 days in the fever started.

It wasn't flu as I've had that twice in my life and I think it was a tiny bit worse but not much. Just a virus and not a bacterial chest infection but hideous.

[Olympiathequeen]

I never went to the dr. It was a virus and the fact most of the symptoms have now cleared means I was right as there's nothing more than paracetamol and ibuprofen helps.

[Anatidae]

Different varieties of flu predominate each year. The vaccine takes a long time to make so each year, scientists get together and predict which few strains they think will be the worst/most dominant in the conning flu season. They then create a vaccine against them.
It's not an exact hit every time. Sometimes something new pops up or the strain they predicted would be big isn't, but it's the best we can do right now. So a flu jab is a good idea (I always get one) but it doesn't 100% mean you don't get flu.

There are a couple of really nasty bugs doing the rounds just now.theres a Horrid hacking cough that takes forever to go and a Nasty sore throat/upper respiratory tract one that's floored us for the last week.

If it's viral there's not much you can do about it. Rest, fluids, keep warm, paracetamol if needed. If you start to get symptoms of a strep throat, a chest infection or have trouble breathing then that's the time to see your doc. Otherwise it's miserable but there's not much you can do.

[HubbleBubbles]

I have to disagree Topsey NHS advice is to stay home to prevent spreading it to the vulnerable. OP has seen a doctor and her chest sounds clear. Viruses such as Flu can be really awful but if you are otherwise healthy it won't kill you. You need to stay at home and rest imo.

[Greta84]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. ApArt from OoH visit been in bed all day. So exhausted. Painkillers are helping. Worried kids will catch it one is asthmstic so that's scary